Shawn McAvinue

Complaints show ‘thriving’ demand

University of Otago commerce student Jack Coakley relaxes on campus in Dunedin. PHOTO: SHAWN...

Complaints show ‘thriving’ demand

Southern students considering careers in the red meat processing and exporting sector were among the Meat Industry Association scholarship recipients for 2021. In a series, reporter Shawn McAvinue asks them about their study and their plans.

New chapter continues with sale of vehicles

John Tremaine relaxes on his 1964 Wolseley 6/110 in Mandeville ahead of his clearing sale on...

New chapter continues with sale of vehicles

After celebrating his 70th birthday, John Tremaine kept a vow to sell his farm and is holding a clearing sale of vintage cars, tractors and farm machinery in Eastern Southland on Friday.

Kauana Sheep Dog Trial Club Centennial

Kauana Sheep Dog Trial Club Centennial

Triallists and their dogs descended upon the Kauana Sheep Dog Trial Club’s centennial in Otapiri Gorge in central Southland on Friday and Saturday. Shawn McAvinue was there and asked some...

Pair off to Russia

New Zealand Ploughing Association president James Burnby gets set to compete in his Case...

Pair off to Russia

South Island ploughmen Ian Woolley and Bob Mehrtens are set to represent the nation in Russia after winning their classes at the 66th New Zealand Ploughing Championships in Eastern Southland on the...

Heriot saleyards closure sad but inevitable

West Otago farmer Graham Walker walks on a rail at Heriot saleyards. PHOTOS: SHAWN MCAVINUE

Heriot saleyards closure sad but inevitable

The Heriot saleyards closing after being a community meeting point for more than a century is sad but the writing was on the wall, a West Otago farmer says.

Field day to refresh sheep classing skills

Livestock Confirmation owner Guy Martin is set to show his sheep classing skills at a field day...

Field day to refresh sheep classing skills

Traditional sheep classing skills to achieve genetic gains across all breeds will be on show at a field day in eastern Southland today.

Weekend set for trial of the century

Kauana Sheep Dog Trial Club member Rod Coulter pats his heading dog Blue and huntaway Bruce, as...

Weekend set for trial of the century

Every dog has its day. About 100 sheep dog triallists are hoping it will be their day at a centennial event in central Southland from Friday.

Singing praises of shorthorns

New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association Otago-Southland branch president Bronwyn Brown checks...

Singing praises of shorthorns

Milking shorthorn dairy cows might raise a red flag with bank managers but the breed is making great genetic gains and has more to offer than other breeds, a South Otago farmer says.

Display of traditional classing for sheep

Display of traditional classing for sheep

Traditional sheep classing skills to achieve genetic gains across all breeds will be on show at a field day in eastern Southland on Thursday. Livestock Confirmation owner Guy Martin will class a...

The king of his pumpkin patch

Peirce Orchard owner Darryl Peirce relaxes on a bin of pumpkins harvested on his farm in Millers...

The king of his pumpkin patch

The self-proclaimed "pumpkin king" of Central Otago has finished harvesting more than 80 tonnes after battling aphids, drought, hail and rabbits.

Saleyards a magnet for Knight

Retired trucking company owner Forbes Knight inspects calves at Mt Benger Saleyards near Roxburgh...

Saleyards a magnet for Knight

A retired trucking company owner continues to visit a stock sale in Central Otago to have "a nosey" and shout smoko.

Fears for hort industry unless workers allowed in

A group of Teviot Valley orchardists calling for the Government to allow more workers from the...

Horticulture collapse fears unless Pacific Island workers allowed in

A group of Teviot Valley orchardists is calling for the Government to allow more Pacific Islanders to return to the region to fill a labour shortage before the horticulture industry "collapses".

Waving goodbye to farm demands

Southland Surf School director Jess Terrill (right) teaches sheep and beef farmer Victoria Baker,...

Waving goodbye to farm demands

It is the final board meeting for the season as the Surfing for Farmers programme wraps up in Western Southland tomorrow.

Irrigation key factor in champion merino title

Celebrating their two-tooth ram winning the supreme champion merino sheep at the Wanaka A&P...

Irrigation key factor in champion merino title

More than tripling the size of an irrigation footprint is a factor in claiming the title of supreme champion merino, a Mackenzie high country farmer says.

Great Boer goat genetics pay off

Whitestone Boers owner Owen Booth, of Milton, and his supreme champion goat at the Wanaka A&P...

Great Boer goat genetics pay off

An "exceptional" goat defended her supreme champion title at the Wanaka A&P Show.

Couple win trophy for calves at first contest

Farmer Cameron Clark, of Owaka, helps his grandson Clay (3) down the back entrance to the auction...

Couple win trophy for calves at first contest

A South Otago couple have taken home a memorial trophy after entering the Owaka Calf Sale for the first time.

Sharpening shearing skills at Elite course

Shearer Mike Murphy, of Waimate, takes a break from an Elite Wool Industry Training course at...

Sharpening shearing skills at Elite course

South Canterbury shearer Mike Murphy is "ready to go" after learning new skills.

Summit focus on practices which present opportunities

Future Whenua Summit organiser Zeb Horrell is set for the agricultural innovation event in...

Summit focus on practices which present opportunities

A three-day farming innovation event is set to be held on a sheep farm bordering the Mataura River in Southland.

Review: Wiggles get faithful on feet fast

The Wiggles, along with fan favourites Dorothy the Dinosaur and Captain Feathersword, entertain...

Wiggles get faithful on their feet fast

The Wiggles started with party anthem Who’s in the Wiggle House? prompting a mosh pit of children to form in front of stage.

Farm lease ‘end of an era’ for family

Phillip Hunt and Lizzie Carruthers relax before the auction of about 3000 lambs at a clearing...

Farm lease ‘end of an era’ for family

The landscape is set to change on a Clutha farm.

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Shawn McAvinue