Relaxed government rules for agricultural spray drones risk environmental and safety harm without a training and licensing framework.

The standard follows a 2022 report identifying a data gap on imported treated seed, after two years of stakeholder work with the EPA.

Water is leaving the Ashburton Lakes property farmed by Kerry and Paul Harmer slightly better than when it arrives.

Rural pest numbers are spiralling despite record farmer spending, costing the productive sector $466 million a year.