Ravensdown Named Naming Rights Sponsor of A&P Show
Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.
Corey Ferguson, with daughter, Maddison, 8, and Ferdon BStone Vienna, a descendant from Ferdon’s influential Viyella family.
Waikato contract milker Corey Ferguson has been named as the judge for the New Zealand Agricultural Show’s on-farm competition in November.
Ferguson is a well-known face within Ferdon Genetics’ exceptional Jersey operation at Otorohanga. He contract milks 235 cows on an 80ha farm in Te Awamutu.
He will be the third generation to officiate at Christchurch Show.
Ferguson has worked in Australia preparing cattle and in Semex’s Hall of Fame at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada. His long-term goals include returning to Ferdon.
“I love seeing good cows, no matter what breed they are,” Ferguson said.
“A good cow is a good cow, regardless of her colour.”
The on-farm concept has been successfully run in the Waikato twice. Canterbury will welcome Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Milking Shorthorn, and Brown Swiss entries this year. Geographically, the competition will encompass exhibitors from the greater Canterbury region, who will get their cattle show-ready at home on their properties.
Ferguson will visit the farms involved, with the exhibitors will parade their cattle as they would at the show but without the rest of the competition standing side-by-side.
Placings will be decided by pointing the cattle within their breed and age-groups. A junior, intermediate and senior champion will be awarded in every breed. And, a supreme champion of all breeds will be announced at the competition’s completion.
Prize giving will be held at a public event in the Sheep Breeders’ Bar at Canterbury Agricultural Park, on November 13.
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…
OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.