Shawn McAvinue

High-quality feed key to better milk output

Clutha contract milkers Jemima Aratema and Marcus Frost talk to Shawn McAvinue about chasing a dream of farm ownership, how to put milk in the vat for longer and the joy of calving.

School farm brings country to city

Kaikorai Valley College teacher Simon McMillan is looking for a sponsor so a farm on the school...

School farm brings country to city

A secondary school in an industrial area of Dunedin is calling for a sponsor to help an urban farm realise its potential.

Securing loans to buy deer a ‘challenge’

Brock Deer co-owner Elliot Brock displays the velvet head of a stag which sold for $100,000 in...

Securing loans to buy deer a ‘challenge’

Farmers are struggling to secure finance to buy deer to diversify from sheep, a southern stock agent says.

Family swaps Maniototo winter for island time

Stunning scenery . . . Exploring an island in the Ha’apai group in Tonga are (from left) Jimmy,...

Family swaps Maniototo winter for island time

Calving in snow flurries in the Maniototo seems a world away from two months of sailing in the Pacific Ocean.

Tracking spending to maximise profit

Dairy farmers Duncan and Anne-Marie Wells. Photo: Shawn McAvinue

Tracking spending to maximise profit

Dairy farmers Duncan and Anne-Marie Wells are in the thick of calving on the Taieri. Shawn McAvinue talks to the owner and operators in an equity partnership about their reasons for opening their farm gate and financial books to the public.

Catchment projects get cash boost

Posing outside a tunnel house being built at their school are Poolburn School pupils (clockwise...

Catchment projects get cash boost

Two southern catchment groups have been given $10,000 each to progress projects to improve land and waterways.

Three Southerners make awards finals

Northern Southland farmer Scott Rome is a seed grower of the year finalist in the 2024 Arable...

Three Southerners make awards finals

Three southerners are among the cream of the cropping industry.

Church hoped to be on the move

The Glenkenich Presbyterian Church building in West Otago is up for auction for removal. PHOTO:...

Church hoped to be on the move

Holy cow — a church on a dairy farm in West Otago is for sale.

Selling for forestry a tough decision

Sheep and beef farmer Scott Chittock and some of his mixed-age Romdale ewes he will offer at an...

Selling for forestry a tough decision

Scott Chittock and his family have sold their southern sheep and beef farm for pine forestry.

‘Amazing’ time on Wisp Hill Station

Former Wisp Hill Station owner John Parks with a map of Wisp Hill Station, which his family owned...

‘Amazing’ time on Wisp Hill Station

Former Wisp Hill Station owner John Parks has a deep connection to the place he called home for more than 40 years.

Southern catchment groups get cash to boost projects

Gore Waimumu Catchment Group chairman Murray Wards. Photos: supplied

Southern catchment groups get cash to boost projects

Two southern catchment groups have been given $10,000 each to progress projects to improve land and waterways.

Better technique touted for trend

Shearer Thomas Winiata uses a back aid to provide support while working in a shearing shed in...

Better technique touted for trend

Improved technique is being touted as the reason for fewer injuries, a southern shearing stalwart says.

Ploughman takes tractor to the worlds

Ploughmen representing New Zealand at the World Ploughing Contest in Estonia from August 16 are...

Ploughman takes tractor to the worlds

Riversdale crop farmer Mark Dillon will represent New Zealand at the 69th World Ploughing Contest in Estonia from August 16.

Waikaka Valley farmer joins board

Newly appointed AgResearch board member Andrew Morrison. PHOTO: SRL FILES

Waikaka Valley farmer joins board

Waikaka Valley sheep and beef farmer Andrew Morrison has been appointed to the AgResearch board.

Students hope win will encourage others

Collecting their trophies after winning the 2024 Junior Young Farmer of the Year competition, in...

Students hope win will encourage others

Two Otago Boys’ High School boarders from southern farms hope winning the Junior Young Farmer of the Year competition will lead to greater development of the agricultural programme at their school.

Lay of the land:

On-farm costs in New Zealand have levelled out over the past six months, Infometrics data shows.

Staying safe in the shearing shed

Staying safe in the shearing shed

There are now fewer southerners making Accident Compensation Corporation claims for shearing injuries.

Cow cream of the crop at competition

Cow Velvaleen Gold Rosa-ET, of Hall’s Enterprises in Wallacetown, won the veteran cow section in...

Cow cream of the crop at competition

A Southland veteran cow was among the winners of an annual national competition judging individual Holstein Friesians on type at their home properties.

Farmers urged to remain vigilant after thefts

Southland had relatively favourable farming conditions, and the strongest housing and...

Farmers urged to remain vigilant after thefts

A Southland farming leader is pointing the finger at animal rights activists over the disappearance of electric fence reels from winter-grazing paddocks.

Clearing sale ‘last hurrah’ for station

Former Wisp Hill Station owner Leonard Ward and his son Jack Geddes-Ward at the clearing sale of...

Clearing sale ‘last hurrah’ for station

Pine trees continue to be planted on farmland across the South, as the region increases its share of national exotic afforestation.

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Shawn McAvinue