One and One Don't Make Three
OPINION: Since when did one and one make three? Who didn't smell an elephant-sized rat when our leaders decided to give $60 million to save the cement factory in Northland?
OPINION: A mate of yours truly reckons these days it appears you have to be a boring, bald bloke to get a run at the Nat’s ag portfolio.
Of course, new National leader and former ag spokesman – and seriously lacking in the hair department – Todd Muller took over the role from the rather hirsute Nathan Guy, who is retiring at the upcoming election.
When Muller took on the leader’s job, he appointed David Bennett, another chrome dome, as ag spokesman, and someone called Andrew Falloon – who, you guessed it, is another bloke with a receding hairline – as associate ag spokesman.
This old mutt is unsure why these uninspiring two made the cut when you consider the Nat’s line-up includes some good people with better and stronger ties to the sector – such as Amy Adams, Louise Upton, Barbara Kruger, Ian McKelvie, Lawrence Yule and former Young Farmer of the year winner Tim van de Molen.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.