Rural Life

Elm Grove a base for innovation

An entrepreneurial spirit continues on a family dairy farm with a more than 170-year history on the Taieri.

Dairy

In April this year, the Canterbury-based company put forward various options to rescue its...

US firm to buy assets

Synlait Milk has entered an agreement to sell its North Island sites for $307 million to a United States buyer in a business shake-up to focus on core Canterbury operations.

Chief exec confident Fonterra can pay $10/kg

Chief exec confident Fonterra can pay $10/kg

Fonterra is "confident" it can get another double-digit payout over the line after handing farmers a record $10.16 for each kilogram of milk solids produced in 2024-25.
Fonterra confident it can extend payout streak

Fonterra confident it can extend payout streak

Fonterra is "confident" it can get another double-digit payout over the line after handing farmers a record $10.16 for each kilogram of milksolids produced in 2024/25.
Letter to the editor: not our experience

Letter to the editor: not our experience

I read Shawn McAvinue’s article about calf rearing in Southern Rural Life on September 17.

Red Meat

Catlins sheep farmer Graham Evans is posting samples of his flock’s poo to researchers to help...

Research tracking facial eczema impact

Spores of a "devastating" livestock disease have been detected on five southern sheep farms, a scientist says.

Mood ahead of Angus sale bullish

Mood ahead of Angus sale bullish

Beef bull buyers will need to make higher opening bids at an upcoming bull sale at the southernmost Angus stud in the world due to a booming beef market.
Farmers aim to keep ownership

Farmers aim to keep ownership

A group of Southland-based Alliance Group shareholders say the $250m offer by an Irish meat company for a 65% stake in the co-operative appears to significantly undervalue the business.
Town’s compost used on farm

Town’s compost used on farm

South Canterbury sheep and beef farmers are "thinking outside the box" by applying compost created from garden and food waste collected from kerbside bins.

Horticulture

Wattie's reduces take of key Hawke's Bay crops

Wattie's New Zealand is further reducing fruit and vegetable crops it sources from its home of Hawke's Bay, citing an ongoing struggle against cheaper imports.

Potential for shade, fire, pests continues to rankle

Potential for shade, fire, pests continues to rankle

A West Otago farmer says farm forestry regulations remain unfit for purpose, as he faces a future blighted by shade, frost, pests and fire risk.
Backers, critics unhappy at Bill

Backers, critics unhappy at Bill

Both farming and forestry leaders say they are unhappy with new rules intended to limit how much farmland is converted to exotic forest.
Liquidated company’s orchards up for sale

Liquidated company’s orchards up for sale

The orchards at the centre of a liquidation of a fledging Central Otago fruit company are up for sale.

People

Will and Sarah Kirkland and their children (from left) Jonty, 1, Charlie, 3 and Sophie, 5, on...

Elm Grove a base for innovation

An entrepreneurial spirit continues on a family dairy farm with a more than 170-year history on the Taieri.

‘Whole history’ of new ventures

‘Whole history’ of new ventures

Agricultural entrepreneur Alex de Boer has a long history of doing business in the South.
First dairy farm a win for family

First dairy farm a win for family

The Henderson family, Steve and Tracy and their children (from left) Ruby, Gus and Annie, have bought their first dairy farm.
Life’s journey leads from Zimbabwe to Central Otago

Life’s journey leads from Zimbabwe to Central Otago

From rural Zimbabwe to the rolling hills of Central Otago, Conrad Kamota’s journey has come full circle — from finance professional to aspiring farmer.

Rural Events

Jeanette McIntyre, with her collection of Rural Women NZ ephemera, at her home in Gore. PHOTO:...

100 years of supporting rural women

This year marks 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and for one former president, the anniversary is a reminder of the organisation’s achievements, big and small.

First on-farm sale nets good prices

First on-farm sale nets good prices

Strath Taieri farmers Willie and Emily Jones held their first on-farm sheep sale in response to a cold snap and hot demand.
Mataura shearer makes NZ team

Mataura shearer makes NZ team

Mataura shearer Brett Roberts was runner-up in the New Zealand Merino Shears open shearing final, in Alexandra on Saturday, ensuring him a place in the New Zealand team.
Patience earns top price at sale

Patience earns top price at sale

Palmerston Spring Cattle Sale vendor John Lozell declined multiple offers to buy his steers and heifers before bidding began.

Rural Events

ODT Regions

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Neighbour decides not to appeal solar farm consent
Person injured after car rolls into ditch
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Photo rekindles memories
Razor-thin races: What happens in a tie?

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