Book to get the mind fit

Rural > Book to get the mind fit

by Christine Dornan | 13 Dec, 2019 | Rural

Maree McManaway. PHOTO/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE gianina.schwanecke@age.co.nz For 23 years, Maree McManaway helped run the family dairy farm in Dalefield alongside husband Mark. But for the past 11 years, she has helped those in our community as a life... read more

Dairy farm experience gives Hammond an edge

Rural > Dairy farm experience gives Hammond an edge

by Gianina Schwanecke | 19 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Left to right: Henry Smith (4th), Ben Galloway (2nd), Hamish Hammond (1st) and Andrew Moffatt (3rd). PHOTO/SUPPLIED GIANINA SCHWANECKE gianina.schwanecke@age.co.nz Quad bike driving, shearing, first aid, sewing and equine care were just some of the skills tested at... read more

Food forests branching out big time

Rural > Food forests branching out big time

by Gianina Schwanecke | 15 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Garry Foster’s food forest in Matahiwi was a labour of love. PHOTOS/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE There’s a quiet order to the seemingly untamed wildness of food forest gardens. Combining fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables... read more

Strength in uncertainty

Rural > Strength in uncertainty

by Gianina Schwanecke | 14 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Lindy Nelson. PHOTO/FILE GIANINA SCHWANECKE gianina.schwanecke@age.co.nz At a time when many farmers feel under pressure from government legislation and face an uncertain future, the Agri-Women’s Development Trust hope to equip farmers with the tools to adapt. The... read more

Youth opportunities in farming

Rural > Youth opportunities in farming

by Gianina Schwanecke | 8 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Tinui couple Jake Coulston and Miki Pearson have just launched their new business venture, MJC Ag Services. PHOTO/SUPPLIED GIANINA SCHWANECKE The wheels are turning for an entrepreneurial young Tinui woman who just last month launched her own ag services and dagging... read more

Blue wool uncool, says industry expert

Rural > Blue wool uncool, says industry expert

by Gianina Schwanecke | 5 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Daryn Pedersen inspecting wool contaminated by blue marks from scanning spray used on pregnant ewes. PHOTO/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE gianina.schwanecke@age.co.nz Wool prices are already at a record low, but contamination incidents and irremovable blue... read more

Succession: Preparing to pass the baton for the future of farming

Rural > Succession: Preparing to pass the baton for the future of farming

by Gianina Schwanecke | 5 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Passing farms onto the younger generation was still one of the main succession plans though it was becoming less common and making it fair to non-farming children could be tricky. PHOTO/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE For some farmers, the thought of having to... read more

Peter Laing’s legacy lives on in trust

Rural > Peter Laing’s legacy lives on in trust

by Gianina Schwanecke | 25 Oct, 2019 | Rural

The grant from the Peter Laing Memorial Trust was a helping hand for Gladstone farm owner, Rupert Barton. PHOTO/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE For close to 40 years, Peter Laing served as manager at Castlepoint Station. During this time, he built a reputation... read more