Rural Life

Blueberry season delayed but going well

A Southland blueberry orchard manager is grateful the operation has not been hit as hard as those of Central Otago’s fruitgrowers despite a late start to the season.

Pat McCarthy lassoes a steer during the team roping event at the Wanaka Rodeo on Saturday. PHOTO:...

Rodeo veteran still roping them in

Only twice in the 58-year history of the Wanaka Rodeo has Pat McCarthy, of Chatto Creek, not been a competitor.

Chops gained with time

Chops gained with time

For 15-year-old wood-chopper Jack Richards, it is all about not trying to “run before you can crawl’’.
Waikouaiti Rodeo postponed

Waikouaiti Rodeo postponed

The Waikouaiti Rodeo has been postponed because of the weather.
Support for rodeo as strong as ever

Support for rodeo as strong as ever

Not jolted by Covid-19, Omarama’s annual rodeo thrived with the most competitors it has had in years yesterday.

Dairy

Whole milk powder, the most important product for New Zealand farmers, lifted 3.1% - its highest...

Strong demand for dairy encouraging: Fonterra

New Zealand dairy farmers are off to a great start to 2021 as prices leapt 3.9% across the board in first the first Global Dairy Trade auction of the year.

A2 Milk hopes to expand production at Southland plant

A2 Milk hopes to expand production at Southland plant

A2 Milk is a step closer to taking a controlling stake in Mataura Valley Milk, but says it will be at least a couple of years before it starts making profits.
CEO appointed; dairy innovators sought

CEO appointed; dairy innovators sought

Dairy company Miraka has appointed Grant Watson as its new chief executive.
Milk solids production up 0.6% on previous season

Milk solids production up 0.6% on previous season

New Zealand’s dairy sector has notched up a record production milestone, despite a drop in cow numbers.

Red Meat

The Alliance Lorneville plant. Photo: Abbey Palmer

Alliance Group to repay wage subsidy in full

Invercargill-based Alliance Group has chosen to return the balance of the Covid-19 wage subsidy to the Government.

Red meat industry’s problems researched

Red meat industry’s problems researched

A change of direction is needed urgently if the future of New Zealand’s red meat industry is to be salvaged, a researcher warns.
Otago leads trend to larger lamb crop

Otago leads trend to larger lamb crop

Otago has been the major driver of a lift in lambs born in the South Island this year, with the region recording a 3.9% increase in total lamb crop.
Red meat exports down

Red meat exports down

The value of New Zealand red meat exports dropped by 18% in October compared to a year earlier, analysis by the Meat Industry Association shows.

Rural Events

Horticulture

Black Ridge Vineyard director Joss Purbrick shows the water line in his cellar door tasting room;...

Heavy rain no dampener for winemakers

The New Year’s deluge of torrential rain has been welcomed by winemakers.

Blueberry season delayed but going well

Blueberry season delayed but going well

A Southland blueberry orchard manager is grateful the operation has not been hit as hard as those of Central Otago’s fruitgrowers despite a late start to the season.
Cherry pickers lose $350-a-day jobs

Cherry pickers lose $350-a-day jobs

The $50 million loss incurred by Central Otago’s cherry growers this season impacts growers, jobs and the New Zealand economy.
Orchardists counting cost of cherry crops ruined by downpours

Orchardists counting cost of cherry crops ruined by downpours

Central Otago fruitgrowers are still counting the costs of the New Year deluge that decimated this season’s cherry harvest.

Focus on Farming

Walter Peak High Country Farm rural operations coordinator Peter Hamilton with his working dogs....

Passion for chasing sheep key trait

Walter Peak High Country Farm rural operations co-ordinator Peter Hamilton is in the business of showing the public what the working dog can do.

Natural fertilisers increasingly popular

Natural fertilisers increasingly popular

Wakatipu farmers and lifestyle-block owners are increasingly taking to natural fertilisers.
Cut-flower farming grew after few seeds planted

Cut-flower farming grew after few seeds planted

Anna Mackay, of Spotts Creek Station in the Cardrona Valley, has diversified into cut flowers. She described to Mark Price her experiences so far.
Providing a female take on farm training

Providing a female take on farm training

The best way to succeed is to help others succeed.

Rural Events

Gore shearer Megan Whitehead takes the fleece off another lamb, watched by father Quentin, on her...

Shearer toughs it out to set world record

"It was tough at the end" but Gore shearer Megan Whitehead battled the afternoon blues to set a world shearing record.

Show hits ‘jackpot’ with fine weather, crowd

Show hits ‘jackpot’ with fine weather, crowd

Golden weather and free entry were the magic ingredients for a huge turnout at the 106th Lake Hayes A&P Show near Queenstown on Saturday.
Rodeo veteran still roping them in

Rodeo veteran still roping them in

Only twice in the 58-year history of the Wanaka Rodeo has Pat McCarthy, of Chatto Creek, not been a competitor.
Waikouaiti Rodeo postponed

Waikouaiti Rodeo postponed

The Waikouaiti Rodeo has been postponed because of the weather.

People

Passion for shearing started early for young shepherd

A fascination watching shearers as a child has drawn one young woman into having a go herself.

Whitehead smashes shearing world record

Whitehead smashes shearing world record

Gore shearer Megan Whitehead has smashed the women's world record, clipping 661 lambs in nine hours at a Croydon Bush woolshed.
Chops gained with time

Chops gained with time

For 15-year-old wood-chopper Jack Richards, it is all about not trying to “run before you can crawl’’.
Long service to cattle industry

Long service to cattle industry

Denis Aitken has always believed in paying it forward. The Dunedin man appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit said he was "gobsmacked" to hear the news.

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