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Some of the most arid soils in Canterbury are proving to be the ideal testing ground for Richard and Denise van Asch’s beef genetics. Words Sandra Taylor.

The ease of use of Stronghold’s stock yards has been a game changer for John Taylor and son Isaac who built them on their hard hill-country property in November 2021. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

There is no denying that there is pain associated with certain practices used on farm when it comes to sheep. Vet Sara Sutherland discusses some of the challenges around providing pain relief for docking, castration, and shearing injuries, and what the future might look like when it comes to this evolving issue.

This is one of my favourite recipes. The loaves are super moist and will last a long time in the tin thanks to the ‘Irish component’. I am a big advocate for baking two things at once – one to butter and one to freeze. And in this case, you can make two loaves turn into four little cute Christmas cakes, or one to gift and one loaf for you to slice and butter with a cuppa when you find two minutes to sit down during the silly season. Words & Photos Philippa Cameron.

Jarrod and Danielle Hawkins farm east of Otorohanga, running sheep, beef and dairy grazers on 350 hectares (total farm area is 450ha, with 100ha in bush). Jarrod does most of the useful farming; Danielle works part-time as a vet, organises children, writes novels and helps out from time to time.

A self-confessed ‘wool evangelist’, Brad Stuart has turned his passion for wool as an undervalued product into a thriving wool insulation business. Words Tony Leggett.

Farm gate returns for lamb and mutton have passed the bottom of the latest downward cycle, but farmers can expect only small increases for the 2024-25 season ahead. Words Tony Leggett.

Stress is a natural human emotion. Rural counsellor Kathryn Wright says while we can’t eliminate it from our lives, we can change how you think about it.