Rural Life

Orchardists confident as cherry season begins

Central Otago’s varied weather this has not hampered cherry orchardists as the season kicks into gear.

Dairy

Cattle graze in front of the Danone Nutricia plant in South Otago. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

Milk auction bull run over with fall of 0.5%

A five-auction winning streak was broken in this week’s GlobalDairyTrade auction as the headline index fell 0.5%.

Warning for consumers after non-compliant raw milk investigated

Warning for consumers after non-compliant raw milk investigated

Unregistered raw milk suppliers have been ordered to stop selling their products after a year-long investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Feeling of being branded ‘unclean’

Feeling of being branded ‘unclean’

North Otago farmers Murray and Gaynor Smith say they feel like they’ve been branded ‘‘unclean’’ as a result of being caught up in the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak.
Supporting farmers to care for their stock

Supporting farmers to care for their stock

Q&A with Ashley Greenwood, DairyNZ Animal Care Extension Specialist in Southland and Otago.

Red Meat

Record lamb prices are predicted again this season. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN

Report: imbue meat brands with regional character

Identifying regional appellations for New Zealand red meat — much like the global wine industry — has been suggested in a report on shaping the future of the red meat sector.

Chinese ban on Oamaru Meats lifted

Chinese ban on Oamaru Meats lifted

A suspension to the China market has been lifted on Oamaru Meats Ltd (OML) and the company has begun trying to re-recruit seasonal workers and suppliers.
Quality rams are proving hard to sell

Quality rams are proving hard to sell

‘‘Good rams’’ remain unsold after last Friday’s Canterbury A&P Association elite ram and ewe sale.
Ram breeders hold first ever on-farm sale

Ram breeders hold first ever on-farm sale

The Lethams, of Hermiston Letham Rams at Mitcham, north of Ashburton, held their first on-farm ram sale last month.

Report: imbue meat brands with regional character

Report: imbue meat brands with regional character

Identifying regional appellations for New Zealand red meat — much like the global wine industry — has been suggested in a report on shaping the future of the red meat sector.
Mid Canty farmer joins INZ board

Mid Canty farmer joins INZ board

Mid Canterbury arable farmer Randal Hanrahan has been elected to the Irrigation New Zealand board of directors.
Farmer leads second Wayleggo Cup win

Farmer leads second Wayleggo Cup win

Andy Clark is proud to boast an unbeaten record as New Zealand sheep dog trials test team captain.

Horticulture

H&J Roberts picker Benny Smith, of Earnscleugh, on the job yesterday during the first day of...

Orchardists confident as cherry season begins

Central Otago’s varied weather this has not hampered cherry orchardists as the season kicks into gear.

Blueberry picking looms

Blueberry picking looms

As leaves fall and berries begin to change from green to blue, Southland’s only blueberry farm is gearing up for another season of hand-picked fun.
Father and son find Central ideal for organic winemaking

Father and son find Central ideal for organic winemaking

Lindsay and Fraser McLachlan have several things in common - apart from being father and son.
Vineyard a labour of love

Vineyard a labour of love

Owning Ashburton's only vineyard has been a labour of love for Esma and Charlie Hill.

Focus on Farming

Ross and Sharon Kirk of Hortinvest. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Experts have say on whether cherries justify their popularity

Faced with all manner of economic worries — from Trump to freshwater policies — where might investors put their hard-won savings in the hope of a better than deposit rate return? Might cherries —...

Turning challenges into a strength

Turning challenges into a strength

The dual challenges of landscape and climatic diversity can also be a strength, says Fernvale Genetics farmer Lloyd Brenssell.
South Otago group buying in to idea of improving environment

South Otago group buying in to idea of improving environment

Southern farmers have come in for a public bashing in certain sections of the media during recent months, as unflattering winter grazing conditions hit the spotlight. Richard Davison takes a look...
High-country stations work on keeping Lake Wanaka pristine

High-country stations work on keeping Lake Wanaka pristine

Keeping Lake Wanaka pristine for future generations is on the wish list for many of us, and that includes the majority of high-country farmers whose properties lie within the lake catchment. Kerrie...

Rural Events

Sheep convener Warwick Seaton checks one of his Suffolk ewes at the Courtenay A&P Show. Photo...

A&P show short of sheep entries

Like many agricultural shows, the Courtenay A&P Show is struggling to fill its sheep pens.

Farmer leads second Wayleggo Cup win

Farmer leads second Wayleggo Cup win

Andy Clark is proud to boast an unbeaten record as New Zealand sheep dog trials test team captain.
Children get a taste of showing at club day

Children get a taste of showing at club day

Local school children got their chance to shine at Canterbury Agricultural Park last Thursday.
A first as South hosts endurance event

A first as South hosts endurance event

April 2020 will be the first time the New Zealand Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Championships will be hosted further south than Christchurch.

People

After a mystery illness in 2018, stock manager Leo Hamilton has been focussing on fitness and dog training. Photo: Alice Scott

Stock manager laid low by mystery illness

Life has taken on a new perspective for stock manager Leo Hamilton after a mystery illness put him in the intensive care unit at Dunedin Hospital with no eyesight nor any feeling below his nose.

Young calf handler tastes success

Young calf handler tastes success

Emily Agnew (16) does not live on a farm, but she is so passionate about dairy farming that she regularly borrows calves to take them to shows to compete in handler competitions.
Mid Canty farmer joins INZ board

Mid Canty farmer joins INZ board

Mid Canterbury arable farmer Randal Hanrahan has been elected to the Irrigation New Zealand board of directors.
Dakins Ambassador of Year win ‘humbling’

Dakins Ambassador of Year win ‘humbling’

Border Leicester sheep breeders Mark and Robyn Copland took out the coveted Dakins Ambassador of the Year title at the New Zealand Agricultural Show.

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