Farming
The farmers working to shrink the environmental footprint of their cows
Can the planting of special crops and experiments with new winter grazing systems make a real difference? Audio
Canterbury farmers planting special crops to limit nitrate leaching
Some Canterbury dairy farmers are striving to limit nitrate leaching and their cows' environmental footprint by planting special crops and experimenting with new winter grazing systems. Researchers… Audio
Midday Rural News for 15 December 2025
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
Rural life in the big smoke
Being right in the middle of Auckland city and surrounded by city-dwellers comes with its challenges for Cornwall Park farm.
'It's the magic of training, the magic of animals'
Teens and kids at Bex Tasker's place find joy and life skills training farm animals.
The trainer turning animal tricks into teen confidence
Chickens play football and sheep wave their hooves at Bex Tasker's place. She used to be a dog handler with customs and now uses her expertise in animal training and positive reinforcement methods to… Audio
Cornwall Park The farm within the heart of a city
Cornwall Park farm is something of a hidden gem in the heart of Auckland City. But being a farm in the city comes with specific challenges. Audio
Full Episode for Friday 12 December 2025
Full Episode for Friday 12 December 2025. Audio
Why some NZ apple growers are ditching the US
One of New Zealand's major apple growers, Hawke's Bay's "Yummy Fruit", has stopped shipping to the U-S as a result to President Trump's tariffs. The 15 percent tariff essentially cancelled out their… Audio
Pig farming rule changes passed under urgency
The legislation cancels an upcoming ban on farrowing crates, which keep mother pigs confined to avoid them accidentally crushing piglets.
Midday Rural News for 10 December 2025
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
'No plans to ship to the US': Tariffs bite into apple grower's profits
Tariffs on a range of New Zealand exports including apples were first introduced in April at 10 percent, and increased to 15 percent in August.
Midday Rural News for 9 December 2025
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
Water nitrate levels rise in town previously hit by unsafe levels
Nitrate levels are inching up in a South Canterbury town, where some council water supplies were previously off limits for extended periods.
Cash cows more like cash bulls
Tangihau Angus near Gisborne has a habit of breaking records. Last year it set a top price for New Zealand bulls at $135,000. This year it's done it again, setting a new record price of $161,000.
