Country Life

Could growers harness the kiwi as a way of reducing pests attacking their crops? A recent study has filmed the endangered birds entering vineyards and orchards at night to feast on beetles, weevils, grass grub and other insects.

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

With thanks to guests:

• Isobel Castro and Karen Mason

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

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This week Country Life is in Marlborough's back country on Molesworth Station, we check out the sale action at the Feilding saleyards and learn more about Chinese mooncakes, or suncakes as one gardener views them.

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

In this episode:

• 0:30 - Mooncakes under a southern sun
• 4:37 - Rural News Wrap
• 8:47 - The 'big money' changing hands at the Feilding saleyards
• 24:41 - From the Archive: Mustering at Molesworth

With thanks to guests:

• David Ruan
• Eric Linklater
• Jim Ward

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It's an early start for the musterers at Molesworth Station. The bulls are out with the cows for the mating season and everyone needs to beat the heat. Country Life producer Sally Round spent a day with the stockmen, the farmer and the cook, peeling back some of the mystique of New Zealand's most famous farm.

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

With thanks to:

• Jim Ward

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Global demand for red meat is driving strong prices for sheep and cattle, some of the best former Feilding farmer Eric Linklater has seen in over 20 years of guiding tours at the local saleyards.

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

You can find more about the tours, here.

With thanks to:

• Eric Linklater

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

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David Ruan says the colourful vegetables growing in his garden are like little cakes relying on the sun for energy, hence the name Suncakes Gardens.

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

With thanks to:

• David Ruan

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This week Country Life is inside one of Fonterra's large dairy plants and meets a Canterbury farming couple making beautiful wool coats from their family's flock.

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

In this episode:

• 0:38 - On the Farm
• 8:13 - The art of the auction
• 14:35 - The high-tech dairy hub feeding China's sweet tooth
• 31:06 - The Clip: Wool to Wear

With thanks to guests:

• Alex Stewart
• Matt Smith
• Charlotte and Hamish Bell, The Clip

Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

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

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Driven by a desire to find a pure New Zealand wool coat, and to find more use for the bales of wool sitting idle in the shearing shed, Charlotte Bell started her fashion business The Clip. She and husband Hamish farm in Hakataramea Valley in Canterbury

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

With thanks to guests:

• Charlotte and Hamish Bell, The Clip

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A growing taste for pastries, cakes and dairy-topped drinks in China and southeast Asia is fuelling demand for New Zealand-made cream cheese. Country Life takes a tour of Fonterra's high-tech factory at Darfied to see how it's made.

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

With thanks to guests:

• Matt Smith

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