News
Farmers urged to act to reduce greenhouse gases
New Zealand farmers should act now to start reducing greenhouse gases instead of waiting for advice from the government, says an agribusiness consultant.
New agriculture minister takes tough stance on cattle disease
New Minister for Agriculture is determined to find out how the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis got in to New Zealand.
Cattle disease may be more widespread - Van Leeuwen
The dairy farmer at the centre of the mycoplasma bovis outbreak is worried it could be more widespread than the seven farms confirmed as infected.
'Suspicious' test from property next to infected farm
Two new properties in South Canterbury are in lock down because of the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis.
MPI considering Canterbury rabbit virus application
Canterbury Regional Council's application for a new strain of rabbit virus is now with the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Calls for a national standard for organics
Organic industry leaders from the US are pushing for New Zealand to develop a national standard for organics so that the sector can cash in on the thriving market.
Apple growers 'will be given assistance'
A bad batch of pesticide spray that ruined $9 million worth of apple crops contained a fungicide not intended for apples, testing has confirmed.
'Accept where we're weak' - farming industry group
Beef and Lamb New Zealand is defending the farming sector, after a rural economist said it was not addressing its challenges.
Sheep measles incidence falling
Sheep measles rates are continuing to fall with another drop the detection rate in lambs processed this season.
Climate goal 'unachievable' without change
The government's goal of a zero-carbon economy by 2050 is unachievable if farming stays the way it is today, agribusiness leader Mandy Bell says.
Time short to face 'threat' of synthetic proteins
There needs to be a move into organic and biological farming if New Zealand wants to tackle the threat of alternative protein foods, a farmer says.
'Stop whinging', farming sector told
The farming sector needs to wake up to environmental challenges after being in a bubble under the previous government, a rural economist says.
Australia hits back in mānuka honey standoff
A battle is heating up between New Zealand and Australian honey producers over what constitutes mānuka honey.
Bad batch of fungicide ruining apple crops - grower
A bad batch of fungicide has ruined apples in the Nelson region and some fruit will be destroyed instead of exported, a grower says.
Scrapping irrigation subsidies 'shortsighted'
The new policies announced by the incoming government this week are a mixed bag for the rural sector, Federated Farmers says.
Study finds 500% rise in weedkiller in human urine
The rise in human exposure to glyphosate proves people ingest it when eating Roundup-sprayed crops, the lead researcher says.
Leptospirosis creeping into urban areas
A potentially deadly farming-related disease is making its way into urban populations.
Fed Farmers: migration policies a concern
Farmers are nervous about potential restrictions on immigration by the new government and want to know what deals have been struck on policies.
Wet weather, worker shortage pushes farmers to sell
The Real Estate Institute is expecting a surge of dairy farms to hit the market in Waikato and Southland.
Poacher warning for farmers
The police are urging farmers to be on the look out for stock thieves and poachers over the long weekend.
South Island farmers nervous about cattle disease
Farmers remain nervous about the cattle disease, mycoplasma bovis, despite the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) being cautiously optimistic that it was under control.
Mental health support needed for farmers
A Waikato farmer is pushing for the government to provide better mental health support for the rural sector.
Tick disease worse this year, says Northland farmer
A disease that can kill cattle is worse this year than others, a Northland farmer says.
Farm 'looks like a duck pond'
A Bay of Plenty farmer says this has been the toughest year of farming in his 35 years on the land.
One in five farmers ignoring safety regs - WorkSafe
About 20 percent of farmers are not up to scratch with new health and safety regulations, WorkSafe says.