Science fiction
OPINION: Last week's announcement of Prime Minister’s new Science and Technology Advisory Council hasn’t gone down too well in the science community.
Union boss Helen Kelly has dairy farmers in her sights over pay rates and work conditions, naming and shaming a Taranaki cocky last week and going on Radio Live to lambast dairy farmers as poor employers.
Some dairy farmers may have deserved the brickbat, most did not. But Kelly and her union mates are not the kind to let facts get in the way of a good story. So, well done those dairy farmers who got straight on the blower to the radio host to balance the record by recounting cases of excellent employment practice in the industry.
One example given was fairly common: a young guy with no experience but a good attitude found himself on $40k with a free house, milk, veges, meat and virtually no personal expenses, working a ten-on, two-off roster.
As usual, the dairy industry is working to knock into line those few farmers who are bad employers. And as usual, the unions persist in an adversarial approach that tars all farmers with the same brush.
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.
OPINION: People have criticised Christopher Luxon for the time he’s taken to appoint a new chief science advisor.
A new Indonesian school milk programme is expected to significantly increase the country's total dairy consumption, creating opportunities for New Zealand and other global dairy players.
OPINION: Last week's announcement of Prime Minister’s new Science and Technology Advisory Council hasn’t gone down too well in the…
OPINION: At its recent annual general meeting, Federated Farmers’ Auckland province called for New Zealand to withdraw from the Paris…