Regenerative land management practices for animal and vegetable production are key for Phil Varley at his small but diverse farm nestled in the hills above Manuka Bay in North Canterbury.

Quinn Morgan was recently named the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer of the Year.

Farmers fill us in on their week from the National Agricultural Fieldays; one farmer has his hands very firmly in his pockets having just become a 50/50 sharemilker and an Otago farmer is busy selling soaps made from his goats' milk.

The Environmental Protection Authority was at Fieldays for the first time and invited farmers in for a korero and a haircut to find out what they think about measures to protect the environment.

A lack of cellphone reception means more time to focus on developing a farm for a self-taught farmer in Manuka Bay.

Nightcaps residents are pleased newcomers are moving in to town and are renovating old homes. The population has fallen to about 350 but every day 120 people start work in the Southland town.

The winter crop of vegetables growing at Dominique Schacherer and Logan Kerr's market garden has turned 25 hectares of fertile earth into a sea of leafy greens.

Massey University is looking at the costs and benefits of farmers moving out of the wool business and into farming fleece-shedding Wiltshire sheep.

Some sizable apple developments are going in around Waipawa in Hawke's Bay, but labour is limiting investor enthusiasm, while in the South Island, south Otago farms are dry underfoot and feed utitlisation is good.

Dr Sue Bidrose talks to Cosmo about her role as CEO of AgResearch.