Rural Life | Otago Daily Times Online News

Remembering Kirky: Grieving family overwhelmed by community support

Central Otago widow Lizzie Kirk says the community support since her husband's cancer diagnosis and death has been "overwhelming".

Dairy

Fonterra's Edendale site. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Edendale Fonterra site wins top prize

Edendale being crowned the best Fonterra site in New Zealand is recognition of the hard work of its more than 600 staff and their ability to consistently deliver at scale, its manager says.

Otago cows set a national record

Otago cows set a national record

More of the Otago dairy herd got pregnant in the first six weeks of mating in the 2025-26 season compared with the previous year, which helped set a national record for the metric.
PM supports electric collars for cows

PM supports electric collars for cows

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has ruled out any added regulations for virtual fencing technology.
Farmer signs on to organic future

Farmer signs on to organic future

A South Otago dairy farmer believes converting to organic will simplify his farm system, reduce costs and increase profit.

SUBSCRIBER

Judge halts cancellation of $21 million station sale
Lay of the land

Red Meat

Earnscleugh Station High Country Genetics co-owner Duncan Campbell sold Hereford bull Earnscleugh...

$65,000 Hereford bull sets stud record

A $65,000 Hereford bull is a smoking gun, proof the beef industry is humming.

Farmers urged to make most of EBVs

Farmers urged to make most of EBVs

Data is confidence when buying a bull, a North Otago livestock genetic specialist says.
Aussie farmers facing setbacks

Aussie farmers facing setbacks

Australia’s sheep industry is emerging stronger after having the "kitchen sink" thrown at it from long droughts and other pressures.
No bull: Teviot Valley Hereford fetches $50k

No bull: Teviot Valley Hereford fetches $50k

A large bull has set a stud sale record in Teviot Valley.

Horticulture

Some of the inaugural maize crop on Cottesbrook Dairy in West Otago. PHOTO: KIRSTEN MCINTYRE...

Autumn frosts damage trial maize crop

A call is out for southern maize growers to explain how seasonal conditions influence production and crop performance.

Mayors ask McCain to pause factory closure

Mayors ask McCain to pause factory closure

Hawke's Bay mayors have written to McCain asking the international company to pause its closure of a processing plant in the region.
War hero to speak to arable sector

War hero to speak to arable sector

The nation’s most decorated living war hero is giving arable farmers a morale boost in Canterbury.
Orchard being developed by fund

Orchard being developed by fund

A vast apple orchard being developed by the NZ Super Fund over 250 hectares at a cost of $120 million is employing hundreds of workers in Mid-Canterbury.

People

Remembering Murray ‘‘Kirky’’ Kirk at a bull sale at Earnscleugh Station in Central Otago are his...

Remembering Kirky: Grieving family overwhelmed by community support

Central Otago widow Lizzie Kirk says the community support since her husband's cancer diagnosis and death has been "overwhelming".

Gore stalwart recognised

Gore stalwart recognised

Gore farmer Lindsay Wright took his mental health struggles and turned them into service of the Southland rural community for more than two decades.
Ice in their veins: Stewart elated to win national title

Ice in their veins: Stewart elated to win national title

At the age of 74 Central Otago dog triallist Alan “Snow” Stewart has realised a long-held ambition to win a New Zealand Championship event.
Hunt for antler, buttons comes south

Hunt for antler, buttons comes south

An expedition to buy hard antlers and buttons visited the South last week.

Rural Events

Rams, medical science and psychological medicine. PHOTO: ODT FILES

Merino fleece results

Results of the 2026 Nikke Child Cancer fleece competition in Alexandra on Friday.

Rural women survey

Rural women survey

A survey is calling on women living and working on New Zealand farms to share their experiences of mental health and wellbeing.
Fossil Creek Angus

Fossil Creek Angus

Fossil Creek Angus stud offered 76 rising 2-year-old bulls in North Otago last week and sold 72 for an average price of $12,208 including a top price of $26,000 for Fossil Creek...
'Mega event': Crowds flock to Fieldays

'Mega event': Crowds flock to Fieldays

Fieldays got close to a record attendance this year, and had the largest opening day crowd in the event's recent history.

Rural Events

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