Tuesday, 16 September 2025 09:55

No Joy

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Milking It understands a formal disciplinary process is being conducted by Victoria University of Wellington on what one of its academics, Dr Mike Joy, said about "hanging" dairy chief executives for nitrate leaching and poisoning waterways.

The process will be confidential for privacy reasons. So, we'll never know the price Joy will pay for his comments on social media platform LinkedIn.

Whatever the outcome, let's hope this is a lesson for everyone on what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.

More like this

Editorial: No joking matter

OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.

Sir Lockwood Smith: Use academic freedom with great care

Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

Jobless!

OPINION: The Hound shed a tear (crocodile) on hearing about the looming redundancy of perennial anti-farming critic 'Dr' Mike Joy.

Featured

Government Declares Medium-Scale Adverse Weather Event in Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury

Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.

State of the Dairy Nation 2024/25: DairyNZ Highlights Record Milk Production and Export Growth

DairyNZ's chief executive Campbell Parker says the 2024/25 dairy season reinforces the importance of the dairy sector to New Zealand.

Miti Wins Top Innovator Award at Australian Dairy Conference

A New Zealand agribusiness helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream has won the Australian dairy sector's top innovator award.

Editorial: A Win-Win For All

OPINION: A bumper season all around.

DWN Appoints Nicola Bryant as Associate Trustee

Dairy Women's Network (DWN) has announced that Taranaki dairy farmer Nicola Bryant will join its Trust Board as an Associate Trustee.

Pay Equity Crucial for Rural Communities - RWNZ

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it welcomes the release of a new report into pay equity.

National

Green Light for Fonterra's $3.2b Capital Return Scheme

Fonterra farmer shareholders have approved the mechanism for a $2/share capital return expected from the sale of its global consumer…

Alex Turnbull Appointed CEO of Yili Oceania Division

Former Fonterra executive Alex Turnbull has been appointed CEO to lead all five Yili Oceania Business Division companies in New Zealand.

Dedoncker Departs Fonterra After Mainland Group Sale

Fonterra executive René Dedoncker is leaving the co-operative later this year to lead Australian agribusiness Elders.

Organic plan generates strong farmer interest

Fonterra's plan to expand its organic programme to the South Island is being well received by farmers, the co-op says.

DairyNZ Levy Vote Underway as Chair Highlights Seven-Fold Return

Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.

Machinery & Products

Massey Ferguson 5M Series Gains Ground in NZ’s 95–145hp Utility Tractor Market

Since its official release to the New Zealand market in July 2025, the Massey Ferguson 5M Series has steadily solidified…

Claas Invests €3.3 Million in Metz Plant to Boost CEREX and CUBIX Baler Production

Following the €1.6 million investment in a prototype workshop in early 2025, Claas has invested an additional €3.3 million at…

Stihl unveils centennial MS 500i chainsaw

Most rural properties wouldn’t be without a chainsaw, so it’s fitting to celebrate the centenary of Andreas Stihl inventing the…

New Deutz-Fahr 5105 boosts power for Kiwi livestock farms

With ROPS tractors still being consistently popular in livestock operations, given their ease of use for hopping on and off…

John Deere showcases 130hp E-Power electric tractor prototype at Agritechnica

Easily missed on its expansive Agritechnica site, John Deere offered visitors to the bi-annual event, the first opportunity in Europe to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives

No Joy

Read More:

More like this

Editorial: No joking matter

Sir Lockwood Smith: Use academic freedom with great care

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

Jobless!

Popular Reads

Environment Canterbury urges buyers to check wastewater systems on rural properties

Fonterra confirms timeline for Lactalis deal and $2-per-share capital return

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

Canterbury arable farmers face heavy losses after stormy January wreaks havoc

Northland Field Days promise unforgettable 40th anniversary Celebration

Featured

Government Declares Medium-Scale Adverse Weather Event in Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury

State of the Dairy Nation 2024/25: DairyNZ Highlights Record Milk Production and Export Growth

Miti Wins Top Innovator Award at Australian Dairy Conference

Editorial: A Win-Win For All

DWN Appoints Nicola Bryant as Associate Trustee

Pay Equity Crucial for Rural Communities - RWNZ

National

Green Light for Fonterra's $3.2b Capital Return Scheme

Alex Turnbull Appointed CEO of Yili Oceania Division

Dedoncker Departs Fonterra After Mainland Group Sale

Organic plan generates strong farmer interest

DairyNZ Levy Vote Underway as Chair Highlights Seven-Fold Return

Machinery & Products

Massey Ferguson 5M Series Gains Ground in NZ’s 95–145hp Utility Tractor Market

Claas Invests €3.3 Million in Metz Plant to Boost CEREX and CUBIX Baler Production

Stihl unveils centennial MS 500i chainsaw

New Deutz-Fahr 5105 boosts power for Kiwi livestock farms

John Deere showcases 130hp E-Power electric tractor prototype at Agritechnica

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Disunity is death

Indian FTA

» eNewsletter

No Joy

Read More:

More like this

» Latest Print Issues Online

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter