New levies on dairy units viewed
New levies on dairy units viewed
Southland dairy farmers could face two new charges as Environment Southland moves to hold them to account for the financial and environmental cost of their activities.
Neal Wallace
Sheep stress not a problem: researcher
Sheep stress not a problem: researcher
Sheep are not stressed being worked by dogs, according to research by a Lincoln University biochemist.
Sharemilkers keep eye out for opportunity
Sharemilkers keep eye out for opportunity
Matthew and Hannah Sutherland do little that is unusual on their South Otago farm - it is how they manage the property that made them this year's Otago Sharemilkers of the Year.
Some wool lines lift
Some wool lines lift
Demand from Chinese buyers pushed up prices for some lines of wool at the South Island sale on Thursday, but 39% of the 16,700 bales on offer was still passed for failing to reach the reserve of growers.
Lamb kill down but companies confident
Lamb kill down but companies confident
The lamb kill hit a hole in March, but southern meat companies remain confident there is enough stock to meet their requirements.
NZ dairy giant no longer alone
NZ dairy giant no longer alone
United farmers supplying their milk to a co-operative has long been seen as the dairy industry's greatest strength.
Banks forecast more interest rate cuts
Banks forecast more interest rate cuts
Banks are forecasting further cuts to interest rates after statistics yesterday revealed the annual inflation rate had fallen to 3%, within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's target band for the first time since December 2007.
Mediation deadline today
Mediation deadline today
Today's self-imposed deadline to resolve a compensation dispute between Silver Fern Farms (SFF) and PGG Wrightson (PGG-W) looks like being breached.
Clean farm award won
Clean farm award won
Stirling dairy farmers Stephen and Rhonda Korteweg were last night named this year's winner of the Otago Farm Environment Awards.
Disquiet on sheep tag move
Disquiet on sheep tag move
Farming leaders fear New Zealand sheep farmers may be forced to electronically tag the country's 34.2 million sheep now it will be compulsory for United Kingdom farmers to do so from January 1 next year.
Minister wants change in strong wool market
Minister wants change in strong wool market
Agriculture Minister David Carter wants changes to the way New Zealand strong wool is sold but said farmers must drive any change.
New dairy company planned
New dairy company planned
A seventh dairy company looks set to be established in the South Island with news a Christchurch investment firm is seeking resource consent to build a factory between Glenavy and Studholme, in South Canterbury.
Tourism industry takes battering in trying times
Tourism industry takes battering in trying times
A seriesof body blows in the past year has forced tourism companies to rethink the way they do business.
Report vindicates views, say high country farmers
Report vindicates views, say high country farmers
High country farmers say they have been vindicated by an independent report which agreed with many of their views on how to manage the land but also sent a message that they will have to make changes.
Drench beats bad parasites
Drench beats bad parasites
A leading New Zealand parasitologist said the discovery of a fourth drench family would give farmers breathing space, but they should not be complacent.
Strong criticism of tenure review
Strong criticism of tenure review
An environmental group has slated an independent report on tenure review of the South Island high country, released yesterday, which recommended the process continue but with more checks and balances, a stance generally welcomed by farmers.
PGGW tipped for upturn
PGGW tipped for upturn
Sharebroke Forsyth Barr is forecasting a recovery in the performance of rural servicing company PGG Wrightson.
Doc denies secret deal with Pioneer Generation
Doc denies secret deal with Pioneer Generation
The Department of Conservation has "categorically" denied it has done a secret deal with Pioneer Generation to smooth the construction of a hydro-electric dam on the Nevis River near Cromwell.
Doc accused of secret power firm deal
Doc accused of secret power firm deal
The Department of Conservation (Doc) is again being accused of doing secret deals with developers of electricity schemes.
Solutions here for emissions: group
Solutions here for emissions: group
A climate change lobby group has dispelled as a "convenient untruth" claims by agricultural leaders that there were no cost-effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.