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.
Farming
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.
Providing a female take on farm training
Providing a female take on farm training
The best way to succeed is to help others succeed.
Industry proud of sustainable approach
Industry proud of sustainable approach
With a focus on sustainability and profitability, a southern rock lobster industry leader says the work they have done this year has been vindicated.
Casual work led to her love of farming
Casual work led to her love of farming
From a very young age, Martha Broughton (22) had a nurturing attitude towards animals.
Strategic approach to improving water quality on farms essential
Strategic approach to improving water quality on farms essential
Freshwater scientist Chris Arbuckle has had a career in freshwater science and policy and leadership but a few years ago he returned home to Wanaka where he “fell in love with water” during holidays spent by the lake as a child.
Collaborating to create multiscapes
Collaborating to create multiscapes
Researchers at Lincoln University and experts from WAI Wanaka and the Alpine Lakes Research and Education Centre are collaborating to transform degenerating landscapes into what they now call healthy ‘‘multiscapes’’.
Dairy farming journey had rocky start
Dairy farming journey had rocky start
After his first job on a dairy farm at the age of 16, Jason Checketts swore he would never milk a cow again.
Headwaters sheep ‘definitely superior’
Headwaters sheep ‘definitely superior’
‘‘Being part of The Omega Lamb Project really gives you the best of both worlds,’’ North Otago farmer Ben Douglas says.
Breeding about genetics, delivering the best possible returns
Breeding about genetics, delivering the best possible returns
Will Gibson says when it comes to the potential yield from a breeding animal, size does not matter, and big is not always best.
Pande’s role about making difference in employees lives
Pande’s role about making difference in employees lives
Alliance Lorneville plant manager Shashank Pande says the most important aspect of his job is the people —the workers, shareholders, farmers and those involved in the industry.
Function shows farming far from a solitary occupation
Function shows farming far from a solitary occupation
How many people does it take to run a farm?
From farm life to aviation — and back
From farm life to aviation — and back
Sven Thelning is just as comfortable on the farm as he is high in the clouds.
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.
Positive goal but difficult to achieve results to please all
Positive goal but difficult to achieve results to please all
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.