This week Country Life talks to researchers who say there’s potential for the brown kiwi to become a pest patroller in orchards and vineyards. Mark Leishman pulls on his Country Life gumboots to meet an entrepreneur behind an intriguing gateway made of the toughest timber – ironbark, and a visit to a Waikato farming family who’ve been integrating robotics and automation into their dairy operation.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

In this episode:

• 0:36 - Kiwi on pest patrol
• 14:33 - Rural News Wrap
• 18:32 - Ironbark - the wood as hard as steel
• 32:51 - Tech is key on this Tirau dairy farm

With thanks to guests:

• Isobel Castro and Karen Mason
• Steve Evans
• Brett and Linda Coubrough

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Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nz

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When it comes to farming, planning for the next season today is key, says the Coubrough family. The 5th generation dairying family is are all on the same page - they want robotics to milk the cows for them.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Brett and Linda Coubrough

Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

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Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nz

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Ever wondered what happened to some of the damaged timber from the Lyttelton wharves after the Canterbury earthquakes? The tough ironbark they were made from was too good not to be rescued and Oxford's Steve Evans was just the man for the job, as Mark Leishman discovered.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Steve Evans

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details