Country Life

Debra Cruickshank has had a chaotic few weeks. It's harvest time – a month early – and grapes have been arriving at her Central Otago micro-winery in buckets, bins and baby baths.

Susan Murray takes on the Mountain to Sea Cycle Trail – and checks out who is benefiting from extra visitors to the Central North Island.

Dry, mild weather with a stray shower or two prevailed this week in Pukekohe. Many vegetables are now in heavier supply and retail prices have eased. Canterbury is fully into autumn mode with all stock behind a wire and baleage being fed to slow the rotation length. Paddocks are being prepared for autumn sown cereal crops.

Country Life gets saddle sore cycling from Mt Ruapehu to the Sea .. checking out rural businesses along the way.

Dr Paul Dettloff was in the country recently to educate farmers and vets about the transition to sustainable practices and homeopathic treatments for cattle infected with Mycoplasma bovis.

Nick Pyke reflects on two decades at the helm of the Foundation for Arable Research in Christchurch. The outgoing chief executive talks about the evolution of cropping, the challenges he has faced and the future of arable farming in New Zealand.

High prices are being paid for store lambs and Suz Bremner from AgfriHQ tells us why.

Grass is growing at a phenomenal rate in the North Island. Central Otago's hills are looking green and the flats below them even greener. In Southland winter crops are growing well and baleage has been spaced out in the crop paddocks ready for break-feeding a bit further down the track.

It's been 175 years since Auckland's first A&P show was held in downtown Auckland. David Scott's a farmer and the chairman of the Royal Easter show and says the event now plays a crucial role introducing city folk to farm animals and to farmers.

Transition and Animal Health with Paul Dettloff, Outgoing FAR CEO Nick Pyke, Lambs Lively, 175 Years Since Cattle Came to Town and the Regional Wrap.