Otago Daily Times News Feed

Ultrasound scanner Peter Clulee has scanned his fair share of sheep over the course of 25 years. PHOTO: ALICE SCOTT Twenty-five years ago Peter Clulee says pregnancy scanning ewes was "like watching paint dry" for the farmer.

Caolan Duffy (left) and Michael Grimes. Michael Grimes and Caolan Duffy only planned to be in New Zealand for six months, working for an Alexandra contractor, but they are unable to return home to Ireland.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor Invercargill agricultural contractor Daryl Thompson is more than "extremely worried" about finding enough skilled and experienced staff to operate his expensive equipment for the coming season.

Avalon Genetics owner Allan Richardson, of Tapanui, is a member of the steering committee for the low input sheep progeny study now being run at Orari Gorge Station, near Geraldine. PHOTO: SRL ARCHIVES Three Otago and Southland sheep studs have contributed rams to a low input sheep progeny study, which they say will help to "future-proof the sheep industry".

Esmerelda Duffin, and husband Michael, are contract milkers on two farms near Otautau. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Dairy farmers Esmerelda and Michael Duffin looked at diversification to gain equity, rather than than taking the usual career route within the industry.

Debbie and Jason Smith, of Waimumu, were delighted when their lamb racks were part of a 14-tonne order that went to the My Food Bag operation recently. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Waimumu sheep and beef farmers Jason and Debbie Smith have a "take it as it comes" approach to farming and it is paying off — despite their operation being affected by Covid-19.

Alex Bodle At 23, Alex Bodle is passionate about farming and keen to follow her own advice.

Sandra and Chris Campbell Fresh sets of eyes over their dairy farm during the judging process was a bonus for Sandra and Chris Campbell when they entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA).

Sam and Karen Bennetts. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Southland/Otago contract milkers Samuel and Karen Bennett placed third in the Share Farmer category at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards on Saturday night.

Quentin Whitehead, of Gore, and Sam, work as a team to pen the sheep during last year’s Southern Indoor Charity Dog Trials at Waimumu. PHOTO: SOUTHERN RURAL LIFE FILES Entries are open for the annual Southern Indoor Charity Dog Trials, which will be held at the Agricentre on the Southern Field Days’ site at Waimumu on August 9, 10 and 11.

Tony Stewart is enjoying life in the Southern Lakes district. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Tony Stewart, the former owner of one of Auckland’s top restaurants, has given up the bright lights for the southern mountains. He tells Rebecca Fox about making a new start.

"I thought rieslings were all sweet," is a comment that I hear regularly. This is a common misconception that hinders interest in riesling to this day.

PHOTO: SIMON LAMBERT Pumpkin, with its smooth and velvety texture, is so good when used in sweets, but it is often overlooked. 

PHOTO: SIMON HENDERSON Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Sisaynesh Gebeyaw with the jebena (coffee pot) on a charcoal brazier and cups at the ready. People’s ways of eating, what they grow, how they cook it, share it and their food customs, develop over time as part of their culture and in response to their environment. Charmian Smith discovers how food and culture are interrelated in Ethiopia.

Scott Tech chief executive John Kippenberger. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Scott Technology has had to let go of 20% of its global workforce, including 15 jobs in Dunedin, as a result of Covid-19 impacts.

The Otago University branch of the ANZ bank on the corner of Cumberland and Albany Sts. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN Another bank will shut its doors in Dunedin next month.

Anesly Joy Samuel stands inside the old Capers Cafe where he hopes to open his new Knox Cafe and Bakery next month. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON A George St bakery is expanding to take over a neighbouring cafe.

Virginia Nicholls. PHOTO: ODT FILES A Southern employers’ group is expecting a new wave of redundancies and restructuring at the end of the extended wage subsidy.

Joel Stevens Life has remained remarkably normal for Joel Stevens over the past six months.