Faces of NZ Farming
People-focused content about everyday Kiwis who work the land in New Zealand's primary sector.
A young shearer on the rise
Jodiesha Kirkpatrick reached her impressive 200-lamb tally in November while shearing on Pihitia Station just north of Gisborne.
Emissions impossible: the eventful tenure of Damien O’Connor
Neal Wallace sat down with the former agriculture and trade minister as he packed up his office and reflected on his time in the Beehive.
Young auctioneer details 5-year journey to crowning moment
Five years of dedication, perseverance and doing the hard yards have reaped rewards for Henry Miller, who was gunning for more than the bid in the New Zealand Young Auctioneers Contest.
From the classroom to the chicken shed
Two young teachers and their children are enjoying more time – and presence – after a move to the country.
LouLou the Cow Whisperer: for the love of the herd
A once accountant now award-winning dairy farmer and ag social media influencer-in-the-making talks shop and what keeps her well and going on farm.
Humble beginnings fuel Jessie Chan’s success
On her journey from scruffy kid dealing with family pain to the ag powerhouse she has become, Jessie Chan can trace where her strength comes from.
All roads lead to dairying for one Manawatū farmer
Sam Henson has tried his hand at a couple of trades, but there are several reasons he always comes back to dairy.
Four farmilies, a small town and 100 years of being neighbours
In North Canterbury is a pocket of history-rich farmland that has been owned by four neighbouring dairy farming families since the days when their ancestors 'about chased the moas off’.
Variety the spice of life for a Matamata farmer
At the end of her calf-rearing, beef-breeding, plant nursery and AB tech day, a multi-talented Matamata farmer and DWN member opens her hair salon out by the implements shed.
Fourth-generation farmer had to earn stripes on farm
Being born into a farming family doesn't exempt you doing the hard yards to earn your keep as a generational farmer.
Schoolgirl farmer finds her happy place
At the age of 14, North Canterbury’s Pieta Sidey has her own sheep stud.
Lame stories from the vet chronicles expert’s journey as a cow doctor
A Taranaki vet has travelled around the world learning about and treating lameness in cows.
Paengaroa farm goes OAD in quest for work-life balance
A keen sharemilking couple are taking a punt on changing to once-a-day milking for the full season for the sake of their team’s quality of life.
Future farmers step up to have their say
Young people working in food and fibre sector get organised.
Taking cattle breeding by the Shorthorn
A Shorthorn cattle breeder has come a long way from her first sale at sixteen.
Different sort of sheep farm produces dairy and DNA
Pioneering sheep milk pair have refined genetics over the decades.
Making a choice to make a mark in ag
From bale-grazing in winter to boosting oxygen in the irrigator, this North Canterbury ag leader has never met a farm system he couldn’t tweak.
Merino cushions fall on Rakaia spread
Some income stability ‘is good news in a year like this’.
From rock’n’roller to dairy farmer
Living the rock’n’roll lifestyle on the road with a world-renowned band was the opportunity of a lifetime but love for the land eventually drew one Waikato farmer into the industry.
Taking charge of the family farm
Determined to take the job by the horns, Jack Symes won a major award just two years into managing the family farm.
How do you react when confronted with challenges on farm?
How you react to challenges has a huge impact on how well you manage the ups and downs of farming.
Young farmer gets a buzz out of dairying
A Whanganui farmer has found her place in agriculture on a dairy farm and couldn’t be happier.
People-first approach fuels DWN board trustee
The newest member on the board of trustees of the Dairy Women’s Network loves to muck in and help others get the job done.
Award-winning Taranaki farmers play to their strengths
Everyone does their bit on a farm run by a busy Emergency doctor and her husband – but farming excellence also runs in the family.
Future vet stoked to make Grand Final of an ‘iconic event’
A young veterinary student says winning the Taranaki Manawatū FMG Young Farmer of the Year was something he didn’t expect.
Farming under a mountain but aiming for the top
Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year gives credit to her upbringing for setting her up with the skills she has today.
Hot on the heels of big brother in Young Farmer finale
Hailing from the West Coast, Nick O’Connor is representing the Tasman region as he battles it out with his brother.
Every opportunity matters when looking to do good in agriculture
One thing Southland’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year is keen to improve in the industry is how farmers talk about mental health and wellbeing.
Northern FMG Young Farmer a force to be reckoned with
"Whatever happens, I can be proud of the effort I’ve put in over the years. I’m going to go out knowing that I gave it my all."
Next generation ready to take its shot at Young Farmer title
Growing up on his family’s west coast dairy farm, Aorangi representative Peter O’Connor always knew he wanted to be a dairy farmer.
Overcoming cyclone mayhem for a win – and ready for another
The cyclone may have put a spanner in the works, but a Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer says it’s not going to stop him putting his best foot forward at the FMG Young Farmer Grand Final.
From crunching numbers to baling hay
Twenty-five-year-old from Pahiatua named 2023 Rural Contractors NZ Trainee of the Year.
Westland’s top man turns company on its head with Zero-2-100 strategy
Turning a multimillion-dollar loss around to become a profitable business is no easy feat for Westland Milk Products CEO Richard Wyeth and his team.
Tangaroa Walker named top ag communicator
Southland dairy farmer overcomes tough start to life to thrive on farm.
Making the most of farming in a ‘land of opportunity’
The abundance of opportunities New Zealand dairy farming affords is a great reason for a young Canadian to stay.
Ditch finds his new home
Steve Wyn-Harris’s long-time companion heads to a sheep and beef farm in Whangaehu.
Adapting the ‘rules’ of production to do what’s best for the livestock
A Taranaki couple do not follow the manual, but with their Taranaki farm’s excellent figures they must be doing something right.
‘She was a pretty hectic day’: farmer recalls 2021 flood
A pet deer’s mad skills and a stream of bureaucrats in new wellies are among the memories a Mid Canterbury couple have of the aftermath of the floods.
Doing more with less on South Island dairy farms
As dry summers persist in the South Island, genetics could hold the answer to helping dairy farmers breed healthy cows that produce more milk from less feed.
Glen Dene crowned with DINZ environmental award
Lake Hawea sheep, beef and deer farm impresses judges.
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