Rural News: Recent Episodes
RNZ
Comprehensive twice-daily coverage of rural events and people, including farming, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, trade, research and rural politics.
Leptospirosis cases in humans are on the rise, but an expert in infectious zoonotic diseases - passed from animals to humans - says more research is needed to understand how the bacterial disease is being transmitted between animals and between species. Monique Steele has the rural news.
Māori-owned Moana Fisheries says people need all the facts about commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf before responding to government plans to restrict fishing there. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
The US market could offer a glimmer of hope for struggling sheep meat prices - with more New Zealand product being exported there. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
The single-desk kiwifruit exporter Zespri admits it was not nimble enough to deal with poor quality fruit late last year which threatened the reputation of the $4 billion industry. Susan Murray has sports.
A number of rural school principals nationwide are bucking the Government's plan to outfit 800 schools with synthetic flooring tiles - and are fundraising to purchase New Zealand wool carpet themselves. Susan Murray has the rural news.
Honey producers are buzzing with Comvita's revenue increasing by $25 million. Susan Murray has the rural news.
A2 has today announced its financial results and its sales have risen by more than ten percent amid a challenging market. Susan Murray has the rural news.
A further price shock is rattling the rural sector as dairy giant Fonterra slashes its milk price forecast for the second time in a fortnight. Monique Steele has the rural news.
Conservation group Forest and Bird is calling on the fishing industry to put an end date on the controversial practice of bottom trawling. Monique Steele has the rural news.
New Zealand dairy farmers are gritting their teeth as global dairy prices nose-dive to a four-year low. Monique Steele has the rural news.
Rural services provider PGG Wrightson's annual profit has dropped by nearly a third with high debt and weaker real estate impacting returns. Monique Steele has the rural news.
It's been six months since Cyclone Gabrielle hit the East Coast, and in the worst hit regions along the East Coast many farmers and growers are still in survival mode. Monique Steele has the rural news.
R-CALF USA, the largest body representing producers of cattle and sheep in America, says the sheep industry there has been decimated over the last three decades with an explosion of lamb and mutton from Australia and New Zealand pushing down returns for local producers. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
Punnets of kiwifruit have been recalled in the US - over listeria concerns. Zespri says the fruit has been traced back to two orchards - so all the fruit from them is now on hold - which is about 3,400 trays. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
News from the rural farming sector With over 15 thousand signatures the petition calling on the government to use only wool carpets in its buildings has so far failed to reach the final stage due to an administrative error. New figures have confirmed the conversion of farmland to forestry has slowed amid uncertainty around the future of carbon credits. While export beef and lamb prices continue to drop - the venison market is beginning to show some strength.
Some confronting footage of effluent from a pig farm overflowing into a stream has been released by Waikato Regional Council. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
An advisor says many farmers will be working 50 hour weeks for the rest of the year without taking home a paycheck due to falling commodity prices. Schedules for sheep and beef continue a downward spiral with competition from overseas producers and lower international demand. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
News from the rural farming sector For the first time since eradication efforts began there are no farms infected with m.bovis. It's a hugetone in the eradication of mycoplasma bovis, but officials say we're still not out of the woods just yet. It's expected the forecast milk price will drop further after values nose-dived at the global dairy auction overnight. A dumping of snow around the bottom half of the South Island isn't causing issues for farmers with many saying the bad weather has headed north.
Securing a stable workforce was top of the agenda at this morning's Apples and Pears Conference in Christchurch. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
Hawkes Bay growers say following changes the Government has made to one of its cyclone recovery packages, they have a clearer path forward. Monique Steel has the rural news.
Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair, Matthew Zonderop, says the combination of inflation, paying wages, high feed prices and a falling beef price schedule is putting people off raising bobby calves. Monique Steele has the rural news.
The Forest Owners Association says the Government's reset of the ETS is a step in the right direction, but it isn't enough to restore confidence in the forestry sector. Monique Steele has the rural news.
A Waikato dairy company was fined over $32,000 for failing to declare hundreds of animal movements. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
A Canterbury farmer has started a petition calling on the government to buy only wool carpets. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
Huge downpours in Canterbury over the weekend flooded paddocks and created muddy conditions for stock and roads that were repaired after flooding two years ago have been wrecked. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
Over 250 Hawkes Bay farmers will receive 75 kilometres of fencing materials, including 20,000 fence posts, today in a bid to help them get back on their feet after Cyclone Gabrielle. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
Since the beginning of June, exporters have been talking about tough market conditions for lamb, and now we have some trade data to back that up. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
Jordan Hamilton-Bicknell who runs boutique butchery, Wild Game, in Hastings took out both supreme honours at the 100% New Zealand Bacon and Ham awards in Auckland last night. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
According to a new report The veterinary profession and its training are approaching a crisis point and need an urgent overhaul. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
DOC rangers are out surveying whitebait populations ahead of the upcoming season. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
New research led by University of Otago Professor Garry Nixon, shows twice the number of under-30-year-olds living in rural areas die, compared to those in cities. Kim Moodie has the rural news.
The Ministry of Education has pushed back at wool farmers and suppliers who complained about its decision to buy nylon carpet for more than 600 schools from the United States. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
The Southland Regional Council is standing by its decision to order five farmers to stop winter grazing. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
Primary Industry exporters are getting ready to take advantage of the EU free trade deal. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
Bull auctions wrapped up this week. Farmers around the country sought out the best genetics to add to their breeding stock. Kim Moodie has the rural news.
A new venture is catching kina and feeding them in land-based tanks to bolster their roe production which is apparently delicious to eat. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
The top researchers and innovators in the primary industries have been recognised for their work. This years Primary Industry Awards were held in Wellington last night. Sally Wenley has the rural news.
Farmers in the lower half of the South Island are battling blizzard like conditions and freezing temperatures as a cold snap sweeps across the land. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
Four farms covering more than 2,000 hectares have been sold to overseas investors. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
The Ministry for Primary Industries says its well placed to fight multiple biosecurity incursions testing the country. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
Food and fibre companies are hoping to build stronger relationships in China this week. Susan Murray has the rural news.
The wet weather is having an impact on Gisborne vegetable producers. Susan Murray has the rural news.
A number of New Zealand sawmills producing housing timber are temporarily halting work as the construction sector retracts. Andrew McRae has the rural news.
Rural insurer FMG has paid out more than $120 million in claims relating to Cyclone Gabrielle. Susan Murray has the Rural News.
News from the rural farming sector Yes as of yesterday the Ministry for the Enviroment had recieved about 11 and a half thousand submissions on the plan to price agricultural emissions from 2025. The court battle between the Gisborne District Council and gold kiwifruit growers over including kiwifruit licenses in rateable values looks set to continue.
News from the rural farming sector Despite a cold and wet spring in Canterbury, NIWA is now warning the region has become a hotspot on moisture deficit readings and that's likely to get worse over the next week. PlantTech Reasearch Institute Limited; a company which wanted to develop artificial intelligence for the horticulture sector has been put into liquidation. Processors have decreased slaughter prices for mutton and lamb and a market expert is warning prices will continue to fall in the months ahead.
After two years of cancellations the country has finally come back to town. More than 120,000 people are expected to attend the show in Christchurch through 'til Friday. Fonterra has appointed Neil Beaumont to the role of chief financial officer, effective early February 2023. China is buying cheaper proteins from countries like Brazil - and that means the amount of sheep-meat we send there is dropping.
Hundreds of farmers are turning out to meetings about paying for on-farm emissions. Kim Moodie has the rural news.
Weeks of record-breaking rainfall in Hawke's Bay is causing havoc for farmers. Kim Moodie has the rural news.
News from the rural farming sector That's right the average price at the fortnightly sale fell 4-point-6 percent overnight to $3723 USdollars a tonne. The joint winners of The Great New Zealand Sausage Compeititon say they're shocked and stoaked with the win. Prices for well presented cross-bred wool clips are slowly edging up - but poorer quality fleeces are still struggling to gain momentum.
China's continuing zero-Covid policy is still tough for New Zealand exporters. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
News from the rural farming sector It's peak season for many contractors at the moment, as arable farmers prepare the ground for planting. But wet weather across the Waikato, Manawatu and Wairarapa means many are unable to work. Australia has signalled it might join the global effort to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent before the turn of the decade, but has ruled out following New Zealand's lead of taxing on farm emissions. And just lastly if you have the skills and knowhow to run a 17th century Dutch-style windmill to grind wheat for bread, then Foxton needs you!
Many farmers have escaped the worst of the snow. Rurals reporter Kim Moodie has te pūrongo taiwhenua.
News from the rural farming sector New Zealand King Salmon has reported a net loss of $24.5 million dollars for the six months to July, with increasing fish deaths, a lower harvest and a decline in biomass at sea. And worker advocates warn that employers must not be allowed to exploit the next wave of seasonal workers from the Pacific.
News from the rural farming sector New Zealand King Salmon has reported a net loss of $24.5 million dollars for the six months to July, with increasing fish deaths, a lower harvest and a decline in biomass at sea. And worker advocates warn that employers must not be allowed to exploit the next wave of seasonal workers from the Pacific.
News from the rural farming sector New Zealand King Salmon has reported a net loss of $24.5 million dollars for the six months to July, with increasing fish deaths, a lower harvest and a decline in biomass at sea. And worker advocates warn that employers must not be allowed to exploit the next wave of seasonal workers from the Pacific.
News from the rural farming sector As you may have heard in the business news, Fonterra will pay farmers 9-dollars-30 a kilogram of milk solids for the 2021-22 season. The Ministry of Primary Industries has announced it will begin culling cows on a huge feedlot near Ashburton, which is infected with M-bovis.
News from the rural farming sector As you may have heard in the business news, Fonterra will pay farmers 9-dollars-30 a kilogram of milk solids for the 2021-22 season. The Ministry of Primary Industries has announced it will begin culling cows on a huge feedlot near Ashburton, which is infected with M-bovis.
News from the rural farming sector As you may have heard in the business news, Fonterra will pay farmers 9-dollars-30 a kilogram of milk solids for the 2021-22 season. The Ministry of Primary Industries has announced it will begin culling cows on a huge feedlot near Ashburton, which is infected with M-bovis.
News from the rural farming sector Organisers of the New Zealand Agricultural Show say there's no need to ban animals over disease concerns. This comes as organisers of the Melbourne Royal Show announced they would ban pigs because they're considered to have a higher risk of harbouring and spreading exotic diseases like foot and mouth. Over a million hectares of wilding pine control work has been carried out over the last two years. Rabobank doesn't expect China's zero-Covid policy to be scrapped anytime soon, and says demand for New Zealand's milk is suffering as a result.
News from the rural farming sector Organisers of the New Zealand Agricultural Show say there's no need to ban animals over disease concerns. This comes as organisers of the Melbourne Royal Show announced they would ban pigs because they're considered to have a higher risk of harbouring and spreading exotic diseases like foot and mouth. Over a million hectares of wilding pine control work has been carried out over the last two years. Rabobank doesn't expect China's zero-Covid policy to be scrapped anytime soon, and says demand for New Zealand's milk is suffering as a result.
News from the rural farming sector Organisers of the New Zealand Agricultural Show say there's no need to ban animals over disease concerns. This comes as organisers of the Melbourne Royal Show announced they would ban pigs because they're considered to have a higher risk of harbouring and spreading exotic diseases like foot and mouth. Over a million hectares of wilding pine control work has been carried out over the last two years. Rabobank doesn't expect China's zero-Covid policy to be scrapped anytime soon, and says demand for New Zealand's milk is suffering as a result.
News from the rural farming sector Beef and Lamb New Zealand and Dairy NZ have hit back at claims they don't listen to farmers or kaipamu. A seven year programme aimed at lifting profits for deer farmers has been deemed a success despite not meeting all of its targets. The Egg Producers Federation says the rising cost of energey, transport and labour has resulted in the price of eggs going up.
News from the rural farming sector Beef and Lamb New Zealand and Dairy NZ have hit back at claims they don't listen to farmers or kaipamu. A seven year programme aimed at lifting profits for deer farmers has been deemed a success despite not meeting all of its targets. The Egg Producers Federation says the rising cost of energey, transport and labour has resulted in the price of eggs going up.
News from the rural farming sector Beef and Lamb New Zealand and Dairy NZ have hit back at claims they don't listen to farmers or kaipamu. A seven year programme aimed at lifting profits for deer farmers has been deemed a success despite not meeting all of its targets. The Egg Producers Federation says the rising cost of energey, transport and labour has resulted in the price of eggs going up.
News from the rural farming sector: Sheep are traced by mobs through a paper-based system, but that needs to be moved online to better protect against diseases. There's been talk in New Zealand about sharpening up our systems following the foot and mouth outbreak in Indonesia. Fruit grower Scales Corporation has reported a positive half year result despite a smaller apple crop. Hay and silage wrap company ProAg is the latest to join a scheme which collects and recycles plastic waste from farms.
News from the rural farming sector Gisborne kiwifruit growers are considering their legal options - after the High Court ruled Sungold Kiwifruit licenses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a hectare, can be included in the rateable value of their property. Southland Federated Farmers is offering to source feed and grazing for flood-hit Tasman and Marlborough farmers. Plans are underway to transform New Zealand's forestry sector so more trees are processed here and investment in wood-based biomass fuel is increased.
News from the rural farming sector The log-jam was predicted months ago with labour shortages affecting meat plants and the lamb kill running months late, so co-inciding with the bobby calf peak. Farmers in Tasman and The West Coast are being warned to move stock to higher ground immediately as heavy rain lashes the regions. Global dairy prices have fallen for the fifth consecutive time in the global dairy auction overnight.
News from the rural farming sector: The Ministry for Primary Industries has quashed reports China is set to ban imports of New Zealand meat. The golden glow is falling off kiwifruit returns this year. Fruit is being thrown out in export markets because the quality is too poor. With calving underway, dairy farmers are being urged to plan ahead to combat feed shortages.
A government task force is ready to act if a case of foot and mouth disease is confirmed here.
News from the rural farming sector for 29 July 2022 Two Auckland butcheries have taken out the top spots in this year's 100% New Zealand Bacon and Ham Awards. New Zealand needs to diversify its export market for avocados if growers want to get decent returns, a new report has found. Kiwifruit growers are being urged to get out and vote on a proposal which would increase plantings of the SunGold variety in overseas production sites.
News from the rural farming sector for 28 July 2022 Farmers on the Chatham Islands might not be able to ship stock off the island for four months during the busy Autumn period next year. Kiwifruit growers can now have their say on if they think Zespri should expand the amount of Sungold kiwifruit it grows overseas. Farmers could soon have new solutions to mitigate nitrate leaching on-farm.
News from the rural farming sector Red meat farmers are set to get good returns this year - as beef and lamb markets remain strong amid global uncertainty. High inflation has put pressure on log prices and forest owners have seen significantly increasing harvesting costs. New Zealand's free trade deal with the United Kingdom is one step closer, after having its first reading in Parliament yesterday.
News from the rural farming sector for 20 July 2022 Global dairy prices have fallen to a nine-month low. Farmers in Canterbury and Otago are still waiting for flood waters to recede so they can assess the damage to their land. Farmgate returns for venison farmers continue to grow.
The Climate Change Commission is backing the pricing of agricultural emissions at the farm-level and outside the Emissions Trading Scheme.
The scientist behind a successful low-methane sheep breeding programme says the modified animals have an added benefit for farmers in being lean meat producers as well.
The Trade Minister says the recently completed round of the World Trade Organsiation talks were a win for the world's fisheries. The latest rural news with Susan Murray.
News from the rural and farming sector, including Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor on the just-released Emissions Reduction Plan.
The honey sector wants to move away from volume and focus on value. A daily wrap of the rural news with Kim Moodie.
The war in Ukraine could see us planting more sunflowers. All the latest rural news with Susan Murray.
News from the rural and farming sector: the agriculture minister Damien O'Connor tells Sally Murphy why he's declared a drought for the entire Southland region.
Farmers in parts of Southland are selling off lambs and reducing milking schedules due to extremely dry conditions. Sally Murphy has the rural news.
News from the rural and farming sector. Plus the latest on the rain for farmers with Sally Murphy.