Election Year Curse?
OPINION: The coalition Government seems to have chickened out when it comes to live animal exports by sea.
Your old mate has become increasingly frustrated by the ridiculous claims of animal fundamentalists at SAFE about live sheep shipment to Mexico; these are never challenged by mainstream media.
SAFE claimed sheep on the trip would suffer “stressful, terrifying weeks during a long journey and many, many 100s would die”. However, when it was revealed that fewer than 0.3% died on the voyage (lower than the average death rate on most farms), SAFE then claimed these deaths were due to “starvation”. But if starvation was the cause how do the animal extremists at SAFE account for the sheep gaining weight on average by 4kg per head during the trip? The Hound suggests the name SAFE should stand for ‘Say Anything For (media) Exposure!
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.

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