Andrew Hoggard

OPINION: In the last few weeks of 2024 there was a lot of noise in the UK and Europe about the methane inhibitor, Bovaer, and concerns raised as to its safety.

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth

OPINION: In twelve months’ time, plus or minus, we’ll be in the same place, give or take, and thinking the same things, more or less.

Drunk on power!

OPINION: The end-of-year booze-up at the posh Northern Club in Auckland must have been a beauty, as the legal 'elite' let their hair down and showed us how entitled and political some in the judiciary really are.

Time has come?

OPINION: It divides opinion, but the House has passed the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill.

Cut the fat!

OPINION: Finance Minister Nicola Willis has targeted cuts in the public service to balance the books, particularly the spend on consultants, drawing trenchant criticism from... consultants.

'Economic morons'

OPINION: The death of Dame Tariana Turia is a loss for the country and a reminder of how far the quality of politician has fallen in the party she founded.

Ruth and Mike Williams.

OPINION: Just before Christmas, Government introduced a Gene Technology Bill that will have a big impact on farmers, our industry and our position in the international marketplace. 

Escarpment

Dr Amber Parker was guest speaker at the 2024 Southern Pinot Noir Workshop in Hanmer, sharing insights on potential impacts of climate change on viticulture, along with adaptation opportunities, particularly with regard to Pinot Noir. Amber, who is Lincoln University's Director of the Centre for Viticulture and Oenology, shares some of her learnings.

Natalie Chrystal

OPINION: The recent detection of Avian Influenza (AI), a low pathogenicity strain H7N6, at a free-range poultry farm in Otago has the agri sector focused on biosecurity. While the situation is cause for concern, the emphasis is on not panicking but remaining vigilant. The key message? Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility.

OPINION: I trust all is well at your place. It's obvious the Christmas season is upon us, as I sit at my keyboard today. I'm looking forward to a bit of a breather and catching up with friends and family again.

OPINION: In two weeks we'll bid farewell to 2024. Dubbed by some as the toughest season in a generation, many farmers would be happy to put the year behind them.

OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought it wise to run the numbers through the old Casio.

OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be, despite falling interest rates, and the report still paints a damning picture of rural lending.

OPINION: Judith Collins, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, has upset the more woke members of the science community by announcing a regulation change to narrow the scope of the $83.5 million/year Marsden Fund.

OPINION: Kainga Ora's decision to categorically rule out use of woollen carpets in social housing is a total slap in the face for struggling Kiwi sheep farmers.

Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay spoke at the Federated Farmers 'Restoring Farmer Confidence' tour meeting at Mystery Creek, Hamilton last month. Here's what he said:

OPINION: It could be cod on your cornflakes and sardines in your smoothie if food innovators in Indonesia have their way.

OPINION: A new study, published recently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, adds to some existing evidence about a simple way to cut emissions dramatically - seaweed.

OPINION: Still on Bovaer, a wave of misinformation is circulating online wrongly linking Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to the feed additive.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Drunk on power!

OPINION: The end-of-year booze-up at the posh Northern Club in Auckland must have been a beauty, as the legal 'elite'…

Time has come?

OPINION: It divides opinion, but the House has passed the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill.

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