Catlins farmers calling time after three decades
After nearly 30 years dairy farming in the South, Tim and Katy Button are calling time on milking cows to transition to an easier life.
Red Meat
Farmers fundraise to share story
Farmers fundraise to share story
A baby blue Bedford truck will be a vehicle to tell a biodiversity story about a dairy farm in South Otago.
Farmers grow out dairy-beef calves to reduce waste
Farmers grow out dairy-beef calves to reduce waste
Beef production is an integral part of a dairy farm business in Southland, its owners say.
Programme aims to grow sector
Programme aims to grow sector
Bobby calves present both a challenge and an opportunity, a southern animal scientist says.
Lay of the land
Lay of the land
Beef calves from eight properties were offered at back-to-back auctions on five properties near Wānaka last week.
Friendly cat seeks pests, attention
Friendly cat seeks pests, attention
Biscuit the cat attends a ram auction at the Gore A&P Showgrounds earlier this year, watched by vendor Jason Smith, of Maniototo.
Claims still being settled year later
Claims still being settled year later
It had all the hallmarks of a Hollywood blockbuster.
Concerns over dependence on imported fertiliser
Concerns over dependence on imported fertiliser
While all eyes are on the prices at the fuel pumps around New Zealand, an Otago economist has exposed a dangerous blind spot — our dependence on imported fertiliser for farming.
$3b fertiliser plant proposed for South
$3b fertiliser plant proposed for South
An Australian company has announced plans for a $3 billion fertiliser plant in Southland, converting lignite to urea.
Storm helped drive big claims rise
Storm helped drive big claims rise
Of the record 46 storms to hit New Zealand over the past 12 months, Otago and Southland’s October 2025 windstorm was the most damaging.
Paddock-to-plate business given ‘twist’
Paddock-to-plate business given ‘twist’
A trip to the United States three years ago was a catalyst for Marc and Jess Hamilton to add a paddock-to-plate lamb business to their already busy lives.
Groundswell files appeal against GDC
Groundswell files appeal against GDC
A dispute over Gore’s district plan will be played out in court, after lobby group Groundswell filed an appeal against the council in the Environment Court.
View body should lead fight against proposed changes
View body should lead fight against proposed changes
A former Public Service Association national president is going to great lengths to express concern around proposed changes to meat inspector roles.
Infestation adds to worries for beekeepers
Infestation adds to worries for beekeepers
Otago beekeepers say the job has become more intense and technical, there being seemingly more questions than answers around the varroa mite.
Woollen wonders mark anniversary
Woollen wonders mark anniversary
Fleece to fashion and everything in between was the theme of the WS Hickey & Son’s 70 years in business celebration recently.
Career change pays off for manager
Career change pays off for manager
If Covid-19 had never arrived, Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year Lauren McConnachie would still be overseas working in the tourism industry.
Black sheep come in from the cold
Black sheep come in from the cold
For once, the black sheep were not on the outer in Gore last weekend.
Covid-19 to thank for winning career shift
Covid-19 to thank for winning career shift
If Covid-19 had never arrived Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year Lauren McConnachie would still be overseas working in the tourism industry.
Farm ownership in Laliches’ sights
Farm ownership in Laliches’ sights
Canterbury couple Marc and Megan Lalich have crossed the halfway point for their dream goal of owning a dairy farm.
First-farm buyers urged to persevere
First-farm buyers urged to persevere
An emotionally draining search has come to an end for Braden and Biddy Barnes who have bought their first dairy farm in Canterbury’s Sheffield.