Shawn McAvinue

Catlins farmer wins award for use of native trees

Farmer Barry Gray is the South Island recipient of the 2022 Landcare Trust Award for his use of native plants on his sheep and beef property in the Catlins.

Funding applications open for catchment and watercare groups

The Queenstown ferry is the first public transport water service to be added to the Bee Card...

Funding applications open for catchment and watercare groups

A call is being made for funding applications from watercare and catchment groups in Otago.

Rural men wanted to talk dating

University of Otago student Sophie Dix is researching the dating habits of rural men for her...

Rural men wanted to talk dating

University of Otago student Sophie Dix is calling for young rural men to tell her about their dating habits.

A spirited way to diversify

A plan to diversify a business to protect a Southland sheep and cropping farm for future generations is maturing like a single malt whisky.

Breeding philosophy passed down

Ashaig farm owners George and Elaine Fletcher with some of their Coopworth rams in West Otago.

Breeding philosophy passed down

As the ram buying season gets under way, a father and son running two separate Coopworth studs in West Otago share the same breeding philosophy.

Sweet peat: Digger buried among blueberries

Blueberry Country orchard manager Kowie du Plessis displays peat from the orchard in Otautau....

Sweet peat: Digger buried among blueberries

An orchard in a peat bog is producing a bounty of blueberries in Western Southland. Shawn McAvinue talks to Blueberry Country orchard manager Kowie du Plessis about the intricacies of working with this spongy soil.

‘Know what is on your farm’

Among thorny native matagouri plants on Kyeburn Station last week are (from left) Otago Catchment...

‘Know what is on your farm’

A native shrub with pale purple flowers being dominated by an introduced grass species in the Maniototo highlights a need to better manage biodiversity, a farmer says.

Protecting life of a tributary

Mager Dairy owner Werner Marx walks among the riparian planting featuring in his freshwater...

Protecting life of a tributary

Dairy farmer Werner Marx launched a water quality project in West Otago during the busiest time of year.

Prep in hand for A&P show day

West Otago A&P Society junior vice-president Bruce Weller, of Waikoikoi, is set for show day...

Prep in hand for A&P show day

Farmer and West Otago A&P Society junior vice-president Bruce Weller, of Waikoikoi.

Bitterness over sale of local Plunket rooms

The Plunket rooms in Roxburgh St in Heriot is for sale. Photo: Shawn McAvinue

Bitterness over sale of local Plunket rooms

The hoisting of sale signs outside the two Plunket rooms in West Otago is disappointing, a community stalwart says.

Farmer selling up, heading for the hills to 'go hermit'

Basil Snow Cleaver is retiring from farming after a clearing sale on Saturday. Photo: Shawn McAvinue

Farmer selling up, heading for the hills to 'go hermit'

Basil Snow Cleaver is leaving the farm he has lived on for 14 years behind and heading for the hills with his packhorses to "go hermit".

Farmer selling up, heading for the hills to 'go hermit'

"I’m going to load up a couple of packhorses and head into the hills and go hermit and have a good break."

Planned He Waka Eke Noa scheme a contentious subject at meeting

He Waka Eke No was a hot topic at the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Southern South Island Farmer...

Planned He Waka Eke Noa scheme a contentious subject at meeting

A proposal to price primary sector emissions sparked robust discussion at the Southern South Island Farmer Council annual meeting last week.

Trade matters

Chief trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis travels the world to get New Zealand farmers better deals, but he warns the golden weather for trade is over.

Data important tool for advocacy

Shawn McAvinue spends five minutes with Beef + Lamb New Zealand Southern South Island economic service manager Jenny McGimpsey, of Alexandra.

Taking stock of the driver shortage

Ranfurly Transport Ltd stock dispatcher Campbell ‘‘Wheels’’ Wheeler, of Alexandra, recently...

Taking stock of the driver shortage

The Government allowing more migrant truckers into New Zealand may not address a shortage of stock truck drivers, an industry spokesman says.

Initial study indicates glyphosate higher in farmers

Australian and New Zealand research indicates glyphosate is most likely to be found in the urine of farmers and spray operators as opposed to the general public, but more research is yet to be done.

This year’s funds to go on upgrading playground

Maheno School annual clearing sale co-organiser Vikki Purvis sits in a garden, which the Maheno...

This year’s funds to go on upgrading playground

Maheno School annual clearing sale co-organiser Vikki Purvis, of Herbert.

Trials and tragedy in 50 years of farming

Trials and tragedy in 50 years of farming

Life was good for Helen Miller in the late 1960s - she was on a new farm with her husband, had a new home and a boy and a girl under the age of two, but then her life was turned upside down.

Environmental approach is a winner

Ballance Farm Environment Awards 2022 Otago supreme winners Byron Vollweiler and Amanda Snow...

Environmental approach is a winner

A Clutha couple are "farming to a changing climate".

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Shawn McAvinue