Rural Life

Focus on precious living

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, reporter Sandy Eggleston talks to Jane Allen about her journey with the disease.

Mark MacGregor and Rachael Armstrong achieved farm ownership through “good timing, a little bit...

Ownership journey timing, luck, hard work

It has been quite a life story so far for Nenthorn Valley sheep farmers Mark MacGregor and Rachael Armstrong on their road to farm ownership.

Backlog still to fill jobs on farms

Backlog still to fill jobs on farms

A backlog of job vacancies remains to be filled on dairy farms after the Government opened up a residency pathway for workers.
Stern tops breed price at $18,000

Stern tops breed price at $18,000

Stern Angus has topped the breed for this season’s farm auctions nationwide after selling a yearling bull for $18,000.
Couple keen for proper return of shows

Couple keen for proper return of shows

Agricultural and pastoral shows have been an institution reaching across many generations, Ashburton A&P Association stalwarts Tim and Beth Lovett say.

Dairy

Dairy farm sales about $5m-$10m heating up

Farm sales are warming up with buyers eyeing multimillion-dollar dairying properties again.

Farmers may get record price for milk

Farmers may get record price for milk

Dairy farmers could reap the rewards of a record farmgate milk price if Fonterra’s latest milk price forecast stands.
Swapping livestock for rural real estate

Swapping livestock for rural real estate

In an era where the only certainty is change, livestock agent Chris Swale says having a good work ethic and 100% commitment has always stayed the same.
Backlog still to fill jobs on farms

Backlog still to fill jobs on farms

A backlog of job vacancies remains to be filled on dairy farms after the Government opened up a residency pathway for workers.

Red Meat

PGG Wrightson livestock agent and head auctioneer Chris Swale is moving to Southland to work in...

Swapping livestock for rural real estate

In an era where the only certainty is change, livestock agent Chris Swale says having a good work ethic and 100% commitment has always stayed the same.

Document designed to save key data

Document designed to save key data

A series of life experiences have come to fruition for a North Otago farming mother.
Irrigation-innovation combination a winner

Irrigation-innovation combination a winner

A young couple are in the early days of ambitious plans for an irrigated North Canterbury farm, writes Tim Cronshaw.
Dairy demand easing back dampens bidding

Dairy demand easing back dampens bidding

Yearling bull sales produced several highlights in a season which did not come up all trumps for South Island studs.

Rural Events

ODT Regions

Horticulture

Ni-Vanuatu RSE workers get to grips with a new-age way of picking apples using a fruit harvesting...

Vanuatu seasonal pickers at work on orchards

Vanuatu’s first seasonal workers to enter the country in a one-way travel bubble are on South Island farms.

New role uses ‘all those wee skills’

New role uses ‘all those wee skills’

Keeping busy is in Rosalie Hyslop’s DNA.
Couple touting picking strawberries as fun family outing

Couple touting picking strawberries as fun family outing

From bulls to berries — they are polar opposites but Ben and Rebecca Trotter are hoping they attract.
10 percent of Central Otago-grown fruit going to waste, report finds

10 percent of Central Otago-grown fruit going to waste, report finds

A new report has found more than 10 percent of the fruit grown in Central Otago is not being sold or eaten.

Focus on Farming

Rebecca and Ben Trotter with son Edward (8 months) and daughter Florence (2) in the middle of...

Couple touting picking strawberries as fun family outing

From bulls to berries — they are polar opposites but Ben and Rebecca Trotter are hoping they attract.

Farming changes through generations on Lindisvale family property

Farming changes through generations on Lindisvale family property

The Trevathan family has been farming at Lindisvale, near Tarras, since 1914. Marjorie Cook meets fifth-generation Trevathan, Maggie and chats with her dad, Jonny, and grandparents about farming changes over five generations.
Shearing his passion for six decades

Shearing his passion for six decades

Shearing — both the industry and the sport — has been a lifetime love for New Zealand Merino Shearing Society life member Graeme Bell.
Edendale goat breeder only too happy to share knowledge

Edendale goat breeder only too happy to share knowledge

On a 100ha dairy farm at Seaward Downs, near Edendale, Donna Morton runs about 40 Saanen goats in her Ardee stud.

People

Gore woman Jane Allen says her horses Jimmy (left) and Jeremy were very compassionate during the...

Focus on precious living

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, reporter Sandy Eggleston talks to Jane Allen about her journey with the disease.

Grant for research into possum genes

Grant for research into possum genes

University of Otago researcher Alana Alexander has secured a $640,000 to boost New Zealand’s possum control efforts.
Pest control strategy ‘big-picture stuff’

Pest control strategy ‘big-picture stuff’

University of Otago student Anna Clark has secured funding of $180,000 to follow her dream of finding a more effective pest control method.
Ownership journey timing, luck, hard work

Ownership journey timing, luck, hard work

It has been quite a life story so far for Nenthorn Valley sheep farmers Mark MacGregor and Rachael Armstrong on their road to farm ownership.

Rural Events

Women’s Institute members Leone Tremberth (left), of Canterbury District, with Denise Clark and...

Institute women meet in the middle

The sun was shining and the birds singing as scores of Women’s Institute members, in decorated sunhats, gathered for a ‘‘meet in the middle’’ picnic lunch in Ashburton Domain to commemorate 100...

Couple keen for proper return of shows

Couple keen for proper return of shows

Agricultural and pastoral shows have been an institution reaching across many generations, Ashburton A&P Association stalwarts Tim and Beth Lovett say.
Love of shearing stands test of time

Love of shearing stands test of time

After 40 years, shearing has not lost its appeal for Rakaia shearing contractor Grant Smith.
Crowds ruled out, but the A&P show will go on

Crowds ruled out, but the A&P show will go on

Ashburton A&P Show organisers are determined to make the most of a Covid-19-interrupted event.

Search form

Search form

Rural Events

Connect with Rural Life

The South Today