Rural Life

Farmers get spending at field days

Organising committee chairman Andrew Stewart found farmers buoyed by better prices were buying...

Farmers get spending at field days

Farmers have their chequebooks out again, with several $1 million-plus sales of combine harvesters heading to new homes at the South Island Agricultural Field Days in Canterbury’s Kirwee.

Financial turnaround may have halted exodus

Dairy prices were a ‘‘mixed bag’’ in the first GlobalDairyTrade auction for the new season. Photo...

Financial turnaround may have halted exodus

Turning a heavy loss around appears to have stopped a mass exit of farmer suppliers from Synlait Milk which finds out today exactly how many of them will tear up quit notices.

Guardian dogs doing duty on NZ farms

Wairarapa organic gardeners Josje Neerincx and Frank van Steensel say having Maremma sheepdogs on...

Guardian dogs doing duty on NZ farms

A large Italian dog breed used to guard livestock from predators including wolves is increasingly being used by New Zealand farmers to help protect their animals.

Breeding a better cow

Breeding a better cow

Sharemilkers Nick and Anieka Templer shared their aspirations at a field day in Northern Southland last week.

Continuing family sport ‘pretty cool’

Southern shepherd Erin Chittock uses dogs for both work and sport. PHOTO: ANNA MUNRO

Continuing family sport ‘pretty cool’

Her surname is synonymous with dog trialling.

Century farm award plans take shape

New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards committee chairman Eddie Fitzgerald. PHOTO: SRL FILES

Century farm award plans take shape

Planning is under way for the 19th New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards in South Otago in May.

Aims outlined at B+LNZ field day

More than 30 people attended a Beef + Lamb field day on Jeff Farm this month. PHOTOS: SHAWN MCAVINUE

Aims outlined at B+LNZ field day

The aspirations of new Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Alan Thomson and Jeff Farm general manager Michael Benton range from running the best industry group in the world to reducing lamb...

Townie at home in Hokonui Hills

Gore Sheep Dog Trial Club president Tain Laing in a shearing shed on the Grant brothers’ sheep...

Townie at home in Hokonui Hills

Life working and living in the Hokonui Hills is a "special time", Gore Sheep Dog Trial Club president Tain Laing says.

People page: Gore Sheep Dog Trial Club annual trial

Jack Sowden, of Mandeville, Lilly Cole, of Dipton, and Lawrence Jackson, of Gore. PHOTOS: SHAWN...

People page: Gore Sheep Dog Trial Club annual trial

Gore Sheep Dog Trial Club held its 116th annual trial on rolling tussock country in the Hokonui Hills last week.

McEwans moving on after 70-year tenure

George and Glenda McEwan have sold their Coopworth ewes and plant on their farm in Edendale to...

McEwans moving on after 70-year tenure

Sheep and beef farmer George McEwan is calling time on his family’s more than 70-year tenure of a farm on the Southland Plains.

People page

Murray Robertson, of Tapanui, Paul Clement and Phil Clement, both of Merino Downs.

People page

About 60 people attended the West Otago A&P Society hogget and two-tooth ewe, beef and dairy heifer competition in Tapanui last week.

Consistency pays off in competition

The West Otago A&P Society dairy heifer overall winners Dave and Mel Goble and their daughter...

Consistency pays off in competition

Some of the trophies on offer at a long-standing southern livestock competition are returning home with back-to-back winners.

Full clearance at Shorthorn herd sale

Dairy farmers Paul and Isabel Murphy had a full clearance at their Shorthorn herd dispersal sale near Invercargill last week.

Testing the waters

Mt Possession station owner Donald Whyte. PHOTO: TIM CRONSHAW

Testing the waters

A small group of high country families are using science to prove farming's influence on degraded Ashburton lakes may be less than first thought, writes Tim Cronshaw.

B+LNZ chief keen to lift low profit margins

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Alan Thompson introduced himself to farmers at the B+LNZ...

B+LNZ chief keen to lift low profit margins

New industry body leader Alan Thompson is getting within earshot of sheep and beef farmers to see how they think their levies can lift low profit margins.

Free online site for breeders revealed

B+LNZ Genetics IT programme manager David Campbell, left, and advisory group member Dave...

Free online site for breeders revealed

Another breed group appears to be close to joining Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) new nProve Beef tool to help farmers select the best bulls for their herds.

Positive farmgate signs for sheep and beef farmers

Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay, left, talks about trade developments and promising market...

Positive farmgate signs for sheep and beef farmers

Sheep and beef farmers are welcoming a turnaround in farmgate profits from higher export prices as they watch an international trade war play out.

Contest targets next gen

Exhibitor sites are being snapped up for the South Island Agricultural Field Days to be held in...

Contest targets next gen

The next generation of farmers will face the heat of challenging farming skills in a new contest at the South Island Agricultural Field Days.

Machines knitting up manufacturing

Acrux Wool Systems chief executive Tim Symon has brought in robotic muscle via 14 whole-garment...

Machines knitting up manufacturing

Christchurch's Acrux Wool Systems is bringing wool garment manufacturing back to the city with the help of robotic knitters.

Cashmere stockpiled for comeback

Cashmere goats have found a new home at John and Jane Harrison’s sheep, beef and deer property...

Cashmere stockpiled for comeback

Every kilogram of cashmere fibre is being stockpiled by NZ Cashmere until it has enough to go out to the high fashion market.

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