Ross Vintiner has carved an interesting career - from the maelstrom of politics alongside David Lange to the relative peace of an olive grove in Wairarapa. Along the way he's developed an interest in biodynamic methods, nurturing his trees to produce oil which is rich in disease-fighting polyphenols. He says these micronutrients are becomingly increasingly important to health conscious olive oil consumers overseas.

Thurvalley BK Bree VG86 produced the most milk of any Brown Swiss cow in New Zealand for the 2018/19 season. Her owner Tony Buehler grew up helping hand milk of a commercial herd of 12 in Switzerland. His oldest brother got to take the farm over, so he headed overseas and says farming in New Zealand is great, so much freedom.

New Zealand could be producing its own sugar, according to the chair of New Zealand's Tropical Fruit Growers' Association. Hugh Rose has been growing trial plantings of sugarcane on his property near Whangarei and says the Far North is particularly well-suited to the crop.

Big, beautiful calves are arriving a couple of weeks early in some parts of the country and for many South Island regions spring is in the air.

Four newly converted farms are joining Maui Milk's dairy sheep business. Next year a further five or six will be needed. A lack of sheep is all that's holding expansion back.

Sugar Cane, Dali Estate Olives, Milking sheep and Brown Swiss cows

Restoring two cob cottages at Burkes Pass has become a labour of love for retired Christchurch couple Jane and Graham Bachelor. One of cottages was built by shepherd James Keefe in 1876 and was in a sorry state of repair when the Bachelors bought it.

The fact there are no vineyards in Finland means Finnish wine-maker Outi Jacovirta has to travel to ply her trade. Outi's been making wine in New Zealand on and off for 16 years.

Kūmara is currently the biggest crop in Northland's Kaipara district, but one day peanuts could be added to the mix. Kaipara Kai has been established to promote opportunities for landowners to plant new crops in the hope that increased food production will inject money into the local economy.

Waikato and Taranaki dairy farms have never looked better at this time of year, and it's been relatively balmy in the deep south...