Publication
Six-figure sire
A $100,000 black bull is now in his new home in Southland after a stop in Otago to harvest semen to sell to underbidders. Rising 2yearold Angus bull Taimate Valor fetched six figures at a historic sale at Taimate Angus in Marlborough in June this...
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Bovine triplets to benefit rural communities
The 2026 IHC Calf & Rural Scheme will feature three identical Holstein Friesian bull calves from a dairy farm near Gore. Shawn McAvinue talks to dairy farmers Doug and Josephine Dodds about their motivation for giving the triplet calves to the annual...
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Bringing biodiversity back
Sheep and beef farmer Steven Foote hosted a biodiversity field day in East Otago last week. The field day explored practical options for managing biodiversity on farm and how the Foote family have diversified their business to make environmental...
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Lambs and a plan
An effective lambing action plan is made early, considers the season ahead and includes a range of tools to deliver it. That is the belief of Lee Stream farmer Cameron Doherty who has began lambing on the blocks he leases in the wider district. Some...
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NEW CHAPTER FOR HURST FAMILY
On a wintry day, the faintest of sea breezes wafts along the yard as Colin Hurst opens the office door to the cow shed. Inside, his son, Nick, and contract milker Jamie Harris are on a video meeting, ticking off a work list from a propped up...
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Leaving a legacy
Peter Parsons is growing New Zealand’s largest contiguous kauri forest in rural Otago. He talks to Shawn McAvinue about his motivation for the project and his journey up to planting the first kauri trees next week.
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Southern in-laws unite for transtasman clash
Southern dog triallists Lloyd Smith and his son-in-law Scott Hunter and their respective heading dogs are in a New Zealand team to battle for the Wayleggo Cup in Australia next week. Smith talks to Shawn McAvinue about how he feels to be competing with...
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PLOUGHING ON
Ploughman Mark Dillon has left his farm in Northern Southland to compete at the 71st World Ploughing Championship in Croatia next month. He and his wife Sonia talk to Shawn McAvinue about moving to plan B and borrowing a tractor and plough, following a...
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Outstanding in her field
Taieri dairy farmer Ryan Sutherland entered his herd in a regional Holstein Friesian competition for the first time and his cow Raymac Beamer Estyle won the top prize. He talks to Shawn McAvinue about the prize-winning cow and why she will never be his...
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