Keeping a watch on dairy farms
OPINION: Dairy farmers are under increasing pressure to safeguard their livestock, equipment and operations from a range of security threats.
TV news coverage of terrible bobby calf treatment by a callous minority of people reminds us of a harsh truth: the dairy industry has committed enemies.
These enemies will ruthlessly use such coverage to taint the entire industry – even those who play by the rules.
Animal rights activist Hans Kriek and SAFE were involved in the hidden camera operation that led to the story, so they knew when the TV coverage was coming and on the night the story ran were already bombarding social media with pre-prepared material saying the dairy industry abused animals – not a minority of farmers, the entire industry! Predictably next morning they spoon-fed journalists with the same messages.
That's how these groups play this game, making it all the more vital that the decent majority of dairy farmers do everything they can to weed out the indecent minority who give the knockers and haters the ammunition they seek to harm dairying.
The DairyNZ Farmers Forum is back with three events - in Waikato, Canterbury and Southland.
To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.
Among this year’s Primary Industry NZ (PINZ) Awards finalists are a Southlander who created edible bale netting and rural New Zealanders who advocate for pragmatic regulation and support stressed out farmers.
Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.
Nominations are now open for the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
A Mid-Canterbury dairy farmer is bringing a millennial mindset to his family farm and is reaping the rewards, with a 50% uplift in milksolids production since he took over.