Rural Life

Freestall barn a game-changer in West Otago

Freestall barn a game-changer in West Otago

Fairleigh dairy farm owners Ken and Nancy Eade and their son Bruce have been able to better realise the genetic potential of their pedigree herd since installing a freestall barn in West Otago.

Brief return south brings rewards

Holstein Friesian New Zealand president Owen Copinga visits Fairleigh dairy farm in West Otago,...

Brief return south brings rewards

Former Southland dairy farmer Owen Copinga recently returned to the province and left with a top position at Holstein Friesian New Zealand.

Southern farmers among award winners

Southern dairy farmers featured among the winners at the 2025 Holstein Friesian New Zealand Awards.

Conservation work acknowledged

Ecologist, botanist and farmer Kelvin Lloyd, of Dunedin, is a recipient of Forest & Bird’s...

Award acknowledges conservation work

The work of Dunedin ecologist, botanist, science educator and farmer Kelvin Lloyd has been recognised.

Southern farmers recognised

Jason Herrick ... Advocate of the year. Photos: supplied

Southern farmers recognised

Southern farmers were among those recognised at the Federated Farmers annual meeting last month.

Fuel-cutting system hits the road

Newspec founder Jeff Naish has developed a battery-powered power take-off (PTO) pumping system...

Fuel-cutting system hits the road

A Christchurch innovator’s new electric pumping system for milk tankers is making big fuel savings and cutting vehicle emissions.

Roaming animals pose hazards on highways

Roaming animals pose hazards on highways

New Zealand Transport Agency Wāka Kotahi is calling for vigilance after a spate of incidents of animals found wandering on southern highways.

Young Farmer of the Year

Taranaki-Manawatu’s Jock Burke. Photo: Toni McDonald

Young Farmer of the Year

Photos by Toni McDonald

A&P shows get funding boost from government

Volunteer-led A&P shows such as the Gore A&P Show and the Wyndham A&P Show will...

A&P shows get funding boost from government

A boost from central government will give volunteer-led A&P shows the gift they need to keep on going, Southern organisers say.

Prince William ‘just another guy’: inventor

Orepuki farmer and Kiwi Econet inventor Grant Lightfoot met Prince William during the prince’s...

Prince William ‘just another guy’: inventor

Orepuki eco-farming inventor Grant Lightfoot has taken his edible bale netting to the world — including British royalty.

Coal-fired boilers to be replaced by September

Remaining in the deal to combat climate change will give US negotiators a chance to advocate for...

Coal-fired boilers to be replaced by September

Fonterra expects to wrap up an emission-slashing conversion of two coal-fired boilers to wood pellets at its South Canterbury milk processing site at Clandeboye by September.

Century Farms ready for new applications

Collecting and securing farming families stories is vital to secure New Zealand’s heritage,...

Century Farms ready for new applications

The Century Farm and Station Awards committee is ready to receive applications for next year’s ceremony.

Waikato farmer wins title at national finals

Young Farmer of the Year grand final winner Hugh Jackson proudly displays the top prize trophy he...

Waikato farmer wins title at national finals

Try and try again proved to be a winning formula for a 26-year-old Waikato-Bay of Plenty sheep and beef farmer who won the 57th Young Farmer of the Year title on Saturday evening in Invercargill.

Cost, fuel-cutting system hits the road

A Christchurch innovator’s new electric pumping system for milk tankers is making big fuel savings and cutting vehicle emissions.

Coal-fired boilers to be replaced with wood pellets by September

Fonterra is putting a sleeper hold on polluting coal boilers with a $64 million conversion to...

Coal-fired boilers to be replaced with wood pellets by September

Fonterra expects to wrap up an emission-slashing conversion of two coal-fired boilers to wood pellets at its South Canterbury milk processing site at Clandeboye by September.

Prince William like ‘just another guy’: NZ inventor

Orepuki farmer and Kiwi Econet inventor Grant Lightfoot met Prince William this week during the...

Prince William like ‘just another guy’: NZ inventor

Orepuki eco-farming inventor Grant Lightfoot has taken his edible bale netting to the world — including British royalty.

Northland farmer admits animal neglect; 14 deer found dead

Northland farmer admits animal neglect; 14 deer found dead

A deer had to be euthanised after it was found with its antlers entangled in a fence and its body caught in thick mud.

NZ no longer in state of 'peak tractor'

New Zealand reached a peak of 34,549 registered tractors in March 2022. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

NZ no longer in state of 'peak tractor'

New Zealand has fallen from "peak tractor", with bigger machinery, rising on-farm costs and farmers becoming more efficient driving sales down.

Early Care Pays Off in the Paddock

Calving season is nearly here and if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that having the right gear, advice, and support behind you makes all the difference. That’s where we come...

Big stations, sweeping views: Why a vet chose Southland

Holly Gardyne with a pair of four-day-old goats. She had been attending to their mother who was...

Big stations, sweeping views: Why a vet chose Southland

A young vet has no regrets about moving to a rural practice at the bottom of the South Island.

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