Agriculture

Luggate's Tim Moorhouse is the Young Viticulturist of the Year for Central Otago.

An 11% decline in sheep numbers nationally in the last year would exceed all predictions.

Australia has fired a scathing 330-page attack at the World Trade Organisation against New Zealand's complaint over constraints on trans-Tasman imports of pipfruit.

Up to 600 sheep farms nationally are expected to convert to dairying in the next 15 months, increasing the nation's milking herd by more than 300,000 cows.

Growers have been left on tenterhooks by a disease which has triggered a biosecurity ban blocking exports of New Zealand tomatoes and capsicums.

The national sheep flock has shrunk to its lowest level in 54 years, highlighting the difficulties facing the industry.