Tuesday, 17 March 2026 12:28

Election Year Curse?

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: The coalition Government seems to have chickened out when it comes to live animal exports by sea.

Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard was unable to get Cabinet to agree to reinstate the live export trade, so that's one 2023 election promise that won't be progressing this political term.

Both National and ACT campaigned at the last election on overturning the ban on livestock exports by sea and promised to bring in a new gold standard to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.

While ACT seems to be in favour of lifting the ban, National, which is taking a beating in latest polls, seems to think it's not worth the risk.

Time will tell.

More like this

Election 2026: How Parties Would Lift the Arable Sector

Election 2026: How Parties Would Lift the Arable Sector

As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:

Sensible Choices About Water

Sensible Choices About Water

OPINION: Rivers never sit still. They start as snowmelt and rain in the high country, pick up a creek here and a stream there, and carry all of it down to where it's needed.

Let Farmers Decide What They Farm

OPINION: Well, the silly season is upon us and all us politicians are running around shaking babies and kissing hands, or maybe the other way around.

Rural Vote Debate on Q&A: Substance or Just Platitudes?

It was billed as a chance for all the political parties to woo the rural vote, but question marks hang over just how effective this was.

Freshwater Farm Plan Changes Welcomed by Primary Sector

There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's announcement on changes to freshwater farm plans that come under the Natural Environment Bill, which is now set to replace the existing RMA.

Popular Reads

Ex-All Black Sam Whitelock Swaps Rugby for Dairy Farming

Returning to the family dairy farm after playing 20 years of professional rugby around the world is no easy task.

Agricultural Vehicle Rule Changes Welcomed by Rural Contractors NZ

Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government…

Fonterra CFO Andrew Murray Resigns

Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.

Election 2026: What Parties Promise the Primary Sector

With a general election under five weeks away, Rural News is asking major political parties about their policies and positions…

DGC Posts Record Goat Milk Payout of $14.56/kgGMS

Things are looking up in the dairy goat sector.

Featured

Farmlands Lifts More Than Doubles Pre-Tax Profit

Farmlands has reported higher operating earnings and a profit before income tax of $4.5 million, up 118.9%, for the year ended 30 June 2026.

AgriZeroNZ Backs Methane Vaccine and Low-Emissions Ryegrass

AgriZeroNZ has invested a further NZ$17.7 million in methane vaccine developer ArkeaBio and NZ$5.1 million in BioLumic, a New Zealand-founded company that uses ultraviolet light to develop low-emissions pasture..

Fonterra Lifts Farmgate Milk Price

Good news for Fonterra farmers. The co-op has raised this season’s farmgate milk price mid-point by 25c to $9.75/kgMS.

Editorial: Support Dairy

OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.

Nedap Pen Correction: Cutting False Heat Detections

In farming there are external factors that can influence behaviour of a whole herd, such as a bad weather event, triggering false positive heat detections or health attentions.

Canterbury Farmer Urges Peers to Back Meet the Need

For Canterbury dairy farmer Cameron Henderson, supporting Meet the Need comes down to a simple question: how can the success of New Zealand farming benefit more than just those within the industry?

National

Massey VC Says University Best Placed to Support Dairy

Massey University is best placed to solve the “problems” facing the dairy industry, says vice chancellor, Pierre Venter.

Synlait’s Longest-Serving Employee Joins Executive Team

Synlait's longest serving employee – a man who joined the Canterbury-based milk processor even before it began processing milk –…

LIC Chief Says BVD Eradication in NZ Is Within Reach

A dairy industry leader believes eradicating the common and costly disease, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is within reach.

$10/kgMS Milk Price Looks Possible as Powder Prices Climb

A farmgate milk price of $10/kgMS this season is firming up as milk powder prices soar and the New Zealand…

Leon Fung confirmed as Synlait CEO

Canterbury milk processor, Synlait Milk has confirmed Leon Fung as its chief executive officer.

Machinery & Products

New Michelin Tyres for Slurry Tankers and Trailers

Global tyre manufacturer Michelin has extended its agricultural trailer tyre range, with the introduction of its new WorkxBib series, designed…

JCB Lifts Investment After Hydrogen Engine Milestone

Following the record-breaking success of its hydrogen-powered Hydromax, JCB is ramping up its investment in the business, key to the…

Stationary Mixing Tank Gets Job Done Quickly, Efficiently

During calf rearing, logistics can play an important role in getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

High-Volume Effluent Irrigation Made Simple

Having been on the market for over 10 years, the King Cobra K2 travelling raingun continues to be a popular…

Pichon Adds SV10R and SV14 to SV Slurry Tanker Range

French manufacturer Pichon has expanded its SV slurry tanker range with the launch of two new models.

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

Not Out of the Woods Yet

OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.

Peters Targets Fonterra

OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.

» eNewsletter