Wednesday, 07 May 2025 12:55

Inconvenient truth

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: You would've missed this one if you rely on mainstream media for your news, but your old mate reckons credit should go where credit's due: Emissions by dairy cattle decreased by 1.6% according to the latest NZ Greenhouse Gas Inventory report.

It shows that between 2022 and 2023, total emissions from agriculture decreased 2.2% which included a 1.6% drop in dairy cattle emissions due to a fall in dairy cow numbers.

This is part of a trend that has seen methane emissions from dairy cattle decrease by 4.11% since 2017.

DairyNZ statistics show a 3.4% decrease in cow numbers - from 4.84 million in the 2021/22 season to 4.67 million in the 2022/23 season.

Average milk production per cow however increased over this same period by 1.8%, up to 393kgMS from 386kgMS.

More like this

Alliance commissions major heat pump system at Mataura, cutting coal use and emissions

Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.

Open Country opens butter plant

When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.

Revamped Fonterra to be ‘more capital-efficient’

Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.

Green light for virtual fencing, herding in Victoria

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.

Dairy sector profit still on the table, but margin gap tightens

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.

Featured

Bridge Pā Table Grape Harvest Starts Weeks Early

Budou are being picked now in Bridge Pā, the most intense and exciting time of the year for the Greencollar team – and the harvest of the finest eating grapes is weeks earlier than expected.

REINZ Rural Property Report Shows Steady Market Into 2026

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) has released its latest rural property report, providing a detailed view of New Zealand’s rural real estate market for the 12 months ending December 2025.

Farmlands Posts Strong 2025 Half-Year Growth

Rural retailer Farmlands has released it's latest round of half-year results, labeling it as evidence that its five-year strategy is delivering on financial performance and better value for members.

Editorial: Trump's Tirade

OPINION: "We are back to where we were a year ago," according to a leading banking analyst in the UK, referring to US president Donald Trump's latest imposition of a global 10% tariff on all exports into the US.

DairyNZ Calls for Changes to Government’s Proposed Resource Management Act Reform

DairyNZ says the Government’s proposed Resource Management Act reform needs further work to ensure it delivers on its intent.

Todd McClay Seeks Labour Party Support for India Free Trade Agreement

Overseas Trade Minister Todd McClay says he's working constructively with the Labour Party in the hope they will endorse the free trade agreement (FTA) with India when the agreement comes before Parliament for ratification.

National

Meat Industry Association CEO to Step Down

The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Sirma Karapeeva has resigned from the…

EPA Approves Beetle to Tackle Chilean Flame Creeper

Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a…

Government Declares Medium-Scale Adverse Weather Event in Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury

Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.

Pay Equity Crucial for Rural Communities - RWNZ

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it welcomes the release of a new report into pay equity.

Red Meat Exports Deliver $1.4bn in Tariff Savings Across EU, UK and US Quota Markets

Red meat exports to key quota markets enjoyed $1.4 billion in tariff savings in the 2024-25 financial year.

Machinery & Products

Kioti and Naïo Technologies Form Strategic Partnership to Develop New Agricultural Robot

Korean company Kioti reports that its European division and French company Naïo Technologies have formed a strategic partnership to develop…

Pöttinger Marks 25 Years in Seeding with Innovation from VITASEM to TERRASEM

Austrian manufacturer Pöttinger previously focused on grassland equipment then entered the arable sector with its acquisition of “Bayerische Pflugfabrik Landsberg”- the…

Carrfields Appointed New Authorised Fendt IDEAL Combine Dealer Across New Zealand

Ashburton based Carrfields has announced its appointment as the new authorised Fendt IDEAL combine harvester dealer across New Zealand with…

Fieldays Innovation Awards 2026 Call for Entries Across Primary Sector

The New Zealand National Fieldays Society is calling for entries to the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards, with successful applicants showcased during…

Claas Jaguar 1000 and Orbis 10500 Win ASABE Innovation Awards

After its flagship 1200 model set a Guiness World Record in forage harvesting, mopping up 4096 tonnes of whole crop…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives

» Connect with Rural News

RSS Facebook Twitter