Growing walnuts, picking grapes, hooking kids up with wool, and the Regional Wrap

Country Life heads to Manawatu and drops in on New Zealand's first spirulina farm which grows the bright green protein-rich superfood from tiny algae. It's hoped the farm's French-style artisan model can be replicated around the country to meet the growing demand for plant protein.

It's cooled off a bit in the North Island but farmers are still hanging out for rain, while in the South Island, West Coast and Southland farms are going into autumn with pretty good pasture growth.

Greg Jerry's New South Wales farm has finally had rain. After three years of drought the grass is green and up to his knees in places.

Country Life heads to Manawatu and drops in on New Zealand's first spirulina farm which grows the bright green protein-rich superfood from tiny algae.

Growing a variety of tall plants with deeper roots and not overgrazing are two key principles for South Otago grazing coach Siobhan Griffin.  She is working with Tony and Michelle Pringle who run a farm focused on regenerative agriculture. The Cyldevale dairy farmers needed a hand to develop plans for mob grazing and stock density and so far, with Siobhan's help, they're pleased with the results.

Matapiro Station farm manager Michael Lowther is on a shopping spree - he's just bought the first of 30,000 lambs that will spend just a few months on the station.

Konagh Garrett is a PhD student at Lincoln University. She has a particular interest in nutritional ecology and is looking at how a diverse, varied diet for animals can positively affect welfare and environmental impact, while maintaining or increasing animal production.

In parched Northland, a stock agent in Kaipara district says rain this week was enough to settle the dust, but that's about it. The West Coast has had a week of glorious, fine T-shirt and shorts weather - there's even an excess of grass in some places and baleage is being made.

The harvest of New Zealand's largest horticultural export crop has just begun. Nikki Johnson from NZKGI says, with Covid-19 restricting travel, growers are hoping there will be enough backpackers already in New Zealand to help get the fruit off the vines.