Each week our Country Life reporters check out the latest from farms and orchards around the country.

South Waikato had thunder rolling around the district at the weekend but the rain was very choosy about where it fell. In Canterbury indications from arable farmers are that yields have been very good so far across cereals and small seeds.

Farmers in Southland continue mopping up after the Mataura River flooding, in the View from the Vines series grapes are ripening and birds need to be kept at bay and a look back at the Golden Shears which turns 60 this year.

"Hentertainment" is a way of keeping hens laying - and happy - at Henergy, an egg business on the outskirts of Masterton. Henergy founder Graeme Napier was the first egg producer to get the SPCA blue tick for his barn-raised eggs and with more producers piling into cage-free egg production under new regulations, they're trying to stay one step ahead.

Paul Tapper has lived and farmed in the Rangiora/North Canterbury region for many years and with retirement looming, the PGG rural real estate agent has fulfilled a dream to develop a traditional family orchard.

Around Pukekohe, warm dry days have continued and growers have maintained the costly task of irrigating outdoor crops. Harvest is progressing well in Canterbury but, despite the dry weather, it has been quite slow because of overcast cooler conditions.

Thats Hentertainment!, Native Nursery Supports Local Farmers, Easy Pickings at North Canterbury Orchard and the Regional Wrap.

A large nursery is flourishing in the old gardens at the back of the meeting house at Takutai o te Titi Marae at Colac Bay in Southland. It was established in 2017 by Riverton man Jade Maguire who works with the community to grow thousands of plants each year, which are then used in local restoration projects.

For Banks Peninsula farmers, growers and producers, the annual A&P Show at Little River is the highlight of the year. Country Life meets the people behind it.

North Waikato sheep and beef farmer Steve Stark says farmers with money in the bank are fortunate to have options for dealing with the summer's big dry.

Around Pukekohe, the widespread drought continues to make life difficult for the outdoor vegetable industry. A dairy farmer near Balclutha in South Otago is in flood recovery mode. His farm is bordered by the Clutha and PomahakaII Rivers and both flooded.