Country Life

When it comes to farming, planning for the next season today is key, says the Coubrough family. The 5th generation dairying family is are all on the same page - they want robotics to milk the cows for them. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Brett and Linda Coubrough Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app,...

Ever wondered what happened to some of the damaged timber from the Lyttelton wharves after the Canterbury earthquakes? The tough ironbark they were made from was too good not to be rescued and Oxford's Steve Evans was just the man for the job, as Mark Leishman discovered. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Steve Evans Go to th...

Could growers harness the kiwi as a way of reducing pests attacking their crops? A recent study has filmed the endangered birds entering vineyards and orchards at night to feast on beetles, weevils, grass grub and other insects. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to guests: Isobel Castro and Karen Mason Go to this episode on rnz.c...

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is in Marlborough's back country on Molesworth Station, we check out the sale action at the Feilding saleyards and learn more about Chinese mooncakes, or suncakes as one gardener views them. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:30 - Mooncakes under a southern sun 4:37 - Rural News Wrap 8:47 - The '...

It's an early start for the musterers at Molesworth Station. The bulls are out with the cows for the mating season and everyone needs to beat the heat. Country Life producer Sally Round spent a day with the stockmen, the farmer and the cook, peeling back some of the mystique of New Zealand's most famous farm. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here...

Global demand for red meat is driving strong prices for sheep and cattle, some of the best former Feilding farmer Eric Linklater has seen in over 20 years of guiding tours at the local saleyards. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can find more about the tours, here . With thanks to: Eric Linklater Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more...

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

David Ruan says the colourful vegetables growing in his garden are like little cakes relying on the sun for energy, hence the name Suncakes Gardens. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: David Ruan Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is inside one of Fonterra's large dairy plants and meets a Canterbury farming couple making beautiful wool coats from their family's flock. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:38 - On the Farm 8:13 - The art of the auction 14:35 - The high-tech dairy hub feeding China's sweet tooth 31:06 - The Cli...

Driven by a desire to find a pure New Zealand wool coat, and to find more use for the bales of wool sitting idle in the shearing shed, Charlotte Bell started her fashion business The Clip. She and husband Hamish farm in Hakataramea Valley in Canterbury You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to guests: Charlotte and Hamish Bell, The Cl...

A growing taste for pastries, cakes and dairy-topped drinks in China and southeast Asia is fuelling demand for New Zealand-made cream cheese. Country Life takes a tour of Fonterra's high-tech factory at Darfied to see how it's made. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to guests: Matt Smith Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more d...

Feilding livestock agent and saleyards auctioneer Alex Stewart on breaking into an old man's game, human calculators and conducting the sale. With thanks to guests: Alex Stewart Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life meets a couple who've had a lifetime on the same farm, and some newcomers to the truffle industry, and the team also talk fitness with a farming-focused physiotherapist. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:43 - Taking physio to the farmers 8:15- Rural News Wrap 16:21 - A life on the land at Lansdown Fa...

Indie has just finished her first harvest as a truffle hunter, showing outstanding skills for a pup. Her owners have just finished their first harvest too and are relishing life on the land after years searching for a place to call home. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to guests: Lance and Nikki Dodd, and Indie Make sure you’re...

Farmer Ian Buckingham was born at Lansdown Farm at Hook near Waimate 85 years ago and he's never left. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . Ian and Pam Buckingham Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Constant wet weather on hilly Te Tai Rāwhiti farms has led to an uptick in injuries among farmers there. Our guest this week, physiotherapist-cum-farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan, gives in-paddock advice to help them recover, stay strong and keep fit. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to guests: Storm Baynes-Ryan Go to this episode on rn...

This week Country Life delves into the world of the harakeke plant and its many uses - from fashion to paper - and finds out about skincare products made from wool. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:46 - Romene: From sheep to sheet mask 6:35 - Rural News Wrap 13:33 - Huhana Smith - artist, scholar, activist and farmer 28:3...

Whanganui couple Marilyn and Marty Vreede have been making paper from leftover harakeke from the district's many weavers. Between processing the strong fibre and making sheets of paper, they also help revitalise te reo Māori. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can find more about Pakohe, here . In this episode: 0:21 - Meet Marilyn and Mar...

Huhana Smith grows olives, fruit and harakeke on six hectares of land at Kuku north of Wellington. It's a productive testing ground for growing healthy food and, potentially, a sustainable fashion industry. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Huhana Smith Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Southland sheep farmer Megan Seator is unravelling new uses for Romney's strong wool in a range of skincare products. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can find more about Romene, here . With thanks to: Megan Seator Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life bids farewell to long-time producer Cosmo Kentish-Barnes who shares some of the magic moments he's had covering the South Island beat over nearly two decades. The team's also in the calving shed, and meeting a young entrepreneur who stumbled on shoelaces as a way of helping lift the profile of wool. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our w...