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OPINION: Your canine crusader hears that not all is rosy in the world of supposed rural sector congeniality.
Rumour has that the Food and Fibre Leaders Forum - a collective of the 15 main national rural organisations who are 'working together with government' is now down to 14 members.
According to word on the street, one of the groups has left the forum because it was not too happy with what is going on behind closed doors.
However, it is a bit hard to find out exactly what's happened, as the forum is more secretive than the SIS.
Despite being funded by various farmer/grower levies, the forum refuses to release any minutes of its meetings 'on grounds of confidentiality'.
It makes one wonder why this group is so anxious about releasing this information and if it is really 'selling out' the primary sector to the Government and officials behind closed doors.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities Party, labelled by some as the 'LinkedIn Greens' for their corporate spin on Green-esque 'tax the rich' policies.
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in Westminster is a salient warning for us.
OPINION: Proponents of regenerative agriculture tend to be naturally aligned with a 'green mindset', so they will be nonplussed with their new mates in the US of A.
OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put their levy-funded industry organisations under the same scrutiny as fertiliser, electricity, labour and freight.
A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any given issue.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
Blueberries have the potential to become a major horticultural export, earning up to $150 million within the next three to five years.
Twenty five secondary school students from around New Zealand recently completed a three day residential programme designed to explore career opportunities across the food and fibre production supply chain.
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
OPINION: A simpler, clearer, more effective Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
