Early Bird Rural News with Richard Baddiley

New Zealand currency drop lifts local commodity prices, students help FENZ map rural fire risks, and Northland progresses toward deer-free wilderness status.   Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   New Zealand currency drop lifts local...

Border security is heightened as Germany battles foot and mouth disease, public consultation opens on Arms Act rewrite, and record crowds pack Gisborne Rodeo. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Border security is heightened as Germany bat...

Prime Minister heads to United Arab Emirates to seal primary sector deal, global dairy prices drop in first 2025 auction, and summer rain fails to ease drought concerns for North Canterbury farmers. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Prim...

Government announces multimillion dollar package, more fire restrictions announced across the country, and holiday season puts rural security under the spotlight. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Government announces multimillion dollar...

Gene Technology Bill clears its first hurdle in parliament, prices dip at the final Global Dairy trade Auction of the year, and Alliance Group signals return to profitability. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Gene Technology Bill clears...

Fonterra adds record milk solids to its Fixed Milk Price program, Biosecurity New Zealand boosts summer border protection, and forestry sector wins major ETS reduction. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Fonterra adds record milk solids t...

Lamb prices surge as supply shortages boost market optimism, Deer velvet market reels from Chinese stockpiling shock, and outdoor fire restrictions implemented across Otago. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Lamb prices surge as supply s...

Government unveils unified greenhouse gas calculator for farmers, Synlait boosts milk price as commodity markets strengthen, and forestry waste emerges as green energy solution for Hawke’s Bay.  Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! &nbs...

Record-breaking year ahead for food and fibre exports, RMA amendment brings relief for primary producers, and fire bans for Hawke’s Bay and coastal Wairarapa. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Record-breaking year ahead for food an...

New Emissions Reduction Plan sparks fierce debate, Fed Farmers make formal complaint over bank lending, and Marlborough and Nelson-Tasman regions tighten outdoor fire restrictions. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Emissions Reduction Pl...

Controversial Gene Technology bill is tabled in Parliament, the Government releases its second Emissions Reduction Plan, and Ham or Lamb? Who’s the winner for this year’s Christmas dinner?. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   C...

Hawke’s Bay farmers tackle drought challenges head-on, Kiwi agri-tech transforming orchard operations and young talent shines as shearing competitions revive in Northland. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Hawke’s Bay farmers tackle drought challen...

Hawke’s Bay farmer resilience program gets an almost one million dollar government boost, Wools of New Zealand launches first wool contracts in three years, and topdressing pioneers celebrate three-quarters of a century in the skies. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat be...

Fonterra signals record milk price, report shows lamb numbers are down - but the sector is showing resilience, and forestry restrictions spark land management debate. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Fonterra signals record milk price Fonterra's l...

Government introduces forestry conversion limit, a second egg farm investigated in Otago bird flu outbreak, and Kāinga Ora’s wool carpet snub sparks backlash. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Government introduces forestry conversion limit Agricul...

Avian bird flu spreads within an Otago egg farm, Miraka updates its milk price forecast, and new rules to boost rural health delivery. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Avian bird flu spreads within an Otago egg farm Ministry for Primary Industries...

Swift response to avian influenza found on an Otago egg farm, Metservice forecast hot, dry conditions across the country this week, and Tararua farmers challenge proposed road crossing bylaws. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Swift response to avi...

Milk prices poised to hit record highs, SIDE launches Trans-Tasman dairy exchange, and entries open for 2025 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Milk prices poised to hit record highs The current dairy season is shaping...

Global dairy squeeze lifts New Zealand milk futures. wine sector transitions to new trade certification system, and LIC reaches major milestone. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Global dairy squeeze lifts New Zealand milk futures Our dairy market...

The Prime Minister backs our rural sector as the country’s economic powerhouse, Canterbury project to boost Blackcurrant industry potential, and dog dosing critical as sheep measles rates climb. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   The Prime Minister...

Government marks one year of rural reforms and support, local pork farmers battle imported meat flood, and farmers take lead in Tukutuki River catchment management. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Government marks one year of rural reforms and su...

Synlait raises its forecast milk price, new report reveals how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could shape our trade, and the hunt is on for the countries best rural sports men and women. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Synlait raises it...

MP’s challenge banks on rural-urban lending gap, Southland farmers granted more time for environment plans, and rural tourism takes the top award at the Rural Women New Zealand Business Awards. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   MP’s challenge banks...

Government outlines its plans for a return to sea exports, Halter tops charts in Deloitte’s fastest growing businesses, and Tairāwhiti farmer takes the reins at Rural Women New Zealand. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Government outlines its plan...

Whole milk leads third consecutive Global Dairy Trade rise, groundbreaking livestock research centre opens in Taupo, and nominees named for tenth annual Zanda McDonald Awards. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!   Whole milk leads third consecutive Glo...