Too many grapes, international headwinds and a dramatic drop in drinkers is proving problematic for our wine producers.

Perfect growing conditions for grapes at a time when demand for wine is dropping is likely to result in more fruit left on the vine again this harvest

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Country Life gets the latest on the beef market and cherry harvest, learns how pairing solar and horticulture could help with growing and joins one of Pāmu’s young apprentices on a King Country farm. Follow Country Life on your favourite podcast platform or listen on the RNZ website.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

In this episode:

• 0:41 - A yarn on the farm with beef farmer Craig Pickens
• 7:23 - Rural News Wrap
• 12:12 - New study into growing crops under solar panels
• 18:33 - Growing a farmer - Archie's life as a Pāmu apprentice
• 34:22 - Central Otago a fruitgrower's cherry pick

With thanks to:

• Craig Pickens
• Pieter-Willem Hendriks
• Archie Davidson and Alan MacDonald, Pāmu
• Kris Robb and Mike Mangau, Clyde Orchards

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A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

You can learn more about Clyde Orchards, here.

With thanks to:

• Kris Robb and Mike Mangau

Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

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Archie's 17 and an apprentice to Micky, champion shearer and Pāmu farm manager on King Country sheep and beef farm Te Wharua. We head out mustering and Archie shows how he's working with his whistle and his dogs.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Archie Davidson and Alan MacDonald, Pāmu

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Growing crops alongside solar farming is a new field for New Zealand, so researchers here have been analysing studies of these sorts of systems around the world. Dr Pieter-Willem Hendriks from the research team at Lincoln University spoke to Sally Round.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Pieter-Willem Hendriks

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A wrap of the week's news from the primary sector.

You can find more from RNZ's rural news team, here.

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A little bit of luck as well as good management is behind our guest's entry into the roaring beef market. Craig Pickens has been farming in King Country since 2005 and his present farm, Waimiha, has gone through some changes, lately the move to finishing beef cattle.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Craig Pickens

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This week the Country Life team takes you riverside to find out about an unusual ferry which has been running for 130 years, they delve into the science of insect vibrations which may be a way of protecting crops, and getting a taste of Americana at Burkes Pass.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

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Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Producer Mark Leishman goes on a personal journey to Burkes Pass, a place with deep family ties. A fire in the 1990s destroyed most of the Burkes Pass Hotel run by his grandparents and has been replaced by a replica 1950s Americana village complete with its own "Pin Up Queen".

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

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Researchers from the Bioeconomy Science Institute are investigating whether they can apply the vibrations of insects to disrupt pests in the greenhouse. Our Changing World's Claire Concannon heads along to the tomato growing greenhouse where they're trialling the use of biotremology.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

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