Rural Life

Honey firm Miele hits the sweet spot

Three generations of Frasers are involved in producing gold medal Miele Apiaries honey (from left...

Honey firm Miele hits the sweet spot

Southland food producers are not resting on their laurels, producing new products that are catching national attention and surprising some of New Zealand’s top food industry professionals.

Doing the right thing key: chief exec

Former president of Adidas North America Zion Armstrong turned his life around after a few...

Doing the right thing key: chief exec

A Kiwi executive who went from being a troubled youth to president of Adidas North America is telling farmers to do the right thing, writes Tim Cronshaw.

Many tools available to aid bull buying

Tools and resources are available to help farmers make decisions about which bulls to purchase...

Many tools available to aid bull buying

New Zealand’s beef industry is booming with record prices being paid for weaners.

It’s Friesian out here

It’s Friesian out here

The first heavy frost of the season at Millers Flat late last month did not seem to impress this cow.

Cut-price US butter causing confusion on supermarket shelves

The sunny yellow block (left) is New Zealand made product, while the American butter from grain...

Cut-price US butter causing confusion on supermarket shelves

A cut-price American butter on supermarket shelves, which has been packed in Christchurch, is causing confusion among some shoppers because it's wrapped up like a Kiwi product.

Personal connections key, PGW chief says

PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin has been in the role since mid-2019. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Personal connections key, PGW chief says

PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin likens the business as it exists today to a braided river, reflecting the various mergers that have occurred over the past 175 years.

Dairying couple calling time after 30 years in the field

Anglo stud owners Katy and Tim Button and some of their Holstein Friesian in-calf heifers they...

Dairying couple calling time after 30 years in the field

Catlins dairy farmers Tim and Katy Button are leaving their farm to make way for sharemilkers.

Farmers fundraise to share story

South Otago dairy farmers Sandra and Chris Campbell are fundraising to buy a 1973 Bedford truck...

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

Dairy farmers Tim and Justine McRae and some of their dairy-beef cattle on their farm in...

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

Beef + Lamb New Zealand beef on dairy engagement and relationship manager Lucy Coleman, of...

Programme aims to grow sector

Bobby calves present both a challenge and an opportunity, a southern animal scientist says.

Catlins farmers calling time after three decades

Anglo stud owners Katy and Tim Button and some of their heifer calves they are selling at an...

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.

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

Bushman Gary Townsend with dog Pickle on some logs from a flattened 11ha forestry block just...

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

New Zealand imports about 500,000 tonnes of urea each year. PHOTO: REUTERS

$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

Winds gusting up to 180kmh lifted the roof of this house at Clarendon, between Waihola and Milton...

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’

Leelands Gourmet Meats owners Marc and Jess Hamilton are excited about the potential of their...

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

Keith Gutsell is questioning why New Zealand’s export red meat inspection needs to be changed....

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.

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