Fierce competition in shearing and woolhandling at the Taihape A & P Show

Searing heat has been hitting Southland and Otago for several weeks now.

The public and businesses look at long-term effects of drought affecting Otago, Southland.

Damien O'Connor has extended drought classification to Otago and Southland.

Rain forecast for later in the week welcome but its effect would be relatively short-lived

Deluge will be a relief for Southern farmers but will it be helpful or destructive?

Farmers are facing hard decisions on destocking and replanting failed winter feed crops.

No shortage of callouts for helicopter companies in Central Otago and the Lakes District.

Olivia Ross wants to try and narrow the urban-rural divide.

Breeders reported a marked improvement on last year's results.

DairyNZ and Southland Rural Support Trust are calling for farmers to reach out for help.

A predicted heatwave has public health officials warning people in Otago and Southland.

Farmers and rural support professionals have been invited to attend free drought support.

Group says there's a strong call for swift action in eradicating the disease.

Napier shearer John Kirkpatrick wins NZ crossbred lambshearing title at Winton A & P Show.

Experts are still hoping to discover how mycoplasma bovis is still spreading south.

Mycoplasma bovis continues to spread in the South.

There looks to be little reprieve for southern farmers - Niwa's seasonal climate outlook.

There is now a total fire ban across Otago and Southland.

Four seasons in one country - heat, thunderstorms and rain on way.

Uh-oh. Higher than normal rainfall forecast for most of the country in the next two weeks.

The Herald visits the southernmost mosque in the world.

MPI announced $7.15 million for 28 new sustainable farming fund projects yesterday.

Eighteen dangerous Otago and Southland roads to be upgraded to improve their safety.

Fewer ewes mated, lower lambing percentage and fewer lambs fron hoggets behind fall.

Southland has not experienced a dry spell like this since 1990, says regional council.

Hear the name Grant Dickson and chances are the words Southern Field Days will soon follow

"Really disappointing" but not totally unexpected that new farms are infected.

Outram farmer Duncan Wells is looking forward to opening his gates to the public on Sunday

Farm life in full swing on the 349ha, 700 cow research farm, the Southern Dairy Hub.