A convert to the numbers game
A convert to the numbers game
Selecting a ram from figures in a database is a ‘‘bone of contention’’ for some older farmers, an East Otago stud breeder says.
Shawn McAvinue
Teaching tailing
Teaching tailing
Docking lambs on Fraser Farm at Waitaki Boys’ High School in Oamaru last week are farm manager Dave Ruddenklau and pupils (from left) Tamatoa Chapman, Liam Mavor and Eli Johnson (all 16).
Fear forestry conversions impacting farming communities
Fear forestry conversions impacting farming communities
More Southern farmland is set to be covered in forestry.
Weather not worst for farmers
Weather not worst for farmers
A spring storm which hit the South during lambing was ‘‘grim’’ but farmers were prepared and have battled worse conditions, the head of Federated Farmers Otago says.
Spoon-whistle transformation
Spoon-whistle transformation
A Southern jeweller continues to muster a new way to sell his shepherd’s whistle as his primary client base remains locked out.
Operating in Level 2
Operating in Level 2
Some freedoms returned to the South after moving to Delta Alert Level 2 last week. Shawn McAvinue got masked up to visit a sheep sale and a farmers’ market to see how everyone was coping with the...
Meat still being processed in Level 2
Meat still being processed in Level 2
Southern meat processing staff have ‘‘stepped up’’ to continue working during alert levels but global supply chain issues remain.
Growers glad for return of farmers markets
Growers glad for return of farmers markets
Dunedin growers of leafy greens are rejoicing as the drop to Alert Level 2 means the return of Farmers Markets where the majority of their produce is sold.
Markets eager to return
Markets eager to return
Farmers’ market organisers in the South are looking forward to welcoming shoppers back.
Lockdown deliveries keep egg farmer busy
Lockdown deliveries keep egg farmer busy
A Dunedin egg farmer has been able to sell during alert levels by continuing a plan hatched during lockdown last year.
Multiple arrivals ‘pretty cute’
Multiple arrivals ‘pretty cute’
A flock of cute lambs are arriving thick and fast in Mosgiel.
Call for winter grazing submissions
Call for winter grazing submissions
The fight against unworkable regulations continues and farmers should write a submission on proposed changes to intensive winter grazing regulations, Groundswell NZ co-founder Bryce McKenzie says.
Bee smart
Bee smart: Covid detection method inspires apiarists
A group of southern apiarists is using the same scientific method to fight a disease killing their bees that is being used to detect Covid-19.
Collective approach to fight disease
Collective approach to fight disease
A molecular biologist is applauding a group of southern apiarists uniting to fight a disease killing bees.
Hope tool can eliminate American Foulbrood
Hope tool can eliminate American Foulbrood
A new technology helping fight against a bee-killing disease is a "massive breakthrough", an Otago apiarist says.
Beekeepers embrace new method to detect foulbrood
Beekeepers embrace new method to detect foulbrood
A molecular biologist is applauding a group of southern apiarists uniting to fight a disease killing bees.
Concerns remain at Level 3
Concerns remain at Level 3
Farmers’ concerns about the potential impact of Covid-19 remain despite the South moving to Covid-19 Alert Level 3 today.
DNA detection for beehive battle
DNA detection for beehive battle
A group of Southern apiarists has a new tool to fight a disease killing their bees by using the same technology used to detect Covid-19.
Swabbing ‘game-changer’
Swabbing ‘game-changer’
A new technology helping fight against a bee-killing disease is a ‘‘massive breakthrough’’, an Otago apiarist says.
Sheep dwindle, but beef on rise
Sheep dwindle, but beef on rise
The national beef herd is up but the sheep flock is down — hoggets ‘‘substantially’’ in Southland, a survey shows.