When Jeff Woolford broke a wrist after going over the handlebars of his farm bike last year, his partner Lara Sutton stepped into his gumboots. “I would not have survived without her,” Woolford said. “It’s…
When Jeff Woolford broke a wrist after going over the handlebars of his farm bike last year, his partner Lara Sutton stepped into his gumboots. “I would not have survived without her,” Woolford said. “It’s…
Rotomate sheep and beef farmer Mat Sherriff says pond levels have dropped about one metre on his farm. When you can see the mountains it’s going to rain, when you can’t see the mountains, it’s…
Zac van Dorsten is the 2025 Waikato Dairy Manager of the Year. Van Dorsten, 27, manages Tony and Louise Collingwood’s 455-cow 165ha farm at Scown Road, Ōtorohanga. Van Dorsten, who is from Te Awamutu and…
DairyNZ board chair Tracy Brown says the organisation got it wrong when it asked farmers to chose one of two levy rises. Asking farmers whether they wished to maintain current science and research, at between…
James Grafton moved north to become an apprentice in one of the most ancient trades. Senior writer Chris Gardner went to Kowhai Forge in Wharepapa South to find out his story. As soon as Rob…
Ian Brennan wants to develop a sustainable eco system which can tolerate harvesting, writes Chris Gardner. Ian Brennan is proud to call himself a “tree pervert”. Brennan has spent 18 years planting continuous cover native…
Farmers have only weeks to wait to learn the extent of a Waikato Regional Council water quality plan change on their operations. As they wait for the final version of Plan Change One to fall…
Waipā District Council looks set to make some radical changes to its District Plan to accommodate the burgeoning kiwifruit and horticulture industry. Proposed changes include reducing road and internal boundary setbacks for protective structures over…
Waikato Regional Council recently confirmed its proposed Annual Plan budget. Thanks to a lot of good work by our chief executive and his staff, careful consideration by councillors and following a series of workshops with…
No longer just learning the ropes, Rylee Ward will be hoping to have the competition over a barrel during the annual Rural Games in Feilding next month. The rodeo star, now based in Cambridge having…
