Milking and medicine combine well for a Taranaki couple who have won the 2023 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmers of the Year.

After four attempts Southland dairy farmer Hugh Jackson has been crowned Otago Southland Young Farmer of the Year securing a place in the national grand final.

Native plantings improve the soil, reduce pests and disease, and improves worker wellbeing and pride.

“They haven’t been able to get off their farm and have a break because they can’t. There’s no access out of the area… And they’re getting exhausted.”

A big year of sales has now fallen back to 2021 levels with the industry looking at the coming months with uncertainty.

Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland says the damage from the cyclone over nine provinces is “beyond comprehension”.

Hawke’s Bay pipfruit crop will be down by a third and 25% of the region’s wine grape crop is destroyed.

The New Zealand-Australia partnership will be a first for the southern hemisphere.

Mussel boats currently have to unload at Whakatāne, and getting consent for a commercial wharf in Ōpōtiki will take up to five years, the council heard.

Try grass manure – without the cows – and green mulch, as a winning formula for vegan and organic gardeners.