Reader quotes

"Believe it or not I just threw out a lot of farming papers and I kept Country-Wide. They're great. I read [The New Zealand] Farmers Weekly - I skim it first then read the articles over a cup of coffee. It's great for current events.
But I really enjoy the figures side of farming and you can't beat Country-Wide for that."

Steven Dill
Kaipara Hills

"I read The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly and Country-Wide. You dig into the issues and I can follow the markets.
I think you've done New Zealand a great service by getting performance and production best practice out in front of farmers with your farm profiles. Your ones get a chance to get read, the other ones go straight in the bin".

Ross Richards
Ngapuke

"Well, I'm partially blind so my wife's the farmer and she reads them both to me. We always make time to read the Country-Wide. We particularly like your in-depth articles that give us the farm figures and analysis - it gives us the full picture."

Jenny & Dick Lancaster
Taumarunui

"I sure read both of them and certainly look forward to them. These days I prefer The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly - it's the one you can read quickly and it's right on the button."

Vin Merwood
Hastings

"Country-Wide is one of the ones I read the most, actually. The articles are more in-depth. I'll cut a page out and go back to it as a reference. I read The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly. It's good, you can read it all in one go."

Stephen Harris
Dipton West

"I'll give you the big tick. With Country-Wide you've actually got the most worthwhile stories of them all. I read your stories pretty thoroughly. The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly is more up-to-date on issues that are happening at the moment."

Adrian Lawson
Waituna

"I think they're great. I try to make time to read them from cover to cover. I really make a point of reading Country-Wide especially."

Ashley Peter
Nelson

"They're good. I always read Country-Wide and it's worthwhile. And I read the market reports in [The New Zealand] Farmers Weekly."

Colin Dewes
Taumarunui

"Country-Wide gives pretty comprehensive coverage. It's one of my preferred reads. Without a doubt, I read the Country-Wide more than the others."

Bill Davey
Rakaia

"Country-Wide is certainly the best one - I really look forward to it coming each month. The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly is a good one as well - I like the sale reports in it to see what is happening right throughout the country."

Matthew Ponsonby
Lawrence

I always read it (Country-Wide). There's a lot of different articles relevant to farming today, and I like to see what other farmers are doing. I read through the Farmers Weekly too. The next staff vacancy ad we run, we'll definitely be putting it in there.

Gary and Tania Coker
Dorie

Definitely. Those are the two I undoubtedly take the most notice of. The Weekly is right on the button and Country-Wide has the down-to-earth farmer stories.

Merv Dalziel
Kia Ora

I enjoy reading Country-Wide - it's all good information. They're good factual stories. The Farmers Weekly is good with its markets - you can keep up-to-date between the islands with what's going on.

Matt Latham
Little River

They're really good reading actually. You get a lot out of them.

Graeme Dodd
Papatotara

I enjoy them both. I read the Country- Wide in-depth. It's probably the best magazine on the go at the moment. You write really good on farm articles. And I go through the Weekly every week and especially like the stock sale updates.

Rohan Horrell
Riversdale

I think Country-Wide is a great publication. I'm into anything that can improve my business. It's great to see the case studies and how farmers are doing things in other parts of the country. Both that and your Weekly are very, very well done. The Weekly's gone from strength-to-strength.

Nigel Harwood
Takaka

I do read them. It's good to be able to keep your finger on the pulse.

Mark Urquhart
Fairlie

I make a point of reading the in depth articles in Country-Wide. It's the focus on management issues that I like. Also, Farmers Weekly keeps me in touch with things from the previous week.

David Ruddenklau
Mt Dasher
Nth Otago

I reckon they're both enormously better than the old (NZ) Farmer we got years ago. I think these are great mags. We have to have these sorts of things in the rural community.

Charlie Cresswell
Wairarapa

It's (Country-Wide) fantastic - very informative. It's good to read about other farmers' successes and what they're doing. The Weekly's good - I always look at the market wrap.

Barry Kingan
North Otago

I do read Country-Wide. They're good articles on interesting, forward-thinking and modern farmers. The Farmers Weekly is a smaller paper that's current and condensed, so you can read it in half an-hour at lunchtime.

John and Brenda Stewart
Marton

The articles in Country-Wide are informative and I enjoy the profiles on different properties. It's just a good read. I always enjoy the Weekly too. I do a fair bit of trading and keep a concious eye on the markets, It keeps me up to speed.

Andrew Holden
Gisborne

These days I look more at the Farmers Weekly. It's very good with current topics. We have just employed a stock manager we advertised through it and it was magic. The Country-Wide is b___ good reading. Farmers love knowing what other farmers are doing.

Alister & Belinda Buchanan
Gladstone

I definitely read both of them. I like nothing better than to sit down at the end of the day and chew through them. It takes me a month to get through County-Wide which is good - it's needed. The Weekly doesn't take a long time to get through - it's really concise and to the point.

Tim MacKintosh
Matamata

You have good stories in Country-Wide - the on-farm profiles are down to earth. And I go straight to sales talk in the Weekly and then I read the sales reports each week. They're very good information.

Philip Brandon
Te Awamutu

I like the articles in Country-Wide on what other steer farmers are doing. It's informative. You can benchmark what you're doing against what other farmers are doing and see how you're going. I especially enjoy the Weekly - you get into the business side of things. It keeps you up-to-date with the markets and lets you plan ahead. It's important to know what's going on out there.

Simon Beveridge
Aria

I'm dairy farming and Country-Wide gives us a wider perspective on farming and the news in Farmers Weekly keeps us right up-to-date.

Bruce Paton
Whangarei

They're good reading - the top of the list for me. The articles are all good and relevant.

Nick Reed
Whangara

"The Country-Wide is a good read. I like that side of things. It keeps me up with the play.
And I have a quick glance through Farmers Weekly too. That's the information we need to keep up-to-date."

Terry Bamford
Hurunui

"I read them. They're brilliant. The weekly one you can pick up and read the headlines and market reports so you're on the ball straight away. It helps when buying and selling stock. In Country-Wide the case studies are all really good. The Country-Wide's always at the top of the heap. I get a lot out of them."

Nick Riley
Waikite Valley

"I read both of them - they're very good papers. Those are the two I put aside to read."

Dean Alexander
Hinuera

"I enjoy both Country-Wide and the Farmers Weekly. The Farmers Weekly is great because you can read it all in one sitting."

Derek Chamberlain
Eastern Bush
Southland

"The NZ Farmers Weekly is small and contains exactly what you want to read. Both Country-Wide and the NZ Farmers Weekly are very popular around here."

Richard Downey
Kaihu

"I read both of them. If anyone's doing something new it's in Country-Wide. In the Farmers Weekly I enjoy the international section and the up-to-date market reports. It keeps me in touch with what's going on."

Andrew Russell
Sherenden
Hawke's Bay

"Country-Wide is outstanding. It's well rounded and has some meat to it. It's the best paper without-a-word. The Farmers Weekly is a good paper. I go straight to the middle pages - the market section."

Garry and Raewyn Moar
Pohangina Valley

"Country-Wide keeps you in touch with the people in the industry, research and what people are doing on-farm. You look forward to reading it.
The (Farmers) Weekly is spot on. You can read it and it's relevant. These papers are very good."

Bryan Bendall
Pahiatua

"Country-Wide is very informative and good for catching up on innovative farming practises.
The Farmers Weekly is the new generation of farming magazines. I look forward to both of them in my letterbox."

Simon Wright
Fairlight Station
Northern Southland

"They're both informative. The Farmers Weekly is the most up-to-date with what's happening in the farming scene. You also have the sales from around the country - what other paper does that?
Country-Wide concentrates on the farming side of things. It's all useful information."

Richard Orr
Red Oak Romney & Angus
Amberley

"I enjoy the case studies in Country-Wide and picking up new ideas and seeing how you compare to other farmers. With the Farmers Weekly I really like the sale updates - I'm regularly buying bulls. They tell me where the market's at in other centres. That's the first page I go to. I definitely enjoy both magazines."

Peter Gane
Toko
Stratford

"There's very good information in the weekly especially the markets - they keep you right up-to-date.
The Country-Wide is very good too. You can read about the things other farmers do, in-depth. Readers want the facts."

Weldon & Vance Percy
Kotemaori

"I enjoy the in depth management articles in Country-Wide. It's a great source of continuing education for me. You can learn so much from what other people do. It's great stuff.
I make a point of reading the weekly. I thrive on information and we need to be informed to make good decisions - it certainly helps - I'm a fan."

Simon Buckley
Alfredton

"There are so many papers arriving in our letterbox but Country-Wide is a paper I look forward to every month and to read it completely I need to pick it up two-three times.
Farmers Weekly covers a lot more dairying information so gives me news from across all industry sectors."

Steven Bamford
Balclutha

"They're b____ marvellous.
They've got heaps of interesting information and they're easy-to-read. They're the first ones I read. Most of the other stuff I don't even get to.
I like the Weekly - it's to the point."

Guy Didsbury
Pirinoa

"Country-Wide's a fantastic magazine. It has a lot of farm management and agribusiness information that takes about a month to read - they're all good indepth articles on progressive people.
And I like the international and topical news in the Weekly. That's where it's really relevant - the news is up-to-date."

Murray King
Nelson

"I read everything that comes in the mailbox. I had a quick roar through the Weekly last night. I like to keep in touch with the dollar and interest rates, here and overseas.
And the Country-Wide: I read everything about deer in there and I like to keep up with developments in animal health."

Tup Stirling
Waikaia

"Country-Wide - it's a great rounded publication. It usually sits around for a few days. It's my smoko read.
The NZ Farmers Weekly - I read it when it comes in at lunchtime and it's very topical. I definitely read them."

Brian Hansen
Waikari

"They're brilliant. The Country-Wide hangs about for 10 days and you can always refer back to it. It's top quality reading.
Farmers Weekly is good. You can skim through it over a cup of coffee. It's information at your fingertips."

Richard Chrystall
Taihape

"I sure do, you must read them, they're the best. In Country-Wide there's always good farming stuff. They're always good articles with some depth.
And I certainly read the Weekly - it's current, up-to-date and very topical. You'd miss it if it wasn't there."

John MacGillivray
Boggyburn

"I find the farm profiles in Country-Wide of most interest - they're an indepth analysis of what farmers are doing. It's almost a benchmarking situation.
The Farmers Weekly has got a place. It's more up-to-date. We've used it a couple of times for advertising for staff and we got response from all over the country."

Donald Whyte
Mt Somers

"I read both right through.
They are good magazines. I pick up a lot of good points on farm from Country-Wide and it usually takes two-three pick ups to read fully."

Graeme Dodd
Papatotara
Tuatapere

"I definitely read them. Country-Wide is very informative and with good in-depth information. You get right into the subject matter. The market reports in The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly are really useful. Being weekly it's right up-to-date". 

Keith Milne
Otautau

"The Country-Wide is a very good magazine. I really enjoy the sheep production and animal health articles. I do enjoy The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly. There's always something of interest on the back page."

Alistair Mackintosh
Waimahaka

"Country-Wide? It's all good. And I read through The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly when I'm having breakfast. And when I remember I watch Tim [Fulton, the editor] on the TV on a Monday morning. It's right on the button. The job ads are good. You certainly have captured the market there by getting out to more people that matter."

John Heald
Dannevirke

"The Country-Wide is b______ good. It's the best farming publication out there. The articles have a lot of depth and substance, and good photos. It's nice to have good photos of people and stock.
The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly - that's a good magazine as well. It's really good. I always read it."

Alistair Roberts
Methven

 "The Country-Wide is all good. It's easy to read and very interesting. The stories are in-depth and useful."

Duncan Steele
Timaru

 "Country-Wide is good. I read everthing that comes in. I use the stories in Country-Wide for comparisons and goal setting with the staff. You get more figures you can use to benchmark."

Dave Mitchell
Fairlie

"They're very good. They're worth reading. There's always something of special interest."

Beau McRae
Culverden

"We both read them. We like the mix - the good cross section of articles. We look at the Country-Wide more. It has more information. There's always something you might be able to pick up on."

Greg & Rachel Roadley
Ashburton

"My favourite is the Country-Wide because of the detailed stories on people's operations. You have the specifics on what makes them tick and what they're doing differently. It's the detail and generally positive tone - it's refreshing."

Andrew Freeman
Wainuioru

"As far as market reports The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly stands out. Country-Wide covers what farmers are up to and their new initiatives. When you read Country-Wide you get a bearing on how progressive farmers are doing. Farmers look to progressive farmers to give them something to strive for. Your write-ups are in depth."

Clive Gaustad
Uruti

"Country-Wide is very good. It's excellent. There's always something that you can learn and it's good to see how sheep and beef farmers are going.
[The New Zealand] Farmers Weekly arrives on a Monday. It's good to see [Tim Fulton - editor] on ASB Business and then know the paper is in the mailbox an hour later. It's really good."

Craig & Helen Elliott
Ashburton

"I enjoy the fact it has a lot of good stories about farmers getting ahead. It has a lot of farms that are of interest to us. The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly is not too big which is good. Being a weekly it's very topical and up-to-date. Not being too big means you read it from cover to cover."
Rohan & Rhoda Knowler
Tuatapere

"I definitely read Country-Wide - a very good paper. It's the quality of the journalism; the facts are always right."
Denis & Rachelle O'Callaghan
Taipa

"It's the best one and I'm not just saying that. It's got realistic down-to-earth information that's interesting to read. It's true to what's happening out there. You've got good reporters."

Wayne Loader
Wainuioru

"The Country-Wide is very good. I look at what top farmers are doing and compare figures. It's a good paper to benchmark up against other farmers. The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly is right up-to-date. I just about throw all the others away and just read them. They're the pick of the bunch."

Steve Treseder
Waipukurau

"I really enjoy the Country-Wide. It's excellent. I enjoy the case studies. It's good to see what others are doing. You get ideas from reading what others are up to. Because the other one's weekly it's on the ball. I'll tell you what else is good is the advertising at the back: Dogs for sale and things, and sheep genetics - they're all there."

Peter & Rose Davison
Masterton

"We read them both. They're great, really informative. They keep you up-to-date with what's happening. We get ideas from Country-Wide and we like to compare ourselves with other properties. There's always things to take from what other people are doing. The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly keeps us up-to-date with the trading side. It fills that gaps."

Geoff & Kate Stark
Gore

"They're the only papers to read. They're more condensed and hands-on with the day-to-day farming issues. I read Country-Wide from front to back - it's indepth. The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly is up-to-date with the financials. The big thing is you have all new information, and it's all high quality information. "
Jeff Keen
Gore

"I do read the Country-Wide. I need a month off to look at it these days! There's always something in there that is interesting. The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly is good. You can pick it up and put it down quickly. It's a quick snapshot of things."

John Hudson,
Tikokino

"Country-Wide is awesome. I read every article twice and get ideas. It's the benchmark for all farmers. It's interesting to see what other people are doing.
The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly gets read - it fills a place."

Ross Bielski,
Apiti

"I think Country-Wide is great. I like the in-depth analysis of a property and the new layout is excellent. It's an outstanding magazine. I really look forward to Country-Wide coming out.
The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly is a useful magazine - the market reports are just excellent."

John Chapman
Mt Somers

"Country-Wide is a good paper with good in-depth articles in it. They're the best out there.
[The New Zealand] Farmers Weekly has good market reports from the saleyards around the country and has good articles that are right up-to-date."

Melanie & Murray Borthwick
Waitane

"I always read Country-Wide. It's informative for research and development and I particularly enjoy the on-farm articles.
The reason I like [The New Zealand] Farmers Weekly is you can have a quick look through to see what's happening. I make sure I read it every week - it's a good size and the format's the same."

Chris Biddles,
Te Kopuru

"They're good. We enjoy reading Country-Wide and look forward to it coming. It's good and practical. The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly is good for really recent information. When you read your publications you can relate to them without wondering if something is trying to be sold to you. They're honest."

Mark Morrow,
Mid Canterbury

"I do enjoy reading about what other farmers are doing in Country-Wide. You pick up ideas and the articles are very balanced. The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly is a good quick read. There's some very good articles in there and farmers looking for staff seem to be using that paper more."

Tim Pavey
Banks Peninsula

"I read Country-Wide everytime. It's an excellent magazine. I enjoy the research articles and the practical farm management ones. I read it from cover to cover.
The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly is great for an update on political issues. I like the political comment.
Those two are the ones I read."

Neil Cameron,
Masterton

"Country-Wide? It's bl___y good. I reckon the best of the publications that we get. It's got more in it. You read what other people are doing and see what you can apply to your own farming practices. And The [New Zealand Farmers] Weekly is good to catch up with what's going on. Anything in there has just happened. It's up-to-the-minute."

Ross Minehan
Fairlie

"I enjoy reading what other farmers are doing in Country-Wide. We get a lot of magazines but that's one I make a point of reading. I read The [New Zealand] Farmers Weekly, especially the weekly sales reports. They keep you in touch with things."

Wes Flannery
Omakau