In rural New Zealand, the jobs that matter most are often the ones nobody notices when everything is going to plan. The gate swings freely, the hose holds pressure, the trailer tracks straight, the shed gear works as it should and the day keeps moving.

With the busiest summer months of New Zealand’s farming sector in full swing, Findex Human Resources experts are warning that poor labour planning can have costly consequences for both productivity and compliance.

The appointment of Carrfields Machinery as the New Zealand distributor for StocksAG marks a measured but meaningful development for the local machinery market, particularly for farmers and contractors focused on precision application and grassland performance.

Even for seasoned spray contractors there’s a bit of advice from Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, UPL NZ Ltd Adjuvant Lead and Regional Manager Upper North Island that’s worth sharing.

There is no denying the scale or significance of the announcement that PF Olsen and Forest360 intend to merge to form what will become the largest independent forestry management company in Australasia, managing close to half a million hectares of forest and servicing more than a thousand clients across New Zealand and Australia.

There are certain machines that quietly earn their place on New Zealand farms because they solve problems every single day, across every season, without making a fuss. Telehandlers sit firmly in that category.

There are some events on the sheep and beef calendar that carry a bit more weight than the rest because they are not just about a programme on a stage, they are a moment to step back from the pace of the season and take stock of where the sector is heading.

New Zealand’s farming systems are entering a period of rapid change as hotter summers, drier soils and more unpredictable weather patterns begin to reshape how pastures perform and in this environment the work happening behind the scenes to protect plant genetics has never been more important.

Weed pressure is one of those realities that every grower knows can shape an entire season long before a crop reaches canopy. In cereals where competition for moisture and nutrients is immediate, early weed control sets the tone for yield potential and crop health yet the options available to New Zealand growers have been tightening for years.

There are some events on the sheep and beef calendar that carry a bit more weight than the rest because they are not just about a programme on a stage, they are a moment to step back from the pace of the season and take stock of where the sector is heading. Out the Gate has quickly become one of those moments, and with Beef + Lamb New Zealand confirming Gallagher as the Principal Partner for Out the Gate 2026, the event is shaping up as a genuinely important gathering for farmers, breeders, rural professionals and industry leaders who want more than a surface-level update. They want practical learning, real conversations and a reminder that the best parts of this industry are built around people turning up, sharing ideas and backing each other.

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.