Winston's crusade
OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.
Following Federated Farmers Dairy Council last week, the federation's dairy executive and Fonterra board are to meet.
"Our Dairy Council has spent some time on Trading Among Farmers," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
"We've agreed to meet with Fonterra's Board in the next few weeks to go through points our council members have raised.
"Trading Among Farmers is a very big decision and will be a defining point in Fonterra's evolution," Leferink says.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

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One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…