CountryWide

Maui Milk has lifted its supplier payout to $17.18 per kilogram of milk solids and is looking for new sheep milk suppliers across the North Island for the 2027-28 season. bit.ly/4xwMRlx

Local Government Minister Simon Watts says he is trusting councils won't ramp up rates in the two years before the newly announced increase cap of 4% kicks in. Watch/listen to our full interview on CountryWide CONNECT here: ap1.hubs.ly/H01ktcy0

Every part of the Bay of Plenty rural sector is performing at once, with dairy, kiwifruit and lifestyle properties on the market. Watch or listen to the full interview on the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app. Download via our link in bio.

Dairy generated $28.8 billion in export revenue in the year ended December 2025 and supports 51,800 jobs across farming and processing, a Sense Partners analysis for DairyNZ and DCANZ found. ap1.hubs.ly/H01kmD00

The Ministry for Primary Industries is offering six $5,000 scholarships to tertiary students heading into farm advisory and extension roles. Director of On Farm support Chad Hoggard says they are working to build the pipeline of rural professionals. ap1.hubs.ly/H01k6Sx0

More than 1,000 primary and intermediate pupils connected with farmers last year through Farmer Time for Schools. The programme, supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, is now in its fifth year. ap1.hubs.ly/H01k0sm0

Exciting news for Canterbury! The FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final returns to the plains from 1 to 3 July next year, with the practical day at Kirwee and the evening show at Wolfbrook Arena. ap1.hubs.ly/H01jMRB0

John and Mel McCaw were crowned 2026 Arable Farmers of the Year at the FAR Awards last week in Christchurch. ap1.hubs.ly/H01jMKh0

New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association chair Kent Weir says relaxed government rules for agricultural spray drones pose a risk of environmental and safety harm. ap1.hubs.ly/H01jMz30

Ashburton Lakes farmers Kerry and Paul Harmer have been announced as the Canterbury Supreme Winners of the recent Ballance Farm Environment Awards. ap1.hubs.ly/H01jMcm0

In the recent Spring edition of Dairy Country, journalist Anne Lee interviewed Biddy and Braden Barnes on the purchase of their first farm. Read the full interview online or in print, out now: ap1.hubs.ly/H01jFQr0

Tractor sales have recovered strongly this year, with growth concentrated in the 150 horsepower & above category. Tractor & Machinery Association president Jaiden Drought says contractors are moving to bigger gear to cover more hectares with fewer staff. ap1.hubs.ly/H01jm-B0

Farm businesses building an advisory board should first take stock of who is already around the table, says Laura Abbiss, chair of the Institute of Rural Professionals. ap1.hubs.ly/H01j6pc0

Introducing: Dairy Country Spring '26! 🐮 🌷 Read online here: ap1.hubs.ly/H01hWlL0

Hawke’s Bay butcher Rhys Tamanui has been crowned 2026 New Zealand Young Butcher of the Year. The Waipawa Butchery butcher credits hard work, a massive amount of support from many people, sponsors, his workplace and crew here. ap1.hubs.ly/H01hH8q0

Agritech has shifted from a discussion about shiny things to becoming part of standard practice, Agritech New Zealand chief executive Brendan O’Connell says. ap1.hubs.ly/H01hCS40

Country sales specialist Tony Rasmussen from Bayleys says the scale and location of a 716ha sheep and beef property listing just 15 minutes from Napier are rare. ap1.hubs.ly/H01hCtl0

Crop scouting remains the number one defence against fall armyworm as researchers wrap up a three-year MPI Sustainable Food and Fibre project on the pest. Watch/listen to our full interview with project lead Ash Mills on CountryWide CONNECT here: ap1.hubs.ly/H01h2xS0

The Campaign for Wool’s mobile Wool in Schools container has now reached more than 33,000 students, with a recent two-week stop at Lee Stream School and its 12 pupils. Watch/listen to our full interview on CountryWide CONNECT here: ap1.hubs.ly/H01h2bM0

New Zealand Plant Protection Society president Tom Carlin says new funding finally lets control efforts gain ground for wilding conifers that already cover about two million hectares and threaten another 7.5 million. ap1.hubs.ly/H01gf0J0