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

Dairy Beef Opportunities Programme Launches to Unlock Calf Value

A $20 million dairy beef programme will help farmers capture greater value from their animals.

State of Emergency Declared in Far North and Whangārei as Severe Weather Worsens

A precautionary State of Emergency was declared for the Far North District at 1.18pm today (Thursday 26 March), for an initial period of seven days.

NZ “tongue-soft” red meat innovation wins 2026 MIA Dragon’s Den

A New Zealand red meat product range with “tongue-soft” texture for elderly or unwell people has won the 2026 Meat Industry Association (MIA) Dragon’s Den competition.

Future of NZ Agriculture Takes Centre Stage at E Tipu 2026

The New Zealand Future Food and Fibre Summit, E Tipu 2026, is the place for farmers who want to stay ahead in a rapidly changing sector, says FoodHQ chief executive Dr Victoria Hatton.

Editorial: Fuelling Hype

OPINION: For some of us the threat of a fuel crisis is something we have dealt with before and are still here to tell the tale.

New Zealand’s Country Calendar Turns 60: Fans and Crew Celebrate

New Zealanders are spontaneously joining in the 60th birthday celebrations of the nation’s iconic rural programme, Country Calendar.

National

IrrigationNZ warns RMA reform may miss water needs

Irrigation NZ is warning that the government's Resource Management Act (RMA) reform risks falling short of its objectives unless water…

Safer Farms Appoints First Regional Champions to Promote Farm Without Harm

Safer Farms has welcomed its first three regional champions that will be taking the Farm Without Harm message directly into…

Trev Integrates with LIC MINDA

Farm software outfit Trev has released new integrations with LIC, giving farmers a more connected view of animal performance across…

Taranaki Farmers Showcase Family Succession and Sustainable Dairy Practices

Crafting a successful family succession plan is a notoriously hard act to pull off.

Middle East Conflict Could Push Fertiliser Prices Higher for NZ Farmers

Farmers need not worry about fertiliser supply this autumn but the prices they pay will depend on how the Middle…

Machinery & Products

AGCO Power Core80 Engine Wins Diesel Engine of the Year

AGCO Power, part of the AGCO corporation, has won Diesel Engine of the Year with its Core80 Engine.

How Bale Wrapping Transformed Forage Storage

Machinery and Products editor Mark Daniel takes a look at the history of bale wrapping.

Krone Group Earnings Drop Despite Stable Farm Machinery Sales

While turnover was back slightly at €2.3 billion in 2024/2025 (previous year €2.4 billion), the German Krone Group saw earnings fall…

Bobcat Diversifies with Launch of Safety Footwear Line

As the agricultural machinery market shows signs of recovery after a difficult two years, manufacturers are continually looking at new…

Carrfields Appointed Krone and Kubota Dealer for Lower South Island

Ashburton-based Carrfields has announced that, from the New Year, it is officially authorised to sell Krone Forager Harvesters and Kubota…

» 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

Hawke’s Bay Apple Grower Taylor Corporation Reports Standout 2026 Season Boosting Industry Optimism

Share Farmers, Managers Honoured in Wairarapa

Heinz Wattie’s Plant Closures Set to Hit Canterbury Vegetable Growers Hard

Castle Ridge Station Wins Canterbury Supreme Environmental Award

Feilding Prepares for Central Districts Field Days as 27,000 Visitors Expected

Featured

Dairy Beef Opportunities Programme Launches to Unlock Calf Value

State of Emergency Declared in Far North and Whangārei as Severe Weather Worsens

NZ “tongue-soft” red meat innovation wins 2026 MIA Dragon’s Den

Future of NZ Agriculture Takes Centre Stage at E Tipu 2026

Editorial: Fuelling Hype

New Zealand’s Country Calendar Turns 60: Fans and Crew Celebrate

National

IrrigationNZ warns RMA reform may miss water needs

Safer Farms Appoints First Regional Champions to Promote Farm Without Harm

Trev Integrates with LIC MINDA

Taranaki Farmers Showcase Family Succession and Sustainable Dairy Practices

Middle East Conflict Could Push Fertiliser Prices Higher for NZ Farmers

Machinery & Products

AGCO Power Core80 Engine Wins Diesel Engine of the Year

How Bale Wrapping Transformed Forage Storage

Krone Group Earnings Drop Despite Stable Farm Machinery Sales

Bobcat Diversifies with Launch of Safety Footwear Line

Carrfields Appointed Krone and Kubota Dealer for Lower South Island

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Happy Days

Begging Bowl

» eNewsletter

Foot in mouth

More like this

» Latest Print Issues Online

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter