Big Southern logistics hub to boost exports
A landmark $3 billion privately funded development in Otago is set to create New Zealand’s largest inland port, boosting the export capacity of the country’s primary industries and future-proofing South Island freight logistics for the next century.
DairyRobot makes New Zealand debut at Fieldays 2025
GEA Farm Technologies showcased its DairyRobot milking system at Fieldays 2025, giving New Zealand farmers their first opportunity to experience the future of pasture-based dairy automation in action.
Big new build to make NZ wool go even further
Biotech innovator Keraplast is making bold strides into the global medtech sector, with a multi-million dollar investment in a state-of-the-art clean room manufacturing facility nearing completion at its Christchurch site.
Former Fonterra exec to head new CRI
Mark Piper has been appointed inaugural chief executive of the new amalgamated Crown Research Institute (CRI), the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science.
Truckers unify livestock advocacy
New Zealand’s three national road transport associations have joined forces to launch a united body specifically for the movement of farm animals.
Tech providers target management synergies
Gallagher Animal Management and Dutch company Nedap have teamed up in a partnership they say will help transform livestock management.
Grass-fed certification good for business
Quantifying New Zealand’s grass-fed red meat and dairy products will help them cut through the competition in premium overseas markets, the government says.
Milking It 2.0 is here
We often hear that one of the biggest challenges for dairy farmers is managing the financial side of the business.
Natives hungry for carbon
A new study shows New Zealand’s native forests are absorbing more carbon dioxide than previously thought, particularly in the South Island.
First past the post for enviro benefits
Future Post, which expanded production to the upper South Island mid 2023, has taken top honours in this year’s Marlborough Environment Awards.
Pine alarm sounded 40 years ago
A group of scientists from the Botany Division of the then-DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) at Lincoln warned of the risks of conifers in New Zealand’s high country as far back as 1982.
Early preview of exciting new insecticide
In late February 2025, the ACVM granted registration for SIVANTO® prime, a new Group 4D insecticide that controls key establishment pests in forage brassicas and fodder beet.
Innovative farmer-friendly design takes the strain our of rearing
As the calving season approaches, the risk of injuries for dairy farmers increases, so Gallagher collaborated with industry partners and farmers to tackle the issue head-on.
Bank ramps up rural offering
ASB has appointed Kristen Ashby as Head of Food and Fibre, a newly established role within its Rural Corporate Banking team.
Ashby joins ASB from Fonterra, where she was most recently Director of Capital Strategy. Starting her career as a Chartered Accountant, she has worked across a variety of roles at organisations including Fonterra, Turners and Growers, and Goodman Fielder.
Urea market expected to remain volatile
In a recent report, the RaboResearch division says due to minimal volumes of urea produced domestically, New Zealand is particularly sensitive to global events.
Considerations for long acting parasite control in ewes pre-lamb
When it comes to managing internal parasites in sheep, especially during the critical pre-lambing period, farmers have several anthelmintic options.
In ideal conditions, ewes should enter pre-lamb at Body Condition Score (BCS) 3 with adequate feed and not require a drench. But if conditions are not ideal, a long-acting treatment may benefit some ewes.
Agrichemical phaseout requires shift
However, it also offers an opportunity for a shift in how we manage these costly pests, in a way that benefits farmers, our soils and the broader environment.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has proposed to ban chlorpyrifos, an insecticide from the organophosphate group that is used in New Zealand to control a broad range of insect pests on plants.
Pure clover ups the ante in South Otago
Coaxing more out of an intensive system that’s already producing well can be easier said than done.
But strategic use of straight clover on Ashton Glen Farms at Clinton in South Otago is giving the Mitchell family a double win—extra kilograms of red meat per hectare, plus free soil nitrogen and better grass weed control for subsequent cereal crops.
Canada inspired by Canterbury irrigation system
A 100-year-old Canadian irrigation district has taken inspiration from Canterbury irrigation company Central Plains Water’s success in converting from an open race irrigation system to a gravity-fed piped system.
Help growers kick grass weeds to the kerb
With weed control season for white clover coming up fast, it’s time to start talking to your growers about their options for keeping seed crops clean and high yielding.
That’s the advice from one of the country’s largest crop protection suppliers, which says the number and type of weeds covered by different herbicides is not the only thing to consider.