Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
A Whāngārei farm manager has been fined $3,130 after hitting a cow with an alkathene pipe and a metal bar.
Michael Ian Luke, a 62-year-old former Mangapai dairy farm manager, was sentenced yesterday in the Whāngārei District Court following a court case brought through by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Between 1 April and 18 May 2018, Luke handled dairy cows violently, including striking them with excessive force with an alkathene pipe and hitting them about the legs with a metal pipe.
Luke hit one cow in particular about the legs with a metal pipe so severely that both legs were badly swollen and she struggled to walk.
Luke entered a guilty plea to a representative charge under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. He was convicted and ordered to pay $3,130.
The charge was related to hitting a cow with an alkathene pipe and a metal bar.
MPI director of compliance Gary Orr said people who were in charge of animals had a duty of care toward them.
"The law is clear on these matters and anyone would agree this does not meet our high standards for the care of animals."
Individuals who are aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty can report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone on 0800 00 83 33.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.