Southdown Sheep Society, NZ

Country News

• Invasive velvetleaf discoveries at Waikato farms a 'wake-up call' for agricultural sector
  Velvetleaf can grow up to 2.5 metres tall, it has large, heart-shaped leaves with pointy tips and velvety hairs, and small, buttery yellow flowers. […]
• Sharesies to host online trading of Fonterra shares
  Co-chief executive Leighton Roberts said the agreement offered a new line of business and should improve liquidity in Fonterra shares. […]
• Dry weather good for fruit and vege growers, but farmers hanging out for rain
  A lack of rain on the North Island's East Coast may be good for the area's fruit and vegetable growers - but the dry is starting to bite for […]
• PGW cuts earnings forecast by $7m
  Weaker agricultural market conditions have forced the rural services company to cut its full-year earnings forecast. […]
• New Zealand A&P Agricultural Show cancelled this year
  Organisers of the show in Christchurch say it's not financially viable. […]
• Craft beer: Taranaki back-country spawns 'remarkably different' hops
  A Taranaki brewer is excited about the distinctive flavour of beer made from hops grown in the region's hill country. […]
• Low lamb prices could see more farmers planting trees
  "Hardly any" sheep and beef farmers are breaking even and many will be looking for other uses for their land, agricultural consultant says. […]
• NZ shearer breaks merino solo record in Western Australia
  Luke Vernon broke the previous record set in 2019 by shearing 500 merino ewes in eight hours. […]
• Primary sector faces hurdles to 'ageing' export earnings
  A new report says more collaboration between firms could increase the price New Zealand goods get in overseas markets. […]
• 'Keeping up' with demand the biggest challenge for Canterbury Biltong
  A Christchurch company is expanding production of its South African-style dried meat snacks once again to keep up with insatiable demand. […]
• What is avian influenza H5N1, also known as bird flu, and why has it been found in US dairy cows?
  There are few places in the world the high pathogenicity bird flu has not yet reached, and scientists say the world is in an animal pandemic. […]