Leah Prankerd: A passion for dairying and farmer support
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
Farmers are being urged to have their say — via the internet — on the Government’s proposed Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill.
And politicians are being told to get into the countryside to listen to dairy farmers flat out with calving.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle is welcoming the opportunity to engage constructively and share the industry perspective on the Bill.
But he points out that dairy farmers furiously busy with calving cannot get to Wellington to talk to the parliamentary environment select committee hearing submissions on the Bill.
DairyNZ is encouraging dairy farmers across New Zealand to tell the politicians what they think, says Mackle.
Mackle notes that appearing before the parliamentary select committee in July and August would be difficult for farmers as those months mark the start of calving season.
“That’s why I have written to parliament’s environment select committee this week to urge them to travel throughout provincial NZ to hear submissions in the main agricultural centres.
Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede the free flow of trade.
Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne says their joint venture with Alliance Group will create “a dynamic industry competitor”.
Tributes have flowed following the death of former Prime Minister and political and business leader, Jim Bolger. He was 90.
A drop in methane targets announced by the Government this month has pleased farmers but there are concerns that without cross-party support, the targets would change once a Labour-led Government is voted into office.
Farmer shareholders of meat processor Alliance have voted in favour of a proposed $270 million joint venture investment by Irish company, Dawn Meats.
The former chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and farmer, Doug Leeder, says rural communities' biggest fear right now is the lack of long-term certainty over environmental regulations.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.