Inside the Southland Dairy Farm Where Robots and Pasture Work Together
In Dacre, near Invercargill in New Zealand’s South Island, Bruce Dinnington is running a dairy operation unlike any other.
Questions are being raised about the government’s lack of concern for Southland flood victims.
Last week, Rural News reported that the flooding had affected more than 100 farms, with many dairy farms inaccessible for milk collection.
The Government announced on Friday that it will contribute $100,000 to the Southland regional Mayoral Relief Fund.
The funding is going towards Rural Support Trusts to help farming businesses recover.
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said on Twitter that the $100,000 is initial funding, with the government assessing over the coming days and weeks.
Andrew Thompson @Pandasport questioned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s whereabouts alongside photos of his work with Federated Farmers volunteer clean-up group, Farmy Army.
#farmyarmy volunteers hard at work in #southland the #forgottonprovince ,it would be nice to see @jacindaardern come down for a look or is #Southland #tooblueforahug @HamishWalkerMP @blairdrysdale77 @GrantMcCallum4 @TheCountry @deanrabbidge @katrinathomas67 @TheMusterShow pic.twitter.com/5hQUVeQizY
— Andrew Thompson (@Pandasport) February 9, 2020
Baron Von Andrew @AndrewNZ20 asked why the media was not sharing concerns about the PM’s lacking Southland presence.
Why hasn't the media asked Jacinda why she has yet to make any attempts to visit the South?
— Baron Von Andrew. (@AndrewNZ20) February 8, 2020
NO wonder there are people who say she's a #PartTimePM always missing in action when it counts. #nzpol
Geoff Booth @GeoffsNZViews posted a popular tweet taking aim at the level of funding provided to Southland.
Agriculture Min Damien O'Connor offers a pathetic $100,000 for Southland flood relief & Southland farmers
— GEOFF BOOTH NZ Politics & Stuff (@GeoffsNZViews) February 5, 2020
However if someone in Gore owns up to having any kind of semiauto, a $10M joint govt/police operation will swing in to action in the town at dawn. #nzpol #SouthlandFlooding https://t.co/WaSYeCj1Oi
If you are a flood-affected farmer interested in having your voice heard in an online article, tweet us at @RuralNews or message us on Facebook.
Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms, following a closely contested director election.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
OPINION: Have a plan in place now!
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says it welcomes the passage of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, calling the bills a positive step for sheep and beef farmers.
A spate of southerly winds bringing cold temperatures has presented challenges for Taranaki dairy farmers.

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