Two new awards open to help young farmers progress to farm ownership
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.
OPINION: Your old mate notes that the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court, recently granted leave for appeal for one Michael John Smith v Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited.
Smith launched legal action against seven of the country's largest polluters and fossil fuel producers, including Fonterra and Dairy Holdings, claiming injury from their ongoing emissions.
Both the High Court and Court of Appeal dismissed the claim, but the Supreme Court has now agreed to hear the case.
"I'm pleased that for the first time the courts are considering the enormity of the climate crisis," says Smith, who co-chairs the Iwi Chairs Forum.
The irony is that this is the very same 'climate activist' Michael (Mike) Smith who cut down the famous tree on Auckland's One Tree Hill a few years back, with not one thought given to the climate-saving carbon sequestration of this much celebrated tree!
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.

OPINION: If the hand-wringing, cravat and bow-tie wearing commentariat of a left-leaning persuasion had any influence on global markets, we'd…
OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the…