Couple touting picking strawberries as fun family outing
From bulls to berries — they are polar opposites but Ben and Rebecca Trotter are hoping they attract.
Farming
Farming changes through generations on Lindisvale family property
Farming changes through generations on Lindisvale family property
The Trevathan family has been farming at Lindisvale, near Tarras, since 1914. Marjorie Cook meets fifth-generation Trevathan, Maggie and chats with her dad, Jonny, and grandparents about farming changes over five generations.
Shearing his passion for six decades
Shearing his passion for six decades
Shearing — both the industry and the sport — has been a lifetime love for New Zealand Merino Shearing Society life member Graeme Bell.
Edendale goat breeder only too happy to share knowledge
Edendale goat breeder only too happy to share knowledge
On a 100ha dairy farm at Seaward Downs, near Edendale, Donna Morton runs about 40 Saanen goats in her Ardee stud.
Former townie making a go of it as head shepherd on Longacre Station
Former townie making a go of it as head shepherd on Longacre Station
Ben Maxwell could be described as a throwback to a different era, one where the best rugby players were weaned on the land.
From ‘hopeless in the hills' to 'hearty' hunter
From ‘hopeless in the hills' to 'hearty' hunter
Partly, it’s the thrill of the chase. Mostly it’s spending hours alone in his backyard — the hills around Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes — that puts a smile on Lee Murray’s dial.
Combining Angus stud with child care as they work towards buying farm
Combining Angus stud with child care as they work towards buying farm
Queenstown couple Mike and Gemma Smith are proof there are other ways to make a living in their part of the world than jet-boat rides and pushing tourists off bridges with rubber bands attached.
Patience needed as farmers unable to effect change on their own all at once
Patience needed as farmers unable to effect change on their own all at once
Patience, please. We’re changing. That is the appeal from Maungawera farmer Grant Ruddenklau, as the rural sector navigates new freshwater regulations and climate change pressures.
Setting up for a strong future
Setting up for a strong future
Every summer, carloads of people arrive at Lyndon and Jane Strang’s Five Forks farm in North Otago, trying to access a swimming hole near the bottom of their property.
Newly qualified vet loving her work
Newly qualified vet loving her work
New graduate veterinarian Laura Gardyne is hoping to gain a few points on the Northern Southland Vets calving scoreboard this calving season.
Group empowering strong wool sector
Group empowering strong wool sector
A group set up to support growers of strong wool and bring their fibres back to market in a way relevant to consumer trends is due to wind up at the end of the year and present its recommendations.
Tackling food wastage and changing the world one green at a time
Tackling food wastage and changing the world one green at a time
Watching a documentary about food wastage two years ago affected Invercargill man Benji Biswas so much, he decided he needed to do his bit to counteract it.
Father aiming to set son up for dairy farm ownership
Father aiming to set son up for dairy farm ownership
The 25-year history of a family sharemilking on the same South Otago property is set to continue and grow.
Making the most of a move south
Making the most of a move south
Life is a balancing act for Celia Van Kampen. The Oamaru vet tells Rebecca Ryan how she successfully fits her busy sporting schedule in around her work.
New umbrella for catchment groups
New umbrella for catchment groups
The latest evolution in coordinated catchment activity in Otago has been getting its ducks in a row this month, thanks to $200,000 seed funding from the Otago Regional Council and a further $150,000 from MPI.
Sustainability, teamwork pays off for duo
Sustainability, teamwork pays off for duo
Anna Gillespie’s relationship with husband Ben could best be described as symbiotic. It works so well the Omakau farmers are multi-award winners. One thing you should never do is call Mrs Gillespie a ‘‘farmer’s wife’’
Lions pride of Clinton for work raising money for good causes
Lions pride of Clinton for work raising money for good causes
One unforeseen aspect of lockdown for the Clinton area of South Otago was a forced reduction in fundraising activity, but the district’s Lions service group has recently redoubled its efforts in an attempt to boost its community coffers.
Passion for chasing sheep key trait
Passion for chasing sheep key trait
Walter Peak High Country Farm rural operations co-ordinator Peter Hamilton is in the business of showing the public what the working dog can do.
Natural fertilisers increasingly popular
Natural fertilisers increasingly popular
Wakatipu farmers and lifestyle-block owners are increasingly taking to natural fertilisers.
Cut-flower farming grew after few seeds planted
Cut-flower farming grew after few seeds planted
Anna Mackay, of Spotts Creek Station in the Cardrona Valley, has diversified into cut flowers. She described to Mark Price her experiences so far.