Rural Life | Otago Daily Times Online News

Farm ownership result of full-on focus for ex-townies

Andrew and Nikita Gerritsen have bought their first dairy farm.

Dairy

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Scientists hit back over PM's 'worthies' comment

A British scientist says it's concerning Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has dismissed him and other climate scientists as "worthies" for raising concerns about plans to lower NZ's methane emissions target.

Discussion groups to return for dairy farmers

Discussion groups to return for dairy farmers

Dairy farmer discussion groups are back.
School cashes in on buttery bullion

School cashes in on buttery bullion

A primary school in Canterbury has turned to the buttery bullion instead of fundraising favourites like chocolate or cookies.
Dairy boss blames soaring butter prices on global demand

Dairy boss blames soaring butter prices on global demand

The head of Fonterra says he understands consumers' frustration about the price of butter, but the co-op has to deliver for farmers.

Red Meat

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Lay of the land

Beef + Lamb New Zealand research shows prices for farm inputs fell 0.6% in the year to March.

Bull pulls a record price

Bull pulls a record price

Angus bull Fossil Creek Urban U032 AB bellows after being sold for $71,000 at the 25th annual Fossil Creek bull sale in North Otago yesterday.
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Pests impede deer repellent trial

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Pests impede deer repellent trial

Possums are interfering with a trial to find out if white-tail deer avoid bait laced with a deer repellent.
Call for ‘townie’ dogs to be dosed

Call for ‘townie’ dogs to be dosed

Manuherikia sheep farmer Irene Leask believes "townie ignorance" is costing her business.

Horticulture

Organic Solutions director and co-founder James Porteous packs a truck with organic vegetables in...

North Otago organic vege grower in liquidation

A North Otago organic vegetable growing business, recently approached to appear on Country Calendar, has gone into voluntary liquidation owing more than $1million, while a subsidiary company...

Forestry hand’s ‘natural ability’ a factor in win

Forestry hand’s ‘natural ability’ a factor in win

"Just be keen as beans."
Organic vege grower in liquidation

Organic vege grower in liquidation

A North Otago organic vegetable growing business, recently approached to appear on Country Calendar, has gone into voluntary liquidation owing more than $1 million.
Striking pink-fleshed apples grown in Otago

Striking pink-fleshed apples grown in Otago

Some of the first pinky-red-fleshed apples ever grown in New Zealand are being picked from trees in Otago.

People

PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE

Farm ownership result of full-on focus for ex-townies

Andrew and Nikita Gerritsen have bought their first dairy farm.

Sale result testimony to life’s work

Sale result testimony to life’s work

Former Fossil Creek Angus owner Rose Sanderson reckons her late husband Neil would be ecstatic with a bull sale result in North Otago last week that included a record top...
Chances of NZ win pretty good: triallist

Chances of NZ win pretty good: triallist

East Otago triallist Lloyd Smith and his heading dog Code are in a team out to beat their Australian rivals and bring home the Wayleggo Cup.
Couple’s first year on farm working well

Couple’s first year on farm working well

Brendan and Avril Lane are celebrating their first season as owners of a dairy farm on an island in South Otago.

Rural Events

Fairlight Foundation executive director Laura Koot says those behind the initiative have a...

Setting women up for life in agriculture

"We have 12 months to prepare them as best we can for the rest of their lives."

Bonds formed during internship

Bonds formed during internship

Although she does not graduate until December, Fairlight Foundation intern Nerida Bateup is already sad about leaving her fellow interns.
Programme paved way into rural mental health

Programme paved way into rural mental health

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in the King Country, Emma Foss never properly considered farming as a viable profession for a woman.
Farmer ‘ecstatic’ after clean sweep at competition

Farmer ‘ecstatic’ after clean sweep at competition

Taieri farmer Geoff Edgar won both of the top prizes at the recent 2025 Otago-Southland Hoof and Hook Beef Competition.

Rural Events

ODT Regions

Invercargill Lotto winner
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Council amalgamation proposal rejected
Lake Wakatipu’s first ‘sharks’ ready to ride
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Hundreds of vintage dolls set to be sold