Tuesday, 30 March 2021 15:38

Foot in mouth

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: A mate of Milking It recently opined that Ag Minister Damien O'Connor is a sitter for the moniker 'Minister of Foot in Mouth Disease' after yet another clumsy public statement.

He has now followed this gaffe in a speech he gave at the CD field days - no doubt trying to pander to his farming audience - by kicking tourism while it's down, Covid-19, he said, has taught the tourism industry "not to be so cocky" after it conceded to dairy as our top export earner.

Towns dependent on tourism are dying and need government assistance, not a kick in the guts.

Featured

US removes reciprocal tariff on NZ beef

Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.

India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) dairy outcomes

OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.

Massey University Opens $70m Ngā Huia Vet Facility

Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.

Honesty vital in flood insurance claims, says IFSO

As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.

Velvetleaf Threat: North Island growers urged to stay vigilant

A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.

Wage Theft Becomes Criminal Offence: What NZ farmers need to know

In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.

National

Culverden dairy farmer counts cost of windstorm damage to irrigation

The effects of the big windstorm of late October will be felt in lost production in coming weeks as repair crews…

NZ dairy sector eyes inclusion in India free trade deal

The dairy sector is hopeful of being part of a free trade deal being hammered out between New Zealand and…

Dairy farmers urged to participate in 2026 Levy vote

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next…

Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of…

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight…

Machinery & Products

Samasz Z4-1550 Four-Rotor Rake & KDX Mowers Debut at Agritechnica

In an already crowded market, Polish machinery manufacturer Samasz is set to unveil a prototype of its Z4-1550 four-rotor rake at…

STIHL launches battery-only production site in Romania for power tools

STIHL outdoor products, especially petrol chainsaws and brush-cutters, have always been firm favourites with farmers and rural dwellers.

JCB 80th Anniversary: From farm trailers to global machinery leader

There can't be many people who on seeing the distinctive bright yellow and red colour scheme, don’t think ‘JCB’. Indeed,…

Grange Machinery upgrades 6m close coupled toolbar for maize & cereal efficiency

Following a disappointing UK harvest and severely constrained cereal pricing by grain buyers, many machinery manufacturers are still prepared to invest…

New pick-up for Reiter R10 merger

Building on experience gained during 10 years of making mergers/ windrowers, Austrian company Reiter has announced the secondgeneration pick-up on…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives

Foot in mouth

More like this

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

Synthetic milk

It's all about economics

Red line on dairy

Farmland security

Popular Reads

Bold taste wins gold medal

Dawn Meats confirms no Alliance plant closures

Make the right decision, Peters urges Fonterra farmers

Farmers Lead Sustainability Push: Woodchip bioreactor cuts nitrate runoff in Manawatu

Carrfields invests in new Ashburton R&D hub

Featured

US removes reciprocal tariff on NZ beef

India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) dairy outcomes

Massey University Opens $70m Ngā Huia Vet Facility

Honesty vital in flood insurance claims, says IFSO

Velvetleaf Threat: North Island growers urged to stay vigilant

Wage Theft Becomes Criminal Offence: What NZ farmers need to know

National

Culverden dairy farmer counts cost of windstorm damage to irrigation

NZ dairy sector eyes inclusion in India free trade deal

Dairy farmers urged to participate in 2026 Levy vote

Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

Machinery & Products

Samasz Z4-1550 Four-Rotor Rake & KDX Mowers Debut at Agritechnica

STIHL launches battery-only production site in Romania for power tools

JCB 80th Anniversary: From farm trailers to global machinery leader

Grange Machinery upgrades 6m close coupled toolbar for maize & cereal efficiency

New pick-up for Reiter R10 merger

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Remembering Bolger

Time for action

» eNewsletter

Foot in mouth

More like this

» Latest Print Issues Online

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter