Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
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!
A new digital assistant is now helping Ballance Agri-Nutrients farmers speed up nutrient information and ordering.
New Zealand apple and pear industry stakeholders are out in force for the annual conference in Queenstown.
Cameron Reed lives between two worlds.
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
OPINION: Alistair Carmichael raises some interesting questions about striking a balance between profitability in farming and preserving the character of rural communities.
Ploughing champions Mark Dillon and Malcolm Taylor earned the right to represent the country at the World Ploughing Championships in Osijek, Croatia, on 5 and 6 September, after winning their titles at the New Zealand Ploughing Championships in Middlemarch in 2025.

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any…
OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…