Country-Wide is New Zealand’s only dedicated pastoral and arable farming magazine. It is a trusted farm management publication, delivering content on red meat, wool and arable farming topics.
Each issue gives independent, credible and often exclusive information to help them run your farm businesses better.
Episode 35 – Is solar a bright future for farming?
Could solar farming be the next value-add option for New Zealand farmers? Agrivoltaics, which sees dual use of farmland between solar farming and traditional farming, is gaining traction as a viable way of diversifying income.
Hear what’s already happening in this space, including the Lincoln University energy farm project, how Lodestone Energy is partnering with farmers to expand their solar farm network, and listen to farmer Hamish Hills, who researched, financed and installed his own solar setup on his Golden Bay dairy farm.
Burps & Bluster
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.
A dynamic approach
Integrated farm planning and farm assurance - everyone’s talking about it. But what does it mean, and how do we get a plan that works for our farming business?
Smart tactics help make every nutrient count
With on-farm cost pressures looking to continue for at least the foreseeable future, it’s expected that the squeeze on all farm inputs, including fertiliser, will endure through 2024. Words by Dr Ants Roberts
For the love of soil
A shared passion for soil health – and how we can harness that and turn it into our next value opportunity for New Zealand sheep and beef farmers – was the focus of a two-day workshop held at Canterbury’s Craigmore Station in November 2023. Sarah Perriam-Lampp went along. Photos by Camilla Rutherford.
The day the lake returned
Despite six years of native planting on their farm being destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle, the McBains have been busy replanting. By Rebecca Greaves. PHOTOS BY TUKITUKI LAND CARE
Bringing the Tech to Merino for 35 years
If you follow good genetic principles, you make good progress. Words Dr Mark Ferguson.
A mismatch on the hills
For decades hill country sheep farmers have just accepted that dagging, treating for flystrike and drenching for worms is a part of successful farming, vet Trevor Cook writes.
Reinventing the fleece
A fine-wool sheep breeding programme is following in the tracks of established, successful research. Sarah Horrocks reports.
Breeding wool off the sheep’s back
Moving to a self-shedding sheep flock could significantly cut onfarm costs and labour, as the strong wool price remains stubbornly low, but there are always things to consider when changing your farm system. Massey University is three years into a trial to transition a base Romney flock to a fully shedding flock of Wiltshires. Rebecca Greaves attended the latest field day.
Time to soak up the blame
Spring is an important part of the year because of the impact it has on the rest of the year and beyond, vet Trevor Cook writes.
Back to normal
Ben Dooley, Mimihau, Southland is a fourth-generation farmer, farming in Mimihau, Southland with his wife, Sarah, and two boys.
Championing the sector
Amy Hoogenboom updates us on the fate of Future Beef and its youth event.
Regenerative – what’s in a word?
Becks Smith ponders the conversations around regenerative agriculture.
All quiet around the Beehive
Relishing the lack of politics in the void after the election, Carterton farmer Mark Guscott has enjoyed a good lambing, and reveals his regenerative move.
First up, best tractor
With the onset of lambing and calving, Suzie Corboy has taken leave from her other job as an ambulance officer.
Enhanced extension model for B+LNZ
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.
Making those fertiliser decisions
When times are tough on the farm, fertiliser may be one of the items left off the shopping list. By Kerry Dwyer.
Learning from failure
Keys to successfully getting through a tough season are the knowledge, skills and experience gained from previous ones. By Elaine Fisher.
Planning for tough times
Hill country farmers face the prospect of potential losses in the coming year. By Rebecca Greaves.
SFF targets premium market
When market conditions improve, prices should rebound faster for Silver Fern Farms because of its close relationships with customers committed through premium supply programmes. Tony Leggett reports.
MORE
From Agriculture to Artistry
A photo shoot unlocked a life-changing leap for Ōmarama’s Kate Wilson, who’s now living her creative dreams in Nashville and along US highways. Words Craig Sisterson.
Alliance Group takes blowtorch to costs to save co-op
Space has been shaved off at Alliance Group’s head office in Christchurch to save money spent on rent.
Survival of the Fittest
Legacy structures are proving to be a major headache for the meat processing sector and the farmers supplying it with livestock. Words Tony Leggett.
Change-Makers
Since returning home to his family’s farming operation on Banks Peninsula eight years ago, George Masefield along with his wife Emma, have made some significant changes. The couple, with the support of George’s parents John and Carol, bought a tractor and have not looked back. Sandra Taylor talks to them about the development programme which has transformed their business and enabled them to finish all of their lambs on their dryland hill country and buy in trading stock.
Photos Kelly Shakespeare
Farming with a view
High above Otago Peninsula, the extinct volcano Hereweka Harbour Cone looks down on the farming operation of Brendon and Paula Cross, and where the possums used to play. Karen Trebilcock visited. Photos Jan MacKenzie.
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