In Northland dairy farmers seem to be well set up for feed for spring but beef farmers are feeling the pinch a bit. The vines are waking up in Marlborough and sheep are spaced out for lambing in South Otago.

Country Life meets North Otago vege grower and soil expert Jim O'Gorman - otherwise known as Kakanui's dirt doctor - and catches up with a vet who has left New Zealand and returned to the family farm on a remote Scottish island.

It's calving season in the dairy sector and many farmers and staff are working huge hours to look after their animals. Country Life is up before the birds with Carterton dairy farmer Jody James to see what it's like.

Chef Ethan Flack has returned to Invercargill after years working in Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK. He plans to open a food space where he can tell the stories of Southland's farmers and growers and can show-case the province's primary produce.

A lifestyle hobby for a family in Cheviot has turned into a thriving business. Five years ago Kobus and Julie Venter purchased a dozen hens for their son Jack. Now his flock numbers over a thousand and lays about 200 dozen eggs a week. The eggs go to restaurants and cafes in Kaikoura, Amberley, Cheviot and Christchurch.

Harvesting of leafy vegetables has continued in unpleasant conditions around Pukekohe and on a Nelson orchard growth is about a week ahead of last year.

Country Life this week follows a dairy farmer and his team in the wee early hours as they help the herd through the calving season and what started out as a lifestyle hobby for a family in Cheviot has turned into a thriving egg business...

Sheep and cattle graze where whales and dolphins once swam 25 million years ago. Bones from their skeletons are fossilised in cliffs on Grant Neal's farm at Duntroon in North Otago.

Curly Troon is a stalwart of the gumboot throwing world in New Zealand. The Taihape local has been honoured this year with a Toyota Lifetime Legacy to Rural Sports Award for the sport. He is also the Chair of the NZ Boot Throwing Association.

LeaderBrand's CEO Richard Burke says seasonal workers are very difficult to attract so his company happily offers a range of benefits, including a bonus for turning up, in order to secure a committed workforce.