Appetite to keep learning a defining trait
The picturesque view from David and Roz Grant’s kitchen, in Methven, looks towards snow-covered Mt Hutt.
Farming
Plantain in diet comes with advice
Plantain in diet comes with advice
Expect showers in the milking shed if the cows have been eating plantain, a central Southland sharemilker warns.
Southern seed sector set to grow
Southern seed sector set to grow
Expect seed to continue to flourish, a South Otago seed grower says.
Direct drilling no-till system good
Direct drilling no-till system good
Southern growers featured at the Federated Farmers Arable Industry Awards in Christchurch earlier this month. Shawn McAvinue talks to them about their mixed cropping operations.
Waitaki winemakers beat overall trend
Waitaki winemakers beat overall trend
Waitaki winemakers have been among the lucky ones this year, reaping a solid harvest despite a challenging year for New Zealand growers as a whole.
Malaysian firm to convert Southland farm into forestry block
Malaysian firm to convert Southland farm into forestry block
A Malaysian company has been given consent to buy a nearly 460ha sheep and beef farm in Western Southland.
Cherry orchard preparing for ‘electric future’
Cherry orchard preparing for ‘electric future’
At Forest Lodge Orchard in Central Otago, owners Mike and Rebecca Casey are "electrifying everything".
Chilling work to prune olive grove in winter but heating skills pay off
Chilling work to prune olive grove in winter but heating skills pay off
In the Cromwell basin’s midwinter gloom, it is hard to imagine the burning heat of the Central Otago summer that produces the region’s famous fruit.
Winter crop contest raises $64,500
Winter crop contest raises $64,500
The annual Taieri Winter Crop Competition and Charity Auction has returned to raise more than ever before.
Seedling firm optimistic good growth ahead
Seedling firm optimistic good growth ahead
"Strong momentum and supportive tail winds" have created an optimistic outlook for the New Zealand operation of a global genetics seedling company.
‘Trepidation’ despite boost to harvest
‘Trepidation’ despite boost to harvest
Central Otago’s viticulture sector defied the odds for this year’s harvest, posting a 21% increase over the previous vintage against a 19% fall nationally.
Furrow fellowship straight and true
Furrow fellowship straight and true
Octogenarian Colin Cross took to the field recently in the Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club ploughing match at Rob Butterick’s Farm, at Wakanui.
Truffle ‘price war’ divides growers
Truffle ‘price war’ divides growers
The harvest of Perigord black truffles has started and a "price war" continues as values remain a third of historical prices.
Campaign geared to keep workers between harvests
Campaign geared to keep workers between harvests
Cromwell residents are being encouraged to offer odd jobs to horticulture workers between harvests this year, through an ongoing campaign geared at encouraging them to stay.
Apple exports hit hard by lack of labour
Apple exports hit hard by lack of labour
An industry forecast of a $100million drop in export earnings from apples this season — due to a lack of labour to pick the crop — could be conservative, ANZ’s latest Agri-Focus report says.
Orchardist to enjoy weekend sleep-ins
Orchardist to enjoy weekend sleep-ins
Saturday marked the end of an era, as Teviot Valley orchardist Wes Reichel retired from the Otago Farmers Market after 18 years of early morning starts.
Research and trials taking fodder beet to the next level
Research and trials taking fodder beet to the next level
It is a bright crisp autumn day in North Otago, and the fodder beet crop waves gently in the breeze.
Villa Maria wine company owners in receivership
Villa Maria wine company owners in receivership
The owner of wine company Villa Maria has been placed into receivership.
Seed-dressing plant officially opened
Seed-dressing plant officially opened
With the push of a button, Luisetti Seeds’ multimillion-dollar investment supporting New Zealand’s arable industry roared to life.
40-year pastoralist now forestry leader
40-year pastoralist now forestry leader
Tom Ward admits it is "somewhat ironic" that after spending 40 years pursuing pastoral primary industry, he should now be looking at forestry.