The presence of grey hair and the onset of muscle aches and pains is a reminder of the maturation process. We might be wiser, but our muscles, bones and joints are in gentle demise. There is good evidence that maintaining physical fitness and continuing...... Read More

Today, I’m going to introduce you to a little known but indispensible member of our agricultural team, his name is Myc. Myc has been around for millennia, but he gets walked all over and ignored. The main problem for Myc is that he’s not seen,...... Read More

Back as far as 1967, scientists had recognised there was a parvovirus that was causing ill-thrift (failure to thrive) in some newborn pups. This was CPV-1. In 1978, when I was a vet student in Palmerston North, scientists in America discovered that a...... Read More

I was raised in what I prefer to term as a “financially challenged” home, and while our bellies were always full, there was little left over for new clothing. I spent most of my childhood wearing thrift shop clothing, spending hours searching...... Read More

At this time of year, some of the urgency has come off the list of tasks in the garden. Everything tends to slow down in the cooler weather, including me! But there are still several jobs that can need attention. Now is the time to start pruning citrus....... Read More

What a difference a month makes. Because of May rains, most of us are now growing grass and other crops, water tanks are full and the general outlook is greener, even if winter feed is still in short supply. Government largesse has been competing with...... Read More

The colder months of the year are fast approaching and the physical stiffness that we see with osteoarthritis is exacerbated by the cold, as well as prolonged periods of inactivity. Osteoarthritis is degenerative and is also known as degenerative joint...... Read More

As the driest period since records began grinds on for farmers in our region, it is perhaps timely to return to the vexed issue of freshwater management. A recent review from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, Our Freshwater 2020, paints a...... Read More

These weeks of lockdown have been a boon for gardeners – loads of time to get into the garden and attend to all those jobs that have been waiting months or even years for you to get around to. Gardening itself has also been a boon for gardeners...... Read More

She charged at us with rage in her belly and a big brave heart. Why did she not turn and run away? Daniel had the dogs under his control and Te Hiri had a rifle on his back and a knife by his side. I had a racing heart, and no courage under fire. She...... Read More