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 suggests with the way things are currently going and record milk prices, the shiny suits at Fonterra should be the last people in need of a government subsidy.
However, it appears the brains trust at Gumboot castle (Fonterra HQ) seem only too happy to take advantage of the current Government's folly and generosity with the taxpayers' chequebook.
This comes in the wake of news that the dairy co-op put its hand out for some of the $6.5 million in taxpayer funding for electric vehicles the Government is dishing out.
Apparently, Fonterra is using the 'subsidy' to trial a 46 tonne electric milk tanker at its Waitoa milk plant.
One would have thought that if an independent, future-thinking, industry-leading company like Fonterra thought that electric milk tankers were really the way of the future, they'd pay for it themselves.
But then again, who is going to turn down free money?
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.