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.
The Republican presidential front-runner who appears to wear a dead possum on his head – Donald Trump – has finally managed to get agriculture into the US political debate, but not in a good way.
Responding to a recent poll that had his rival Ben Carson leading the Republican field at 28%, and Trump slumped to second place with 20% in the Iowa caucus race, 'the Donald' sent out a snide tweet stating: "Too much hash creates issues in the brain." In other words, he was blaming Round-Up sprayed on crops in the state for voters' support of his rival. However, after copping bad press for his comment, Trump did what any good politician would do – blamed an unnamed staff member. Sure, Don, it was the intern.
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.