The Latest Rural headlines from Radio New Zealand News http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/news Radio New Zealand 60 The chair of the Shareholders' Council, representing Fonterra's 10,500 farmer owners, has resigned saying he's uncomfortable about some aspects of the Trading Among Farmers proposal. Fri, 25 May 2012 13:27:30 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106700/fonterra-shareholders'-chair-steps-down 5adc7737476aed297f23f6d61ba8744ae66ee201 Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has announced a lift in total payments to growers for the past season on the back of a record crop of 116 million trays. Fri, 25 May 2012 13:27:30 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106729/zespri-profit-triples,-payments-to-growers-rise 6dd35d27fc858498c7f0ce49ddbcc4984e275a3b The Rural General Practice Network says it's hard to see how the rural sector will benefit from a boost to health spending aside from an increase in Voluntary Bonding Scheme funding Fri, 25 May 2012 13:27:30 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106730/rural-health-unsure-of-how-budget-helps-sector ba7ef35a14e570d6f162166e20fd9ff3b234f27c Federated Farmers is supporting the general thrust of the Government's economic measures as set out in the Budget on Thursday but the horticulture industry feels let down by the lack of funding to bolster biosecurity. Fri, 25 May 2012 13:27:30 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106685/budget-pleases-fed-farmers,-but-not-hortnz c9bf6fb355a23dc1b481edecaecef738bc4bd6e7 A university agribusiness professor says the Budget's boost to science will benefit the rural sector. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:48:48 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106705/science-boost-good-for-rural-sector-professor d7dc558e1e87e84976886a3075dca9321ec263ff A plant breeder is hoping a research breakthrough will re-establish white clover as the number one pasture species on New Zealand farms. Thu, 24 May 2012 21:36:03 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106634/researcher-hopes-white-clover-will-regain-top-place 75847f5b42c5dda78d8ba834358286134bef47d3 Federated Farmers says the rural sector will be disadvantaged by Government plans to increase some class sizes in schools. Thu, 24 May 2012 21:36:03 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106585/claim-rural-sector-will-suffer-if-class-sizes-are-increased 6de528c219ae89bf7bc8001c67b207f8ef0ddb76 Comvita has increased its production capacity by about 45% as demand for its manuka honey medical products continues to grow. Thu, 24 May 2012 06:25:49 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106586/comvita-increases-honey-production-capacity 42a7c5e66a62df00f42d34e34a9d2e117f5a926f The Fertiliser Quality Council used a webcast, to launch a new educational programme this week. Thu, 24 May 2012 21:36:03 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106587/fertiliser-industry-launches-educational-programme 07638d22fadc4e5a375d6457f501ca934db52d38 The National Young Farmer of the year title will be decided in Dunedin this week. Seven regional winners are vying for the honour, as well as $70,000 in prizes. Thu, 24 May 2012 06:25:49 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106588/young-farmers-grand-final-begins dc578cf08791792790f0d817feb47e50306219f1 Wild kiwifruit vines are again creeping up in Bay of Plenty, especially around the main growing region Te Puke. Thu, 24 May 2012 21:36:03 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/106535/wild-kiwifruit-spreading 45d967d3dfeb11adc0d3882801a7b88881b82fb6