Shawn McAvinue

New pad ‘future-proofing’ farm

Sharemilkers Jeremy and Michelle Smith and son George, 5, on a new concrete feed pad in Western...

New pad ‘future-proofing’ farm

In the first of a three-part series, Shawn McAvinue visits Southland dairy farms using different types of off-paddock infrastructure for calving, wintering, feeding and stand-off management.

Expansion of shed generates optimism

Expansion of shed generates optimism

A project to extend a milking shed is coming to an end, as calving begins on a dairy farm near Mataura.

$10,000 grant to fund pest eradication ‘awesome’

A Central Southland catchment group will use a grant to continue its work to reduce feral pig and deer numbers in the Hokonui Hills.

Here’s hoping things remain positive

Will Orpwood Cattle & Sheep Scanning owner Will Orpwood. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE

Here’s hoping things remain positive

Reporter Shawn McAvinue talks to Will Orpwood Cattle & Sheep Scanning owner Will Orpwood, of Wendon in Northern Southland.

Here’s hoping things remain positive

Reporter Shawn McAvinue talks to Will Orpwood Cattle & Sheep Scanning owner Will Orpwood, of Wendon in Northern Southland.

Farmers set to hit the slopes

A skifield in the foothills of the Southern Alps near the Otago border is joining an initiative to give farmers a break on the slopes next month.

Pine plantation 'ecological disaster', neighbours say

Pine plantation 'ecological disaster', neighbours say

Ngāi Tahu Forestry bought nearly 2500ha of sheep and beef farms in Hindon to plant trees.

Planning business details ‘essential’

CEG Ltd director Tony Marshall spoke about his experiences as a rural accountant and his...

Planning business details ‘essential’

Farm ownership has no right or wrong approach but everything will be great in the beginning, a rural accountant says.

Equity partnerships need the right people

PGG Wrightson Real Estate consultant Brent Irving gave tips to navigate the path to farm...

Equity partnerships need the right people

Experience and passion overrules equity, Dunedin real estate consultant Brent Irving says.

Helping next generation succeed

Sharing stories on paths to farm ownership in Balclutha included West Otago farmers (from left)...

Helping next generation succeed

Farm owners need to help the next generation be successful, West Otago farmer Allan Richardson says.

Finding the path to farm ownership

Finding the path to farm ownership

About 80 people attended the Beef + Lamb event "Different routes into land ownership" in Balclutha recently.

Another crack at title definitely on

2025 New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year Otago Southland finalist Cam Smith goes through his...

Another crack at title definitely on

Reporter Shawn McAvinue talks to 2025 Otago-Southland Young Farmer of the Year Cam Smith about his first time competing in the national final week in Invercargill&nbsp...

Trust important in three-way equity partnership, farmer says

A topic at a Beef + Lamb New Zealand event in Balclutha was an equity partnership of a sheep and...

Trust important in three-way equity partnership, farmer says

Trust is an important part of a three-way equity partnership in a Strath Taieri sheep and beef farm.

Conservation work acknowledged

Ecologist, botanist and farmer Kelvin Lloyd, of Dunedin, is a recipient of Forest & Bird’s...

Award acknowledges conservation work

The work of Dunedin ecologist, botanist, science educator and farmer Kelvin Lloyd has been recognised.

Brief return south brings rewards

Holstein Friesian New Zealand president Owen Copinga visits Fairleigh dairy farm in West Otago,...

Brief return south brings rewards

Former Southland dairy farmer Owen Copinga recently returned to the province and left with a top position at Holstein Friesian New Zealand.

Freestall barn a game-changer in West Otago

Fairleigh dairy farm owners Ken and Nancy Eade and their son Bruce have been able to better realise the genetic potential of their pedigree herd since installing a freestall barn in West Otago.

Work on food safety recognised

Work on food safety recognised

Southern scientist Phil Bremer’s more than 40-year contribution to the food safety sector was recognised last week.

Collie club fundraising under way

North Otago Centre president Russell Smillie, of Hakataramea Valley, at the centre championships...

Collie club fundraising under way

New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association North Otago Centre president and Waitaki Collie Dog Club short head and yard marshal Russell Smillie talks to Shawn McAvinue about the club’s fundraising effort.

Voxpop: flying the flag for Friesians

Shawn McAvinue asks delegates on a herd visit as part of the Holstein Friesian New Zealand conference in the South last week what the appeal is of the black-and-white breed.

Davis joins fellow farmers in scheme to accelerate beef genetic benefits

Central Otago farmer Tim Davis is a new commercial farmer in the Informing New Zealand Beef programme.

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Shawn McAvinue