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 13 – Are biodiversity credits the golden ticket to more native trees vs pine trees?
The concept of receiving funds or credits for planting native bush rather than pine trees on farms could encourage farmers to retire sensitive land to regenerating native bush. But what’s the right financial model that can help outweigh the cost of establishment and maintenance for farmers that prefer natives to pines?
Down the drain – wool wins
Research has confirmed wool’s biodegradability, Joanna Grigg writes.
Chilean needle grass poses potential billion-dollar threat
The “sleeper weed” Chilean needle grass, if nothing was done to stop it, could spread through most of New Zealand and eventually cost the country over a billion dollars, according to newly published research.
What the farmers say
Integrated Farm Planning can seem a daunting task but there are plenty of resources and programmes available to support farmers to take the first step. Rebecca Greaves spoke to three farmers who have created their own farm plan through attending a BakerAg programme – something that can be achievable for all farmers, with a little help.
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
A change of system
Veterinarian Sara Sutherland reports on the financial impact of farm management changes in response to drench resistance.
What to do with tail end ewes?
In light of a rapid rise in levels of drench resistance, Ginny Dodunski of Wormwise investigates alternatives to help light breeding ewes.
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.
Growing a fine beer
Arrowtown’s Royalburn Station owner Carlos Bagrie has developed a tasty and thirst-quenching way to take control of his barley value chain.
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.
Repositioning demand for strong wool
Innovation and entrepreneurship is leading a revival in the fortunes of strong wool. By Tony Leggett
Team approach adds value
Farmers can utilise the skills of their accountants and advisers to boost their financial literacy and get a better understanding of debt, assets and equity, Elaine Fisher writes.
Back to basics
Getting back to his roots and spending time putting cups on is a far cry from walking the halls of power, but newly minted Agriculture Minister, Todd McClay, doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty from time to time. He spoke to Rebecca Greaves about his priorities and what farmers can expect from our new Government.
Forest owners baulk at ETS fee
Owners of forests registered in the Emissions Trading Scheme are challenging the introduction of an ongoing cost recovery fee, Rebecca Greaves reports.
A tale of four electorates: Rural NZ takes a step to the right
While voters in rural electorates took a right turn at the recent election, the trend has been to greater diversity, Hugh Campbell writes.
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The Big Ball – in support of Rural Change
Looking an excuse to get out and have some fun while raising funds for a good cause? Why not dust off your ball gown or tuxedo and head along to The Big Ball at Lincoln in June and support rural mental health.
App captures soil data
Like many intergenerational landowners, Abby Rose and her family were seeking a simple way to collect and monitor soil data on their family vineyard in Chile. Words by Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Cashing in on natural capital
Investors in major global funds are demanding that their investment is made into the reversal of the depletion of natural capital around the world. Words by Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
A new blanket approach
A scheme to find value-added markets for a family farm’s wool clip is now a full-fledged industry. Words and Photos by Malcolm Pullman
A speed dating guide to the latest Journal of New Zealand Grasslands
Held in November 2023 in Rotorua, the NZ Grasslands Association was the place to hear about the research comprised in their 85th journal. For those who couldn’t make it, Joanna Grigg provides a speed-dating style summary of some of the papers and key findings. These are peer reviewed and come from the very best of our country’s pastoral researchers.