Rural Life

Nailing a work-life balance

The Fencing Contractors New Zealand national conference was held in Dunedin for three days last week.

Synlait lifts forecast payout 50c/kg

Synlait is on a par with sector giant Fonterra in its new forecast of $9.50 a kilogram for the dairy payout.

Detainment bunds trial expands south

Detainment bunds trial expands south

A project trialling detainment bunds to remove phosphorus and sediment from stormwater on farms is set to come to the South.
Sustainability ‘prominent’ at event

Sustainability ‘prominent’ at event

Dunedin livestock scientist Jason Archer is making the most of the border reopening and has been discovering a new world shifting its focus to sustainability.
Nutritionist making the case for animal products

Nutritionist making the case for animal products

American nutritionist Diana Rodgers, a proponent of the need to include animal products in a balanced diet, is in NZ to help farmers push back at the idea meat and dairy is unhealthy.

Dairy

Bale-grazing experiment benefits cows and soil

A grass and hay wintering system is showing promising results in Northern Southland.

Govt and Ngāi Tahu to work together on regenerative farming project

Govt and Ngāi Tahu to work together on regenerative farming project

Ngāi Tahu and the government have joined forces on a new project to validate the science of regenerative farming.
Fonterra hits the road with first electric milk tanker

Fonterra hits the road with first electric milk tanker

A South Island farmer has played a hand in Fonterra’s move to electronic vehicles with its first electric milk tanker now on the road.
Butter plant opened as Westland pushes ahead with plans

Butter plant opened as Westland pushes ahead with plans

Westland Milk Products officially opened its new butter plant in Hokitika this week, the culmination of Project Goldrush — a $40 million plan to double capacity of its consumer butter manufacturing...

Red Meat

Sheep feed on winter swedes near Edievale. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

Call for winter grazing plans

The Otago Regional Council is encouraging farmers to apply for the intensive winter grazing areas they want to use in the years ahead.

Meat-workers win ruling

Meat-workers win ruling

Southern meat-workers have been vindicated by an Employment Tribunal ruling which has given a slap on the wrist to a smallgoods giant for skimping on breaks.
Plea to help control sheep measles

Plea to help control sheep measles

South Island farmers are achieving greater success in controlling sheep measles than farmers in the North Island, Ovis Management says.
Concern about rate of forestry conversions

Concern about rate of forestry conversions

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the rate of whole-farm sales and conversions to carbon farming in the country is "out of control".

Rural Events

ODT Regions

Horticulture

Protective cloth covers grapes growing beside Lake Dunstan, near Pisa Moorings. PHOTO: STEPHEN...

Course tailored for workers

The rhythms of the seasons have been taken into account in a new Otago Polytechnic education pathway aimed at refining wine-growing and fruit production skills in Central Otago.

You name it, they grew it

You name it, they grew it: produce operation for sale

When Heather McLachlan’s orchardist parents offered her the opportunity to take over their Teviot Valley business, she was not interested.
Regenerative farming not to be maligned

Regenerative farming not to be maligned

There has been an ongoing campaign by some New Zealand scientists to discredit regenerative and organic farming systems and this needs to be challenged, writes Allan Richardson.
Province aims to be nation’s oat milk producer

Province aims to be nation’s oat milk producer

A Southland initiative got a milky boost from the Government to help in its goal to become the main producer of oat milk in the country.

Focus on Farming

Valais cute, comic, curious, charming creature

In the hills above Arrowtown, among a small pear orchard and a cluster of old musterers’ huts, live the cutest sheep in the world.

Beaumont Bark Up a fun way to support Farmstrong

Beaumont Bark Up a fun way to support Farmstrong

Mental health is a continuing issue for the rural sector, and what better way than a traditional bark up to both combat the strains of farm life, and do its bit to bring the issue to wider attention through its supportive fundraising efforts.
Vet happy going out on her own

Vet happy going out on her own

Amy Watts took a wide-ranging road on her quest to becoming a vet.
Planting natives bringing back birds

Planting natives bringing back birds

Central Otago Forest & Bird members are proud of a two-year labour of love at Lake Hawea Station to offset their carbon emissions. Marjorie Cook reports.

People

Wedderburn bartender Jen Kirchhofer knew she had been accepted when the locals started giving her...

No looking back after leaping into rural life

When Wedderburn Tavern owner Angela Stockdale posted "yet another ad" searching for staff, the title simply read "All round good sort required".

Lay of the land

Lay of the land

Shawn McAvinue asked fencers at the National Fencing Field Day, at the Otago Taieri A&P Showgrounds, on August 3, how they cope with the stresses of working in the industry and what they do to...
Reinvigorating the strong wool industry

Reinvigorating the strong wool industry

Last month, Greg Smith marked his first year as chief executive of carpet company Bremworth.
Leading the charge for wool

Leading the charge for wool

Bremworth chief executive Greg Smith talks to business editor Sally Rae about his desire to help reinvigorate New Zealand’s strong wool industry.

Rural Events

Fencing Contractors Association New Zealand president Phil Cornelius, of Whangarei, leans on a...

Nailing a work-life balance

The Fencing Contractors New Zealand national conference was held in Dunedin for three days last week.

Triallists have a head for sheep

Triallists have a head for sheep

Slow and steady not only wins races but helps pen sheep at indoor dog trials.
Taking on the Aussies

Taking on the Aussies

Hakatere Station shepherd Taylor Bird and his team of dogs is the lone Kiwi going up against Australians in the first Cobber Challenge Relay event.
Pendarves take win in awards

Pendarves take win in awards

Pendarves Young Farmers Club has won the best event category for their annual After Harvest Party in the New Zealand Young Farmers National Awards.

2017 Holden Colorado LTZ D/Cab

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