Security for Otago farmers unclear amid water plans
Some Otago farmers could be left with "unbankable" irrigation schemes as the Government recommends an overhaul of the Otago Regional Council's planning processes.
Rural Life Other
Deer hunters decry 1080 drops over food safety risk
Deer hunters decry 1080 drops over food safety risk
Hunters are concerned venison meat from deer killed in an area due to be bombarded with 1080 pellets today will be poisoned and dangerous to consume.
Ideal fishing conditions this coming weekend
Ideal fishing conditions this coming weekend
The wild weather of the middle of the week has raised the level of most rivers but disastrously, and with a relatively settled few days forecast most should be fishable this weekend.
A&P show to feature 'spectacular' line-up
A&P show to feature 'spectacular' line-up
Organisers are expecting increased entries - and visitors to match - at the West Otago A&P Show on Saturday.
Farm manager facing arson charges
Farm manager facing arson charges
A South Canterbury farm manager has appeared in court on a raft of charges, including arson.
Wools of New Zealand marks first full year
Wools of New Zealand marks first full year
Wool exporter Wools of New Zealand marked its first full year as a commercialised company this week, hosting its end of year shareholder meeting in a traditional wool stronghold - Southland's Mt Peel.
Farm sales down by 9%
Farm sales down by 9%
A total of 1336 farms changed hands for the year to October 2019, down more than 9% on 2018 figures, according to latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).
Farmer fears significant losses
Farmer fears significant losses
As farmers anxiously await the outcome of the Government's Essential Freshwater plan, Ashburton farmer David Clark has outlined the significant losses it could have on his arable farm operation.
WoolOn moving to Cromwell
WoolOn moving to Cromwell
Alexandra's WoolOn Awards are being shifted to Cromwell.
Strong interest in wool auction
Strong interest in wool auction
About $7.2 million was turned over in five hours of selling at a live wool auction held at the New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch this week.
Most rivers still too high
Most rivers still too high
The rain has fallen on and off over the last week and as many catchments are saturated, it only takes a little rain to raise river levels.
Jones calls farmer protesters 'rednecks', sings as they boo
Jones calls farmer protesters 'rednecks', sings as they boo
Outspoken NZ First Minister Shane Jones has called farmer protesters on Parliament's lawn "rednecks" and responded to their booing with a waiata.
Research to help rural health
Research to help rural health
A Central Otago health professional hopes her upcoming research will help address some of the inequities faced in the rural health sector. Pam Jones talks to Sarah Walker about a national...
No further poultry disease found in NZ
No further poultry disease found in NZ
About 63% of North Island commercial poultry farms and 79% of South Island farms have been tested for a poultry virus found at Mainland Poultry in Otago - and no other sites have tested positive.
Finer wool from breeding effort
Finer wool from breeding effort
When Patearoa Romney breeder Janine Smith exhibits eight rams at the New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch this week, she is hoping for a repeat performance.
Protest to ask for 'fair go' for farmers
Protest to ask for 'fair go' for farmers
''Give us a fair go'' is the message farmers will be asking for when they descend upon Wellington's Civic Square tomorrow afternoon.
Talking key on young farmer's road home
Talking key on young farmer's road home
The pressures of the modern world are taking their toll on the mental state of the country’s young people. Alice Scott talks to a young rural lad who has been through it and come out the other side.
Better cellphone cover welcomed
Better cellphone cover welcomed
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker welcomed last week's announcement of more 4G services in Southland and Otago.
Be prepared for all weathers and enjoy the fishing
Be prepared for all weathers and enjoy the fishing
I have been out on the water three times in the last week. On two of those occasions it was pleasantly warm and on the other cold and wet. This tells us that if we go fishing, we need to be...
No rise in calls for help
No rise in calls for help
Despite more stressors in the rural sector, the Southland Rural Support Trust (SRST) has not noticed any increase in calls for help from farmers, trust co-ordinator Lindsay Wright says.