Shawn McAvinue

Seeking practical ways to protect soil

Dylan Ditchfield’s cows take part in an AgResearch experiment at a runoff he leases in Freshford,...

Seeking practical ways to protect soil

Dairy farms in Otago and Southland are experiment sites for a nearly $1million project to explore whether dairy cows grazing on pasture in winter can reduce nitrogen leaching and mud compared with...

Premium milk price suggested

A Northern Southland dairy farmer is ‘‘pushing hard’’ for Fonterra to pay a premium for milk produced using regenerative farming practices.

Milk price up, plants at full throttle

Fonterra Stirling staff members Ivy Cowie and Andrew James work in Covid-19 personal protective...

Milk price up, plants at full throttle

Fonterra’s Southern plants have hit peak production as the co-operative announces a potential record milk price.

Fonterra’s plants at peak production

Fonterra's southern plants have hit peak production as the co-operative announces a potential record milk price.

Pest control strategy ‘big-picture stuff’

.University of Otago student Anna Clark loads a portable DNA sequencer with ship rat DNA in...

Pest control strategy ‘big-picture stuff’

University of Otago student Anna Clark has secured funding of $180,000 to follow her dream of finding a more effective pest control method.

Grant for research into possum genes

University of Otago postdoctoral fellow Alana Alexander examines a tube of possum DNA in Dunedin....

Grant for research into possum genes

University of Otago researcher Alana Alexander has secured a $640,000 to boost New Zealand’s possum control efforts.

Only part load of logs possible from wharf

A logging truck travels past a firewood business in Ravensbourne, on State Highway 88.

Only part load of logs possible from wharf

Shawn McAvinue stopped to photograph logs beside State Highway 88 in Dunedin and spoke to Southern Wood Council chairman Grant Dodson about them.

Reporter Shawn McAvinue joins farmers at a stop of a nationwide roadshow where executives spoke about their plans to more than double the price for strong wool in the next three years by competing with synthetic carpet on price.

Wool overtaking synthetic for carpet

Alexandra and Cromwell Flooring Xtra owner Paul Rillstone shows a carpet tile at a roadshow...

Wool overtaking synthetic for carpet

The tide is turning for the sales of woollen carpet, a Southern retailer says.

Farmers urged to plan for a dry summer

Farmers urged to plan for a dry summer

Farmers are being encouraged to plan ahead in the event of another dry summer.

Birthday spent at docking pen

Docking lambs on their farm in Western Southland last week are (from left) Tim Ronald and his...

Birthday spent at docking pen

Farmer Wilson Ronald celebrated his birthday docking sheep with his family in Western Southland last week.

Pomahaka work celebrated

Unveiling a sign at Leithen Picnic Area in West Otago last week are Pomahaka Water Care Group...

Pomahaka work celebrated

The Pomahaka River was once the dirtiest waterway in Otago but a ‘‘trailblazing’’ rural community is uniting to improve it.

Welcoming warmth after ‘rough spring’

Munro Valley Farms manager Carla Murray and her children (from left) Bella (4), Lucy (6) and Fern...

Welcoming warmth after ‘rough spring’

In an occasional series, Shawn McAvinue travels highways in Otago and Southland and when something catches his eye, he stops for a chat with the people involved. For the first instalment he stops...

Stock agent retiring after 50 years

PGG Wrightson agent Mike Broomhall spots a bid at the Ashvale Annual Jersey Bull Sale in Western...

Stock agent retiring after 50 years

A Southern livestock agent is calling time on career of more than 50 years and will celebrate with a ginger beer on his final day this Friday.

Claim of best dairy bull sale in NZ

Ashvale Jerseys Ltd owners Rodney and Jocelyn Dobson, of Gropers Bush, celebrate selling...

Claim of best dairy bull sale in NZ

A herd of dairy bull calves with the greatest potential to breed profitable and efficient replacement heifers sold for the highest prices in New Zealand this year, their breeders say.

Tulip tour in doubt, but beauty assured

Triflor NZ operational manager Rudi Verplancke inspects the first flowers to bloom on the farm in...

Tulip tour in doubt, but beauty assured

An annual tour of the tulip fields will wilt this year if Southland remains in Alert Level 2, an event organiser says.

Tractor attraction born of necessity

Armstrong and Co manager Grant Robb shares a paddock with a fleet of vintage tractors. PHOTO:...

Tractor attraction born of necessity

In an occasional series, Shawn McAvinue travels highways in Otago and Southland and when something catches his eye, he stops and talks to the person responsible for that something. For the first...

Kaitangata circus lion emergency all part of extensive vet career

Clutha Vets veterinarian John Smart handles some obsolete tools — hand clippers and spay scissors...

Kaitangata circus lion emergency all part of extensive vet career

Vet John Smart has called time on a nearly 46-year career of caring for animals in South Otago.

Vet shortage looks set to bite in South

Clutha Vets co-managers Hamish Moore and Annie Jackson want to hire experienced vets to work in...

Vet shortage looks set to bite in South

A critical shortage of vets is set to get worse, heads of Southern practices say.

Old dogs finding a new home

Teacher Elizabeth Prentice hugs her dog Meg — who she rescued from Retired Working Dogs — in...

Old dogs finding a new home

A North Otago teacher is giving retired working dogs a second chance at life.

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Shawn McAvinue