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Internet helps retain staff

For many, the speed and reliability of their internet connection becomes a barrier to favourite online pastimes: it affects them and their families and their workers – and they don't like it one bit.

When it comes to online entertainment, country-loving folk are much like anyone else: they like to read, play games, Skype family and friends, peruse social networking sites, listen to music and watch the latest movie at home.

Ag champions help get 4G rollout

Ros McKenzie – sees big potential for broadband in farming.

The so-called mother of precision agriculture in New Zealand, Methven's Ros McKenzie, was instrumental in getting Spark to install 4G wireless broadband in rural Canterbury.

More farmers renewing pasture – still more to go

"Pasture renewal offers a great return on investment at a time when pastoral farmers are under pressure," says PRCT project manager Tim Wood.

Renewing 10% of New Zealand farm pasture annually would ensure productivity and performance gains achieved via new species do not dwindle over a 10-year cycle.

Warnings about illegal pesticides

Internationally, trade in illegal pesticides has exploded.

Farmers show urban businesses the way on management

A headline in National Business Review at the end of December urged readers to "embrace uncertainty for better business in 2016".

Farewell Toowoomba

Your old mate was saddened to hear of the demise of former Fed Farmers chief executive ‘Toowoomba’ Tony St Clair during the holiday break.

Dumb move

Never negotiate with terrorists is the mantra of all reputable countries and companies.

Save the planet, eat meat

The Hound had a bit of a giggle when he saw a recent US study that reveals a diet heavy in some fruit and vegetables does the planet more harm than eating meat.

Sensitive

This old mutt's colleagues at Rural News recently received a curt and nasty email from one Briar Smith about the less-than-complimentary review this publication gave Mike Joy's latest book about water quality.

Obama nails it - Editorial

News that the TPP is to be signed here early next month will no doubt fire up outrage, ridiculous claims and pontificating by the usual array of serial protestors, desperate politicians and other economic Luddites.