Latest Ruralco News

Knowledge, experience, and passion for agriculture are key drivers behind new Ruralco Chair Sir David Carter.

It’s been a long, hard, slow grind, but buoyed by customer feedback, Sheffield cropping farmers Marty and Georgina Skurr’s venture into homegrown stone ground flour is about to hit a whole new level with a new mill about to come on stream.

Placing catchment communities in the Ashburton District at the centre of decisions and direction on biodiversity, water quality and the environment is now possible thanks to the Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective (MCCC).

If you ask any expert about making time to take a ‘helicopter view’ of your business, they’ll agree it’s a good idea.

For the next three months we will look at the following: fodder crops, pre-emergence sprays on autumn sown crops, grass grub control in pasture, and use of gibberellic acid to increase pasture growth.

Look back and plan ahead to get the most from your autumn sown cereal crop.

Autumn is on its way following a favourable summer, especially for cropping farmers who have been able to complete much of their harvest with limited weather delays. There have been some extreme temperatures with some regular rainfall, particularly in late February, seen in time to provide relief for dryland farmers.

Darryl and Kylie Burrowes bought Allen’s Ashburton in 2004. Specialising in liquid waste disposal, they’ve developed a very strong relationship with the rural community around Ashburton, particularly in the dairy sector.

Sparrows is the oldest family-owned apparel store in Australasia. Euan Sparrow is the 5th generation shop owner of Sparrows, which was established by William Sparrow in 1887. Euan runs the store alongside his business partners Richard and Jolene, who bought into the business 12 years ago, still on the same site.

Replacing the nutrients removed by hay or silage keeps soil fertile and productive.