Be afraid
OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the recent uptick in farmer confidence has slipped since the political polls started leading a bit to the left, away from the current coalition of National, Act and NZ First.
OPINION: Your old mate had a bit of a giggle at the recent maiden speech to Parliament by new Waitaki MP and primary production deputy chair Miles Anderson.
The former Fed Farmers national council member made a number of good points in his speech about the unfair criticism of farmers by policy makers and NGOs and the huge contribution to the nation made by the primary sector.
However, Anderson raised a few laughs when he acknowledged the presence - right across the house - of MPs he had worked with prior to entering politics.
He made special mention of Labour MPs Damien O'Connor and Jo Luxton who he saw as "sharing National Party values".
He then went on to say both have "been held by the Labour Party for so long that they suffer from Stockholm Syndrome".
Someone release them from captivity!
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.