Carol Stiles

Welcome rain has set farms up for the summer but hail in Hawke's Bay and Pukekohe has caused some fruit damage. It hasn't really warmed up in the far south and grass is struggling to grow. Audio

Country Life talks to Sarah O'Connell on the eve of the New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch, Reefton sparky Greg Topp is among locals helping to restore the old hydro scheme on the Inangahua… Audio

A fourth-generation Canterbury dairy farmer is embracing regenerative agriculture. John says soil health on his Leeston property has improved dramatically since he stopped using synthetic fertilisers… Audio

Steve Matthews loves the wild Wairarapa coast where he's worked on farms most of his life. Intrigued by the deer he used to see munching seaweed on the beach, the pensioner started up his own small… Audio, Gallery

Hot temperatures have seen pasture growth bolt away over much of the North Island. In the South it's been warm too. Farmers in Canterbury have been planting kale for grazing next winter and hopefully… Audio

Rural doctors, nurses, and business have met with the health minister this week to press home health issues affecting people living in the country side and smaller towns. Our guest this week is a GP… Audio

A Tale of Three Shepherds, Cute as Buttons, Allocating Water for Dates, DIY Soil Testing and the Regional Wrap. Audio

There's a lot of chatter about Speckle Park cattle. The Canadian breed is the fastest growing cattle breed on the planet. New Zealand farmers are jumping on board. Beef farmers like Speckle Parks… Audio, Gallery

Jackie Law takes in unwanted pacers and trotters once they have finished their harness racing careers. So far she's rehomed more than 600. Most come from horse trainers who like to see them get a… Audio

New Zealand-based international cheese judge Juliet Harbutt would like to see cheese makers here make their own distinct cheeses rather than copy well-known recipes. Audio

In Waikato asparagus production is down significantly because of cooler wetter conditions this spring. Apple orchards in the Nelson/Motueka region are coming to the end of flowering. There has been… Audio

Spectacular Speckles, Rehoming Reject Horses, More Cheese Please and the Regional Wrap. Audio

In Northland it has been an exceptional week in terms of pasture growth on the back of some good rain. Canterbury has had another variable week of weather with only a couple of good days in which to… Audio

The Karioi Project, Nuts about Hazels, Kylie Leonard - Committed to dairy farming and to her community and the Regional Wrap. Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

Mount Eliza Cheese, Max Suckling and the BMSB, regional wrap, frost fighting on a Wairarapa vineyard and NZ organic produce in China. Audio

From Canton to Kerikeri, Japan quake sparks new life in the vines, NZ home for Siberian huskies and the regional wrap. Audio

The West Coast had a good dollop or rain this week but generally there's been fine spring weather around the country which has got grass pulsing and helped lamb survival rates. With buds bursting on… Audio

From Farm to Fridge, looking for truffles, a rugby playing farmer and the Regional Wrap. Audio