Jersey Benne grower in it for the long run
Jersey Benne grower in it for the long run
A North Otago market gardener has a thick skin from growing soft-skin potatoes for more than 40 years.
Shawn McAvinue
Ram breeders pleased
Ram breeders pleased
Ram sale season has started in the South and breeders are pleased with good clearances so far.
Station sticking with venison
Station sticking with venison
As venison prices remain depressed, a Northern Southland station is sticking to its guns, targeting high 12-month growth rates for its deer.
Move over Rover
Be careful calling ‘Here Meg’ in South
A Southern Rural Life investigation has discovered the most popular name for a working dog in the South. One name came out on top in both Otago and Southland. Shawn McAvinue reports.
Waiareka Saleyards
Waiareka Saleyards
Bidders flocked to a sheep sale at the Waiareka Saleyards in Oamaru last week. Shawn McAvinue photographed some of the buyers and sellers at the auction.
In the hands of the weather Gods
In the hands of the weather Gods
A North Otago market gardener has a thick skin from growing soft skin potatoes for more than 40 years.
Field day draws a crowd
Field day draws a crowd
More than 80 people attended a Beef + Lamb New Zealand field day at Rotherwood farm in the Maniototo last week. Shawn McAvinue photographed some of the crowd at the homestead before the farm tour...
Breeding shorter tails worth effort
Breeding shorter tails worth effort
Docking has been curtailed on a sheep and beef farm in West Otago. Shawn McAvinue talks to Avalon owner Allan Richardson about breeding cleaner sheep with shorter tails in West Otago.
‘Rams for everyone’ the philosophy of sale
‘Rams for everyone’ the philosophy of sale
A big South Otago annual ram sale is set to celebrate its 21st next week.
Family living the dream on beef farm
Family living the dream on beef farm
An East Otago egg farming family is giving cropping and cattle finishing a crack in the Maniototo.
Forestry on farms fires up speakers
Forestry on farms fires up speakers
Is forestry a threat to rural communities or an opportunity too good to refuse?
Sector asks for further govt support
Sector asks for further govt support
As the list of cancelled agricultural shows in the South continues to grow, a call has been made for the Government to support smaller events.
Support wanted for A&P Shows
Support wanted for A&P Shows
With many A&P shows cancelled, or not open to the public this year, the Royal Agricultural Society is calling for Government support.
Twin sales are winners
Twin sales are winners
Bidding and the weather were hot at a double-header cattle sale in Central Otago last week.
Gunns dispatch Shingle Creek bunnies
Gunns dispatch Shingle Creek bunnies
In a series, Shawn McAvinue talks to southern farmers doing their part to control the rabbit population. This week he speaks to the Gunn family, of Coal Creek.
Lay of the land
Lay of the land
A sales pitch states a purebred Texel ram
produces lambs with the ‘‘get up and go’’ and
determination to ‘‘survive and thrive’’ in difficult
environmental conditions.
Shawn McAvinue asks Southern Texel
Breeders’ Club members showing their rams
at an open day in Gore last week what gives
you the get up and go to continue to survive
and thrive in the Texel breeding industry?
Southdown sires
Southdown sires
Blair and Sally Robertson and their daughters Jess (19), and Stella (4) inspect the sires of rams set to feature in their 13th annual on-farm sale at Merrydowns Romney and Southdown Stud in...
Surfing course to reduce stress
Surfing course to reduce stress
The death by suicide of a family member is a driving force behind a Dunedin woman launching a surfing programme to improve the mental health of farmers.
SGHS pupil embarking on forestry career path
SGHS pupil embarking on forestry career path
Southland girl Emma Plomp is branching out into a career in forestry.
Bigger cattle being injured in crates
Bigger cattle being injured in crates
Cattle are getting bigger but the size of the stock crates on double-decker trucks taking them to meatworks remains the same, rubbing the skin on some of the tall beasts back to bare flesh, the...