Covid's urban/rural divide
According to a new study from the University of Otago, there was a visible rural/urban divide in Covid-19 vaccination rates.
The country's second largest milk processor says any negative impact of coronavirus should be short lived.
Open Country Dairy chief executive Steven Koekemoer has told milk suppliers that how long it takes to contain the virus is key.
“The latest general view is that any negative impact should be short lived,” he says.
“The fundamentals around supply/demand have not changed but the timing of containment of the virus will be key.”
OCD will review the situation this month but says at this stage it sees no reason to adjust the forecast payout. “If the outbreak is controlled in the short term, then we should see higher demand resume and pricing recover.”
OCD has strategically diversified its markets over the last few years to ensure exposure in China is limited.
“I am confident that in a general tightening global market, we will have no issues selling our product. No doubt pricing in the short term may be impacted, however, we are getting to the tail end of the season and will just need to ride it out,” Koekemoer said.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.