Rural
Full Episode for Friday 4 October 2024
This week Country Life checks in on Miley sheepdog in training - and joins Katikati College students learning more about a future in horticulture. Audio
Digging up skills to grow food
Agriculture classes at school sometimes get a bad rap, but the Grow Hub is turning that around.
Country Life: Whale watching while picking winter-grown greens
Ocean views makes harvesting of iceberg lettuce and broccoli a lot more pleasant for Ben Scott and his staff at Claverley Farm in North Canterbury.
Midday Rural News for 4 October 2024
The heavy rain in Otago has caused stock losses. Audio
Transitioning Tai Rāwhiti away from forestry
Experts are urging the government to put more effort into helping the region transition to more sustainable land use and other economic opportunities. Audio
Forestry not to blame for Smithfield meatworks closure, industry says
Federated Farmers earlier said land use change was to blame, with farms being converted into carbon forests at alarming rates.
What's behind the proposed closure of the Smithfield meatworks?
About 600 people could lose their jobs - and Federated Farmers says "excessive red tape" is partly to blame.
Off the beaten track tourism sustains two generations of sheep
Dome glamping, farm tours and jetting up the Hurunui River supplements income and highlights cultural heritage at a traditional sheep and beef farm in North Canterbury. Audio
144 Islands - A Northland vineyard inspired by vines from days
Old grape vines clambering over a tumbledown shed were the start of Jake Dromgool's own wine-growing venture 144 Islands. He grows a dizzying array of varieties on the volcanic soils outside Kerikeri.
…From steering tractors to the helm of Leaderbrand _replacer_
Richard Burke, the man behind one of New Zealand's biggest horticulture groups, is looking forward to returning the reigns to the family which founded the business as it celebrates 50 years. Audio
Full Episode for Friday 27 September 2024
This week Country Life is in a vineyard in Northland and heads to a farm on the Hurunui River, where off the beaten track tourism is sustaining two generations of sheep farmers. Audio
Off the beaten track, tourism sustains two generations of sheep farmers
Dome glamping, farm tours and jetting up the Hurunui River supplements income and highlights cultural heritage at a traditional sheep farm.
Country Life: Discovering a sweet spot for grapevines in the Bay of Islands
Old grape vines clambering over a tumbledown shed were the start of Jake Dromgool's wine-growing venture. He's grown a dizzying array of varieties on the volcanic soils outside Kerikeri.
Timaru meatworks to close, affecting 600 jobs
Hundreds of workers at Alliance Group's Smithfield meatworks in Timaru have lost their jobs under a proposal to close the processing plant. The 600 staff were called into a surprise meeting at 11am… Audio
Timaru meatworkers worried their jobs to go
Employees of the Alliance Group's Smithfield meatworks in Timaru are worried they could lose their jobs in a restructure or full closure of the plant. Meatworkers Union national secretary Daryl Carran… Audio
From selling shoes in China to sprouting microgreens in Te Puke
Kali sold shoes in China before coming to NZ. She discovered her green fingers just out of Te Puke where she has joined forces with her daughter to grow microgreens. Audio
Catch crops help prevent nitrogen from leaching into waterways
Trials on a North Canterbury dairy farm have found that early sown oats and Italian ryegrass are taking up excess urine deposited by winter grazing cows. Audio
