Environment

A critical source area is a gully, swale or a depression that accumulates runoff and delivers it to waterways.

Rain, wind and even cyclones have made the winter hard going for farmers and stock, writes Wairarapa vet Sara Sutherland.

In the long-running case of sheep and beef farmers versus the climate minister James Shaw, the verdict should be a resounding “not guilty” for the farmers. By Steven Cranston.

FEPs, LEPs and especially FFPs. James Hoban lays out the history, requirements and costs farmers face with implementation.

Hawke’s Bay farmer Peter Arthur puts up an argument for mixed planting. It might mean more work, but the results would be worth it, aesthetically and financially.

The importance of soil organic matter has been known for centuries, but soil scientist Dr Doug Edmeades says we could still be managing it better.

Despite plenty of research and effort, water quality in Ashburton Lakes is slow to improve and solutions are hard to find. By Joanna Grigg.

New Zealanders were scared off GM back in the early 2000s, but the science has moved on since then and the calls to rethink our stand on gene-editing technology are getting louder. By Joanna Grigg.

Rick and Shirley-Ann Mannering run an integrated sheep and beef farm and two dairy operations just south of Auckland and they’re making big strides to remove pests from their bush bordering the Hunua Ranges. By Glenys Christian.

Anyone new to New Zealand or observing us from afar could be forgiven for wondering what is happening with farming regulations here. Many farmers are struggling to keep up with the growing number of regulations, requirements, policies and promises. James Hoban summarises the most prominent changes and where they have got to on the policy conveyor belt.