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OPINION: A debate is brewing in Australia about the ethics of breeding smaller-than-normal animals.
Miniature highland cows are popular with the public in Australia but cattle societies and vets are questioning the ethics of breeding smaller-than-normal animals. A miniature highland cow is classified by its size — which is anything less than the standard size of 1.06 metres.
Most “minis” carry a gene linked to a growth disorder known as chondrodysplasia, which can cause dwarfism.
According to Professor Imke Tammen, from the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, the gene can be lethal if both the sire and the dam (mother cow) carry it.
The Veterinary Institute of Animal Ethics says breeding miniature animals prioritises looks over quality of life.
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try harder" report card on the red meat industry regarding its exports to China - particularly when compared to Australia.
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.
OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.
OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
