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Strange bulge?

Your old mate reckons the border security team at MPI will have a new take on the old saying “Is that a lump in your pants or are you just pleased to see me?” after detecting a Polish gardener trying to smuggle plants in his underpants through Auckland airport recently.

Green gripe?

The Hound knows that the Greens hate farming about as much as they hate cars.

Losers!

Your old mate notes that for the last few weeks the Australian-owned, controlled and managed so-called NZ Farmer rag has been touting the fact on its front page that it was a finalist in the ‘community newspaper’ category at the recent Canon media awards.

Unbuggering the muddle

Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse recently described the existing workplace safety legislation a ‘bugger’s muddle’.

Has world beef consumption peaked?

Global beef consumption will not increase markedly in the next few years, but on the plus side it has been reaching record prices, as have all meats, says Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer for animal nutrition company Alltech.

Californian farmer shows how to add value to milk

Californian dairy farmer Noel Rosa says he can add $100 to the basic milk price by producing premium products.

A Californian mega dairy farmer who has opened his own plant in the nearby town to process and sell fresh, glass-bottled milk and make ice cream says he can add $100 to the basic milk price with his premium products.

A couple of nice surprises for Ag

Feds vice president Anders Crofoot was pleased to see extra funding for R&D, biosecruity and agtraining in the Budget.

The wider agribusiness sector has nailed its share of loot in the recent Budget – with extra money for R&D, training, irrigation, animal welfare and biosecurity.

Horsing around in Mongolia

Ben Wilks will start in the Mongol Derby – believed to be the toughest horse race in the world – on August 5.

Starting with pony clubs when he was just eight years old and a lifelong association with horses will culminate in 24-year-old Ben Wilks starting in the Mongol Derby in early August.

Beef outlook bright, lamb less so

Silver Fern Farms’ Grant Howie says now that China is allowing Brazillian beef back into its market it shouldn’t impact on the current strong prices for NZ producers.

News that China is to allow Brazilian beef back into its markets shouldn’t derail the bull run the New Zealand industry is enjoying, says leading exporter Silver Fern Farms.

Health and safety tops Feds’ concerns

Health and safety, along with water, are the two hottest topics with farmers, according to Federated Farmers’ chief executive Graham Smith.

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New rural wellbeing initiative

Rural insurer FMG is this week launching a mental health initiative aimed at the rural community.

US going nuts about milk prices

From Kentucky family farms to Californian ‘mega dairies’, there is one thing on the mind of US dairy farmers – milk price. In California this is driving many to nuts.