Farmers urged to give solar a go
Maniototo farmer Becks Smith spoke about the benefits of installing solar energy systems at an event exploring the future of farming. Shawn McAvinue was there.
Red Meat
Fonterra confident it can extend double-digit payout streak
Fonterra confident it can extend double-digit payout streak
Fonterra is "confident" it can get another double-digit payout over the line after handing farmers a record $10.16 for each kilogram of milksolids produced in 2024/25.
Town’s compost used on farm
Town’s compost used on farm
South Canterbury sheep and beef farmers are "thinking outside the box" by applying compost created from garden and food waste collected from kerbside bins.
‘Virtual shepherd’ shows productivity benefits
‘Virtual shepherd’ shows productivity benefits
Waitaki Valley farmer Richard Subtil has put virtual shepherd neckbands on his beef cows to keep them out of waterways and has discovered many more benefits.
Sky’s the limit for use of drones
Sky’s the limit for use of drones
A swarm of drones have been deployed to kill a pest in Central Otago.
Tb testing to bring buyers peace of mind
Tb testing to bring buyers peace of mind
Testing calves for bovine tuberculosis (Tb) has begun on a Central Otago farm before a new livestock movement control area is introduced that will affect more than 100 properties.
Fonterra posts $1.1 billion profit
Fonterra posts $1.1 billion profit
Dairy giant Fonterra’s profit after tax result of $1.1 billion for the financial year ending July is down 4% but its farmer shareholders have enjoyed a record payout.
Life’s journey leads from Zimbabwe to Central Otago
Life’s journey leads from Zimbabwe to Central Otago
From rural Zimbabwe to the rolling hills of Central Otago, Conrad Kamota’s journey has come full circle — from finance professional to aspiring farmer.
From Waimumu to the world
From Waimumu to the world
Winning the 2024 Southern Rural Life Innovation Awards at Waimumu’s Southern Field Days was just the start for Grant Lightfoot.
Win sweet for St Hilda’s
Win sweet for St Hilda’s
Some female farming X-factor has led to St Hilda’s Collegiate School jointly winning an agriculture contest, herding the boys into the back paddock.
Identical bull triplets a surprise
Identical bull triplets a surprise
There is a lot of bull being seen on a dairy farm just south of Gore.
Search for A&P queen resumes
Search for A&P queen resumes
The search for the ultimate southern belle resumes this summer, as a long-standing tradition returns to Balclutha’s showgrounds.
Rebate from proposed sale ‘insignificant’
Rebate from proposed sale ‘insignificant’
Alliance Group released new information last Thursday including an "insignificant" rebate to its farmer-shareholders if they accept a proposal to sell a majority share of their red meat co-operative.
Farmers urged to give solar a go
Farmers urged to give solar a go
Farmers are good at turning sunlight into energy, Maniototo sheep, beef and deer farmer Becks Smith says.
Sky’s the limit for use of drones
Sky’s the limit for use of drones
Unmanned aircraft are the future for agricultural spraying, engineer Scott Spooner says.
‘Virtual shepherd’ shows productivity benefits
‘Virtual shepherd’ shows productivity benefits
Waitaki Valley farmer Richard Subtil has put virtual shepherd neckbands on his beef cows to keep them out of waterways and has discovered many more benefits.
Town’s compost used on farm
Town’s compost used on farm
South Canterbury sheep and beef farmers are "thinking outside the box" by applying compost created from garden and food waste collected from kerbside bins.
Wool ‘valuable fibre’ for economy
Wool ‘valuable fibre’ for economy
Millennial and Gen Z shoppers who buy fashionable clothes for resale when they tire of them are among overseas trends towards longer-lasting garments being tracked by the NZ Merino Company (NZM).
Rural spending expected to increase
Rural spending expected to increase
A tight grip on wallets is about to loosen as dairy farmers usher in another double-digit payout from Fonterra.
Hands-on agricultural experience
Hands-on agricultural experience
Waimate High School’s new initiative — the AgHub — is already cultivating excitement across South Canterbury.