This week's Country Life is all about tech and science - from cutting edge ag drone, to collecting sheep poo samples to be processed in the lab as part of a national study, and the team helping breed the kiwifruit of tomorrow.

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

In this episode:

• 0:46 - Rural News Wrap
• 5:52 - Farmers' ag drone venture takes flight
• 13:56 - 'Poo hunter': In the name of science
• 26:56 - Inside New Zealand's Kiwifruit Breeding Centre

With thanks to:

• Mitchel Hoare
• Paul Crick, Sarah Riddy and Cara Brosnahan
• Matt Glenn, Amardeep Nath, Megan Wood, and Thomas Paterson

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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

It takes years to perfect cultivars and to keep New Zealand's kiwifruit industry ahead of the game. Country Life takes a tour of the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre in Te Puke and meets those helping create the fruit of the future.

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

With thanks to:

• Matt Glenn, Amardeep Nath, Megan Wood, and Thomas Paterson

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

Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.

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

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

Wairarapa sheep farmer Paul Crick is one of hundreds out collecting poo samples from his flock as part of a national study testing for the presence of spores which cause facial eczema in sheep.

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

You can find more about the trial, here.

With thanks to:

• Paul Crick, Sarah Riddy and Cara Brosnahan
  

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

Two King Country farmers have trained up as drone operators to offer on-farm drone spraying services, a side hustle alongside their traditional farming work.

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

With thanks to:

• Mitchel Hoare

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

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector.

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This week Country Life gets up close and personal with some of the animals at Massey University's teaching farm and heads to a high country station near Omarama where merino sheep run alongside shorthorn cattle.

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

In this episode:

• 0:32 - Jefferson Fellow Kate Green on the future of food security
• 11:28 - Rural News Wrap
• 17:03 - Massey University's 'outdoor farm classroom' celebrates 30 years
• 29:28 - Living the High Country Life

With thanks to:

• Kate Green
• Mike Reilly and Professors Jon Huxley and Paul Kenyon
• Simon and Kirsty Williamson

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

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

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

There's a romance attached to living in the Mackenzie High Country, but does it still exist? For Simon Williamson it is the only life he knows. He grew up through the harsh winters and hot summers and loves the challenge of it.

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

With thanks to:

• Simon and Kirst Williamson

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

Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.

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

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

Set on 40-hectares near the university's Palmertston North campus, the Large Animal Teaching Unit, is home to a menagerie of animals for veterinary students to work with.

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

With thanks to:

• Mike Reilly, Professors Jon Huxley and Paul Kenyon

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

RNZ reporter Kate Green has recently returned from parts of Southeast Asia as part of a Jefferson Fellowship exploring food security issues across the region.

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

With thanks to:

• Kate Green

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