Country-Wide Summer 2024-25
From culling to live recovery
Legendary helicopter pilot and ground culler reflects on a wild time in the establishment of the deer industry. Words Dick Deaker. Photos Barry Harcourt & Garry Hollows.
Prove it with planning
Farm planning for deer farmers must allow for flexibility and the unique challenges of farming deer, but a good farm plan can help provide proof of best practice for our markets. Words Rebecca Greaves.
Poised for a new chapter
Newly appointed Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) chief executive Rhys Griffiths (pictured) knows the industry has weathered some recent storms, but he believes it is poised to write the next chapter in the pioneering history of deer. Words Rebecca Greaves.
Better your best
It’s what’s in their nuts that counts. And the team at Melior is confident their nuts have the goods when it comes to delivering fast growing, robust venison animals.
A return to deer
Getting deer back inside the many deer-fenced blocks on the country’s sheep-beef farms is a major priority for Taihape deer farmer Mark McCoard. Tony Leggett asks the recently elected chairman of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association how it will happen. Photos Brad Hanson.
Irish Loaves
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.
Pick of the Patch
Bringing pumpkin seeds, pumpkin oil and pumpkin flour to the market is a labour of love, but this innovative Whanganui couple have jumped in head first with their Summer Hill Seeds business adding a third protein to their farming operation. Words Kate Coughlan, Photos Alanah Brown.
Following in her father’s footsteps
Tommi Gregory-Hunt is a Timaru-based stock agent, following in the footsteps of her father Martie. Born on the Chatham Islands and raised on Pitt Island, she can’t wait to take her skills back home. Words Annabelle Allott.
Reflections of a travelling Kiwi
Roger Barton, Carterton, Wairarapa, with his wife Barbie, farms a glorified lifestyle block (480ha total) amongst the rocks at Woodside, west of Greytown. They have four adult children, two of which are farming on their own blocks.