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THE HOUND was surprised to discover that NZ First’s spokesman on primary industries is none other than its best-known Dick – aside from Winston that is – Richard Prosser! Prosser claimed there are better ways of resolving difficulties in farm finance than throwing people off the land and cited farm debt mediation laws that exist in Australia and Canada as examples for New Zealand to follow.
Your old mate wonders whether, if said legislation had come from Islamic countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia, ‘Dick’ would have been so keen on it.
YOUR OLD mate hears Horizons Regional Council is causing consternation in more than the rural sector with parts of its controversial One Plan.
A MATE of the Hound had a giggle when he heard Associate Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Women’s Affairs Jo Goodhew commenting on the Labour Party’s latest PC proposal to implement a quota to ensure 50% of its incoming MPs are female.
THE HOUND has noticed a real upping of ante – and the ‘anti’ – between Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and his Labour counterpart Damien O’Connor over the past couple of months.
THE HOUND sees that controversial regional council Horizons Regional Council recently trumpeted the release of its latest ‘State of Environment’ report.
ORGANICS ADVOCATES are among the first to claim they have open minds. However, a recent tirade by a Soil and Health Association Organic NZ spokeswoman – sorry, spokesperson – makes your old mate think their minds are anything but open.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
A leading financial and banking advisor says he doubts if most dairy farmers fully understand the dynamics of banking.
