New pasture guide launched to support farmers in a changing climate
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
Massey University ecologist Mike Joy, and dairy industry critic, has accused the sector of bullying behaviour.
Speaking at the Beef + Lamb NZ’s Environmental Conference, last week, Joy claims the power that the dairy industry holds over the nation has made it harder for people to question some of its behaviours.
“If you say something against dairy it’s like saying something against rugby or Richie McCaw – simply don’t dare say it. Dairy, pardon the pun is a sacred cow. Nobody is game to say anything about it and we turn a blind eye to so many impacts of it. People won’t speak because of the response they will get.”
Joy says this has become evident in Environment Waikato’s Plan Change One, which has adopted the concept of grand parenting nitrogen leaching. He says the pollution rights have been given to the existing polluters, which disadvantages sheep and beef farmers.
Meanwhile, Joy has also pleaded for farmers to fence off small streams. He claims the present system of fencing off larger streams was wrong and that focus should be on the small ones, which feed into these.
Under the Sustainable Dairy Water Accord, streams over a metre wide and 30cm deep have to be fenced off and it’s claimed that 96% of these have been done. But Joy says fencing these isn’t as effective as it might seem and believes some farmers apply the rules to suit themselves.
“When people apply that rule about the metre and 30cm, they generally apply it where it suits them and this relates to the width of the stream and also the depth,” he claims.
“Last time we looked at an area and said let’s have look and monitor what is happening; it seems that most streams didn’t have to be fenced because they didn’t meet the criteria. In my view, we should be fencing all the little ones.”
Joy also has problems with science being politicised. He says all the money is with the government and industry who are promoting intensification. He claims that work which gets commissioned by individuals or councils and doesn’t suit them (industry or government) doesn’t see the light of day. However, he concedes that the role of a consultant is to meet the needs of the needs of the person who is paying for the work.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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