Dairy Farming
SMASHing it
SMASH has been set up to help dairy farmers, particularly those with smaller operations, run successful businesses. Audio
First Farm - a 15 year journey to farm ownership
Just over a year ago Michael and Susie Woodward packed up their 4 children, cows, goats, chickens and farm equipment and moved from a 50/50 sharemilking position in Canterbury to their own farm in… Audio, Gallery
Farmers on Tour
Each year Palmerston North-based ag consultant Parry Matthews organises a tour for his clients. Scores turn up. This year they're in Waikato looking at handing a farm from one generation to the next.
…One year since the Christchurch Mosque Attacks
Reza-Abdul Jabbar owns a 349-hectare dairy farm in Southland and is Imam of the world's southernmost mosque in Invercargill. Last March, when he featured on RNZ's Country Life programme, he talked… Audio
The 90's File
Why do young people choose to work in agriculture? Country Life meets Briar Loveridge who is now working in a job she didn't know existed. Audio
Dairying's Woman of the Year
Taranaki share-milker Trish Rankin is 2019's Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year. She's an active environmentalist, mother of four, teacher, is on the National Executive for the NZ Dairy Awards, is a… Audio
Christmas Fare - Growers report in on the year that's been...
Country Life's whipping around the country to hear about 'the year that's been' for our food producers. Audio
Striped dairy cows – a rare breed
Opunake farmer Andy Whitehead milks eight different breeds of cattle. Lakenvelders are his favourite. They hail from the Netherlands and are easy to spot in the dark. Audio, Gallery
The Taranaki Trust that keeps on giving
Trusts set up more than 50 years ago by two Taranaki farmers have helped thousands of young people further their careers in agriculture and veterinary science. Profits from two dairy farms boost the… Audio
On the job with an Artificial Breeding Technician
Gisela Bach is a Waihi dairy farmer and qualified as a vet in her home country Spain. She's been in New Zealand nine years and spends October and November artificially inseminating cows. Audio, Gallery
Farming with the future in mind
A fourth-generation Canterbury dairy farmer is embracing regenerative agriculture. John says soil health on his Leeston property has improved dramatically since he stopped using synthetic fertilisers… Audio
14: Modern New Zealand
It’s the final episode of the Aotearoa History Show! Rogernomics, Ruthanasia and the referendum on MMP saw the total restructuring of our economy and voting system. Plus a snapshot of the changing… Audio
Spectacular Speckles are turning heads
There's a lot of chatter about Speckle Park cattle. The Canadian breed is the fastest growing cattle breed on the planet. New Zealand farmers are jumping on board. Beef farmers like Speckle Parks… Audio, Gallery
Kylie Leonard: committed to dairy farming and community
Kylie Leonard's cows get to enjoy the scent of her French perfume. After a house fire, the Taupo farmer has vowed to live life to the full and not keep anything for special occasions. Last year Kylie… Audio
Fiji dairy farmers still losing cattle to TB
While milk production in Fiji is increasing, a senior industry official says cattle continue to be lost to tuberculosis. Audio
Tangaroa Walker - Dairy Farmer 4 Life
29 year old Tangaroa Walker is an award winning Southland contract milker who's evangelical about the joys of rural life. On his increasingly popular Facebook page Farm 4 Life he posts videos of daily… Audio
Bringing up the boys - calf rearing in Waikato
Mark Bocock rears 4500 calves a year at his property near Te Awamutu in Waikato. At this time of year he's working 12 hours a day, making 140 farm visits a week to pick up calves. Audio
A Helping Hand from Hemp
Dave and Anne Jordan say the world would benefit from the widespread planting and use of hemp. They have been working for more than a decade to build a hemp industry in New Zealand. Audio, Gallery
Working smarter not harder - the lean approach to dairying
When Jana Hocken moved from working as a business consultant in Brussels and Sydney to living on a Manawatu farm she couldn't believe the inefficiencies she saw in dairy farming. She's now practising… Audio
Westland Woes
Colin van der Geest is dairy farmer based on the West Coast. He spoke to RNZ's Maja Burry about why he made the decision to back the sale of Westland Milk Products to China's Yili conglomerate. Audio