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Meet Ruralco's Methven and Rakaia Store Managers with a Passion for People and Progress

Over the past couple of years around the world “green” energy options have become very much the main topic of any discussion on energy use. This has been at both a macro or national level, and an individual business level.

Neil Bateup, has witnessed some drastic changes to his rural community over the past 30 years, changes which have made farming easier, but in other ways significantly tougher and more isolated.

Ruralco’s 29th annual Instore Days has proved to be a great success despite cautious expectations leading up to the event.

There’s even more cause for celebration at this year’s Ruralco Instore Days as the farming co-operative gears up for its 60th anniversary.

A few things have changed since the Methven Collie Club’s first dog trial was held in August 1897. The tweed jackets are gone, but the love of stock, camaraderie and a strong sense of community remain.

The Todhunter family have doubled down on many generations of established success on Cleardale Station pushing on to farm even smarter, add value, and preserve the high value environment.

Driven by a passion for Merino wool and homegrown entrepreneurial approach, Simon and Kirsty Williamson have successfully diversified their farming operation at Glenbrook Station, north of Omarama.

Catch crops, also commonly referred to as cover crops, are nothing new. Already used extensively in cropping, they are traditionally sown in autumn to provide feed over winter for stock, conserve nutrients and reduce weeds, water runoff and soil erosion.

The autumn period has again produced a consistent spell of warmer weather and with a steady stream of regular rainfall, we are set up heading into winter. Soil temperature has remained consistent, although the cold spell currently should slow pasture growth. Feed surpluses have been good in the latter part of autumn and the drier conditions earlier had meant irrigation remained on through mid-autumn.