Latest Ruralco News

For the next three months, we will look at the following: autumn sown arable crops, barley grass control in pasture and weed control in lucerne.

‘Dry’ has been and remains a commonly used term when describing weather and soil conditions for the first half of 2024. That’s meant favourable conditions for cultivation and drilling post-harvest, however low commodity prices, reduced seed contracts, and high input prices appear to be keeping optimism low among the arable industry.

For 54 years, ElectraServe has provided comprehensive electrical service to the people of Mid Canterbury.

Focusing on daily habits helps manage pressure when the going gets tough says Farmstrong ambassador Sam Whitelock.

In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel Publishing’s most enigmatic heroines.

Brothers Alan and Ian Neumann run a company so steeped in history and family values, it is one of the most successful tyre companies in the South Island. Their father started Neumann’s Tyres straight after the Second World War in 1945, when tyres were scarce. Through kiwi ingenuity he made do, repairing, reusing and making what he could, and soon gained a reputation as one of the region’s best.

Nathan and Karen Smith own two shoe shop and apparel stores in Timaru, The Shoe Shop and Stompz. As a teenager, Nathan worked in his parents’ shoe shop that they had owned since he was 4 years old. Nathan and Karen bought the original store Cobbler’s Inn in 2001, and subsequently started J-Walk and Stompz from there. Cobbler's Inn and J-Walk have recently amalgamated into The Shoe Shop. All stores partner with Ruralco and they actively promote this on a regular basis.

Richard Rayward started Air Safaris in 1970, flying out of Mesopotamia Station in the Rangitata Valley. For the first three years he concentrated on flying in guests for hunting, fishing and tramping from his small airplane.

Ed Body started his fencing business 25 years ago as the dairy industry was kicking off in Canterbury. Ed saw the need for quality fencing for the conversions, and quickly picked work up as a skilled and respected fencing contractor. Ed and his team not only do fencing, but have diversified into building cattle and sheep yards, hay sheds and urban fencing. 

Tony and Sharon Watson took over Mayfield Spraying in July 2021, after searching for a new business venture to run as their own. Tony has always worked on farms, so understands well how they operate and the challenges they face.