Rural
Ireland, NZ zero-in on source of methane emissions
Both countries face national and market targets to reduce methane emissions - and aim to refine how they are calculated.
Close to 'record dry' conditions start to hit farmers
Conditions across Marlborough, Tasman and Nelson are the 'driest in years' say farmers - and are likely to get worse.
'He's a very good looking pig, that one!'
Rick Martin and Nairn Illingworth farm a drove of happy heritage pigs, and their bacon and porchetta butties have punters lining up at the farmers' market. Audio
Government gives $20,000 for Top of the South drought events
Farmers and growers across Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman are being encouraged to speak to their peers about how to manage drought-like conditions.
Sheafs, cabers and tartan on show at Turakina Highland Games
Tartan, bagpipes, sheafs and cabers were out in force at the Turakina Highland Games, billed as New Zealand's longest-running such event. They're into their 160th year. Video, Audio
'He's a very good looking pig, that one!'
Rick Martin and Nairn Illingworth farm a drove of happy heritage pigs on their small farm in Marlborough's Onamalutu Valley Audio
Truck driver takes to the water to reach farms
A large blue truck and trailer unit has become a common sight in the Marlborough Sounds as it's barged to farms to pick up and drop off livestock. Audio
Rural News Wrap
A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Sally Murphy. Audio
Country Life for Friday 23 February 2024
This week on Country Life, how stock are barged in and out by sea after roadways are blocked, a visit to the Turakina Highland Games, and a chat with heritage pig farmers in Marlborough. Audio
State-owned farming company drops quad bikes after deaths
State-owned farming company Pāmu has replaced quad bikes on all its farms across the country.
Remembering Cow 569, a hero of the 2004 floods
When major floods swept the lower North Island, Kim Riley didn't have the strength to swim to safety. Twenty years on, she still remembers Cow 569. Audio
Dairy prices hit 18-month high
International average dairy prices have reached their highest level since October 2022.
Beekeepers deliver stinging response to Apiculture NZ plan
Apiculture NZ is aiming to double exports to $1 billion by 2030 - but beekeepers are not impressed with the new strategy.
Bacterial contamination behind bad sire semen
Livestock Improvement told its shareholders that bacterial contamination was the most likely cause of faulty semen used in 1127 herds last October.
Ancestors roots run deep at Wairau Pā vineyard
Haysley MacDonald was born and bred on the family farm near Marlborough's Wairau Bar, or Te Pokohiwi. The coastal land, that overlooks Cloudy Bay, is where his ancestors first landed over 800 years… Audio
Farming to the beat of his own drum
Former Wellington Percussionist, Jeremy Fitzsimons, is now based on the family farm in the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames. Bryan Crump paid him a visit. Audio
Farmers from around the world, Jana Gäbert
Jana Gabert runs a dairy farm about 30 kilometres south of Berlin. She is among farmers around Europe who have taken to the streets in protest about increasing costs and regulation amid high… Audio
Rural News Wrap
A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Sally Murphy. This week marked a year since Cyclone Gabrielle tore through the East Coast of the North Island, causing wide… Audio
Country Life for Friday 16 February 2024
Ancestors roots run deep at Wairau Pā vineyard, Farming to the beat of his own drum, Farmers from around the world: Jana Gäbert, dairy farmer from Germany and the Rural News Wrap.
Audio
PGG Wrightson boardroom struggle ramps up
The boardroom struggle in rural services company PGG Wrightson has ramped up.