Rural Life

Ewe’ll be seeing spots with quintuplets

You could be forgiven for thinking you were going dotty.

Alexandra shearing contractor Colin ‘‘Mouse’’ O’Neill (right), along with wife Jeanine and...

Family shares the shearing

When Colin "Mouse" O’Neill first considered setting up as a shearing contractor five years ago, he knew it was a big risk, and he had his family’s future at stake.

Cows big change from animals in Laos

Cows big change from animals in Laos

She has swapped monkeys and tigers for dairy cows and is loving the change of animal.
Rural environment grows ideas just fine

Rural environment grows ideas just fine

Two years ago when he was playing for the Southland Sharks, Clinton man Lydon Aoake struggled to stay motivated.
New ball game for water use

New ball game for water use

Water: it’s the most valuable asset to anyone making a living off the land and Ward Jones, of MacNeil Jones Pumps, is in the box seat as farmers start to feel the bite of falling...

Dairy

Fonterra posts $659m full year profit

Fonterra has posted a profit of $659 million as restructuring, improved sales and margins helped it recover from the previous year's massive loss.

Fonterra buys Australian dairy brand

Fonterra buys Australian dairy brand

Fonterra is to buy Australian company Dairy Country to support its consumer cheese business across the Tasman.
Heading back to the land

Heading back to the land

A job loss has brought Mosgiel man Steve Morris back to his agricultural roots, and the 55-year-old is glad of it.
Cows big change from animals in Laos

Cows big change from animals in Laos

She has swapped monkeys and tigers for dairy cows and is loving the change of animal.

Red Meat

Lyn Jaffray is retiring from Silver Fern Farms after a lengthy tenure with the company. PHOTO:...

Winding up a long career championing New Zealand

When Lyn Jaffray walks out the door of Silver Fern Farms’ headquarters in Dunedin tomorrow, it will be the end of an era, as business and rural editor Sally Rae reports.

Students get taste of deer farming

Students get taste of deer farming

Erika Johnstone comes from a town background but considers farming to be her future.
Many pluses from wintering deer

Many pluses from wintering deer

Wintering deer is good for the animals, good for the environment, good for the paddock and good for the farmer.
Analysing wintering cost

Analysing wintering cost

As wintering deer indoors is becoming more popular, especially with proposed introduction of more and new environmental regulations, Agresearch scientist Dr David Stevens has analysed feeding and...

Rural Events

Horticulture

Weatherstons Brewery owner and Daffodils Trust spokesman Ben Hart enjoys some early spring blooms...

Flourishing daffodils’ family history shared

Lawrence man Ben Hart is looking forward to sharing a special piece of family history with the public once more this weekend.

Wilding pine control efforts ramp up

Wilding pine control efforts ramp up

A nationwide plan to tackle more than 800,000 hectares of wilding pine infestations over the next year will generate up to 550 new jobs and help prevent future wild fires, say Biosecurity Minister...
Five tonnes of citrus fruit brings winter cheer to South

Five tonnes of citrus fruit brings winter cheer to South

Groups in Christchurch, Dunedin, Gore and Central Otago have received over five tonnes of Whangārei citrus fruit for distribution to food centres about the South.
Cherry growers ‘excited’ by airport plan

Cherry growers ‘excited’ by airport plan

Central Otago cherry growers would expect to benefit from a new international airport at Tarras.

Clutha Environment Society sprang a surprise on rural landowners in the Upper Clutha Basin in early June. The two organisations came to an agreement that should clarify, and could tighten, subdivision and development rules in the rural zone.

Aerial top-dressing, deer among highlights of past century

Aerial top-dressing, deer among highlights of past century

In common with a record 70 families set to receive their Century Farm awards in Lawrence last month, the Mackies, of South Otago, were unable to share their story when Covid-19 intervened. Here they take the opportunity to do so.
Farmers farming for today, thinking about tomorrow

Farmers farming for today, thinking about tomorrow

Environmental care and protection is a topic never far from the forefront of public and media discourse.
Cotter passionate about supporting farmers in need

Cotter passionate about supporting farmers in need

Passionate about the rural sector and people’s welfare, Southland Rural Support Trust chairwoman Cathie Cotter says the best aspect of her role is being there for farmers.

Rural Events

Hazlett Livestock junior livestock representatives help out in the Hazlett Farmyard at last year...

Canterbury A&P’s future more secure

The Canterbury A&P Association's future is looking more secure thanks to the generous support from the community.

Lions’ Farmarama postponed to 2023

Lions’ Farmarama postponed to 2023

The Lawrence Lions Club has postponed the 2021 Lawrence McKeown Farmarama until 2023, due to Covid-19 uncertainty.
Indoor trials attract 170 entrants

Indoor trials attract 170 entrants

Sheep dog triallists and their best friends headed to Waimumu, near Gore, last week.
Otago Field Days rise from ashes after interest

Otago Field Days rise from ashes after interest

The Otago Field Days have risen phoenix-like from the ashes of the Covid-19 situation.

People

SIT-Telford GoDairy student Steve Morris. PHOTO: MARY-JO TOHILL

Heading back to the land

A job loss has brought Mosgiel man Steve Morris back to his agricultural roots, and the 55-year-old is glad of it.

Cows big change from animals in Laos

Cows big change from animals in Laos

She has swapped monkeys and tigers for dairy cows and is loving the change of animal.
Family shares the shearing

Family shares the shearing

When Colin "Mouse" O’Neill first considered setting up as a shearing contractor five years ago, he knew it was a big risk, and he had his family’s future at stake.
Scholarship timing ‘perfect’

Scholarship timing ‘perfect’

Maggie Ruddenklau received her $1500 tertiary scholarship from the Upper Clutha A&P Society last year, at exactly the right time.

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