Challenge of farming in land of extremes

Central Otago has a climate of extremes. From its dry barren hills to its irrigated flats, it has a contrasting landscape. Both sides of the spectrum will be presented at the New Zealand Grassland Association's annual conference in Alexandra this week. Poolburn farmer and organising committee member Bevan McKnight is looking forward to the three-day conference, which will showcase the best of farming in Central Otago. "Central Otago really is a land of climatic extremes," McKnight said. "We can have severe winters and hot dry summers." More than 300 farmers and industry professionals will attend the...