Why more dairy farmers are welcoming Irish agricultural students
With 60 young Irish agricultural students preparing to arrive in New Zealand from January 2027, farmers have an opportunity to bring motivated, practically experienced young people into their businesses during the second half of the milking season
Plan ahead to keep moving in El Niño conditions
El Niño weather conditions can mean farmers need to move cattle or deer sooner than planned for grazing, selling or to manage feed availability.
A show generations grow up with
From childhood adventures on his pony Flashlight to watching his grandson enter the show ring, Charles Ruddenklau has seen generations grow up at the Waimate A&P Show.
We talk to some of the people behind this much-loved event about what keeps it going - and why this year's show is well worth a visit, whether you're from town or country.
Partnering in agritourism
Your land’s pretty special and you know visitors would love to experience it, but you don’t have the time or skills to think about running a tourist venture? There are options. At Island Hills Station tourism’s booming under a different model.
50 years and five more sheep
When Tony Chamberlain steps onto the board at the Waimate Shears in October, he'll be completing a personal challenge. It will be his 50th consecutive year competing at his home event, shearing five sheep as quickly and as cleanly as he can.
Vet Ryan Luckman takes on farming’s big problems
A free bed, some “sheep stuff” and a scholarship brought Ryan Luckman to Waimate as a veterinary student. More than 20 years later, he’s still here.
These days, he’s focused on finding solutions to some pretty complex agricultural challenges.
When alpacas become an agritourism business
Jessie and Ray Haanen run a tourism operation on their lifestyle block that incorporates accommodation and alpaca tours.
Their advice to anyone considering agritourism - start with what you’ve got.
Investing beyond your rural business
For generations, rural New Zealanders have done what they do best - worked hard, built successful businesses and focused on the long game.
In this article, we find out how off-farm investments can help protect and grow what people have spent a lifetime, or generations, building.
Could your farm already be an agritourism business?
According to Agritourism NZ founder and chief executive Marijke Dunselman, many farmers already have what they need for an agritourism business sitting right under their noses.
It could simply be looking at what is already there through a different lens.
Land sharing reaps rewards
Across the country, a growing land-sharing movement is connecting people who want to farm with those who have available land.
In a local example, Carl Barnes, a former chef who once cooked for the likes of Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise, is now growing nutrient-rich organic food for local tables and other chefs.
An organic system that’s delivering results
Happy hens, cows and sheep are living their best lives on Arnstead Farm at Ikawai, on the plains of the Waitaki River.
Diversity, resilience and big biological bombs are all part of the system producing high quality food for top eateries and tables across the country
District dog trials, a tradition 114 years in the making
The 114th Waimate Sheep Dog Trials wrapped up this weekend, with great conditions across the two days.
We caught up with some of the people behind the scenes to find out more about this long rooted district tradition.
From young farmers to lifelong friends
A Young Farmers exchange competition more than 50 years ago took Lex Young halfway around the world and led to friendships that have lasted a lifetime.