SECTIONS

over the fence

SouthlandAugust 26

Are farm kids’ activities being curtailed?

At the beginning of the month, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden announced she wants to discuss the thresholds for light duties children can do on farms as part of a review of health and safety regulations.
Are farm kids’ activities being curtailed?
Are farm kids’ activities being curtailed?
SouthlandJuly 30

The world wants our excellent butter

One of our favourite butter brands recently took home a prestigious award from the International Cheese and Dairy show, the oldest and largest such show in England.
The world wants our excellent butter
The world wants our excellent butter
SouthlandJuly 8

Help on way for farm dog breeders

I have always trained my own dogs, possibly because I enjoyed the challenge, but to buy a fully trained dog when starting out as a young farmer was a costly outlay.
Help on way for farm dog breeders
Help on way for farm dog breeders
SouthlandJune 18

Vegetable soup with Jamie Mackay

Once a week [my wife] Audrey and I make a big pot of vegetable soup which is our lunch-time staple and lasts us for the week.
Vegetable soup with Jamie Mackay
Vegetable soup with Jamie Mackay
SouthlandJune 3

Drones can be worker bees too

My Oxford Dictionary is way out of date because the subject I would have a look at this week is the modern drone so when I went to my dictionary for its definition it stated "male or non- worker bee", that’s all.
Drones can be worker bees too
Drones can be worker bees too
SouthlandMay 20

Confidence and prices bring out farmer optimism

As another season winds down the usual signs appear, not just the deciduous trees shedding their leaves and the grass growth slowing.
Confidence and prices bring out farmer optimism
Confidence and prices bring out farmer optimism
SouthlandApril 22

Mallard pest numbers to be hot topic in mai mai

Of late the mallard ducks have been hitting the headlines in most papers and rural publications in the south for the wrong reasons.
Mallard pest numbers to be hot topic in mai mai
Mallard pest numbers to be hot topic in mai mai
SouthlandMarch 25

Land Rover’s basic design lives on

Recently, the first Land Rover imported into New Zealand received a great deal of publicity because its owner, Julian Paton, took the 77-year-old vehicle from Dunedin to Auckland.
Land Rover’s basic design lives on
Land Rover’s basic design lives on
SouthlandFebruary 25

Settler history of our local A&P traditions

Throughout history, humans have instinctively competed in various aspects of life to determine a winner and farmers are no different.
Settler history of our local A&P traditions
Settler history of our local A&P traditions
SouthlandJanuary 28

Ram auctions are not what they used to be

I came away from the 2025 South Island Premier Ram Auction last week thinking the result was indicative of the state of the sheep industry.
Ram auctions are not what they used to be
Ram auctions are not what they used to be
SouthlandDecember 3

Making the wool industry great again

I hope I’m not exceeding my brief when I start by mentioning the recent United States election as I find it rather fascinating how the results come down to the votes of the swing states.
Making the wool industry great again
Making the wool industry great again
SouthlandOctober 1

Factory another chapter for Edendale

Edendale has a modest sign at each end of town just simply stating "Edendale home of NZ’s cheese industry 1881-today makers of finest cheese".
Factory another chapter for Edendale
Factory another chapter for Edendale
SouthlandSeptember 3

Perseverance key through tough times

It seems every generation experiences economic downturns in varying degrees of severity from the Great Depression to a slight recession.
Perseverance key through tough times
Perseverance key through tough times
SouthlandAugust 7

Frosty days stir warm memories

A very ordinary autumn with above-average rainfall and cloudy weather made making silage hard and hay impossible.
Frosty days stir warm memories
Frosty days stir warm memories
SouthlandApril 23

Saturday rural deliveries and trustworthy news

I have been subscribing to the Otago Daily Times (ODT) for many years, but I was disappointed to read on Tuesday, April 9, that New Zealand Post are going to cut Saturday deliveries to rural areas.
Saturday rural deliveries and trustworthy news
Saturday rural deliveries and trustworthy news
SouthlandFebruary 27

Thankful for meteorologists’ mistakes

The official calendar tells us February is the last month of summer and with the days drawing in at both ends it is a sure sign autumn is on the way.
Thankful for meteorologists’ mistakes
Thankful for meteorologists’ mistakes
SouthlandOctober 31

Changes looming on the horizon

After my last column I received a lot of feedback when mentioning that merino breeders who want to be a part of ZQ Merino must meet the criteria demanded by the brand.
Changes looming on the horizon
Changes looming on the horizon
SouthlandOctober 17

All Blacks up and Labour down

It’s been a long-held belief that when the All Blacks win a highly contested international it uplifts the nation and gives a feel-good factor.
All Blacks up and Labour down
All Blacks up and Labour down
SouthlandAugust 15

Feeding birds as we wait for winter to fade

With winter officially having only another fortnight to run (although nature will have the last say) this year it has been one of two halves.
Feeding birds as we wait for winter to fade
Feeding birds as we wait for winter to fade