Agriculture

Throughout the world, one breed of farm animal becomes extinct every month. This book outlines the history of the breeds of heritage livestock that were brought into, or developed in, New Zealand before 1950. Modern factory-farming methods rely on only a few breeds of livestock, and differentiated breeds are disappearing at a... read more

" Beautiful Pigs presents pigs as you have never seen them before - primped, polished and looking positively gorgeous. Every aspect of porcine elegance has been captured here in glorious full-colour photography. In this beautifully illustrated and ground-breaking book, porcine glamour takes centre stage. The top breeds from a... read more

This wonderful little book covers everything you need to know about the types of plants known as weeds. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer discusses the different varieties of weeds, how they grow and what they can tell us about soil health. The process of combatting weeds is discussed in principle as well as in practice, so that it can be ... read more

Make the break, realise the dream and start living "The Good Life!" with John Seymour.
 
The new edition of this enduring classic from the founding father of modern self-sufficiency, John Seymour, is still the key reference to living off the land. Covering all the practicals from ploughing fields to milking c... read more

Large-scale agriculture tends to view a farm as a means for producing a certain amount of grain, milk or meat. This practical book argues instead for a holistic method of farming: the farm as a living organism. This is the principle of biodynamic farming. The author, an experienced farmer, takes a down-to-earth approach. Base... read more

Self-sufficiency and organic living have never been more prominent and hen keeping is becoming increasingly popular. Part of a growing series of authoritative and inspirational titles, this book provides an introduction to some of the key aspects of aspiring to a self-sufficient lifestyle by keeping your own chickens and bene... read more

Living on a small block of land in the country is a cherished dream for many New Zealanders, and with the current boom in lifestyle farming this is a dream that is increasingly becoming a reality for these people. Running a small number of animals is the most popular use of lifestyle farms in this country, but for those witho... read more

"This beautiful collection of portraits shows sheep as you have never seen them before - polished, preened and styled to perfection prior to completion. The elegance and quirkiness of these adorable champion breeds is captured perfectly in the stunning studio photography. This unique and delightful book aims to give a taste o... read more

More and more people, even those in cities, are keeping chickens, tempted by the appeal of eating fresh free-range eggs. This comprehensive guide covers everything from choosing a breed to ensuring they are happy, healthy and productive. How do I make their house secure? What if I go on holiday? Will they get on with my child... read more

Equips the farmer to get the best from the land using environmentally sustainable methods which save time, expense, and worry, and to supply the rising global demand for pure food. Explores the consequences in the soil of applications of superphosphate and other artificial fertilisers, explaining soil chemistry in lay terms.

This year, highly regarded journalist Vaughan Yarwood and photographer Arno Gasteiger travelled through rural New Zealand, visiting and staying with a range of farming families, on properties as diverse as a Waikato dairy farm, a Canterbury wheat farm, a Southland sheep farm, a Central Otago merino run and a North Island high... read more

Beekeeping provides rural people in developing countries with sources of income and nutrition. It is a sustainable form of agriculture, which is beneficial to the environment and provides economic reasons for the retention of native habitats and potentially both increased yield from food and forage crops. Complex processing m... read more

This book, the latest innovative Haynes Manual, will provide a complete and easy-to-understand reference for the growing band of people wishing to keep their own chickens for both food and pleasure. Pitched at the novice but also containing plenty to interest the experienced chicken-keeper, the book will contain no-nonsense a... read more

Ducks and geese make wonderful pets. Not only will they control the insects in your garden and act as handy lawn mowers and watchdogs, they will also provide you with a constant supply of fresh, delicious eggs. With detailed information on over 40 of the most popular duck and geese breeds, this book shows you how to select th... read more

From the large-rumped Karakul sheep to the wrinkled Fengjing pig, North America is home to an extraordinary array of livestock breeds. Increasingly, a rare breed renaissance celebrates heritage breeds for their contribution to biodiversity, adaptation to specific environments, curious appearance, or ability to produce singula... read more

Micro eco-farmers across the nation are producing from small acreages to small-town backyards. Their livelihoods restore the planet while creating an abundance of healthy products produced in very small spaces. Here's how they succeed, how they start with nothing, what traits they share and what secrets they know.

Agriculture in Service of the Earth and Humanity

Bankrupt farmers, erosion of topsoil, and poor food quality owing to pesticides, hormones, and other additives

Tells the tale of the history of our civilisation through man's relationship with sheep.
What was the most important step in civilization? Alan Butler's answer is that it was when we began capturing wild sheep, domesticating and breeding them. Sheep were the mainstay of ancient cultures, by far the most important of ... read more

An intuitive follow-up to Complete and Easy Guide to Beekeeping (Apple Press, 2005), Kim Flottum's new book goes beyond the scope of a cookbook to introduce to readers the literal cornucopia of honey varieties available. In The Honey Handbook, hive hints and honey-harvesting tutorials abound, all delivered with the sound, pra... read more

Beautiful Ducks plucks 40 of the world's most distinctive duck breeds from the pond and displays them in all their glory. Stylishly lit and shot against draped backgrounds, these sitting ducks are prize-winning examples that have been primped and preened for their moment in the spotlight. They reveal not only a surprising div... read more