Rural Life | Otago Daily Times Online News

Scientists crunch data after bund trial ends on West Otago farm

A three-year trial monitoring the effectiveness a detainment bund to reduce stormwater contaminants leaving a sheep and beef farm in West Otago and entering Pomahaka River is complete and scientists are now crunching the data.

Dairy

Dairy farmers are picking a reasonably high opening milk price forecast by Fonterra, but a less...

Dairy season tipped be less profitable

Dairy farmers are facing a less prosperous year as a new payout is accompanied by higher farm costs.

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Rich-listers snap up '$140m' Hāwea farm

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Rich-listers snap up '$140m' Hāwea farm

A former Queenstown-Lakes District mayor and one of New Zealand’s richest men are set to take over a 3000ha farm in Hāwea Flat.
Which butter tastes best?

Which butter tastes best?

When it comes to butter, paying more doesn't necessarily pay off, a new taste test shows.
Milk prices up after recent slide

Milk prices up after recent slide

A drop in milk volumes sold saw prices rise at the Global Dairy Trade auction, stopping the slide seen at the previous two events.

Red Meat

Rising 2-year-old Hereford bull Limehills Nevis 240504 sold for $50,000. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE

No bull: Teviot Valley Hereford fetches $50k

A large bull has set a stud sale record in Teviot Valley.

Stud sale season begins in South

Stud sale season begins in South

Being the first southern bull sale of the season can be a double-edged sword, a vendor says. The rising 2-year-old bull sale season in Otago and Southland begins at Puketoi Angus stud in the...
Many tools available to aid bull buying

Many tools available to aid bull buying

New Zealand’s beef industry is booming with record prices being paid for weaners.
Programme aims to grow sector

Programme aims to grow sector

Bobby calves present both a challenge and an opportunity, a southern animal scientist says.

Horticulture

The McCain vegetable processing plant in Hastings. Photo: Google Maps

Mayors ask McCain to pause factory closure

Hawke's Bay mayors have written to McCain asking the international company to pause its closure of a processing plant in the region.

War hero to speak to arable sector

War hero to speak to arable sector

The nation’s most decorated living war hero is giving arable farmers a morale boost in Canterbury.
Orchard being developed by fund

Orchard being developed by fund

A vast apple orchard being developed by the NZ Super Fund over 250 hectares at a cost of $120 million is employing hundreds of workers in Mid-Canterbury.
‘Walking encyclopedia’ left seeds

‘Walking encyclopedia’ left seeds

A senior research agronomist is being remembered as a "walking encyclopedia" in seed research.

People

Southern Velvet Buyers owner Kelly Bennett, of Geraldine, displays hard antlers at Dunedin...

Hunt for antler, buttons comes south

An expedition to buy hard antlers and buttons visited the South last week.

South-made edible bale wrap up for major prize

South-made edible bale wrap up for major prize

A Southland invention of edible bale net wrap is a nominee for a more than $2 million Earthshot Prize.
Scientists crunch data after bund trial ends on West Otago farm

Scientists crunch data after bund trial ends on West Otago farm

A three-year trial monitoring the effectiveness a detainment bund to reduce stormwater contaminants leaving a sheep and beef farm in West Otago and entering Pomahaka River is complete and scientists are now crunching the data.
Family farewell flock and look to future

Family farewell flock and look to future

Farmers Mark and Vicki O'Neill have sold their farm Mount Highlay in Hyde and will leave the property at the end of this month.

Rural Events

Hosting the Otago Regional Supreme Winner Open Day on their dairy farm in Glenkenich, south of...

Farming family chasing efficiency

The 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards winner will be announced at a ceremony in Christchurch on July 2.

Entries open for beef competition

Entries open for beef competition

Entries are open for the Otago and Southland Hoof and Hook Beef Competition.
South cleans up at championships

South cleans up at championships

Southern competitors took home most of the top prizes at the South Island Sheep Dog Trial Championships.
Focusing on environmental gains

Focusing on environmental gains

A Southland family continue to make environmental gains since diving in the deep end to go deer farming.

Rural Events

ODT Regions

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Warm Sunday, Monday ahead for Dunedin, Oamaru
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‘Deeply Southland’ meat distribution scheme growing
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Regional councillors want involvement in reform
Positive response to Incentives for Growth Fund