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OPINION: This old mutt has a lot of time for outspoken North Otago farmer and stud breeder Jane Smith.
Not known for mincing her words when it comes to tackling bureaucrats or industry leaders that she disagrees with, it appears the firebrand Smith is also not one to pussyfoot around when advertising her and husband Blair’s Newhaven perendale stud.
A mate of yours truly pointed out a recent advert run by Newhaven promoting their stud. Its headline read: “Not a socialist sheep in sight.”
The ad went on to say, “At Newhaven we don’t breed any left-wing sheep – those that take up your time, your money and still wait at the gate for a handout.”
Talk about nailing your colours to your mast!
Your old mate has to tip his hat to the Smiths; at least those on the outlook for perendale sheep will not die wondering what they are in for.
For Jane Smith, becoming a Ravensdown director has been a way she can actively contribute to something quite personal to her - protecting and strengthening a co-operative she deeply believes in.
OPINION: Among the many satisfying jobs on the farm is shifting our Angus heifers onto fresh pasture. They love it. Tails up, they gallop around for a minute, then it’s heads down — those long, raspy tongues pulling in mouthfuls of lush green feed.
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Ravensdown South Island shareholders have voted Jane Smith to the co-operative board for a three-year term.
North Otago farmer Jane Smith is standing for the Ravensdown South Island director seat.
DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.
While the Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers' lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in the creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.
Waikato farmers have been told that the Government’s new planning system legislation and the region’s Plan Change 1 (PC1) “won’t mesh together very well”.
Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
More than 300 growers, exporters, researchers, service providers and industry leaders will descend on Queenstown later this month for EXPO 2026, the annual conference for New Zealand’s apple and pear sector.
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