OPINION: At Fieldays this year, one theme kept surfacing across the sector: global shocks are no longer something that happens “over there”. They are now translating quickly into local, farm-level impacts through increasingly complex and connected channels.

OPINION: Yep, the stories just keep on coming. I haven’t noted any sign of them drying up yet, no let-up seems to be in sight! And with the rapid advances in AI, maybe the worst is still to come.

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any given issue.

OPINION: Alistair Carmichael raises some interesting questions about striking a balance between profitability in farming and preserving the character of rural communities.

OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves. Anyone in the primary sector will know about the clowns covering the countryside in the red tape we all have to wade through. Spare a thought then for media outfit…

OPINION: After all the criticism that Winston Peters leveled at the India/NZ FTA, it seemed just a trifle ironic to the Hound that the first NZ politician to visit India after Prime Minister Modi's visit was a member of the Ewe Zealand First party.

OPINION: The year was 2020, the month was January, and an article in this esteemed publication suggested "a new thought for the New Year - New Zealand 'Generative Agriculture'... or New-Gen, for short".

OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.

OPINION: Central Hawke's Bay farmer Mark Warren recently told the Hawke's Bay Times it's time for a conversation about allowing skilled and properly equipped locals to help councils clear debris and reopen roads after severe weather events.

OPINION: With the winter months officially here, I trust all is well at your place.