Rural
Worst drought seen on Hawke's Bay farm in 113 years
The rolling hills on the Dasent family's farm in rural Hawke's Bay are a sea of brown as far as the eye can stretch. Video
Midday Rural News for 8 May 2020
Farmers say they under huge pressure as they deal with no grass growth, hungry stock and limited supplementary feed.
Maja Burry has the rural news. Audio
Regenerative agriculture: How a dairy farmer learned to trust his instincts
A journey from generations of standard dairy farming to a new, regenerative approach is having early benefits for the land and the farmer, writes Alina Siegfried.
Drought relief: Teen encourages farmers to 'bare all'
A Facebook page for Hawke's Bay farmers struggling with severe drought is being credited with saving lives. Video
Increase in exports helps drive rise in beef cattle numbers
New figures from Stats NZ show the number of beef cattle being farmed in New Zealand rose last year, while dairy cow and sheep numbers fell.
Midday Rural News for 7 May 2020
According to Stats NZ, beef cattle numbers lifted last year, while the number of dairy cows and sheep on farms fell slightly.
Maja Burry has the rural news. Audio
Midday Rural News for 6 May 2020
New drought support has been announced by the Government today. Federated Farmers hopes this will go some way in helping to address the feed access issues facing some farmers.
Maja Burry has the… Audio
Coronavirus: NZ Agricultural Show cancelled
This year's New Zealand Agricultral Show in Christchurch has been cancelled because of Covid-19.
Its the first time the show will NOT go on since the end of the second World War.
The announcement… Audio
Forestry back up and running
The heart of the Gisborne economy is beating again as the forestry industry is back in full swing under alert level 3.
Midday Rural News for 5 May 2020
A Hawke's Bay farming leader says finding ways to get feed into drought-hit parts of the region is front of mind, as some farmers battle the worst conditions they've seen in decades.
Andrew McRae has… Audio
Government stimulus funding would create 200 jobs – Buller mayor
The government's Covid-19 stimulus package could deliver more than 200 jobs and secure Buller's economic future, according to its mayor.
Midday Rural News for 4 May 2020
The Government has adamantly ruled out any relaxation of rules banning new migrant workers, despite the uncertainty horticulturists have around staff numbers.
Susan Murray has the rural news. Audio
Drought-stricken farmers still struggling
The situation is expected to worsen for farmers in drought-hit areas over the next few months, with hopes of any decent grass growth before winter quickly diminishing.
Parts of Northland, Hawke's Bay… Audio
First Farm - a 15 year journey to farm ownership
Just over a year ago Michael and Susie Woodward packed up their 4 children, cows, goats, chickens and farm equipment and moved from a 50/50 sharemilking position in Canterbury to their own farm in… Audio, Gallery
First Farm - a 15 year journey to farm ownership
Just over a year ago Michael and Susie Woodward packed up their 4 children, cows, goats, chickens and farm equipment and moved from a 50/50 sharemilking position in Canterbury to their own farm in…
Audio