New water policies will hobble farmers
Farmers are being hamstrung by well-meaning but poorly targeted regulation, writes Simon Davies of Otago Federated Farmers.
Rural Life Other
Delays in cattle deaths report a 'nightmare' for farmers
Delays in cattle deaths report a 'nightmare' for farmers
An investigation into the poisoning of cattle with 1080 on a King Country farm a year ago still has not been completed, leaving the owners angry over what they say is either a cover-up or buck...
Freshwater changes not set yet
Freshwater changes not set yet
The Government’s Action Plan for Healthy Waterways proposal includes tighter restrictions for farmers, including restrictions on land intensification, improvements to "risky" farm...
Freshwater change: What the industry is saying
Freshwater change: What the industry is saying
We take a look at what some of the key industry players are saying about the proposed freshwater changes.
ORC candidates quizzed on future of farming
ORC candidates quizzed on future of farming
How do candidates standing for the Otago Regional Council see the future of farming in Otago? That question and others has been posed to all candidates by Southern Rural Life ahead of next month's local body election.
Merino shearing entries open
Merino shearing entries open
Entries are open for the highlight of the merino shearing year - the 58th annual Merino Shears competition.
Bloat biggest killer of pet lambs
Bloat biggest killer of pet lambs
Lamb bloat is one of the most common and heart-breaking killers of pet lambs, especially those over 2-weeks-old.
Arable farmers hailed as example to sector
Arable farmers hailed as example to sector
The arable sector has been lauded as an example of what it means to be sustainable and diverse.
Rural communities could be more 'aged-friendly'
Rural communities could be more 'aged-friendly'
New Zealand needs to find ways to make rural communities aged-friendly, University of Otago rural health senior research fellow Fiona Doolan-Noble says.
One-stop shop rural waste event 'a cracker'
One-stop shop rural waste event 'a cracker'
Southland farmers took advantage of the Agrecovery ''one-stop shop'' pilot rural waste management event at Limehills last week.
FAR head brings research history
FAR head brings research history
Alison Stewart describes herself as a ''Scotsperson who happens to be living in New Zealand''.
Otago slips on economic scoreboard
Otago slips on economic scoreboard
Otago has slipped five places to 10th-equal in the June quarter's ASB regional economic scoreboard, with a weak labour market and retail sector being cited.
Land studies expanding
Land studies expanding
Rangiora High School's (RHS) land-based studies programme is expanding to meet the needs of a changing world.
Mental health services often difficult to access
Mental health services often difficult to access
Accessing mental health services remains a major barrier for many rural communities, Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland believes.
New campaign promotes wool's benefits
New campaign promotes wool's benefits
Recent experiments in Japan measured the efficiencies of using wool carpet versus a synthetic option in two identical houses.
Possum and pig carcasses dumped
Possum and pig carcasses dumped
A concerned Kaitangata resident signalled the alarm yesterday after finding a pile of dead possums and a scattering of dead pigs on the edge of Wangaloa Rd near Kaitangata School.
Horses injured, put down after massive electrical storm
Horses injured, put down after massive electrical storm
Dozens of horses have been injured and at least three put down after an electrical storm some Northlanders say was the fiercest they've ever experienced.
Water rules welcomed by some
Water rules welcomed by some
Southern councils and environmentalists are welcoming a swath of proposed regulations aimed at cleaning New Zealand waters, but some farmers say the tighter rules will hurt the rural economy.
Water plan 'not war on farmers': PM
Water plan 'not war on farmers': PM
A swathe of regulations meant to clean New Zealand waters is not a war on farmers, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.
MP fears new water regulations threaten farmers
MP fears new water regulations threaten farmers
An expected tightening of freshwater regulations could force southern farmers out of business, Clutha-Southland National MP Hamish Walker says.