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: The Hound has for some time been highly critical about the actions of the He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) partners and their hesitancy to criticise the current government or push back publicly over the myriad of the many unworkable regulations it has imposed on the farming sector.
When questioned about the folly of this stance, the likes of B+LNZ and DairyNZ have claimed 'it is better to be at the table than not' - arguing that any criticism or push back against the current government would not serve the industry well.
However, your old mate suggests that by the looks of the Government's farm emissions proposal, not only were B+LNZ and DairyNZ at the table, they were actually served up as the main course!
Meanwhile, B+LNZ and DairyNZ's very late to the party criticism of the proposed farm emissions plan looks far too little, far too late!
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.