Iain Hyndman is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle
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.
Competition red hot as farm business judging begins
The credibility of competitions often rests with the quality of the judging panel
Graduation day is on
Each course AGC Training offers will host its own separate graduation celebration.
More of the same, please, say farmers
Eating pine cones and pine needles hold little appeal for many farmers.
Rising prices for livestock comes with a warning
Will China take product from meat plants hit by Covid?
Act now to lock in your on-farm career
Enrol now to ensure a spot on a programme that leads to a future career in agriculture
Sheep out for the count when blessings abound
New-season lambs may be a few weeks late as they struggle to put on weight
Whanganui farms are legitimate cases to be sold as carbon credit banks
If it wasn't for its remoteness, part of The Pinnacles would not be planted in trees
Course a natural pathway to conservation careers
The course is designed for students who feel disconnected from mainstream education
Construction training shifts to schools
After graduation the college students can continue study or gain apprenticeships
Carbon credits a get-out-of-jail-free card?
Cotton struggles to see how buying a get out of jail free card mitigates climate change.
Big read: Legend of the skies Tango Mike notches 20,000 hours
"Thanks for getting me home safely after thousands of hours of some very serious bad s***"
Lambs: New season haggle begins
Some will see first new season lamb contracts a positive, others will not.
Real-time learning for rural animal technicians
To study extramurally students, must be employed working with large animals
Land use on the move
The land use changes appear similar to those made in the 1980s/early 90s
Obituary: John Palamountain's legacy his life's work
The Whanganui businessman had a passion for land and animals.
Limes a profitable prospect at Waitotara Valley orchard
Supply and demand dictate price, but limes are often at the top end of citrus fruit.
Is this the Land of Milk and Honey for our farmers?
It has been many years since nearly all facets of farming have had such solid returns.
Eyeing careers after animal care course
Animal care technology students graduate in a fortnight and next course begins in July.
Farm training: 'It feels so natural being a tutor'
Teaching younger and less experienced workers throughout his career was his preparation.
Dry spell affects livestock prices
The dry spell combines to swell livestock numbers at Friday's Feilding sale yards.
Contract lamb price hits top dollar
The contract price has underpinned the entire sheep market allowing everyone a slice.
AGC Training aids dairy workers with on-farm study option
The AGC Training Milk Harvesting course has strong industry support.
Seeking life in the slow lane
Forward planning gave Keenan an edge when the Big Dry came knocking in 2018.
Milking students pumped by job opportunities
Last month alone 450 jobs were advertised in just two social networking websites.
NZ farmers are 'so lucky', says Whanganui commentator
Guided tour of South Island hill country stations proved an eye opener.
Farmers seminar focuses on water regulations
Key focus of the seminar is to hear how Horizons intends on implementing the new regs.
Working dog sales are a hit
Live sales are still hosted in Gisborne, but the Mangamingi sales are a thing of the past.
Timing the key to farming
Pressure goes on store lamb market as farmers recall last season's drought.
Nothing gets in the way of Ashley Te Weri and her animals
The L5 RAT course at AGC Training played a pivotal role in Ashley Te Weri's career.
The milking way - Whanganui's AGC Training filling the void
The Milk Harvesting L3 course can be done in the classroom or online.
Time is money - an apt adage
Time has done little to increase farm returns, but costs rise regardless.
Whanganui and country life have won her heart
Georgia Simons spent two years as a student at AGC Training and has now joined the staff.
Training organisation hires former military man
Warren Mant's values align with that of AGC Training in upskilling tutors and students.
Book killing space now, livestock commentator says
David Cotton is forecasting a reasonable season ahead despite some fishhooks ahead.
Wave of a wand eases hospice friends' workload
For past three years, Farming Friends have raised $60,000 annually for Hospice Whanganui
Sandor Chernoff and Ange Beagley guide the way
The pair align future employees with future employers by building a network of mentors.
Sisters on a growing spree
The sisters were at a loss of what to do with the old family farm after the lease expired.
Taking the good with the bad on the farm
Although meat prices are firm, there are still some complaints down on the farm.
One man's passion - breeding a potential champion
Keenan's love of the thoroughbred has built a hobby into a viable operation.
Tutor knows both sides of the farm fence
He left school at 15 and returned at 33 to teach students the basics of farming.
Living legend of the skies: Whanganui pilot Ian Wakeling grounds himself
Ian Wakeling's journey is well documented in Anne Flutey's book This Kiwi Can Fly.
Freshwater policies attacked
The new laws fail to acknowledge the momentum farmers already have to address freshwater.
Former students Aaria, Jess and Kassie return as tutors to AGC Training in Whanganui
Three former students return as tutors to AGC Training.
Riverton bull sale promises quality for all
A quiet temperament is a non-negotiable trait at selection time at Riverton Hereford.
Forestry hands down on profitability
Trees on the poorer 50 per cent of the farm outstripped sheep and beef on profitability.
The plough will soon be turning
New season lambs are starting to fill the paddocks and survival rates are good.
Sharing the lifestyle
Club days provide a better understanding of what needs to be done and how to do it
Why livestock market's future is hard to predict
There are strong positive signs, but not enough to give price certainty.
McKee nails new job
Many more will want retraining after losing their jobs during lockdown.
Welcome back to racing
More than twice the number of horses expected nominated for Whanganui meeting.
Farmers reflect on 2015 floods
"It's a distant memory that lives in the past where it belongs."
Farmers back in their comfort zone
Livestock prices set at the saleyards are accepted as genuine market price by farmers.
The good and the bad of fresh water reform
Feds say Water Reform required only minor amendment, not wholesale change.
Teacher Lizzy's welcome return
Lizzy Stubbington's skills to cater for individual needs are ideal for the job.
Land sales continue under lockdown
With so much interest in rural/lifestyle listings, some days it felt like herding cats.
Drought trumps Covid-19 for many farmers
Covid-19 has been more of a nuisance compared to the misery drought has brought.
Stock auctions: Old school v high tech
Farmers have struggled to buy into online livestock auctions under Covid-19.
Private trainers brace for onslaught of jobless
Many businesses and individuals will want to reinvent themselves after Covid-19 lockdown.
History at Hatrick
Whanganui was nosed out of being first by eight minutes by Christchuch greyhounds.
Aerial war on weeds - a new way for agricultural weed spraying
Many want to play Biggles and pilot a drone, but becoming qualified is far from easy.
Forestry workers amped to get back to work
Sleeves will be rolled up, engines fired up and trees will fall when alert level drops.
Saleyards under the hammer
Covid-19 may have also claimed the livestock saleyard auction system.
No more wool worries
No more shearing, dagging or crutching is money in the pocket for Greg Bennett.
Study covered during Covid 19
Online study will be the new order in the agricultural field.
Heartland rugby 2020 season axed amid Covid-19 uncertainty
But Wanganui Heartland coach Jason Caskey hopes unions have not hit the panic button.
Life on the darkside of rural New Zealand
Many affected by life-threatening stress levels struggle to see outside their own bubble.
Covid-19 coronavirus: Horse training gets the nod
MPI announces race horse training, agistment and breeding are essential services.
Big dry adds to stress for Whanganui region farmers
Drought has heaped pressure on farmers, says Cotton
Smooth as velvet
Compared to say sheep farming, deer velveting is a walk in the park workwise.
Shearing: Genetics and work ethic earned Angela Coleman the Phill Hourigan Memorial Trophy
Her work ethic matched that of the trophy namesake, Phill Hourigan.
NZ's newest helicopter company takes to the skies
Dean Lithgow created a real family atmosphere with a work ethic from a bygone era.
Never too late to learn: 33-year-old mum of three is living proof
Longtime classmate Nicole Savage has also been granted a scholarship.
Outlook rosy down on the farm
Stock prices hold despite lack of support from banks and threat of potential regulations.
Weekend racing: Kali to deliver
Can Kali, the second favourite, whip unbeaten Travelling Light in the 1000 Guineas?
Attraction of nostalgia, with Western Line farm for sale
A tale about the carefree days of the 1950s and '60s paints a pretty picture.
'Under attack': Best prices for farmers but compliance costs threaten golden run
Farmers should be laughing all the way to the bank, yet they are not, they are stressed.
Unique home links two worlds
Unique coastal Whanganui home in rural setting links two worlds.