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.
Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products has been registered as an Essential Service and is processing milk.
It says operational staff at its Hokitika and Rolleston plants are operating under strict New Zealand Government guidelines to keep themselves and the community safe.
Westland chief executive Toni Brendish said all staff essential to manufacturing and distribution were now working on Westland premises with the rest of the staff working from home.
Staff required to travel to work had been issued with authorised letters confirming their employment within an Essential Service to show to authorities.
Brendish said Westland’s partners and employees all along its supply chain, such as farmers, tanker drivers, manufacturing and distribution employees, were all working under strict guidance from the Government on social distancing and safety rules.
“We’re extremely grateful of the recognition we have received from all our employees and business partners of the need to keep essential services such as food production operating as efficiently and safely as possible,’’ Brendish said.
“The work they have been doing to support each other and the community has been outstanding.’’
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.