Unreal hot air
OPINION: The Hound is perplexed about some of the over-the-top climate catastrophising by mainstream media outlets during the holidays.
Farmers in Southland are sharing the effects of three days of heavy rain.
The extreme weather has placed the Mataura River at risk of breaching its banks.
Residents in the low-lying areas of Gore and Mataura have been told to evacuate by Southland Civil Defence.
Further information about evacuations available here.
Tweets by Southland farmers are offering insight into the extent of the weather and damage to farms.
Contractor Jeremy Hughes @travelingfixer shared shocking images of a ute and tractor trapped in flooding.
Got sent these by a mate, his boss was moving a tractor between farms and had to do a wee rescue mission along the way. pic.twitter.com/gl7zU44qjW
— Jeremy Hughes - DTC ??? (@travelingfixer) February 4, 2020
Farm Consultant Deane Carson @deane_ag shared a thread of photos revealing flooding on farms (click through to see more photos).
Thread of Southland flood pictures pic.twitter.com/KQQ4rP0lOh
— Deane Carson (@deane_ag) February 4, 2020
Videos shared of the flooding helped to show how widespread it is.
Sharemilker Michael Prankerd @sigalasvacas shared a video of extensive flooding on a farm.
Very very very #moist pic.twitter.com/w02SM6A4cZ
— Michael Prankerd (@sigalasvacas) February 4, 2020
The weather is also being felt in surrounding regions. West Otago farmer Bruce @fairleigh_ag shared a video of a new pond that had formed on his farm.
Today's update....very #Moist pic.twitter.com/6l4dzb72K7
— ?? Bruce ?? (@fairleigh_ag) February 3, 2020
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.