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For many years New Zealand’s horticultural sector has played second fiddle to the country’s major pastoral sectors but is now emerging rapidly from those shadows to surge ahead in export earning ability. This is thanks to growing investor confidence in the sector, some super smart operators and an ever widening pool of produce demanded by the rest of the world. By Richard Rennie

A new Lincoln University initiative is looking to come up with new creative, innovative, integrative and adaptive agricultural systems.

There’s no doubt that farmers have a lot of challenges ahead of them – particularly in keeping up with new environmental requirements and developments in technology. And it seems that almost every week some new research emerges which makes us rethink some of our farming practices.

On 1 July 2018 the first regional fuel tax (RFT) allowed under law came into force in Auckland – and confusion reigned. The law was passed only a matter of days before on 26 June 2018, and how it would work in practice for growers and farmers in the area—and beyond once other regions adopt the tax—was unknown.

New Zealand’s not-in-calf rates are still sitting around 17% and the question is, can anything be done to improve the situation?

FAR has expanded its research focus to address biosecurity risks and environmental compliance.

Livestock monocultures and inappropriate drenching practices are contributing to the emergence of internal parasite resistance to triple combination drenches.

A penchant for trying new crops coupled with a need to find a viable alternative to growing traditional vegetable seeds, is the driving force behind Methven cropping farmers’ Andrew Currie and Gaewynne Hood’s foray into commercially producing the new-age grain, quinoa.

Mid Canterbury farming folk have been treated to a fantastic display of all things agricultural at this year’s Ruralco Instore Days.

Mike Read has set himself a very impressive mountaineering challenge and Everest is already ticked off the list