Editorial: Raising superann age a tough call
National Superannuation brought big changes to the way New Zealand provides pensions for the elderly.
Agri-tech firms show their wares
![Central Districts Field Days at Manfeild Park last year.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/u/j/i/t/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13uj9s.11p2ml.png/1425425899679.jpg)
A line-up of companies will go in front of investors at Central Districts Field Days next week.
Wood chopping a favourite
Competition will be at the cutting edge and records may be broken when axemen gather next week.
![GREAT DAY OUT: Six-year-old Jayden Holdaway of Fielding has a go at the mini tractor pull run last year.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/u/p/c/a/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13ujtf.11p2ml.png/1425432724722.jpg)
Best day off the farm all year
Visitors come from far and wide to make the Central Districts Field Days a great family day.
Decision to dry off cows a tough call
![Dairy cow, milk, milking](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/2/r/m/y/f/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13zl1b.png/1421368441092.jpg)
Crunch time looming for dairy farmers as they look to decide whether or not to start drying off.
Fonterra shifts staff from Auckland
Fonterra has begun shifting out top-level managers from Auckland head office to jobs in the regions as it tackles complaints of a disconnect with its farmers.
![Southland Demonstration Farm director Elaine Cook checking on stock at the farm near Wallacetown.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/y/s/8/n/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13ynrr.png/1425933025204.jpg)
Elaine Cook's drive for success
Elaine Cook's journey to Dairy Woman of the Year nominee hasn't been easy, but she's never needed any extra motivation.
The journey to recovery
Farming transformation guru Doug Averyis has a new weapon against rural depression, farming calamities and under-performance.
![The Queensland Fruit Fly.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/i/2/a/5/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13t8g4.png/1425338295389.jpg)
'Only most vicious insecticides will work'
Ruud Kleinpaste explains what home gardeners need to know about the Queensland fruit fly
Fish project disputed
![Hand feeding in the NZ King Salmon hatchery at Takaka. The Nelson-based company is leading a new $5.2m public/private salmon feed research programme.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/m/r/w/2/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13mrv0.png/1424807824200.jpg)
Sustain our Sounds says it's outrageous taxpayers would have to pick up a $2.6m tab to fund research for a Malaysian company.
Pelorus marine farm gains extension
A marine farm in the Pelorus Sound has been granted an extension despite opponents saying it would create a race for space.
![Commercial Dump of Fish](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/i/u/8/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13kczv.png/1424402025685.jpg)
'It was leakage'
About 45 kilograms of fish were lost as a result of 'leakage', not deliberate dumping, a commercial fishing company says.
Red meat sector at crossroads
![generic thumbnail, eating, food, diet, health](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/0/3/i/l/c/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13ymmn.png/1425838286406.jpg)
Family sheep and beef farms poised to be lost to foreigners and dairy farming the publishers of a new no-holds-barred report claim.
Boosting pasture makes sense
We all know the old adage  you get out what you put in  and nowhere is that more evident on a daily basis than on the farm.
![SEEKING NEW CHALLENGES: Terry and Judy Walters were only nine years older than the oldest cadet at Smedley when they started as managers.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/s/9/l/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13s9hs.png/1425246228026.jpg)
Changing guard at Smedley
With the farm cadet training scheme in good heart after 19 years, the station's managers are keen to take up a new challenge.
New Zealand rams service UK market
![Rams](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/z/k/w/e/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13zktv.png/1425931353431.jpg)
In a deal worth $2.5m, red meat breeder Focus Genetics has sold 350 rams to British farmers, rising to 2000 in two years' time.
Red meat sector at crossroads
Family sheep and beef farms poised to be lost to foreigners and dairy farming the publishers of a new no-holds-barred report claim.
![CLOSE SHAVE: Taranaki-based Scotsman Gavin Mutch became the first overseas competitor to win the Golden Shears in Masterton on Saturday.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/y/o/p/4/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13ymmg.png/1425848760190.jpg)
Scotsman a shearing champ
The Golden Shears in Masterton has marked two big moments in its history.
Grapes hit by mildew
![An example of powdery mildew on grapes.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/z/l/g/i/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13zlft.png/1425934731003.jpg)
A disease that grows on grapes and leaves has forced some Marlborough growers to walk away from their crops.
Fire at kiwifruit packhouse
Part of one of New Zealand's largest kiwifruit packhouses has been completely destroyed by fire.
![Mike Solari a 73 yr old farmer from Otama hopes his current wheat crop will beat his own Guinness World Record of 15.636 tonnes of wheat per/ha which he harvested on his Otama farm back in March 2010](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/z/e/4/2/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13z5n3.png/1425922669982.jpg)
World record bid falls short
An unusually long dry period may have prevented a Southland farmer from beating his own world record.
Manager pleads guilty to fraud
![NZ dollars, cash, money](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/2/9/5/f/4/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13z74d.png/1425876720437.jpg)
Ex-general manager of NZ Jersey Cattle Breeders Association pleads guilty to misappropriating $312,000.
Record wine exports mark start of 2015
NZ's long dry summer is promising another good quality, if slightly smaller grape harvest this year.
![A Queensland fruit fly, like those discovered in Auckland.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/h/y/1/m/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13ywnx.png/1425867390485.jpg)
Fruit fly larvae found in Auckland
Queensland fruit fly larvae has been detected in Auckland's Grey Lynn, weeks after an original fruit fly discovery in the suburb.
Helping grow the 'golden goose'
![Dairy SolutioNZ chief executive Derek Fairweather at his lifestyle block home south of Hamilton with his bull and heifers bred for heat tolerance.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/9/8/s/h/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.1398s9.11pihi.png/1424733167829.jpg)
New Zealand knows how to produce large amounts of animal protein cheaply.
Mutual gains from project
New Zealand sheep research is being helped by Massey University's relationships in China.
![A farmer scans cattle tagged for lifetime traceability through NAIT.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/m/3/d/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13m3ad.11pihi.png/1424733167829.jpg)
Tagged stock have added value - NAIT
Tagging and registering all cattle and deer will be a significant boon to farmers and the NZ economy, says system's administrators.
Elaine Cook's drive for success
![Southland Demonstration Farm director Elaine Cook checking on stock at the farm near Wallacetown.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/y/s/8/n/image.related.StuffThumbnail.90x60.13ynrr.png/1425933025204.jpg)
Elaine Cook's journey to Dairy Woman of the Year nominee hasn't been easy, but she's never needed any extra motivation.
Environment plan template gets big tick
Meeting tighter environmental regulations has just got easier for Canterbury farmers.
![Alexandra dairy nutritionist Andrea Murphy has been nominated for the Dairy Woman of the Year award.](/web/20150309235703im_/http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/m/7/k/i/image.related.StuffLandscapeThreeByTwo.300x200.13n7po.png/1424995896007.jpg)
Dairy women look to future
NZ's leading female dairy farmers will come together in Invercargill next month to discuss strategies and plan for the industry's future.
Solid Energy 'may not be viable'
No listing on My Food Bag menu
Kate Middleton a fan of Trilogy
Decision to dry off cows a tough call
New Zealand rams service UK market
China's intl payments system ready, sources
Marks & Spencer to offer gift card instead of dividend