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Dave Murdoch
Reporter
Pahiatua

Dave Murdoch is a reporter for the Bush Telegraph

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Dave’s latest content
Buck Mackay retires as Dannevirke Rugby Park’s long-serving groundsman
The Country

Buck Mackay retires as Dannevirke Rugby Park’s long-serving groundsman

21 Apr 09:00 PM
Small Holders Auction exceeds Pre-Covid levels
The Country

Small Holders Auction exceeds Pre-Covid levels

17 Apr 11:39 PM

A sale of chattels and chooks was well attended and profitable

Exotic sheep sale a unique occasion at Dannevirke Showgrounds
The Country

Exotic sheep sale a unique occasion at Dannevirke Showgrounds

17 Apr 08:51 PM

Unique sale of rare sheep at Dannevirke.

140th Woodville Horticultural and Industrial Show a blaze of colour and creativity
The Country

140th Woodville Horticultural and Industrial Show a blaze of colour and creativity

03 Mar 11:00 PM

A huge and successful horticultural show at Woodville.

Dannevirke store cattle sale has steady prices
The Country

Dannevirke store cattle sale has steady prices

23 Feb 08:00 PM

A moderate yarding of store cattle in Dannevirke earns reasonable return

Something old, something new and some novelty in Dannevirke's 2024 A&P Show
The Country

Something old, something new and some novelty in Dannevirke's 2024 A&P Show

07 Feb 11:48 PM

The A&P Show had some good pastoral exhibits.

Record entries in super Dannevirke A&P shearing contest
The Country

Record entries in super Dannevirke A&P shearing contest

07 Feb 11:00 PM

Top shearers competed at Dannevirke's A&P show.

Toddy - 40 not out at Tumu Dannevirke
The Country

Toddy - 40 not out at Tumu Dannevirke

28 Jan 09:00 PM

Kevan Todd says the 40 years are a kind of blur

Heald sunflowers - nature’s bounty for charity
The Country

Heald sunflowers - nature’s bounty for charity

27 Jan 08:00 PM

The field of sunflowers will be open every day in February.

Dannevirke hosts first coloured sheep sale in over a decade
The Country

Dannevirke hosts first coloured sheep sale in over a decade

21 Jan 08:00 PM

Coloured sheep sale "like a fishing expedition".

Firm prices at first Dannevirke/Pahīatua Dairy Beef sale for 2024
The Country

Firm prices at first Dannevirke/Pahīatua Dairy Beef sale for 2024

20 Jan 08:00 PM

There were firm prices for dairy beef.

Local riders excel in Central and Southern Hawke's Bay show jumping event
The Country

Local riders excel in Central and Southern Hawke's Bay show jumping event

17 Jan 07:05 PM

Logan Massie wins World Cup Qualifier on his 15yo stallion.

Alan's creations out of recycling
The Country

Alan's creations out of recycling

14 Jan 09:00 PM

Alan Holmes creates an amazing bike

Consistent prices for weaners at Dannevirke dairy beef sale
The Country

Consistent prices for weaners at Dannevirke dairy beef sale

09 Dec 08:04 PM

Steady prices at Dannevirke weaner sale

Tararua Rural Support Trust cyclone recovery expo a hit
The Country

Tararua Rural Support Trust cyclone recovery expo a hit

02 Dec 08:00 PM

Free fencing gear and goodie bags were on offer at the expo.

Reasonable prices at Dannevirke weaner bull sale
The Country

Reasonable prices at Dannevirke weaner bull sale

22 Nov 07:55 PM

Sale did not reach the amazing prices of that a fortnight earlier.

Warm weather brings the crowds for Norsewood Country Festival
The Country

Warm weather brings the crowds for Norsewood Country Festival

08 Nov 11:42 PM

A good sprinkling of locals had wares at the country festival.

Dannevirke Menz Shed loves a challenge
The Country

Dannevirke Menz Shed loves a challenge

12 Oct 08:00 PM

All types of creations were on display at the open day.

Reasonable prices for feeder calves in Dannevirke sales
The Country

Reasonable prices for feeder calves in Dannevirke sales

26 Aug 10:00 PM

Feeder calf sales are ticking along nicely.

Reasonable prices at Dannevirke sheep sale
The Country

Reasonable prices at Dannevirke sheep sale

10 Aug 04:32 AM

Sheep sales for the first full week of August fetched reasonable prices.

Growing market for feeder calves in Dannevirke
The Country

Growing market for feeder calves in Dannevirke

03 Aug 10:00 PM

An unusual breed sparked interest at the feeder calf sales.

'Get out of the mud and have a catch up' for farmers at Bogged in the Swamp event
The Country

'Get out of the mud and have a catch up' for farmers at Bogged in the Swamp event

03 Aug 08:00 PM

Farmers invited to a free night out

Taskforce Green helps out   farmers
The Country

Taskforce Green helps out farmers

27 Jul 08:00 PM

A programme for jobseekers is helping farmers impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Change at helm of Dannevirke A&P Association
The Country

Change at helm of Dannevirke A&P Association

19 Jul 02:07 AM

After a tough year, a whole new committee is elected.

Livestock firms are starting their feeder calf sales
The Country

Livestock firms are starting their feeder calf sales

13 Jul 08:00 PM

Early start to feeder calf season in difficult conditions

Amazing generosity from Dannevirke locals for Cyclone Gabrielle relief
The Country

Amazing generosity from Dannevirke locals for Cyclone Gabrielle relief

06 Jul 08:00 PM

A group from Dannevirke sends 200 meals to Napier every Thursday.

Dannevirke water supply repairs 'cannot be delayed'
The Country

Dannevirke water supply repairs 'cannot be delayed'

28 Jun 10:25 PM

There are complex challenges ahead in repairing Dannevirke's dam

Hunting event brings families together
The Country

Hunting event brings families together

24 Jun 02:00 AM

Take a kid hunting event a great success.

Feijoa workshops help save seasonal surplus
The Country

Feijoa workshops help save seasonal surplus

07 Jun 05:52 AM

Workshops preserve the art of ... preserving.

Amy Silcock needs sponsors for shearing record attempt
The Country

Amy Silcock needs sponsors for shearing record attempt

07 Nov 04:00 PM

Organising a world record attempt is both challenging and expensive.

Dannevirke sale: Strong prices for prime and store sheep
The Country

Dannevirke sale: Strong prices for prime and store sheep

03 Jun 10:23 PM

Dannevirke's weekly store and prime lamb sale on May 28 started with high expectations.

Weaner bulls sell well at Dannevirke sale
The Country

Weaner bulls sell well at Dannevirke sale

19 Jan 09:30 PM

Buyers came from Pahiatua and Eketahuna and there was some Hawke's Bay interest.

Stable prices at weaner bull sale
The Country

Stable prices at weaner bull sale

24 Nov 11:15 PM

Friesian weaner bulls made up half the bull sale.

Numbers down but calves back at Dannevirke show
The Country

Numbers down but calves back at Dannevirke show

18 Nov 01:08 AM

The Dannevirke and Districts Lamb and Calf Show was back after a break last year.

Exotic sheep show draws crowd at Wimbledon
The Country

Exotic sheep show draws crowd at Wimbledon

18 Nov 01:00 AM

Over 300 people showed up for the open day at Brian Hales' Wimbledon property.

Lamb and calf day is back at showgrounds
The Country

Lamb and calf day is back at showgrounds

04 Nov 03:32 AM

Dannevirke's Lamb and Calf day is back after a break in 2018 due to the M.Bovis threat.

Calves back at school for calf day
The Country

Calves back at school for calf day

04 Nov 03:28 AM

With nearly 40 entries Ruahine School celebrated the return of Lamb and Calf Day.

Exotic sheep shearing to feature at farm open day
The Country

Exotic sheep shearing to feature at farm open day

20 Oct 10:05 PM

Wimbledon farm holds some of the most ancient breeds of sheep.

Good sale demand for feeder calves
The Country

Good sale demand for feeder calves

02 Sep 01:35 AM

Nearly 400 calves went under the hammer during the week.

A lack of buyers hampers sale
The Country

A lack of buyers hampers sale

19 Aug 01:20 AM

Nearly 350 feeder calves changed hands at three livestock sales last week.

Planting in Manawatū Catchment
The Country

Planting in Manawatū Catchment

21 Jul 09:42 PM

Volunteers responded to call from the Te Kauru Hapu Collective to continue the planting.

Ngapaeruru army recruit wins three top awards
The Country

Ngapaeruru army recruit wins three top awards

21 Jul 09:35 PM

Sam had joined the army 18 weeks before as a raw recruit ready to do his basic training.

Increasing need for rural support
The Country

Increasing need for rural support

30 Jun 10:40 PM

The East Coast Rural Support Trust is ready to assist in a rural business crisis.

Good prices in winter ewe sale
The Country

Good prices in winter ewe sale

23 Jun 10:16 PM

PGG Wrightsons had a large offering of 4600 capital stock two-tooth and 4-year-old ewes.

Kids, adults bring in prey in Woodville
The Country

Kids, adults bring in prey in Woodville

23 Jun 10:09 PM

Woodville's New Central Hotel Open Hunt was a big success.

Wild Buck Hunt: Hunters hit game
The Country

Wild Buck Hunt: Hunters hit game

05 May 09:48 PM

There were $10,000 worth of prizes, with the top results richly rewarded

Big crowd for racing club meeting
The Country

Big crowd for racing club meeting

28 Apr 09:47 PM

The Farmer's Day April 18 meeting was a real success for Woodville-Pahiatua Racing Club.

Carriage Racing: Harnessing horse power at Mokotuku Domain
The Country

Carriage Racing: Harnessing horse power at Mokotuku Domain

17 Mar 05:00 PM

It was all walk, trot and gallop at Makotuku Domain over the weekend.

Top prices for Angus steers at Dannevirke and Pahiatua Cattle Fair
The Country

Top prices for Angus steers at Dannevirke and Pahiatua Cattle Fair

17 Feb 08:00 PM

The Dannevirke and Pahiatua Cattle sale had positive results.

Many entries to Dannevirke sheepdog trials
The Country

Many entries to Dannevirke sheepdog trials

17 Feb 05:00 PM

Dannevirke Sheep Dog trials were very popular this season.

MPs get drubbing from the Mangatainoka players
The Country

MPs get drubbing from the Mangatainoka players

17 Feb 04:00 PM

The NZ Parliamentary Rugby team took the field in Mangatainoka on Saturday.

Weather fails to dampen Dannevirke A&P show fun
The Country

Weather fails to dampen Dannevirke A&P show fun

10 Feb 04:00 PM

The Dannevirke A&P Show delighted over the weekend.

Good returns for the Dannevirke dairy beef sale
The Country

Good returns for the Dannevirke dairy beef sale

03 Feb 06:00 PM

The latest Dannevirke and Pahiatua Dannevirke Dairy Beef sale was popular.

Remarkable prices at Dannevirke sale
The Country

Remarkable prices at Dannevirke sale

20 Jan 10:00 PM

Bidding was rampant at the Dannevirke Dairy Beef sale.

Rare and exotic sheep on show at Wimbledom
The Country

Rare and exotic sheep on show at Wimbledom

13 Jan 08:00 PM

Exotic sheep types will be on show in Wimbledon.

Top year for Alfredton rugby referee Rebecca Mahoney
The Country

Top year for Alfredton rugby referee Rebecca Mahoney

13 Jan 06:00 PM

Rebecca Mahoney made the jump from the farm to the field and has no regrets.

Strong dairy beef sale at Dannevirke
The Country

Strong dairy beef sale at Dannevirke

16 Dec 06:00 PM

Early summer weather meant prices soared at the Dannevirke Dairy Beef sale.

Dairy Women's Network celebrate achievements
The Country

Dairy Women's Network celebrate achievements

16 Dec 04:00 PM

The Dairy Women's Network have got together to celebrate the year.

Awaited improvements looming for Tararua's Route 52
The Country

Awaited improvements looming for Tararua's Route 52

02 Dec 04:00 PM

Repetitive route 52 issues are causing tensions to boil over in the Tararua area.

First cattle fetching sound prices at Dannevirke Cattle Fair
The Country

First cattle fetching sound prices at Dannevirke Cattle Fair

18 Nov 05:00 PM

It was pretty much a sea of black at the first Dannevirke Cattle Fair of the season.

Solid start to the season's sheep stock sales in Dannevirke
The Country

Solid start to the season's sheep stock sales in Dannevirke

11 Nov 05:00 PM

There was a good yarding of ewes at the recent Dannevirke Sheep Sale.

Ruahine School Lamb Day essence of country life
The Country

Ruahine School Lamb Day essence of country life

04 Nov 06:00 PM

Ruahine School held a successful Lamb and Ag Day on Tuesday October 31.

Calf prices reflect end of season sales
The Country

Calf prices reflect end of season sales

23 Sep 11:30 PM

Prices at the three sales last week reflected buyers' needs rather than quality.

Carrfields Livestock: Good quality livestock at calf sales
The Country

Carrfields Livestock: Good quality livestock at calf sales

09 Sep 08:30 PM

The quality of livestock was good at the first three feeder calf sales of September.

Bids firm at NZ Farmer's Livestock sale
The Country

Bids firm at NZ Farmer's Livestock sale

26 Aug 04:00 PM

Prices remain firm for quality stock, although not reaching the dizzy heights of last week

Top equestrian judges meet for training at Dannevirke
The Country

Top equestrian judges meet for training at Dannevirke

06 Aug 12:42 AM

Thirty equestrian judges have met in Dannevirke for training.

Precautions for feeder calf sales in Tararua
The Country

Precautions for feeder calf sales in Tararua

22 Jul 08:00 PM

Cow sales are still going strong despite fears of mycoplasma bovis.

Shearing crisis looms, says Clarke Shearing
The Country

Shearing crisis looms, says Clarke Shearing

08 Jul 07:00 PM

According to Clarke Shearing there is a crisis looming in the shearing industry.

Success for first Dandeleith stock sale
The Country

Success for first Dandeleith stock sale

17 Jun 09:30 PM

Dandeleith's first on-farm bull sale was very successful.

Early Tararua bull sale reports good prices
The Country

Early Tararua bull sale reports good prices

11 Jun 01:06 AM

One of the earliest Tararua bull sales of the season yielded some fair prices.

Dog Dayz a success for Dannevirke's Ruahine Kennel
The Country

Dog Dayz a success for Dannevirke's Ruahine Kennel

07 May 05:30 AM

Ruahine Kennel Association has successfully held its annual dog show Dog Dayz.

Teamwork key to success for Tararua business award winners
The Country

Teamwork key to success for Tararua business award winners

07 May 02:30 AM

A good business plan key to success, say Tararua Sheep and Beef award winners.

Couple win Tararua Farm Business of the Year
The Country

Couple win Tararua Farm Business of the Year

09 Apr 02:30 AM

A Tararua couple have won a prestigious farming award.

Busy time at Central Districts field days
The Country

Busy time at Central Districts field days

09 Apr 01:30 AM

Central Districts Field Days was a big success this year.

Horizons Regional Council proposes radical change to managing rivers
The Country

Horizons Regional Council proposes radical change to managing rivers

18 Mar 11:30 PM

Horizons Regional Council is proposing a radical change to managing river control.

Tararua teams in AgriKids finals
The Country

Tararua teams in AgriKids finals

25 Feb 11:30 PM

Tararua will be represented in the national TeenAg and AgriKids finals at Invercargill.

Tararua sheep dog trialists succeed at national final
The Country

Tararua sheep dog trialists succeed at national final

25 Feb 10:30 PM

Three Tararua sheep dog trainers have found success at the Tux NZ dog trials.

Drone tech makes life easier for Tataramoa farmer
The Country

Drone tech makes life easier for Tataramoa farmer

25 Feb 09:06 PM

Drone technology is proving invaluable to two Tataramoa farmers.

Fun for all at Dannevirke A&P Show
The Country

Fun for all at Dannevirke A&P Show

25 Feb 07:30 PM

Dannevirke A&P Show provided non-stop entertainment for local spectators.

A&P Show home industries entries rise
The Country

A&P Show home industries entries rise

25 Feb 04:00 PM

Entries were up at the A&P home industries section at this years show.

Dannevirke to Owahanga horse trek events keenly contested
The Country

Dannevirke to Owahanga horse trek events keenly contested

25 Feb 03:00 PM

Horse trek events in Dannevirke have brought out a competitive spirit in the region.

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