Why?
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents a kilo between North and South Island producers – if you look at February 2024 steer prices.
You old mate continues to be dumbfounded at the lengths some 'environmental' groups will go to in an effort to discriminate against farming.
The latest example is where Environment Southland councillors recently directed staff not to join a Forest and Bird declaratory judgement proceedings. Apparently, Forest and Bird is seeking to have the Environment Court declare that excreta from animals are a discharge. The judgement would have wide ranging impacts on farming as it would mean that animal excreta would require a discharge permit if no rule existed in a plan or national environmental standard to permit the activity. What next, permits to allow farmers to breathe?
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.