Stories by Maja Burry
News
Biosecurity systems review makes 68 recommendations
The Ministry for Primary Industries is improving biosecurity systems at the border after a report highlighted shortcomings evidenced by Mycoplasma bovis, Psa and fruit fly.
Dozen cows euthanised after train collision
KiwiRail says the death of about a dozen cattle which were hit by a train last night is a timely reminder for farmers to make sure stock are contained.
Drought prompts $900k funding boost for farmers
The Agriculture Minister has announced $900,000 of funding support for farmers grappling with extremely dry conditions.
Trans-Tasman competition expected to increase for dairy farms seeking workers
New Zealand dairy farmers are being urged to make staff retention a priority, with the trans-Tasman bubble expected to make the labour market even more competitive.
Bee deaths rise, nearly 100,000 colonies estimated lost last winter
Survey results from a third of the country's beekeepers showed the overall loss rate for winter 2020 was about 99,150 colonies.
Govt requested to rethink position on Glyphosate use after honey rejection
Apiculture New Zealand has asked the Agriculture Minister to support a national discussion on Glyphosate use, saying international consumers are more concerned about chemical residues in food.
Native planting project hoped to protect Tolaga Bay from logging debris
Every time heavy rains hits Uawa - Tolaga Bay, a sense of nervousness washes over the community that a fresh delivery of forestry slash could be brought down from the hillsides.
Mid-Canterbury sheep milking business looks to expand
A Mid Canterbury sheep milking business is looking to establish itself as a major player in local industry with plans to take on more than 20 farmer suppliers over the next three years.
Hui to put Māori in driving seat to protect mānuka honey marketing
A group working to protect mānuka honey in the global marketplace is holding a series of hui with Māori around the country.
Queensland melon ban dropped after MPI audit
After a ban that spanned more than a year, Queensland melons are back on New Zealand's menu.
M Bovis eradication: MPI at 'tail end' of addressing infection
The Ministry for Primary Industries is going to take a fresh look at some farms formerly infected with the cattle disease Mycoplasma Bovis, to double check that all risk of infection has been found.
Live exports ban effects on farmers 'significant' - exporter
live exports are an important income stream for some dairy farmers and a ban would have a serious impact, a live export manager says.
Setback for China's producers may boost NZ meat exports
A second wave of a serious pig disease in China is expected to slow the country's efforts to rebuild its national herd and help sustain demand for New Zealand red meat.
Live animal exports decision coming soon - Agriculture Minister
Nearly two years after a review into the export of livestock was launched, the government is close to making a decision on the future of the trade, the agriculture minister says.
Dairy prices see strong gains
Dairy prices have hit their highest level in 11 months in the global auction overnight.
Farmer confidence improves as demand increases
Farmer confidence has risen to its highest level since late 2019, according to Rabobank's latest quarterly rural confidence survey.
Pest that targets several vegetables, roses here to stay
The Ministry for Primary Industries says it's unlikely a plant pest recently detected in New Zealand will be able to be eradicated.
Zespri aiming for Crown research partnership to develop new kiwifruit varieties
The proposed centre would be dedicated to breeding new kiwifruit cultivars, creating healthier, better tasting and more sustainability-focused varieties to fulfil growing demand, the company says.
Dairy prices up and back to pre-Covid levels
Prices have risen in the global dairy auction overnight and are now roughly back to where they were prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Up to 60 overseas shearers to be granted border exemptions
It comes after concerns about how keeping shearers out could harm farmers' incomes and cause animal welfare issues for unshorn sheep wilting in the summer heat.
Kiwifruit from 'record-breaking harvest' shipped off
The final shipments of this season's New Zealand-grown kiwifruit have left the Port of Tauranga, bound for Asia.
Kaikōura quake: 'There was obviously a lot of work in front of us'
Four years on from a massive earthquake which rocked North Canterbury, farmers are finding new ways to work. Video
'We've had one of the driest winters on record'
South Canterbury and North Otago farmers are concerned they are on the precipice of a drought.
Watermelon shortage predicted as Tongan supply held up
Supermarket shelves could soon run dry of watermelons with all import channels for the fruit currently closed due to biosecurity concerns.
Kiwifruit can be a mood booster - new research
Adults low in dietary vitamin C can improve their mood by eating two kiwifruit a day for two weeks, new research by Otago University has found.