Susan Murray

A selection of some of the best Country Life stories from 2015. In this episode: Golden Reflections, Ponds of Gold and Woosters of Orira. Audio

A selection of some of the best Country Life stories from 2015. In this episode: Golden Reflections, Ponds of Gold and Woosters of Orira Audio, Gallery

Apple growers have had a top year, which comes on the heels of two previous good seasons, so confidence is high especially with apples from protected varieties like Jazz Envy and Honey Crisp. Grape… Audio

In 2014 Havoc Pork moved its processing operation from Waimate, where the Havoc farm runs 800 free-range pigs, to Dunedin when Cain Lindegreen took over the family business from his mother Linda… Audio

There's a huge contrast this year between the fortunes of kiwifruit and cows. Kiwifruit orchardists are receiving good returns on a high volume crop in April and May. Dairy farmers are still… Audio

Georgia Richard's early ambition was to one day live in the country and grow culinary herbs. Instead she and partner Dot Kettle run in Dovedale near Motueka which is a blooming peony venture. Dove… Audio

Sheep farmers have had a less than average year but beef finishers are smiling. Every cloud has a velvet lining. The state of the deer industry with Deer Industry New Zealand Chief Executive Dan Coup.

Cattle sales are buoyant on the East Coast following good rains while in Bay of Plenty silage is mainly being shut up on run-off blocks because of the dry. In the South Island orcharding regions were… Audio

The North Island's East Coast could do with a good lot more rain, while in the South Island lambing is still in full swing. Audio

Spring, in the few North Island regions where it had tentatively started, came to a halt this week, while in the South Island, lambing and calving is in full swing. Audio

Houses will soon be sprawling over vegetable producing land around Pukekohe, banks in Northland are advising some dairy farmers to sell up, while in the South Island frosts are keeping soil… Audio

Around the country North Island farms are generally pretty short of pasture after a more typical, colder winter, while in the south lambing and calving is underway. Audio