‘Red letter day’ for ag sector
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
OPINION: This old mutt is never surprised by the stupidity of local councils and their bylaws.
However, he reckons a proposed bylaw in Tasman District Council surely takes the cake.
The TDC's proposed law will require farmers to hold sheep 50m back from a road while shifting stock until all cars have driven past!
Are they serious?
Surely not even the most officious of pen pushing bureaucrats thinks a law such as this is remotely sensible?
As Federated Farmers Nelson Provincial president Stephen Todd says, it could end up being an "unworkable joke".
Your old mate suggests with council elections coming up in October, perhaps the good citizens of Tasman District send their councillors a strong message and vote them out of office if this ridiculous rule comes into law!
Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.
DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.
New Zealand’s national lamb crop for the 2025–26 season is estimated at 19.66 million head, a lift of one percent (or 188,000 more lambs) on last season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest Lamb Crop report.
Farmers appear to be cautiously welcoming the Government’s plan to reform local government, according to Ag First chief executive, James Allen.
The Fonterra divestment capital return should provide “a tailwind to GDP growth” next year, according to a new ANZ NZ report, but it’s not “manna from heaven” for the economy.
Fonterra's Eltham site in Taranaki is stepping up its global impact with an upgrade to its processed cheese production lines, boosting capacity to meet growing international demand.

OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable…
OPINION: A press release from the oxygen thieves running the hot air symposium on climate change, known as COP30, grabbed your…