Own goal
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.
OPINION: Donald Trump's focus on Canada is causing concern for the country’s dairy farmers.
While Trump wants to make Canada the 51st US state, it’s clear that the Canadian dairy industry is also on the president’s mind.
The US is said to have long desired to expand access to the tightly controlled Canadian dairy market. At the same time, Canada has strongly defended its supply management system. Trump linked his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico to claims about fentanyl and migrants. And, when it comes to dairy, the new Trump administration is making it clear that Canada will face a familiar fight.
Dairy trade might be small – the US exported US$1billion worth of dairy to Canada in 2023, while the total amount of goods shipped across its northern border was about US$354 billion – but the industry has a reputation as a long-time, cross-border irritant.
Canadian dairy farmers hope the current trade imbalance in dairy, which greatly favours the US, will be a saviour. Canada exported about $300m in dairy products to the US in 2023.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.