Public articles

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Ivan Lawrie, General Manager at the Foundation for Arable Research, about the New Zealand Grown Grains initiative. Ivan explains how growers, millers, and bakers are collaborating to create a traceable, certifiable brand, strengthen the domestic wheat industry, and open opportunities in premium markets, while sharing lessons on value chains and building a resilient local food sector.

Drone technology has advanced to bring greater precision and cost-efficiency for farmers and growers to manage fertiliser and chemical sprays. Words Sheryl Haitana.

From lower costs to a faster, liveable solution, second-hand houses have multiple advantages when contemplating accommodation on farm. Words Sheryl Haitana.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp visits Leefield Station in the Waihopai Valley to talk with Brent Marris, owner of Marisco Vineyards, and Greg Crombie, the station’s farm manager.

Brent and Greg explain how the property integrates vineyards, sheep, pigs and cattle into a profitable and sustainable operation, and how careful planning, brand-building and intergenerational leadership create authentic products, from award-winning wines to high-quality wool and meat, while sharing lessons for diversifying land use and connecting with markets at home and abroad.

Mark and Sonia Dillon are fifth-generation Southland farmers and proud of it.

Massey University Professor Anne Ridler and Otago-based Farm Consultant Peter Young urge farmers to take the time to make more considered decisions when culling ewes as it could pay dividends. Words Sandra Taylor.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Lincoln University’s Professor Hamish Gow about the Value Chain Innovation Programme, run by Rural Leaders.

Hamish explains how the programme takes participants inside New Zealand’s dairy, kiwifruit, apple and red meat sectors to understand how value is created, captured and shared, and why the real learning happens on the bus as farmers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders connect and challenge their thinking.

The Turnwald family in Waikato have invested in composting barns and a feedpad to lift feed efficiency by reducing feed waste and ultimately helping cows hold condition year-round. Words Sheryl Haitana.

After a wet winter September is the only window of opportunity you have to fix damage from pugging to avoid an explosion of weeds and a major drop in pasture production. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Hank Volger started ranching in 1971 in Spring Valley at the tip of Nevada, south of Las Vegas, near the Arizona border with two cows and seven sheep. His business Needmore Sheep Co has over 7,000 merino ewes shorn mostly by Kiwi shearers.