When Jack and Charlotte Gibbs moved to their 235-hectare farm on the cliff-hugging Akaroa side of Banks Peninsula in 2013, possums were everywhere. They have gone from catching 2,000 possums to none. Words Allison Hess & Anna Bracewell-Worrall

The subdivision of rural land into small/lifestyle blocks, and especially for urban use, has always been contentious. The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Soils, is the latest attempt to control the issue. Phil Journeaux, a Consulting Agricultural Economist based in Waikato, points out that it is a castle built on sand. Words Phil Journeaux

Heavy rain events provide an opportunity for farmers to record where water is flowing across farms and if mitigation action is needed. Words Heather Chalmers, Photos Abie Horrocks.

Cam Speedy and John Bissell have spent decades helping farmers and conservation projects across the country make real headway against rats, stoats, possums, feral cats and ferrets. Words Allison Hess.

For Nic and Kirsty Verhoek, running a high-input dairy system that performs, without burning out your people or drowning in feed complexity, has been a mix of hard data, disciplined simplicity and a ruthless focus on people and cow welfare. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

The success of livestock farming critically depends on careful feed management. Both over- and under-feeding animals leads to lower productivity and risks animal welfare, while affecting milk and meat eating quality. Despite being such a critical factor for New Zealand’s largest export industries, farmers and abattoirs are currently lacking the technology to efficiently and objectively assess fat depth in live animals or carcasses. This article introduces an emerging sensing technology which has the potential to fill that gap. Words Eva Anton.

Cow prices have reached 10-year highs this season and while it’s great news for the balance sheets of some, it’s creating challenges for others. Words Anne Lee.

Intensive New Zealand-based studies have revealed just how much is riding on ensuring new born calves receive enough high-quality colostrum in their first few hours of life. Words Anne Lee.

Born and raised in farming communities in the Waikato, Saskatchewan arable farmer, Sean Case, shares the contrast where farming liquid gold is very different.

Now back farming with Align Farms, after a 6 year stint working in agronomy roles, Will Perriam-Lampp shares his thoughts on farmers taking ownership over their crops and farm systems to avoid being sold whatever drives up their driveway.

After her recent overseas trips and time spent in many governance roles, such as Deer Industry NZ and Wai Wānaka, Mandy Bell, farming with her husband Jerry at Criffel Station near Wānaka, challenges our sector’s vision towards a healthy outcome.

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.

LIC chair Corrigan Sowman shares his thoughts on the generational importance of co-operatives. Words Corrigan Sowman.

New Zealand is renowned for producing safe, nutritious food with ethical farming practices. This special report explores how food and fashion brands are meeting changing customer demands and our farmers’ efforts to match the evolving requirements with evidence. Words Anne Lee & Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Kate Kellick’s Kellogg report calls for a shift towards shedding sheep as a solution to the pressing issues facing New Zealand’s sheep farming industry. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

A UK YouTuber farmer with 14 different income streams shared his entrepreneurial recipe as a recent keynote speaker at the Foundation for Arable Research conference. Words Heather Chalmers.