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CountryWide CONNECT is a daily rural video and audio livestreamed show broadcast from 11am – 1pm Monday-Friday hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah’s Country & Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up). Over two hours, Sarah & Andy cover news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!
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18th August 2026 // Rural News
Government opens one-point-five million dollar poultry biosecurity grant for bird flu prep
Christchurch to host 2027 Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final
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Synlait denies involvement in reported take-private discussions
Synlait has moved to distance itself from reports of a potential take-private transaction, confirming it is not involved in any discussions with a2 Milk or Fonterra regarding such a deal.
The Canterbury-based dairy processor issued a statement to the NZX following a report in The Australian that the two companies were involved in a transaction. Both a2 Milk and Fonterra declined to comment on market speculation.
a2 Milk holds a nineteen-point-eight percent stake in Synlait and recently reported full-year revenue of one-point-nine billion dollars. Synlait reported a net loss of twelve million dollars in the four months to April, citing headwinds including the January period when the majority of the financial impact was felt.
Synlait says it remains focused on operational improvements and balance sheet strengthening following the sale of its North Island assets.
Government opens one-point-five million dollar poultry biosecurity grant for bird flu prep
Small and medium-sized poultry operators can now apply for government funding to strengthen biosecurity ahead of potential H5 bird flu incursions, with a new one-point-five million dollar grant opening today.
The Poultry Biosecurity Grant will reimburse operators with fewer than one-hundred-thousand birds for up to fifty percent of eligible costs, to a maximum of twenty-five-thousand dollars. Eligible improvements include infrastructure, access controls, bird-proofing, and cleaning and disinfection facilities. Up to three-thousand dollars can also be used to help develop the biosecurity plans required under new regulations coming into force by year end.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says strong on-farm biosecurity is one of the best defences against bird flu, which continues to pose a significant risk to New Zealand's poultry sector and food supply.
New Zealand has recorded two confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in wild birds, with no detections in poultry.
Applications close September thirtieth at mpi.govt.nz/poultry-biosecurity-grant.
Christchurch to host 2027 Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final
Canterbury will host the Season 59 FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, with the country's most prestigious food and fibre contest coming to Christchurch from July first to third next year.
The announcement comes as New Zealand Young Farmers heads into its one-hundredth year — making the 2027 Grand Final a milestone occasion for the organisation.
District Contests kick off across the country from October, with more than one-hundred-and-sixty competitors vying for spots in regional finals before the Christchurch showdown.
NZ Young Farmers chief executive Cheyne Gillooly says the event showcases the enormous range of skills, careers and opportunities within the primary sector — from livestock and technology through to science and environmental management.
District Contest registrations open at the end of August. Grand Final tickets will open in 2027.Show More
