News

It is estimated 2 million trays of gold kiwifruit and 300,000 trays of green kiwifruit were lost, 150ha of hops saw a 50 percent loss, and 40ha of grapes had a 40-50 per cent loss. Top of the South Rural Support Trust chairman Richard Kempthorne wants affected growers...

Tasman District growers are wondering if they’ll get any financial help after the Boxing Day hail storm. Ag Minister Damien O'Connor says requests have been made for Government support to help retain permanent staff and then have seasonal staff   get the trees and the...

Only 47 per cent of New Zealand farmers think Covid 19 had a negative effect on their farms or businesses. Kiwi ingenuity and the drive to “make it work” came through in an AgResearch survey with Farmers and others working in the agriculture in New Zealand and...

Synlait Milk's share price fell sharply after the company said the problems of its biggest customer, a2 Milk, will lead to its net profit in the 2021 financial year being about half that of the previous year. Synlait stock fell as low as $4.50 on the news before...

For strawberry growers that may be too little too late. There are plenty of strawberries to go round this Christmas, but next year may be a different proposition with stressed strawberry growers around the country having struggled to find workers, harvest and export...

The government is extending the visas of many migrant workers to ease labour shortfalls. Working holiday and employer-assisted work visas will be pushed forward six months. A 12-month stand down period for Essential Skills visa holders working in New Zealand for three...

Nine raw milk suppliers accused of putting consumer health at risk are facing criminal proceedings. MPI has laid charges against the suppliers following a 12-month investigation. During a co-ordinated sting in December 2019, ministry staff shut down sales of raw milk...

Horticulture is booming, having grown 300 per cent in the last 12 years and set to continue its trajectory, new research shows. A new report from economic consultancy Berl shows growing Māori ownership in the sector is worth $220 million per year. The report estimates...

Fonterra and Nestlé are teaming up with DairyNZ on a promising plantain trial to help improve waterways and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. Cow’s eating plantain has been shown to reduce the nitrogen concentration in their urine, alleviating some of the...