Sally Rae

Rural servicing co-operative CRT has reported another bumper year with a record turnover of $1.292 billion and record operating surplus of $13.1 million in the year to March 31.

Westpac economists are calculating a total dairy payout of $5.70 for 2012, while industry leaders say the year is shaping up as a "bumpy one" internationally.

A $23.7 million programme to produce high-value marbled beef for premium markets was announced by Ministry for Primary Industries director-general Wayne McNee yesterday, during the Red Meat Sector conference in Queenstown.

When Gareth Williams was at school, all he wanted to do was play hockey.

Aliana McDaniel is always on the hunt for the next top model.

Sheep numbers in the Clutha district have declined 14% in the five years to June 2011, while the number of dairy cows has increased 30% in the same period, an agricultural statistics report prepared by the Clutha Agricultural Development Board shows.

Skyla Taylor is determined to forge a career in the sheep and beef industry.

When Bruce Bissett arrived in South Otago in 1974 as a newly graduated vet to start his first job, his intention was to stay for two or three years.

Animal scientist Bruno Santos has no regrets about a life-changing decision to move from Brazil to Dunedin.

Food has always been a passion for Josie Macfarlane and Lauren Campbell.

Alexandra accountant Russell Ibbotson has been struck off the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants register for lending or investing "substantial" amounts of client monies to companies in which he had a financial interest.

Interior designer Robyn Buis has always loved lighting. She had been "fiddling around with it for years" and finally got a source of materials for lampshades and developed them into kit form.

The companies that own Dunedin-founded company Hirequip have been placed in receivership and the business is being prepared for sale.

Blue Sky Meats has described the past financial year as the "most disappointing" in its history, as it plunged from a $6.5 million profit before tax the previous year to a nearly $605,000 loss.

Natasha Stillman is on a crusade to strengthen the role of women in society.