Dairy awards
OPINION: Results of regional New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) are trickling in but there's a worrying trend emerging.
OPINION: Did the Coalition Government miss a beat when picking a new panel to advise on the methane emissions target? Some farmers think so.
Outspoken Gore farmer Hugh Gardyne was critical of the Government failing to include representatives of the Methane Science Accord, set up by some South Island farmers, who are pushing for zero taxing of ruminant methane.
He describes the five-member panel of academics as "potentially self-serving".
"It overlooks the valuable contribution to the proposed methane panel that should come from a broader cross-section of NZ. I for one have lost confidence in the panel already," Gardyne told Government ministers in an email. The Government could have appointed at least one farmer representative, although we acknowledge chair Nicola Shadbolt is a dairy farmer.
On the edge of the hot, dry Takapau plains, Norm and Del Atkins have cultivated a small but exceptional herd of 60 Holstein Friesian cows within their mixed breed herd of 360 dairy cows.
The DairyNZ board and management are currently trying to determine whether, and to what degree, their farmer levy payers will support any increase in their levy contributions.
Milk production is up nationally, despite drought conditions beginning to bite in some districts, according to the latest update from Fonterra.
Dry conditions are widespread but worse in some places, with rain and drought affecting farms just a few kilometres away.
The Government's plan to merge the seven crown institutes presents exciting possibilities for plant technology company Grasslanz Technology, says chief executive Megan Skiffington.
Agribusiness leader Rob Hewett is the new chair of listed carpet maker Bremworth.
OPINION: Results of regional New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) are trickling in but there's a worrying trend emerging.
OPINION: It seems that the work rate of some parliamentarians is well below par.