11+ hour, 3+ min ago   (807+ words) Being part of a grazing research project has shown the owners of a traditional hill country sheep and beef farm that they can improve their property’s profitability and environmental health simultaneously. New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute has run hill country…...

4+ day, 11+ hour ago   (716+ words) My small sunny deck is covered in seed trays, and I love it. To me, it is the start of the growing season, and I am busy sowing seeds and planting seedlings. While still early in the season, I have…...

5+ day, 16+ hour ago   (808+ words) While commercial kiwifruit is a boon for the economy – particularly in the Bay of Plenty – the wild variety is a serious plant pest. “Wild kiwifruit are a serious threat to the environment,” Chris McKay, Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity…...

1+ week, 5+ hour ago   (793+ words) Despite the cost of growing a maize silage crop rising about 30% in the past four years, growers are told they should not be tempted to cut corners, which could result in a reduced yield. “When you are growing a high-cost,…...

1+ week, 16+ hour ago   (787+ words) While avocado blocks in Bay of Plenty are commonplace, the location of one is particularly unique. Opureora Orchard is on the southwestern tip of Matakana Island and occupies 8ha within a 10ha land block known as Opureora 1B7B3. It is Māori freehold land…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (586+ words) Farmers are facing higher levies for a mandatory livestock tracing programme from today, despite most opposing cost increases. OSPRI — funded by the industry and Government — runs the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) programme, tracking livestock movements for biosecurity and…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (535+ words) A $9.7 million funding boost from the International Visitor Levy has been welcomed by Federated Farmers. It says the funding “will put feral goats and wild deer directly in the crosshairs”. “This is an incredibly positive announcement and exactly the kind…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago   (287+ words) A Bay of Plenty kiwifruit project has picked up a national sustainability award. A collaboration between some of the region’s biggest post-harvest operators has helped cut greenhouse gas emissions across the industry. Established in 2024, the project was created to help…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago   (519+ words) Calf rearing is one of the key areas focused on in a review of animal care legislation. The rising use of animal shelters in New Zealand agriculture coincides with Government changes in animal care legislation. The National Animal Welfare Advisory…...