Rnz: Country Life

Clevedon couple Richard and Helen Dorresteyn were the first to farm water buffalo in New Zealand. These giant, burly beasts produce the softest award-winning cheeses. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:35 - A history of water buffalo stories3:04 - Meet the Clevedon Buffalo herd6:40 - Helen at the Clevedon Village Farmers Market10:0 - Water buffalo 10111:06 - An introduction to New Zealand13:00 - Nearly 20 years onWith thanks to guests:Richard and Helen Dorresteyn, Clevedon BuffaloMake 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

Organic dairy farmer Janet Fleming is in her eighth season of once a day milking, something she credits with helping get her through Taranaki's recent drought. She's also trialing growing a range of new botanicals. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about Venture Taranaki's Branching Out trial here.With thanks to:Janet FlemingGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Phil Moeke is the manager of Te Kōhaka o Tāne, a commercial nursery in Invercargill that has grown over 800,000 native trees and plants since it opened in 2022. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Phil Moeke, Te Tapu o TāneGo 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 on Country Life the team catch up with a Wairarapa farming family that's added sheep dairy to their farming operation, and every day is a hoot for Gloria Harris, who runs a little owl and morepork rescue service near Invercargill. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:37 - On the Farm 9:23 - Dean Martin from Glenlands Farm14:25 - Southland owl rescue centre29:00 - Fernglen Farm's sheep dairy additionWith thanks to guests:Dean Martin, from Glenlands FarmGloria HarrisJeff and Cameron Ravenwood, from Fernglen FarmMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Like what you hear? Tell us! Leave us a review on your favourite podcast app or join the RNZ Podcasts Facebook group and join the convo.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Fernglen Farm is a family affair helping people learn more about the benefits of sheep milk, while finding new ways to balance the hardships of farming on Wairarapa's coast. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:1:08 - The Ravenwood family's move to sheep dairy3:30 - Set up challenges7:48 - We meet Cameron at the processing plant10:53 - The nutritional benefits of sheep milk13:54 - New products being rolled out16:54 - The future of the industryWith thanks to guests:Jeff and Cameron Ravenwood, from Fernglen FarmMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Like what you hear? Tell us! Leave us a review on your favourite podcast app or join the RNZ Podcasts Facebook group and join the convo.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Gloria Harris has been running a ruhu nohinohi little owl and ruru morepork rescue service for 30 years. "I've probably cared for close to 300 birds," she told Country Life proudly. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dean Martin has carried on the legacy set by his dad and is not afraid to try new things - from shedding sheep to regenerative agriculture practices.You can find photos and read more about this story on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.You can read more on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Country Life this week digs deep into the world of kūmara and finds out about farm training for young people with disabilities.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A training initiative in Southland is giving young adults with high-functioning disabilities the skills required to work on a dairy farm. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's nearly time for the kūmara harvest at Kai Rotorua and this year there's something new to weave into the legends, poetry and traditional knowledge surrounding the staple crop. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A look at what's been making headlines on the rural news desk this week.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week the Country Life team catch up with some sheep farmers busy with docking and crutching on the land, and then a taste of the sea, as they sample different seaweeds. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Farming in the wake of the Mt Tarawera eruption has tested the Ford family for nearly a century. But dam-building and a lighter footprint on the land in the sensitive Rotorua Lakes area has earned them environmental accolades. You can read more here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As part of Aotearoa's first seaweed festival, Pacific Harvest hosted a seaweed tasting event where people could sample various red, green and brown dried seaweeds.You can read more here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sometimes it takes an outsider to come in and give a dyed-in-the-wool farmer a wee nudge. This is where Southland entrepreneur Laura Todd comes in. You can read more here.Go 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 on Country Life the team head to a luxury lodge where farming is all part of the experience, and Tuatapere's domain is transformed into a sensory celebration of rural life during the annual Waiau A&P Show.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tuatapere's picturesque domain is transformed into a sensory celebration of rural life during the annual Waiau A&P Show. You can read more and find photos from the day here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details