Rural Life

Couple’s flexible approach paying off

Waimumu sheep and beef farmers Jason and Debbie Smith have a "take it as it comes" approach to farming and it is paying off — despite their operation being affected by Covid-19.

Boris still has the tag in his ear put there when he was weaned. Photo: NCN

Wandering Boris: Back after 13 years in the wilderness

A “crazy big” Angus steer who has wandered the mountainous Hurunui back country for nearly 13 years has returned home.

Ovine star found, thanks to early lambs

Ovine star found, thanks to early lambs

A Central Otago lamb has been found to feature in a film following last week’s shout out in the Otago Daily Times.
Old hand at scanning ewes

Old hand at scanning ewes

Twenty-five years ago Peter Clulee says pregnancy scanning ewes was "like watching paint dry" for the farmer.
Workers stuck here

Workers stuck here

Michael Grimes and Caolan Duffy only planned to be in New Zealand for six months, working for an Alexandra contractor, but they are unable to return home to Ireland.

Dairy

Few Otago dairy farms found to be breaking rules

The inspection regime in Otago for dairy farm compliance with environmental regulations was disrupted by Covid-19 but — of the farms audited in the past year — few fell foul of the rules.

‘The General’ named Valden Cow of the Year

‘The General’ named Valden Cow of the Year

A 13-year-old Holstein-Friesian cow known as The General for her "no nonsense, get on with it" attitude, has won the 2020 Valden Cow of the Year competition.
Dairy farming business fined after worker crushed by trailer

Dairy farming business fined after worker crushed by trailer

An Ashburton dairy farming company has been fined almost $300,000 for failing to ensure migrant workers understood health and safety risks.
Virtual meeting in Spanish

Virtual meeting in Spanish

DairyNZ is holding a second virtual Spanish language Zoom meeting for migrant dairy workers in the region next week.

Red Meat

Most existing dietary guidelines recommend cutting down on read meat. Photo: Getty Images

Red meat opportunities ‘if we’re quick enough’

The Covid-19 situation has provided opportunities for New Zealand’s red meat sector to capitalise on — "if we’re quick enough".

Plan for museum to be replica of 1930s butchery

Plan for museum to be replica of 1930s butchery

A desire to record what may be a "dying art" is firing a Milton man’s passion project.
Covid breach lands meatworks staff in hot water

Covid breach lands meatworks staff in hot water

A breach of protocols during Covid-19 lockdown has left staff members at Mataura’s Alliance meatworks plant in hot water.
Regenerative farmers enjoying greener pastures

Regenerative farmers enjoying greener pastures

A common misconception around regenerative agriculture is that it is purely based on ideology, Tim Blackler, facilitator for the Regenerative Agriculture South Otago Red Meat Profit Partnership...

Rural Events

Horticulture

Tammy Wright, of Mossburn, has just celebrated her company Fork and Spade’s
...

‘37 farms to plant out and the phone is still ringing’

It has been a year since Tammy Wright established her landscape, gardening and riparian planting business, Fork and Spade, and since then she has got busier and busier.

Growing native plants creating legacy

Growing native plants creating legacy

The quality of water entering lakes, rivers and streams from farms in the Upper Clutha catchment is improving due to the thousands of natives being planted. One of the nurseries supplying plants is Wanaka’s Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust nursery.
Educational day for young viticulturists

Educational day for young viticulturists

Domaine Thomson Wines hosted the Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year educational day last Thursday.
Potato industry opposes dumping

Potato industry opposes dumping

Makikihi Fries is bracing for impact as manager Stewart Hydes pleads with Government, on behalf of the potato industry, to stop a surplus of European product being dumped in New Zealand.

Focus on Farming

Ben and Sarah Douglas, holding Arthur Douglas, and friend Brian Guthrie holding Bertie Guthrie....

Headwaters sheep ‘definitely superior’

‘‘Being part of The Omega Lamb Project really gives you the best of both worlds,’’ North Otago farmer Ben Douglas says.

Breeding about genetics, delivering the best possible returns

Breeding about genetics, delivering the best possible returns

Will Gibson says when it comes to the potential yield from a breeding animal, size does not matter, and big is not always best.
From farm life to aviation — and back

From farm life to aviation — and back

Sven Thelning is just as comfortable on the farm as he is high in the clouds.
Selling makes no sense when you are living the dream

Selling makes no sense when you are living the dream

The drive between Arrowtown and Queenstown contains arguably some of the most sought-after high-country land in the South Island.

Rural Events

A line up of curious merino rams will feature as a mural on part of the new toilet block to be...

No Merino Shears because of Covid

The traditional season-opener of New Zealand shearing competitions, the New Zealand Merino Shears, has been cancelled this year and organisers are now working to mark its 60th anniversary in style...

Blue Mountain team wins grand final

Blue Mountain team wins grand final

For the second year in a row a team from Blue Mountain College has won the AgriKids Grand Final.
South Canterbury A&P Show set for a comeback

South Canterbury A&P Show set for a comeback

A&P shows have come to a grinding halt throughout the country and one South Canterbury town thinks it could help in its favour.
Hopes Ashburton show can go ahead in October

Hopes Ashburton show can go ahead in October

Peter Stewart has just 10 years’ service under his belt as Ashburton A&P association member and, as newly installed president, admits he is a relative newcomer to the group.

People

Ovine star found, thanks to early lambs

A Central Otago lamb has been found to feature in a film following last week’s shout out in the Otago Daily Times.

South Otago couple do well in Ballance farm awards

South Otago couple do well in Ballance farm awards

Fresh sets of eyes over their dairy farm during the judging process was a bonus for Sandra and Chris Campbell when they entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA).
‘Couldn’t do an office job’

‘Couldn’t do an office job’

At 23, Alex Bodle is passionate about farming and keen to follow her own advice.
Couple’s flexible approach paying off

Couple’s flexible approach paying off

Waimumu sheep and beef farmers Jason and Debbie Smith have a "take it as it comes" approach to farming and it is paying off — despite their operation being affected by Covid-19.

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