In a sector where every droplet of precision counts, Croplands and Norwood have taken a major step forward for New Zealand’s growers.

The Registered Contractor scheme run by Rural Contractors NZ has been relaunched.

When the people who keep the wheels of our rural economy turning start struggling with the very rules meant to keep them moving, it’s time for a reality check.

C B Norwood Distributors Limited has announced the appointment of well-known agribusiness executive and livestock farmer, John Skurr, to the position of General Manager, effective 3 November 2025.

There’s a renewed sense of optimism across New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector this spring, and for good reason.

Arable growers could be forgiven for feeling like the poor cousins of the primary sector this year as dairy, red meat and horticulture enjoy strong prices and renewed confidence.

With the Government’s wholesale reforms of the Resource Management Act including various national policies, rural contractors are asking; what about a national standard for air plans?

Although separated by the Cook Strait, John Deere Service Technicians Marcus Vine and Liam Gee both grew up pulling things apart and putting them back together, a hands-on curiosity that set them on a path to similar careers.

DairyNZ’s Plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.

Safety is something most of us take for granted in our day-to-day work. Yet when it comes to the hazardous substances (chemicals) that keep modern farming and contracting moving, safety doesn’t just happen by chance.

Agribusiness and Environmental consultant Erica van Reenen has been named the FarmIQ Systems Rural Professional of the Year for 2025, while Isabel Schmahl, Agri-Manager with Ravensdown, has taken out the title of FarmIQ Systems Emerging Rural Professional of the Year.

Shirley-Ann and Rick Mannering run a productive sheep, beef and dairy operation just south of Auckland. But alongside that, they’re leading a quiet ecological revolution with traps, tech and a full-time farm ranger.

Spring on New Zealand’s hill country farms is always a balancing act. It is the time of year when demand for feed surges, with lambing and calving in full swing, yet grass growth struggles to keep pace under cool soil temperatures.

When a global dairy cooperative with more than 14,000 farmer members makes a major investment in Asia, it’s worth paying attention in New Zealand.

Most consumers are unaware that when they buy bread from the supermarket it is more likely to be made from imported, rather than domestically-grown milling wheat. This is despite New Zealand arable growers producing some of the world’s best quality grain.

Rural contractors around the country will be celebrating the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa announced yesterday, says their national President.

The first half of 2025 began strongly for New Zealand’s red meat industry, with export revenues up by 28 percent in the first quarter year‑on‑year despite lower volumes, as demand recovered notably in China. Tight global supply has also helped keep prices elevated.

UPL NZ says having man’s best friend on slug patrol isn’t a gimmick. It’s a reality of farming and contracting and a reflection of their confidence in their Ironmax Pro product.

Despite rising global trade tensions and looming tariff changes, New Zealand exporters remain optimistic and resilient.

For rural contractors, bringing in a young, fresh-faced driver is always a mix of excitement and challenge. They arrive with energy and enthusiasm, keen to get behind the wheel and into the work. But proving their progress and keeping accurate training records can be a job in itself.