Farm Conditions

A homewares business in Dargaville is busy because Aucklanders buying up local homes are re-carpeting before they move in. Snow is now covering South Island mountains, although temperatures out near… Audio

Taranaki has had a couple of cracker frosts and Northland vegetable crops haven't like the wet, dreary weather. In Marlborough, ewe scanning results are up between 10 and 15 percent. Audio

It's been wet and soggy in the North Island, large lakes have formed on many Waikato farms, while in Canterbury the rain has held up cultivation and sowing on heavy land. Audio

In Waikato there have been 18 degree days and pasture growth rates are much better than expected. Cows are putting on condition and are being grouped according to whether they are early or late… Audio

Hawkes Bay is particularly dry for the time of year while further south Canterbury has had a topsy turvy winter so far with fine frosty weather followed by a week of mild nor'west conditions. Audio

In the North Island many regions had their first rain free days for a long time, at the end of the week, and autumn pasture covers are now looking pretty good. Stock are on winter rotation in Central… Audio

On a Saturday evening in mid-May the winners of the 2016 NZ Dairy Industry Awards were announced in Wellington. 33 finalists competed for the honour of being named the winner in either the Share… Audio

The biggest ever shipment of kiwifruit to Asia has left the Port of Tauranga. In Central Otago, crutching's in full swing as ewes are made ready for the waiting ram. Audio

Glorious rain has fallen in parts of the North Island. In Canterbury, drought conditions continue to bite. Audio

Northland dairy farmers are facing a real squeeze by banks, a Wairarapa farmer has buried more than 50 ewes seriously affected by facial eczema and, in the South Island, it's getting desperately dry… Audio