Are dung beetles your new farm worker? Working round the clock, and paid in dung, dung beetles could be a valuable addition to the toolbox when it comes to improving soil health and water quality on our farms. Words Rebecca Greaves

The rural community are great at stepping up, helping out beyond their farm gate. These five legends are tackling arguably New Zealand’s biggest weed problem – wilding conifers. While some of us throw our hands in the air and call defeat, these farmers, foresters and fighters have taken on the problem and made it their own. As Ket Bradshaw puts it, together we can make a first step on something that is daunting. Words Jo Grigg.

Are farmers doing enough on methane? Methane from Kiwi farms accounts for more than a third of the country’s greenhouse emissions. But exactly how this gas contributes to global warming and to what extent it should reduce is complex. As our methane targets look set to be overhauled, George Driver investigates how the gas heats the planet and how low our emissions should go. Words George Driver.

Water has always been a precious resource for Central Otago farmers Tim and Camilla Rutherford, and they’re keen to ensure they utilise every drop that falls from the sky. Words Rebecca Greaves

When testing revealed triple drench resistance, station manager Charles Yule knew he had to consider changes to the property’s management strategy.
Words Tony Leggett, Photos John Cowpland, Alphapix Photography.

As an increasing number of sheep farmers grapple with triple drench resistance, a group of Wairarapa farmers are meeting on a regular basis to learn about managing parasites without relying on drenches. Words Sandra Taylor.

North Otago veterinarian Dave Roberston has developed a five-point plan to help farmers control parasites in sheep farm systems. Words Tony Leggett.

Drench resistance has been a ticking time bomb for a while. Veterinarian Erin Riley first saw the signs of it in the UK before she moved to New Zealand, but was hopeful that the evolution of combination drenches would buy more time. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Anna Munro is a mum, farmer and rural photographer based in Mt Somers, Mid Canterbury.

Ben Dooley, Mimihau, Southland is a fourth-generation farmer, farming in Mimihau, Southland with his wife, Sarah, and two boys.

Max Tweedie, Tutira, Hawke’s Bay and his wife Lucy run Hallmark Angus Stud.

Being clear on your desired outcome is the first step to ensure you end up with a bull-team well suited to your particular needs.

The Harper’s focus on creating an inter-generational business model, with built-in niche products in partnership with suppliers, has diversified their farming business across many value chains. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Photos Emmily Harmer Photography, Headwaters and Stoney Creek.

When surplus capital is built up in the farm the instinct is often to buy the neighbouring block when it comes on the market. Words Angus Marks and Andrew Austin, Wealth Management, Jarden Wealth.

Jemima Snook’s Kellogg Rural Leadership project report posed the question of how to generate value and improve sustainability from non-financial farm reporting. We share an insight into her findings.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is changing up its extension delivery model, focusing on making a difference behind the farm gate and farmer learning, with a new small group offering set to roll out in 2025. General manager extension, Justine Kidd, explains what this will mean for farmers. Words Rebecca Greaves.

Attracting young people to the industry is a challenge, and how we train and grow their confidence in the early days affects our ability to retain them in our sector long term. Rebecca Greaves looks at how we can cultivate success for our future farmers.

When used in combination with ultrasound scanning CT scanning can almost double the rate of genetic progress in intramuscular fat compared to using ultrasound alone. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp Photos Dr. Neville Jopson.

New Zealand agriculture’s past is marked by several major breakthroughs that delivered substantial gains in productivity behind the farm gate. Tony Leggett explores where the sector’s next productivity boost will come from and finds success will require a leap of faith for many.

Unruly and wild screeds of data in spreadsheets to maintain and make sense of breeding decisions is the reason Hawke’s Bay deer farmer Richard Hilson now swears by Deer Select. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.