Country Life

This week Country Life talks to researchers who say there’s potential for the brown kiwi to become a pest patroller in orchards and vineyards. Mark Leishman pulls on his Country Life gumboots to meet an entrepreneur behind an intriguing gateway made of the toughest timber – ironbark, and a visit to a Waikato farming family who’ve been integrating robotics and automation into their dairy operation. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:36 - Kiwi on pest patrol14:33 - Rural News Wrap18:32 - Ironbark - the wood as hard as steel32:51 - Tech is key on this Tirau dairy farmWith thanks to guests:Isobel Castro and Karen MasonSteve EvansBrett and Linda CoubroughMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When it comes to farming, planning for the next season today is key, says the Coubrough family. The 5th generation dairying family is are all on the same page - they want robotics to milk the cows for them. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Brett and Linda CoubroughMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Ever wondered what happened to some of the damaged timber from the Lyttelton wharves after the Canterbury earthquakes? The tough ironbark they were made from was too good not to be rescued and Oxford's Steve Evans was just the man for the job, as Mark Leishman discovered. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Steve EvansGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Could growers harness the kiwi as a way of reducing pests attacking their crops? A recent study has filmed the endangered birds entering vineyards and orchards at night to feast on beetles, weevils, grass grub and other insects. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Isobel Castro and Karen MasonGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is in Marlborough's back country on Molesworth Station, we check out the sale action at the Feilding saleyards and learn more about Chinese mooncakes, or suncakes as one gardener views them.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:30 - Mooncakes under a southern sun4:37 - Rural News Wrap8:47 - The 'big money' changing hands at the Feilding saleyards24:41 - From the Archive: Mustering at MolesworthWith thanks to guests:David RuanEric LinklaterJim WardMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's an early start for the musterers at Molesworth Station. The bulls are out with the cows for the mating season and everyone needs to beat the heat. Country Life producer Sally Round spent a day with the stockmen, the farmer and the cook, peeling back some of the mystique of New Zealand's most famous farm. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Jim WardGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Global demand for red meat is driving strong prices for sheep and cattle, some of the best former Feilding farmer Eric Linklater has seen in over 20 years of guiding tours at the local saleyards. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find more about the tours, here.With thanks to:Eric LinklaterGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

David Ruan says the colourful vegetables growing in his garden are like little cakes relying on the sun for energy, hence the name Suncakes Gardens. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:David RuanGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is inside one of Fonterra's large dairy plants and meets a Canterbury farming couple making beautiful wool coats from their family's flock.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:38 - On the Farm8:13 - The art of the auction14:35 - The high-tech dairy hub feeding China's sweet tooth31:06 - The Clip: Wool to WearWith thanks to guests:Alex StewartMatt SmithCharlotte and Hamish Bell, The ClipMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Driven by a desire to find a pure New Zealand wool coat, and to find more use for the bales of wool sitting idle in the shearing shed, Charlotte Bell started her fashion business The Clip. She and husband Hamish farm in Hakataramea Valley in Canterbury You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Charlotte and Hamish Bell, The ClipMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A growing taste for pastries, cakes and dairy-topped drinks in China and southeast Asia is fuelling demand for New Zealand-made cream cheese. Country Life takes a tour of Fonterra's high-tech factory at Darfied to see how it's made. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Matt SmithGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Feilding livestock agent and saleyards auctioneer Alex Stewart on breaking into an old man's game, human calculators and conducting the sale. With thanks to guests:Alex StewartGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life meets a couple who've had a lifetime on the same farm, and some newcomers to the truffle industry, and the team also talk fitness with a farming-focused physiotherapist. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:43 - Taking physio to the farmers8:15- Rural News Wrap16:21 - A life on the land at Lansdown Farm29:00 - Sniffing out a new life at TrufflewoodWith thanks to guests:Storm Baynes-RyanIan and Pam BuckinghamLance and Nikki Dodd, and IndieMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Indie has just finished her first harvest as a truffle hunter, showing outstanding skills for a pup. Her owners have just finished their first harvest too and are relishing life on the land after years searching for a place to call home. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Lance and Nikki Dodd, and IndieMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Farmer Ian Buckingham was born at Lansdown Farm at Hook near Waimate 85 years ago and he's never left. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Ian and Pam BuckinghamGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Constant wet weather on hilly Te Tai Rāwhiti farms has led to an uptick in injuries among farmers there. Our guest this week, physiotherapist-cum-farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan, gives in-paddock advice to help them recover, stay strong and keep fit. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Storm Baynes-RyanGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details