Storm-damaged trees still causing havoc in Southland
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.
It presents an unfair reflection of many hardworking Southland farmers who work tirelessly to keep animals safe and dry during winter.
The article claims intenive farming in the cold Deep South could damage the image of the dairy industry.
Southland dairy industry leaders admit that a handful of farmers are still not getting winter grazing right but painting every dairy farmer in the region with the same brush isn't fair.
The article unfairly claims that most Southland cattle spend winter on paddocks that are often bare soil. Nothing could further from the truth.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).
Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.