Country Life

A sawmill in North Canterbury produces hardwood timber products from eucalyptus trees. Owner John Fairweather, who was introduced to forestry as a teenager by his father, also grows several species at his 20 hectare plantation in Sefton. Currently he is milling the bearers and planks for the re-construction of the Governors Bay Jetty from 200 tonnes of logs that come from a farm on Banks Peninsula.

Farmers in drought stricken areas will be hanging out for the forecast rain this Easter weekend after months of looking out on parched pastures. There's now an 0800 number they can call for support around feeding their stock.

The beginning of the week was beautifully fine and far too dry in most of the North Island and in the South, snow has fallen on hills around the Mackenzie Basin.

Bridget and Richard Neeson grow kiwifruit deep in a valley 40 minutes drive south of Taumarunui. The fruit gets plenty of winter chilling. Their crop is one of the last to be picked in New Zealand. And, a North Canterbury sawyer is milling the bearers and planks for the re-construction of the Governors Bay Jetty, from 200 tonnes of logs that come from a farm on Banks Peninsula.

Each year Palmerston North-based ag consultant Parry Matthews organises a tour for his clients. Scores turn up. This year they're in Waikato looking at handing a farm from one generation to the next.

UK seed company Germinal has been supplying our farmers with clovers and grasses for the past 15 years. Dairy farmer and agronomist Sarah Gard is general manager of its New Zealand operations. The 29-year-old says a key part of her work is running a plant breeding programme to develop low emission grass for local conditions. The aim is to improve livestock performance while reducing their carbon footprint.

As welcome rain dampens soils in many regions in time for winter sowing, farmers around the country share how they're coping with Covid-19.

An online auction platform is working with several livestock agencies to ensure sheep, lambs, dairy cows, cattle and deer can be bought and sold during the Covid 19 lockdown period. Bidr manager Tania Smith says the PGG Wrightson-owned platform has become an essential tool for the trading of livestock while saleyards around the country are closed.

An online auction platform for livestock, low emission grass, an annual farmers' tour and the regional wrap.

Crossbred wool is in Andrea Bulleid's DNA. She farms sheep and beef at Longridge North in Southland with her husband Chris. A frustration with poor wool prices and lack of education about wool led her to launching The Sheep's Back, an innovative business that promotes the fibre and teaches the art of knitting in primary schools.