Rural Life

Is this the South’s fattest tree?

We love being sent photos by readers, especially one which lays down a challenge.

Jersey cow Posterity Man Susie sold to a South Otago dairy stud for $55,000 - the highest price...

Jersey dairy cow breaks NZ record

That’s a lot of moolah.

Retirement looms for veteran agent

Retirement looms for veteran agent

When Rural Livestock agent Don Roney retires at the end of next month, he will call time on a more than 50-year career.
Park helping preserve rare rhodos

Park helping preserve rare rhodos

Now home to some of the rarest species of rhododendrons in the world, Gore’s Bannerman Park is playing an important role in conservation.
Southern voices on land use

Southern voices on land use

As more farms are sold for forestry conversion, Shawn McAvinue asks southern bull breeders: do you think the land-use change will soften demand at your upcoming sale? Clayton Peters of Peters...

Dairy

Reaping the rewards of maize crop

In a bid to protect against the impact of dry conditions, a trial maize crop on a West Otago dairy farm will return next season and be more than twice the size.

Jersey dairy cow breaks NZ record

Jersey dairy cow breaks NZ record

That’s a lot of moolah.
Waimate farm manager wins NZ title

Waimate farm manager wins NZ title

He used to be an information technology student in India.
Dairy event will be all about change

Dairy event will be all about change

Dynamic. That is the theme of the South Island’s largest dairy event, SIDE 2022, which is being held in Oamaru on June 8-9.

Red Meat

A dry paddock at Peters Angus in Beaumont last month. PHOTO: JUSTIN WALLIS

Sale bulls in good shape despite dry

The Angus bulls set to feature at a sale in Beaumont are in good nick despite dry conditions biting this season, a farm manager says.

Event to mark first NZ lamb shipment to UK

Event to mark first NZ lamb shipment to UK

A celebration is being held to mark the arrival of New Zealand’s first frozen lamb shipment in the United Kingdom 140 years ago.
SIL now has 74% of Blue Sky Meats

SIL now has 74% of Blue Sky Meats

Southern Lamb Investments Ltd is the new majority shareholder of Blue Sky Meats.
Challenging but satisfying year for SFF

Challenging but satisfying year for SFF

"Farming has never been more challenging yet, in my view, the future has never looked as bright — if we get it right."

Rural Events

ODT Regions

Horticulture

Overseeing the planting of rare rhododendrons at Bannerman Park in Gore are (from left) Gore...

Park helping preserve rare rhodos

Now home to some of the rarest species of rhododendrons in the world, Gore’s Bannerman Park is playing an important role in conservation.

Glorious gold after ‘outstanding’ harvest

Glorious gold after ‘outstanding’ harvest

Leaves turn golden on vines at McArthur Ridge vineyard following the 2022 harvest.
Parks manager awarded horticulture fellowship

Parks manager awarded horticulture fellowship

A Central Otago District Council manager has been awarded a fellowship for his service to horticulture.
Growing ‘red gold’ a labour of love

Growing ‘red gold’ a labour of love

Before the autumn mist has lifted from the Teviot Valley, workers are in the fields at Wynyard Estate Saffron harvesting the lavender flowers from the Crocus sativus.

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

Set to deliver a Drought Shout at Clinton Rugby Clubrooms last week are (clockwise from bottom...

Support, advice provided at morale booster

Tips to battle "insidious" droughts and avoid a financial hangover were shared in Ōwaka and Clinton last week.

Retirement looms for veteran agent

Retirement looms for veteran agent

When Rural Livestock agent Don Roney retires at the end of next month, he will call time on a more than 50-year career.
5 minutes with a duck shooter

5 minutes with a duck shooter

Southern Rural Life spends five minutes with retired farmer Ivan Bruhns (78), of Mosgiel.
Is this the South’s fattest tree?

Is this the South’s fattest tree? You decide...

We love being sent photos by readers, especially one which lays down a challenge.

Rural Events

Omakau-Earnscleugh Collie Club member Alan "Snow" Stewart, of Galloway, with horse Raisin on the...

Unsung heroes of the dog trial champs

The dogs may be the stars of the show, but behind the scenes of the South Island sheep dog championships, two men and their horses are the unsung heroes.

South Island sheep dog trial championships

South Island sheep dog trial championships

The leaderboard at the 4pm call on the third day of the South Island sheep dog trial championships at Earnscleugh Station (in no particular order).
On-farm sale success

On-farm sale success

The solid reputation of calves on offer at back-to-back sales on five stations in Upper Clutha attracted a good spread of buyers last week.
All the fun of the On-Farm Calf Sale

All the fun of the On-Farm Calf Sale

Hundreds of Angus and Hereford calves were auctioned at an annual on-farm sale on five stations in the Upper Clutha last week.

2017 Holden Colorado LTZ D/Cab

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