A record-breaking El Niño is building in the Pacific, tracking to become the strongest event in 150 years. While this sounds alarming, the crucial message Tony Trewinnard from Blue Skies Weather has for farmers, is that this doesn’t guarantee a record-breaking drought or heatwave. Instead, it signals a season defined by persistent, drying westerly winds, with significantly different outcomes depending on your farm’s location. Words Tony Trewinnard.

After two centuries of losing ground to introduced predators, a groundbreaking collaboration between high-country farmers, conservationists and tech partners is turning the tide. Moving away from the endless, expensive cycle of pest suppression, this ambitious project has achieved a successful proof of concept for total eradication. Words Allison Hess.

New Zealand’s finest lamb has primarily been focused on the tables of the world. Marc and Jess Hamilton of Leelands Lamb are changing that. From their Southland base, the couple hand-cut, age and dispatch the export-grade lamb straight to Kiwi home kitchens. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Strong El Niño weather patterns are expected this summer, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is encouraging farmers to consider the tools they have available to them to deal with hot, dry conditions. Summer forage crops allow farmers to make use of soil moisture in spring to grow feed that will be available over summer. Words Sandra Taylor.

For dairy farmers and processors, biosecurity is not an abstract idea to be debated, it’s something they practice every day. Words Campbell Parker.

A new liquid fertiliser with the ability to deliver a knockout blow to larvae on pasture could soon be the latest tool in the fight against drench resistance on New Zealand farms. Words Rebecca Greaves.

AgriZero and Government funding will bring proven emissions reduction tools onto farms and lower the cost for early adopters.

Read CountryWide Summer 2026 online here. CountryWide is New Zealand’s only dedicated farmers and growers magazine, available on subscription.

Emissions and Profitability Project Phase Two Update Full Webinar hosted by Institute of Rural Professionals.

PGG Wrightson marks a milestone that stretches from New Zealand’s earliest coastal trading days to today’s digitally enabled rural services network. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.