Country Life

For Banks Peninsula farmers, growers and producers, the annual A&P Show at Little River is the highlight of the year. Country Life meets the people behind it.

North Waikato sheep and beef farmer Steve Stark says farmers with money in the bank are fortunate to have options for dealing with the summer's big dry.

Around Pukekohe, the widespread drought continues to make life difficult for the outdoor vegetable industry. A dairy farmer near Balclutha in South Otago is in flood recovery mode. His farm is bordered by the Clutha and PomahakaII Rivers and both flooded.

A Big Show in Little River, The Garden of Eatin, Waiting for Rain and the Regional Wrap.

Ross Nolly is a former butcher now writer and photographer who, amongst other things, farms maggots. Ross is trying to live self sufficiently near Stratford in Taranaki. The maggots feed on the parts of hunted goats Ross doesn't eat or use and are devoured by his chickens.

A dry paddock bordering Eyrewell forest in North Canterbury is home to a sanctuary for more than 100 injured and homeless domestic and wild ducks. They're all lovingly cared for by Kim Hartley who started North Canterbury Duck and Duckling Rescue back in 2016. Her second in command is Mills, a lame duck who takes unwanted ducklings under her wings. The sanctuary receives donations but Kim says she covers most of the operational costs herself because she adores her quacky birds.

Most people would probably agree that being among trees and nature is good for the soul. But can meditating in a forest actually aid your health? Forest bathing is the latest wellbeing therapy to blossom in America and Europe after beginning in Japan a few decades ago and it's starting to gain interest in New Zealand. It's also known as Shinrin-yoku and it's helping stressed out city dwellers slow down. There are even therapists specialising in the practice, like Sam Lewis based near England's New Forest.

The big dry continued in Northland this week with not a spot of rain to relieve drought conditions. Flooding in South Otago is starting to subside. A sheep and beef farmer near Balclutha recorded 185 millimetres of rain in 48 hours.

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne talks about the impact the Wuhan coronavirus is having on the agricultural sector.

Under Five Hundy; Rahotu, Bird Whisperer Bats for Ducks, The Mindful Art of "Forest Bathing", Fed Farmers president Katie Milne and the Regional Wrap.