Rural News Group

Rural News is a strong voice for New Zealand farmers, dedicated to covering important issues and delivering agribusiness news daily. With over twenty-five years of experience, our skilled editorial team bravely tackles stories that other media often shy away from. This fearless approach to reporting on agribusiness has transformed the rural publishing landscape and has been key to our growth and success.

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Langfords crowned Share Farmers of the Year

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

The first-time entrants clinched six of the nine merit awards - the DairyNZ People & Culture Award, the Federated Farmers Leadership Award, the Honda Farm Safety, the Health & Biosecurity Award, the Ecolab Environmental Sustainability Award, the Trelleborg Sustainable Pasture Award, and the ASB Business Performance Award – on their way to the big prize.
Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

By automating the baling process, the TPW Woolpress reduces the manual labour required, increases shed safety, and dramatically improves efficiency. The result is tighter bales, faster turnaround times, and accurate weighing, all contributing to better returns for growers. Theresia Perfection Welding (today known as TPW) started operations in the Kenwick/Maddington area of Perth, Western Australia in 1975. The company introduced its Slimline Woolpress to NZ farmers in 1990.
India not ready to accept all NZ dairy products

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

Speaking at the India NZ Business Council ‘Boardroom to Border’ event in Auckland this morning, Indian public policy and business expert Ashok Malik says India provides enormous opportunities for NZ, but he cautioned that the dairy sector’s expectations shouldn’t be too high. “Can it be a market for all NZ dairy products- no,” says Malik. “There may be opportunities for certain types of cheese but not mass-market cheese,” he told over 200 attendees.
ANZCO Foods' net profit plunges

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

The company’s net profit for year ending December 31 2024 was $13.5 million, compared to $61m the previous year. Turnover reached $1.85 billion, slightly above the previous year’s turnover of $1.83b. ANZCO Foods chief executive Peter Conley said 2024 was another challenging year for farmers and the red meat sector. “Global market pricing for beef and lamb improved in the second half of the year with increased consumer demand in key markets including North Asia, USA, Canada, UK and Europe.
Protest planned outside dairy awards venue

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

Greenpeace-sponsored ‘End Big Dairy Movement’ is calling for protesters to gather at Baypark and “disrupt them with noise and messages about the harm from their industry”. The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) said in a media release that it is aware of planned protests at the awards and consider this action “hugely disappointing”. “The Awards drive best practice in dairy farming and focus on important future issues such as environmental sustainability and animal welfare,” NZDIA says.
Fonterra to appeal Aussie court ruling

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

The co-operative also plans to appeal a ruling by the New South Wales Supreme Court on a case around Fonterra’s proposed divestment plan and its impact on a licencing agreement with Bega. Fonterra argued that provisions of its licensing agreement with Bega are not impacted by the proposed divestment process. However, Bega, a potential bidder for Fonterra’s Oceania business, opposed Fonterra’s submission.
Maui Milk partners with major Chinese dairy company to expand sheep milk exports

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

An agreement between Maui Milk and Mengniu was signed at Yashili’s Pokeno plant, near Auckland, two weeks ago. Maui Milk chief executive Greg Hamill told Rural News that the partnership gives Maui access to a large distribution network and access to a comprehensive brand presence, while strengthening Mengniu’s global strategy and allowing them access to New Zealand premium sheep milk, a market that continues to grow in popularity.
Māori agribusiness creates value for bobby calves, seeks industry support

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

Miti makes a protein snack from New Zealand grass-fed young beef with honey and touts its business model as one that could deliver more value with less environmental impact. Miti works with farmers to raise bobby calves to 12 months old then use their meat in Miti snack bars. The dairy sector has been under scrutiny for treatment of bobby calves. Fonterra farmers are now required to ensure that bobby calves should be raised for beef, slaughtered for calf-veal, or for the pet food market.
Survey reveals high rates of abuse and hardship among contract milkers

1 week ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Sudesh Kissun

Over one-third of respondents - all holding private contract milking agreements with farm owners - had milk payments withheld. Among contract milkers with a Federated Farmers agreement, 20% had milk payments withheld. The Sharefarming Consultants, which carried out the survey, wants better regulatory protection and industry support for contract milkers.
Hidden Danger in Farming: How pesticide and herbicide exposure may increase Parkinson’s Disease risk

2 weeks ago | ruralnewsgroup.co.nz | Dan McGowan

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that, over time, robs sufferers of many of their faculties and quality of life. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, but it is the world’s fastest growing. Disturbingly, rates of Parkinson’s are rising particularly quickly in rural farming communities.