2+ day, 7+ hour ago   (399+ words) An NZIER report on forestry’s economic contribution has highlighted the significant variances that exist across New Zealand in its contribution to regional economies. Forestry was a $5.4 billion contributor to the NZ economy in 2024, accounting for about 1.4% of the country’s GDP....

5+ day, 8+ hour ago   (228+ words) North Otago farmer Jo Hay has been appointed a farmer-director on the Silver Fern Farms Co-operative board. Alongside her family, Hay farms sheep and beef near Oamaru and currently serves on the board of Meet the Need. She said joining…...

6+ day, 6+ hour ago   (401+ words) A research project exploring how agricultural stakeholders respond to and make decisions about emerging technologies aims to better understand how farm data is governed, shared and used in New Zealand’s rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. As a global leader in agricultural…...

1+ week, 6+ hour ago   (762+ words) Monique Steele of RNZ Disappointment is deepening in New Zealand’s struggling arable sector over farmers continuing to opt for imported animal feeds over local grain. New Zealand was one of the largest importers of palm kernel expeller (PKE) in the…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago   (663+ words) At 23, Catlins farmer Robbie Jackson is happiest where there are few neighbours, plenty of animals and enough space to make as much noise in the workshop as he likes. The isolation of farming near Kaka Point is part of the…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago   (706+ words) Councils are increasingly imposing differential rates on the primary sector to fund road maintenance, resulting in proposed rate increases of between 200% and 1200%. Forestry owner and investment banker Lewis Tucker faces a potential 1200% differential rate increase from the Carterton District Council…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (822+ words) By Peter de Graaf of RNZ A retired Northland farmer has found fulfilment by knitting hundreds of woollen blankets for premature babies. Mike Gilligan, of Dargaville, said he had so far knitted about 600 of the colourful, pint-sized blankets, with 47 delivered…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (307+ words) A Waikato sharemilker has welcomed legislation introduced in Parliament this week allowing farm workers to access their KiwiSaver savings to buy a house or farm. Danielle Hovmand has spent five years seeking the change and said once it has become…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (582+ words) By Monique Steele of RNZ Farmers are facing higher levies for a mandatory livestock tracing programme from Tuesday, despite most opposing cost increases. OSPRI – funded by industry and government – runs the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) programme, tracking livestock…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (1336+ words) By Russell Palmer of RNZ NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones has accused the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry of “medieval slave practices” at a public meeting, and called for a review of the laws governing Zespri. The self-proclaimed champion…...