RNZ: Country Life

A selection of agricultural news from the week.

Nuffield New Zealand Director, Richard Green.

The North Island is dry and farmers are weaning lambs early and at lighter weights, while in the South Island the first draft of lambs are going to the works.

Rob Macbeth is the driving force behind a private irrigation scheme near Cheviot in North Canterbury that draws water from the Waiau River for five farms located a few kilometres from the intake.

Liz Holsted left the corporate life of Auckland behind 8 years ago and found a dormant passion for growing things. Her Mangawhai property has 1000 tamarillo trees which are sold locally and turned into a range of preserves, pickles and vinegars. Benji Woodman also grows heritage fruit trees on the Tara property.

A selection of primary industry stories from throughout the week.

Growth is slow and late in both the North and South Islands after a less than ideal October.

Forced to look for new ways to make their North Waikato sheep and beef property pay, Philip and Anne Woodward started hosting people through a kilometre long limestone cave on their farm 17 years ago. Four years ago they added a cafe, and despite being a good drive off SH 1, the business is humming. Daughters Emily and Catherine and their husbands also work in the enterprise.

Fin Grieve has grapes on his mind, so it's fortunate he's the vineyard manager at the Mt Beautiful Vineyard near Cheviot.

The East Coast of the North Island could do with a bit of moisture to kick-start pasture growth, while in the South a cold snap has caused major damage to vineyards in Central Otago.

Janette Eason-Savage talks about the world wide Campaign for Wool. Prince Charles is patron and he's in New Zealand this weekend.

84-year-old Paul Bush takes Cosmo Kentish-Barnes to the top Mount Parnassus that rises above family farm now run by his son David, who is busy tailing a flock of Romney lambs down by the Waiau River.

Waikato University management students visit a Tirau farm to hear about the practicalities of sustainable farming.

Jenny Roper from Wairoa museum talking about the latest exhibition Wool in Wairoa.

The East Coast of the North Island is drying out and farmers are quitting stock.