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OPINION: Former Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard rocked the local political scene last week by stepping down early from his farmer leader role to announce that he will contest the next election under the ACT Party banner.
There will be questions around why ACT and not National. Whatever the reasons, it's a prize catch for ACT.
The high-profile Manawatu farmer is well liked in the farming community as a straight shooter and is also a regular commentator in the media on farming-related issues. In his last opinion piece for the Feds, Hoggard has described the Government's proposed emissions pricing plan as "unacceptable".
Meanwhile, Hoggard's Twitter account, with over 3,300 followers, is now locked. His Twitter profile has changed to "Opinionated dairy farmer from Kiwitea".
A rare weather double-whammy has seen many South Island farmers having to deal with unseasonal snow while still cut off from power supplies after an unprecedented windstorm.
OPINION: For close to eight years now, I have found myself talking about methane quite a lot.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
Going one better than a frustratingly close second place finish at last year's event, the country's top axeman, Jack Jordan of Taumaranui, last weekend won the Stihl Timbersports World Championship individual event in.
Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show president Brent Chamberlain says a big development for this year is the Wool Zone, first introduced two years ago as a showplace for everything produced from wool, but now greatly enlarged with its own Wool Marquee and more than 30 trade sites.
Salmonellosis is a serious disease in cattle.
