Rural Life

Farmers air frustrations over climate change blame

Tension lay heavy in a room full of farmers this week, many of them feeling as though the whole country had been pointing the finger at them.

Dairy

Tapanui historian Charlie Davis is leading a project to conserve the 106-year-old former Kelso...

Monument to southern dairying

When a West Otago heritage landmark was threatened with demolition last winter, it appeared the end might be in sight for the sadly down-at-heel edifice.

Milk producers stymied

Milk producers stymied

Two Southland raw milk producers believe current sale and transport regulations are limiting their ability to expand their business and they have told the Government that.
Raw milk regulations need 'a little bit of flexibility'

Raw milk regulations need 'a little bit of flexibility'

Farm Fresh South is a boutique dairy farm at Woodlands, specialising in raw milk sales.
Runner-up for Dairy Manager of the Year

Runner-up for Dairy Manager of the Year

Gore dairy farm manager James Matheson (25) was named runner-up in the 2019 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards' Dairy Manager of the Year competition in Wellington on Saturday night.

Red Meat

Southland Federated Farmers president Geoffrey Young (left) and NZ First MP Mark Patterson...

Farmers air frustrations over climate change blame

Tension lay heavy in a room full of farmers this week, many of them feeling as though the whole country had been pointing the finger at them.

Bid to assess 'M. bovis' scheme surge

Bid to assess 'M. bovis' scheme surge

An independent report has been commissioned into the cause and effects of the current surge in the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme and to identify additional immediate improvements.
Breeders on tour

Breeders on tour

Bruce Robertson describes the fellowship of Dorset Down breeders as being like a family.
Cattle escape from freezing works; shot dead

Cattle escape from freezing works; shot dead

Four cattle beasts seen hoofing it from an Auckland meatworks have been shot by police in a local domain.

Omakau family has longstanding links with farm

Omakau family has longstanding links with farm

Although the Leask family has been farming near Omakau for 154 years, they cannot officially prove it.
Stunned, humbled by presentation

Stunned, humbled by presentation

Kaitangata dairy farmer Stephen Korteweg thought the Federated Farmers Otago annual meeting in Alexandra on Friday night would be business as usual, but he was in for a surprise.
Summerfruit NZ plans big spend for industry growth

Summerfruit NZ plans big spend for industry growth

Summerfruit New Zealand (SNZ) is planning to spend nearly $17 million during the next seven years to grow the summerfruit industry.

Horticulture

Mechanised future for fruit orchards

The orchard of the future will be highly digitised and more productive, with fruit being grown in a protected environment and tended by robots, says Plant and Food Research (PFR) scientist Dr Jill...

Summerfruit NZ plans big spend for industry growth

Summerfruit NZ plans big spend for industry growth

Summerfruit New Zealand (SNZ) is planning to spend nearly $17 million during the next seven years to grow the summerfruit industry.
Saffron a growing business

Saffron a growing business

Often regarded as the world’s most expensive spice, saffron is now being grown in the Waitaki Valley.
Investor bids for cherry orchards being processed

Investor bids for cherry orchards being processed

Applications for investors wishing to be part of two multimillion-dollar cherry developments in Otago are being processed.

Tarras farmer Jayne Rive sits at the kitchen table of the Cloudy Peak homestead in the Ardgour Valley, her eyes ever-animated as she talks about the uncertainty involved with securing irrigation water for the family farm.

Southern Young Farmer finalists feeling community support

Southern Young Farmer finalists feeling community support

Alan Harvey grew up watching the Young Farmer of the Year contest on television and it was something he aspired to be part of.
South’s Ballance Farm Awards finalists named

South’s Ballance Farm Awards finalists named

It's time to celebrate excellence in the farming sector.
Oregon couple living the dream despite problems with predators

Oregon couple living the dream despite problems with predators

Bill and Sharon Gow reckon they are living the dream. The American ranchers, who were holidaying in New Zealand recently, run a cow-calf ranch in Roseburg, Oregon.

Rural Events

Southern Field Days, in Waimumu, is one of the biggest field days in the country and is only...

Rush to book 2020 Field Days sites

Even though site bookings for the 2020 Southern Field Days only opened at noon last Friday secretary Sharon Paterson has already received more than 150.

A&P show attracts big turnout

A&P show attracts big turnout

Rain clouds threatened but never came to anything as a big crowd estimated at between 12,000 and 15,000 people converged on Fairlie for the 121st Mackenzie Highland A&P show on Easter Monday.
Dobbs takes blade title

Dobbs takes blade title

Tony Dobbs showed he is the best blade shearer in the country when he competed at the Mackenzie Highland A&P show in his home town of Fairlie at Easter.
Pumpkins, ponies and produce attract 'good turnout'

Pumpkins, ponies and produce attract 'good turnout'

Pumpkins, horses and magic. It might sound like Cinderella's ball, but this strange combination comprised the South Otago A&P Society's third annual Giant Pumpkin Day in Balclutha.

People

Sam and Irene Leask farm near Ophir and will receive a bronze plaque to acknowledge the family...

Omakau family has longstanding links with farm

Although the Leask family has been farming near Omakau for 154 years, they cannot officially prove it.

Stunned, humbled by presentation

Stunned, humbled by presentation

Kaitangata dairy farmer Stephen Korteweg thought the Federated Farmers Otago annual meeting in Alexandra on Friday night would be business as usual, but he was in for a surprise.
Claim police raids 'over the top'

Claim police raids 'over the top'

Police have been accused of targeting "everyday Kiwis'' during recent armed raids to seize firearms on rural South Island properties.
From Aussie jackeroo to Dunedin consultant

From Aussie jackeroo to Dunedin consultant

Sam Harburg may have grown up in the city but his affinity for agriculture developed at a young age.

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