First-time farm owners prove the doubters wrong
Dairy farmers Ann and Scott Henderson have taken the next step in their career, calling time on sharemilking in South Otago to enter an equity partnership in Central Southland this season.
Rural Events
Mentors, attitude key to ownership
Mentors, attitude key to ownership
Dairy farming is the best way to progress to land ownership in the primary sector "by a long shot" but it takes longer than it once did, Federated Farmers share farmer chairman Marcus Frost says.
Micro-abattoir boosts supply security
Micro-abattoir boosts supply security
A Southland micro-abattoir is "opening doors" for farmers wanting to sell the meat they produce.
Late-calving cows get to dine first on swedes
Late-calving cows get to dine first on swedes
In a winter series, Shawn McAvinue asks farmers about their winter crop.
Lions raise $78,000
Lions raise $78,000
Lawrence Lions Club has raised $78,000 towards good causes, thanks to the humble brassica.
Angus, exotics excel at competition
Angus, exotics excel at competition
For the first time, Angus carcasses have won both of the top hook honours at a Southern beef competition.
Bull sale helps keep rescue crew in southern skies
Bull sale helps keep rescue crew in southern skies
A North Otago bull breeder hopes more stud owners will follow suit and donate a share of their sales to charity.
Southern growers given new voice
Southern growers given new voice
Growers have a "strong voice" in the South.
H5N1 bird flu may be ‘catastrophic’
H5N1 bird flu may be ‘catastrophic’
There are fears New Zealand’s poultry industry and native bird population could be decimated, following the arrival of H5N1 bird flu.
Central mourns ‘advocate’ for region
Central mourns ‘advocate’ for region
One of Central Otago’s brightest stars and biggest advocates is being remembered as someone who was truly at home in the district.
Shipping snags send ploughmen scrambling
Shipping snags send ploughmen scrambling
Southern ploughman Mark Dillon is scrambling to get his tractor and plough to the world championship in Croatia after being hit by a series of shipping delays.
Waihola dairy farmers expand battle to control rabbits
Waihola dairy farmers expand battle to control rabbits
The rabbit population is booming in Waihola.
Call to protect whitebait spawning sites
Call to protect whitebait spawning sites
Farmers can help protect "love zones" where whitebait spawn, a freshwater ranger says.
Barn to ‘future-proof’ family farm
Barn to ‘future-proof’ family farm
The introduction of winter milking will help pay for the construction of a more than $2 million barn on a family dairy farm in Southland.
Bale-grazing wintering system hailed
Bale-grazing wintering system hailed
Cattle are warm and happy eating and lying on hay in a paddock during winter, Southland farmers say.
Competition winners announced
Competition winners announced
A winemaker and a viticulturist were crowned the best young professionals in their respective fields in Central Otago.
Spray specialists target accuracy
Spray specialists target accuracy
Canadian spraying specialists will teach arable growers the best way to hit their target at workshops in the South next month.
Freshwater programme successful
Freshwater programme successful
Central Otago growers have been part of a successful programme providing on-farm support, training and practical resources in growing areas where freshwater risks are higher.
Snow blankets region as winter hits
Snow blankets region as winter hits
As heavy rain flooded coastal Otago to begin last week, parts inland were transformed into spectacular snowy scenes.
Grower speaks from experience on farm safety
Grower speaks from experience on farm safety
As farm injuries go it was fairly tame but dismounting from a tractor came at a price for Leeston arable farmer David Birkett.