Ella Stokes

Peony growers 'flat out' until Christmas

Rodger Whitson displays some of his peony plants. All will be picked by hand in the coming weeks...

Peony growers 'flat out' until Christmas

As spring turns into summer, the peony growing season is in full swing. Last week, reporter Ella Stokes went to catch up with Mosgiel grower Rodger Whitson, of Janefield Paeonies and Hydroponics, to see what it involves.

Reducing sediment loss explored at field days

Taking part in one of the sediment mitigation field days at Waipahi held by the Pomahaka...

Reducing sediment loss explored at field days

Sediment mitigation was a hot topic at the field days hosted by the Pomahaka Water Care Group last week.

Water care group wants farmers at fore

Lloyd McCall is excited to help create new farmer-led water care groups in the Clutha region....

Water care group wants farmers at fore

A South Otago water care group is calling for its second phase of development to be farmer-led.

Triple-rinsed chemical containers welcome at Taieri recycling site

Placing a container into the recycling station at Farmlands Taieri is Agrecovery operations...

Triple-rinsed chemical containers welcome at Taieri recycling site

Recycling chemical containers is now easier for Taieri farmers and contractors.

Signs of success for local ‘gingham girl’

Jo Jack of Gingham Girls with just some of the signs she creates. Photo: Ella Stokes

Signs of success for local ‘gingham girl’

What started as a hobby is now a full-time business for one Balclutha woman.

Scientists develop breakthrough tech

Dr Jo Stanton at the Otago University with the diagnostic device she and her team of researchers...

Scientists develop breakthrough tech

After over 30 years as a researcher a doctor's most recent discovery is one of her most exciting yet, and could be a benefit for New Zealand farmers.

North Taieri man of many talents

Stock agent and auctioneer Rob Fowler at his property in North Taieri. Mr Fowler said his job...

North Taieri man of many talents

Helping others learn the art of buying and selling livestock gives one agent a real buzz.

Shepherd developing her artistic streak

Huntleigh Station head shepherd Lauren Chittock (23) says training dogs is a highlight of her job...

Shepherd developing her artistic streak

A Middlemarch head shepherd who loves working with her dogs, is also a talented painter.

Goats' milk soap cleaning up

Tracy Tooley and Malcolm Gawn not only love creating soap (above) from goats' milk but they also...

Goats' milk soap cleaning up

Some people enjoy cheese made from goats' milk but who knew it could also create soap?

Seeking Century farmers

Karen Roughan said the Century Farm awards were all about recognising the importance of New...

Seeking Century farmers

Families with a long heritage of farming their land have just over five weeks to submit their application for next year’s New Zealand Century Farms and Station Awards. Reporter Ella Stokes...

Planning a Waikouaiti landmark

Grant Vickers, of Waikouaiti, hopes to have a replica Cobb & Co wagon completed. Photo: Ella...

Planning a Waikouaiti landmark

A retired farmer is turning his passion for tradition into something for the community.

No two accidents, crashes ever same

Steve Renton is the emergency response manager at Macraes Mine. He says the response team also...

No two accidents, crashes ever same

Macraes Mine emergency response co-ordinator Steve Renton volunteered at the Otago Field Days as a first aid helper recently. Reporter Ella Stokes caught up with him to see what the job involved.

Rainfall still lower than average after cold snap

A number of sports games were rained off in Oamaru last weekend. PHOTO: ODT FILES

Rainfall still lower than average after cold snap

What looked like the potential start of a dry spell changed after last week's cold snap.

Truckie feels at home in the industry

Mel Foot and her truck. She said once you get the hang of it, it is actually pretty easy to drive...

Truckie feels at home in the industry

You may not expect to see a female behind the wheel of a truck and trailer unit heading down the road, but one Dunedin truckie says it's becoming more common.

Otago Field Days

Staying warm are (from left) Graham Denize, of Oamaru, Ashley and Richard Robinson, of Dunback. Photos: Ella Stokes

Otago Field Days

The Palmerston Saleyards come to life last Friday and Saturday with tents, people, machinery and more for the third annual Otago Field Days.

Unique Jersey farm branches out

Alex (left) and Merrall MacNeille say they love what they do and enjoy creating more than just...

Unique Jersey farm branches out

Sitting on the hills above Port Chalmers with a backdrop of the Otago Harbour isn’t where you would usually expect a herd of Jersey cows to be.

New welfare rules bridge the gap

MPI manager of animal welfare sector support Leonie Ward (left) and animal welfare senior adviser...

New welfare rules bridge the gap

The Ministry of Primary Industries says new animal welfare regulations will fill a gap between the Animal Welfare Act and Codes of Welfare.

Market seeking produce vendors

Otago Farmers Market Manager Kate Vercoe said they liked to keep the market authentic by having...

Market seeking produce vendors

The Otago Farmers Market is making a call for more vendors with primary produce.

Off to judge transtasman dog trial comp

Graham White with his dog Ladd. Mr White will head to Australia early in October to judge the...

Off to judge transtasman dog trial comp

Mosgiel's Graham White was fascinated when he watched his first dog trials at the age of seven.

Making jumps from 'banks and tree stumps'

Lindsay Carruthers with one of the many impressive jumps he has created which sit in his front...

Making jumps from 'banks and tree stumps'

Occasionally you might see the odd horse jump in a farm's front paddock, but not an extensive cross country course that is at home on one Middlemarch farm.

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Ella Stokes