Focus on Farming

Former townie making a go of it as head shepherd on Longacre Station

Ben Maxwell with some of his dogs. Mr Maxwell has traded Invercargill for farming in the Lindis...

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

Cromwell’s Lee Murray high in the hills near Garston. Photo: Supplied

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

Gemma and Mike Smith. PHOTO: GUY WILLIAMS

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

Maungawera farmer Grant Ruddenklau says there will always be agriculture in the Upper Clutha....

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

Lyndon and Jane Strang survey the restoration work being undertaken on their Five Forks farm....

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

Laura Gardyne blood-tests cattle at Riversdale. . PHOTOS: VALU MAKA

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

Strong Wool Action Group executive officer Andy Caughey is helping to carry out the...

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

Crunchy managing director Benji Biswas at his microgreen growing business in Invercargill. Photo:...

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

Dairy farmers Tony Brock (left) and his son, Cameron, are 50:50 sharemilking in Kaitangata. PHOTO...

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

Oamaru vet Celia Van Kampen enjoys the variety of her work. PHOTO: REBECCA RYAN

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

Project manager Shane Bocock (left) checks in with Habitat Restorations worker Gabriel Kennedy...

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

Anna Gillespie and husband Ben have a working relationship that transcends marriage and business....

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

Clinton Lions member Michael Morris, of Kuriwao, hoists a lamb into the tailing chute. PHOTO:...

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

Walter Peak High Country Farm rural operations coordinator Peter Hamilton with his working dogs....

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

Hamish Hutton with some of his steers. PHOTO: PHILIP CHANDLER

Natural fertilisers increasingly popular

Wakatipu farmers and lifestyle-block owners are increasingly taking to natural fertilisers.

Cut-flower farming grew after few seeds planted

Anna Mackay with dogwood, rhododendron and crab apple flowers. PHOTOS: MARK PRICE

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

Fairlight Foundation executive director Laura Douglas with ‘‘her boys’’ on Fairlight Station....

Providing a female take on farm training

The best way to succeed is to help others succeed.

Industry proud of sustainable approach

The value of the landed catch from CRA8 is estimated to be $122.4 million. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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

Martha Broughton was able to combine her passion for dogs with her dream job as genetic manager...

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

Chris Arbuckle, of Aspiring Environmental and Touchstone, at Beacon Point Lake Wanaka. PHOTO:...

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.

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