Mayors ask McCain to pause factory closure
Hawke's Bay mayors have written to McCain asking the international company to pause its closure of a processing plant in the region.
Horticulture
War hero to speak to arable sector
War hero to speak to arable sector
The nation’s most decorated living war hero is giving arable farmers a morale boost in Canterbury.
Orchard being developed by fund
Orchard being developed by fund
A vast apple orchard being developed by the NZ Super Fund over 250 hectares at a cost of $120 million is employing hundreds of workers in Mid-Canterbury.
‘Walking encyclopedia’ left seeds
‘Walking encyclopedia’ left seeds
A senior research agronomist is being remembered as a "walking encyclopedia" in seed research.
Kiwis not getting their five-plus a day: vege boss
Kiwis not getting their five-plus a day: vege boss
At a time when both Wattie's and McCain have announced factory closures, supermarket retailer Woolworths says sales of frozen vegetables have been declining.
Keeping tabs on Otago trees
Keeping tabs on Otago trees
Science comes to the rescue to help identify apple tree varieties in an Otago heritage orchard.
Zespri aims to become healthiest fruit brand
Zespri aims to become healthiest fruit brand
Zespri has launched updated sustainability targets as part of its 2035 strategy, supporting the kiwifruit marketer’s ambition to become the world’s healthiest fruit brand.
Farmers not considering rescuing Wattie’s plant
Farmers not considering rescuing Wattie’s plant
Arable farmers labouring under low grain returns and high fuel prices have ruled out a rescue bid for Wattie’s frozen pea and vegetable factory in Christchurch.
McCain to close vege plant in further blow to growers
McCain to close vege plant in further blow to growers
McCain has announced it will close its Hastings vegetable processing plant by January 2027.
‘Plenty of fruit yet to be picked’
‘Plenty of fruit yet to be picked’
It has been a mixed bag for fruit growers in the South this summer, many blaming the poor weather for disappointing yields.
Weather making harvest a tough one
Weather making harvest a tough one
A gloomy harvest is getting on the nerves of Canterbury arable growers looking for the smallest of fine weather windows to raise crops.
Warning to look out for black grass
Warning to look out for black grass
Arable farmers are being warned to keep their eyes peeled for any sign of invasive black grass as biosecurity authorities continue to deal with farm outbreaks.
Controversial forest up for sale
Controversial forest up for sale
A controversial large-scale forestry conversion in the heart of West Otago hill country, which caused ripples in the community, is to be sold.
Lower potato yield could keep prices high
Lower potato yield could keep prices high
Some potato growers are reporting yields could be down 20 percent this winter due to bad weather, but it's still a bit early in the season to know the full impact.
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Upgrade of Green Island oat mill ‘progressing well’
SUBSCRIBER
Upgrade of Green Island oat mill ‘progressing well’
An $11 million facelift of a Dunedin oat mill aims to increase capacity, which will require growers to supply more of the cereal grain.
Marking 50 years of growth
Marking 50 years of growth
A celebration of five decades of sunflower growing was a good chance to "stop and smell the flowers", Topflite co-owner Peter Mitchell said of their open day on Sunday.
Exports likely not as sweet as forecast
Exports likely not as sweet as forecast
A sweet start to the cherry season hit turbulence come harvest, souring predicted export volumes, a Central Otago grower says.
Concerns of spray damage aired
Concerns of spray damage aired
The Waitaki Winegrowers Association say co-operation is the way forward amidst concerns about the use of hormone-based weedkiller near vineyards in the area.
Kiwifruit thrive in Taieri microclimate
Kiwifruit thrive in Taieri microclimate
A Taieri man has hacked the supposed secret to growing sub-tropical kiwifruit in the South.
Warning to look out for black grass
Warning to look out for black grass
Arable farmers are being warned to keep their eyes peeled for any sign of invasive black grass as biosecurity authorities continue to deal with farm outbreaks.