Country Life

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.

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

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This week Country Life meets some characterful Clydesdale horses, finds out about the Waimate Trail, explores rural life through objects via a new book and heads to threatened Thornton Lagoon in Bay of Plenty.

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

In this episode:

• 0:44 - Rural News Wrap
• 8:06 - Kiwi Country: New book explores rural New Zealand through 100 objects
• 16:37 - The Waimate Trail
• 23:10 - Battling off-roaders and pests at Thornton Lagoon
• 33:53 - Clydesdales - the gentle giants of the horse world

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They used to be a regular sight on New Zealand's roads and paddocks - the plodding but magnificent Clydesdales. The horses with the hobbit hooves are becoming rare and their personality, dignity and legacy have inspired Susie Izard and her daughter Cate Smith to help save the breed.

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

With thanks to:

• Suzie Izard and Cate Smith, Silverstream Clydesdales

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Ben Banks is trying to protect the fragile dunes, wildlife and vegetation at a coastal lagoon near Whakatāne. Volunteering his time, he and his family trap for predators and pests but there's another threat to the area - the four-wheeled kind.

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

With thanks to:

• Ben Banks

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Husband and wife duo Te Radar and Ruth Spencer have recently partnered together on a new book 'Kiwi Country: Rural New Zealand in 100 Objects'.

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

With thanks to:

• Ruth Spencer and Te Radar

One lucky listener can win a copy of the book - tell us the type of milkshed invented in New Zealand.

Email [email protected] with the answer to go into the draw - the winner will be announced on next week's show.

The couple also have a couple of book tours coming up:

• Hastings, Tuesday 25 November
• Waipukarau, Wednesday 26 November
• Palmerston North library, Wednesday 26 November
• Hedley's Masterton, Thursday 27 November

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Volunteers are nearing completion of the first leg of a new trail for walkers, runners and cyclists in South Canterbury, the 67km Waimate Trail which will pass through native forest, limestone rock formations, tussock tops, river flats and valleys.

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

You can find more about the project and track its progress, here.

With thanks to:

• Jo Sutherland
  

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

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This week Country Life talks to researchers who say there’s potential for the brown kiwi to become a pest patroller in orchards and vineyards. Mark Leishman pulls on his Country Life gumboots to meet an entrepreneur behind an intriguing gateway made of the toughest timber – ironbark, and a visit to a Waikato farming family who’ve been integrating robotics and automation into their dairy operation.

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

In this episode:

• 0:36 - Kiwi on pest patrol
• 14:33 - Rural News Wrap
• 18:32 - Ironbark - the wood as hard as steel
• 32:51 - Tech is key on this Tirau dairy farm

With thanks to guests:

• Isobel Castro and Karen Mason
• Steve Evans
• Brett and Linda Coubrough

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

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When it comes to farming, planning for the next season today is key, says the Coubrough family. The 5th generation dairying family is are all on the same page - they want robotics to milk the cows for them.

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

With thanks to:

• Brett and Linda Coubrough

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Ever wondered what happened to some of the damaged timber from the Lyttelton wharves after the Canterbury earthquakes? The tough ironbark they were made from was too good not to be rescued and Oxford's Steve Evans was just the man for the job, as Mark Leishman discovered.

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

With thanks to:

• Steve Evans

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