Trials a ‘good couple of days out’
Trials a ‘good couple of days out’
An annual dog trial event in the Maniototo is more about catching up with mates than chasing points.
Shawn McAvinue
Lay of the Land: Patearoa dog trials
Lay of the Land: Patearoa dog trials
Every man and his dog attended the 98th Patearoa Collie Club dog trials in the Maniototo last week. Reporter Shawn McAvinue asked club members taking a break from sheep and beef farming to be there...
Challenging task to end bobby-calf culling
Challenging task to end bobby-calf culling
An East Otago dairy farmer is calling for an end to the culling of bobby calves.
On-farm merino sale reaches prices that give sellers big smiles
On-farm merino sale reaches prices that give sellers big smiles
All of the nearly 6000 merino sheep on offer at four Central Otago stations were snapped up as demand for the fine-wool breed remains strong, an agent says.
Barking mad prices at working dog sale
Barking mad prices at working dog sale
Demand is strong for working dogs, driving up prices, a vendor says.
Armidale providing contest venue
Armidale providing contest venue
A Central Otago farm is set to host the National Shearing Circuit finals on Saturday.
More ewes needed to meet demand
More ewes needed to meet demand
About 5500 sheep featured at the Omarama Ewe Fair last week and all of them sold, the auctioneer says.
Meat industry gives scholars support
Meat industry gives scholars support
Central Southland student Lily Brankin is one step closer to realising a dream of working in the red meat sector.
Sweet taste of succession planning
Sweet taste of succession planning
A Dunedin blueberry orchard has a sweet succession plan.
Lay of the land
Lay of the land
Shawn McAvinue called southern food producers early last week and asked them how the weather last month impacted on their operations.
Farmers trade farm bikes for boards
Farmers trade farm bikes for boards
Farmers are swapping gumboots for wetsuits to wave goodbye to stress in South Otago.
Shearers soldier on through pain, make $130,000 for charity hospital
Shearers soldier on through pain, make $130,000 for charity hospital
Southern shearers pushed through the pain to support a good cause.
Fears farmers will not get tested
Fears farmers will not get tested
Some southern farmers are asking their staff to avoid getting a test if they have Covid-19 symptoms.
Labour shortage hitting shearers
Labour shortage hitting shearers
A shearer and woolhandler shortage is biting in the South as contractors brace for the spread of Covid-19.
Couple to go head to head at nationals
Couple to go head to head at nationals
Shepherds Kate Campbell and Ben Harmer are set to represent Central Otago in merino judging.
Top Jerseys chosen
Top Jerseys chosen
A Western Southland Jersey cow is the cream of the crop.
Ice cream stops prove popular
Ice cream stops prove popular
Free ice creams gave farmers a brief but cool reprieve from a dry summer.
Key ingredients come together
Key ingredients come together
Sheep breeders Peter and Marion Black have been improving the genetic potential of their flock for more than 50 years in Southland. After calling time on their career, they talk to Shawn McAvinue...
Centre champs going ahead
Centre champs going ahead
The Southland Centre Championship dog trial is going ahead this weekend.
Dairy farmers leading by example
Dairy farmers leading by example
A dairy farming couple are continuing to teach children how to lead calves in East Otago, despite Covid-19 disrupting events to show cattle. Otago Fresh Milk owners Shelli and Steve Mears invited...