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Many farmers are hunters, but not all hunters are farmers, and Canterbury man Marc Featherstone has worked out a way to bring the two together with some innovative thinking. It promises to ensure not only farmers and hunters, but the environment and safety are also big winners with its launch.

After a lifetime working in countless different facets of the agricultural sector including not-for-profit, central, and local government, co-operatives and commercial business, Jessie Chan is excited about her new role as Chair of Ruralco. 

Once seen as the “protein farm” for the United Kingdom with an ample supply of butter, cheese and red meat for the old country, two generations of farmers later, New Zealand is offering a rapidly expanding variety of niche crops and food farming forefathers would not have dreamt of.

Rightly or wrongly, Level 4 lockdown saw the recreation of hunting despite its isolated nature and comparatively low injury rate, deemed off limits and understandably, my business was not considered an essential service, although some diehard viewers might disagree! Could our Covid-19 situation have been handled better given we are one of the most isolated countries in the world? Yeah probably, but I sure as heck wouldn’t want to be in charge of steering the bus through the unknown…

When it comes to selecting a rape cultivar for summer feed, it is important to base this decision on the potential yield needed at key times. There are, however, other important factors to take into consideration. One that is often overlooked is the quality and palatability of the stem. Another key trait that must be considered is the plant's natural ability to combat aphid pressure. When properly balanced, these three factors will not only ensure a reliable yield but will maximise the plan...

A fertile soil with physical health issues can still perform poorly, so it could be time for a physical health check.

Weed competition can have a significant detrimental effect on brassica yield from very early in the growing season. Corteva™ Agriscience has farmers covered with a suite of post emergence forage brassica herbicides that provide a solution for all situations and have made their mark as reliable and trusted options in this category.

When he felt the earth move below him as he lay with his leg crushed between the farm ute and his motorbike, Fairlie farmer Andrew Hurst felt relief dull some of the pain surging through his body. The shaking signalled the arrival of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and the saving of his leg.

Affectionately known as “The Glob” GlobalHQ’s rural health caravan was the brainchild long time rural ambassador Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins.

The Ruralco Supplier Awards have been an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the mutually beneficial relationship between Ruralco suppliers and co-operative members