Country Life

North Canterbury farmers Melissa and Hayden Cowan have a small flock of rare black-nosed Swiss Valais sheep. Often referred to as the "cutest sheep in the world" this distinctive breed with black face and ears, curly forelocks and spotted knees and hocks originate in the mountains of the Valais area of Switzerland.

Plant and Food Research is working the the Middle East to help an environment agency there know how much water can be safely allocated to date plantations. It's an extension of the work it has been doing in New Zealand, measuring sap flow in various crops and developing models regional councils can use to work out water allocations.

In Bay of Plenty pasture's been bolting away and the good quality feed's been putting weight on cattle and lambs. Dairy farmers have finally put their silage wagons away in Canterbury and yearling bulls on lucerne are currently growing at two kilos per head per day.

A look at a DIY soil tesing kit.

A Tale of Three Shepherds, Cute as Buttons, Allocating Water for Dates, DIY Soil Testing and the Regional Wrap.

There's a lot of chatter about Speckle Park cattle. The Canadian breed is the fastest growing cattle breed on the planet. New Zealand farmers are jumping on board. Beef farmers like Speckle Parks because they grow quickly, yield more beef than most other breeds and produce beautifully marbled meat. Dairy farmers love them too; the calves are easy to rear, easy to identify and are worth more than other dairy-cross calves.

Jackie Law takes in unwanted pacers and trotters once they have finished their harness racing careers. So far she's rehomed more than 600. Most come from horse trainers who like to see them get a second chance.

New Zealand-based international cheese judge Juliet Harbutt would like to see cheese makers here make their own distinct cheeses rather than copy well-known recipes.

In Waikato asparagus production is down significantly because of cooler wetter conditions this spring. Apple orchards in the Nelson/Motueka region are coming to the end of flowering. There has been stop start rain in South Otago so farmers haven't been able to get much groundwork done.

Spectacular Speckles, Rehoming Reject Horses, More Cheese Please and the Regional Wrap.