Rural
'A horse in a small package': Tiny equines ready to take on big race
Four-legged athletes will thunder down Ninety Mile Beach in what is being called "the biggest miniature horse race in the world". Audio
Third-generation cowboy takes out national rodeo championship
Johnson Davis has been riding since he was a toddler and says he is "chuffed" to have the title - and the winner's trophy saddle.
Drought declaration unlocks support for some North Island farmers, growers
Extremely dry conditions affecting North Island farms are not expected to improve in the short-term, the Minister of Agriculture says.
Drought a boon for salt works
Dry conditions are no good for farmers right now, but at Dominion Salt's works south of Blenheim, workers can't get enough.
Open fires banned in Hawke's Bay
The region has dried out and no rain is forecast in the next 10 days, heightening the risk of wildfires.
Kiwifruit head excited for big returns this coming season
Kiwifruit growers are the most positive ever seen at the start of the season, an industry group says.
Rare bird returns to Wairarapa wetlands
A distinctive booming sound is returning to the Wairarapa Moana. Most of the surrounding wetlands have been lost after land was drained for farming. Now, after years of rehabilitation work, more of… Video, Audio
Low-cost posts for farms and no landfill charges for vineyards
A start-up in Marlborough is busy repurposing damaged vineyard posts, that were used to hold up the canopy, into sustainable posts for farm fencing. Audio
A taste of the future of dairy
Justin Gregory tries Daisy Lab's prototype precision-fermented products, which aim to have the texture and mouthfeel of dairy product, but are made without input from a cow. Audio
A wrap of the week's rural news
A declaration of drought for Otago and Canterbury unlocking new funding support for struggling farmers. Audio
Country Life for Friday 22 March 2024
This week Country Life takes you to an Auckland lab making cheese without the need for a cow, and a start-up in Marlborough which is busy recycling damaged vineyard posts into low cost posts for farm… Audio
Kaimanawa horses adoptions threatened by cost of living
The cost of living could see fewer people take home horses from the Kaimanawa Horse Muster this year, an advocate says.
Interest in agriculture drives sharp rise in enrolments
"Lincoln's education and research programmes are leading positive and impactful change in the land-based sectors," its vice-chancellor says.
Rural NZers more likely to drink alcohol wastewater sampling finds
Wastewater sampling has found New Zealanders living in less populated areas are more likely to drink alcohol than those in bigger towns or cities.
South Islanders consumed more booze than the North… Audio
It might be a drought - but it's part of a 'perfect storm' facing farmers
Farmers are a resilient bunch, but the conditions they're facing are out of the ordinary, the Agriculture Minister says.
Farmers in top of South Island still facing extremely dry conditions
Many farmers across the top of the South Island are still facing extremely dry conditions, with no significant rain on the horizon. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay met with farmers in South… Audio
Live export ban petition passes 20,000 signatures
A lobby group is spending $1 million to make sure the ban is overturned, and animal rights campaigners are fighting back.
From woolshed to bed - two sisters spin their homeware dreams
How did two sisters design throws and blankets using lambs wool from the family farm? Kate Cullwick and Prue Watson share the secret to their Foxtrot Home business success and why it's essential to… Audio
Young fruit growers climb the hort ladder
Kaahu Birdling and Jordan Popata are supervisors at Thomas Brothers Orchard in Riwaka. They manage their own teams and are embracing every opportunity to learn about leadership and orchard management.
…Country Life for Friday 15 March 2024
From woolshed to bed - two sisters spin their homeware dreams, Young fruit growers climb the hort ladder, A blast from the past - Mustering in Marlborough and a wrap of the week's rural news Audio