Duncan Smith

Kiwifruit harvesting's on the homeward stretch in the North Island, while in both islands dairy herds are drying off. Audio

In 2010 devastating bacterial disease PSA hit kiwifruit orchards in New Zealand, initially just in Bay Of Plenty but now it's in nearly every growing region pretty well wiping out, in particular, the… Audio

It's exceedingly wet in many North Island regions and in the South Island prime stock's moving into processing and there's a good demand for stores. Audio

Scion's Precision Forestry work is enabling forest managers to get a bird's eye view of their forestry blocks so they can more accurately measure their crops... and map the contour of the land… Audio

A selection of the week's rural news. Audio

Store lamb prices have taken a strong jump up in recent weeks, and in the South Island winter pruning has begun in Marlborough's vineyards. Audio

Australian-based American musician visiting this weekend's Southern Hemisphere International School of Scottish Fiddle in Auckland. Audio

Iconic Hawkes Bay sheep and beef station Tautane was purchased by Ngati Kahungunu in May 2013. It's leased by the agricultural training organisation Taratahi and students get the opportunity to work… Audio

Duncan Smith always had a hankering to run off to sea. So when the family farm was sold, that's exactly what he and his wife Kate and their three children did. They bought a 51-foot boat in Kerikeri… Audio

Waikato had patchy but welcome rain, but the North Island is crying out for a good steady downfall, while in the South Island conditions are ideal for the grape harvest in Marlborough. Audio

The North and western parts of the North Island continue to slide into drought and in the South Island grape harvesting is in full swing and dairy farmers in Canterbury are looking at milking into… Audio

Many farmers in the North Island are lamenting the fact that ex-cyclone Lusi didn't bring promised rain. In the South cropping farmers have some late crops still to harvest and everyone is enjoying… Audio

Every region of the North Island is wanting rain, but they're wary of how it will arrive when Cyclone Lusi hits the country from Friday night. In the South the dry conditions are making fruit… Audio

Leo Mangos was one of the key figures involved in setting up the single desk for exporting kiwifruit 25 years ago, this week. It was established in March1989 to turn around the fortunes of the… Audio

Ten old orange tractors have been shipped across the Tasman to take part in a classic Aussie adventure around the South Island to raise money for children with cancer in New Zealand. Clink on this… Audio

The Hawkes Bay apple harvest is running a week early and the size and colour of the apples is superb, while in the South Island, tupping has started and hay and bailage is still being made. Audio

In Northland some people are whispering the word 'drought' while the east coast of the North Island's looking quite green. In the South farmers have started flushing Ewes and a number of dairy herds… Audio

North Island farmers are generally feeling pretty positive and optimistic after a good growing season, while in the South Island cherries, raspberries and strawberries are being harvested for… Audio

Pasture's had a chance to grow in most of the North Island this week because it's been warm after recent rain, while in the South farmers are trying to get all the lambs drafted before the Christmas… Audio

Good volumes of rain have now fallen pretty well everywhere in the North Island so farmers are much happier, while in the South Island lambs are being weaned and first drafts are off to the sales. Audio