‘Frustrating’: 3G shutdown leaves farmers struggling for signal
Some farmers say they’re “quite frustrated” by patchy and unreliable rural mobile phone coverage after the 3G network…
Pāmu apprenticeship scheme attracts nearly 100 applicants for 2027 intake
Apprentices gain practical farming experience while working towards industry-recognised qualifications and vehicle micro-credentials focused on on-farm health and…
Pastures Past: Stolen petrol, butter and other tales of theft
Below is a selection of historical stories from the Northern Advocate (1931), New Zealand Herald (1932), Rotorua Morning…
Phosphate mined in NZ for first time in decades
Phosphate is being mined in New Zealand for the first time in nearly 80 years, with the first…
Japan went from a rice shortage to a rice surplus in two years, due to drought, tourism and the U.S.
In 2023, extreme heat and drought damaged Japan’s rice crop, and a year later, that damage turned into…
Pastures Past: The early debate over New Zealand’s pine forests
Yet not everyone was convinced. Concerns about fire risk accompanied the expansion of pine forests, particularly in remote…
Fonterra posts $3.4 billion operating profit after sale of Mainland brands
Fonterra has delivered a full-year profit of $2.6 billion in its financial results announced this morning. The full-year…
Minister Shane Jones wants bespoke aquaculture legislation to boost sector amid ‘anxiety’ over land farming limits
Back inside the meeting room, industry bosses were optimistic but wary about the ambitious and aspirational forecast provided…
Election 2026: Act to campaign on making ‘farming fun again’
“In Wellington, if there’s a heavy hailstorm, the bureaucrats work from home. On the farm, it could mean…
Pastures Past: When traction engines challenged New Zealand’s railways
Building tracks, stations, bridges, and associated infrastructure required considerable investment. A traction engine could provide transport without the…
Major bank warns El Niño impact could slow GDP growth
Westpac Bank is warning developing El Niño conditions could impact badly on pasture-based agriculture, particularly dairy, sheep and…
Pastures Past: What an Australian farmer thought of NZ sheep in 1938
He also offered his opinion on New Zealand’s farming practices, suggesting that there was considerable wastage occurring in…