Donna McKinley says a wise man once told her never to sleep in. “My worst has been until 7am,” admits 2018’s Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year at the Dairy Industry Awards’ field day on March 28. “I’m not...... Read More

The Dairy Industry Awards’ 2018 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year 28-year-old Bridie Virbickas took on a steep learning curve when she entered the dairying industry. At the DIA winners’ field day on April 5 in Tauranga, Bridie recalls...... Read More

Being new to town and wanting to make some new contacts has paid off for the 2018 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards’ Share Farmer of the Year winners Reece and Tash Cox. The couple, who hosted a DIA winners’ field day on April 5 at their...... Read More

Waipa landowner Ian Kerr shows that with vision, determination and a good deal of ‘Kiwi can do’ attitude, 22 hectares of gorse-covered Waikato gully can be transformed into an environmentally-conscious, profitable business. This hardworking...... Read More

Pauline Sainsbury’s head pops up from underneath a donkey, she waves – then it’s back to work. The 65-year-old is trimming Rosie’s hooves with loyal helper Debbie Fleming. She applies cream to pressure sores on Rosie’s...... Read More

Representatives of the primary producer sector are calling on the Government to rethink the way it views irrigation schemes – to look at the purpose of water storage schemes and make decisions based on good outcomes overall. The calls come as...... Read More

Construction works to restore freshwater flows into the dying Maketu Estuary will begin by this September following Bay of Plenty regional councilors awarding the tender for the Kaituna River re-diversion job. Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman...... Read More

Growing kiwifruit organically gives them a licence to be different, but that doesn’t mean compromising on quality – believe supreme winners of the 2018 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Opotiki orchardists Catriona and Mark...... Read More

Workhorses of the 20th Century – in the form of tractors, machinery and vehicles of every shape and colour – were on show at the 10th Karaka Vintage Day recently. Coast and Country News’ Keely Muir went to see what all the fuss is...... Read More

Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, and Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw, are in good company at this year’s DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum in Hamilton this May. The forum, on May 8-9 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, is hosting...... Read More