McDonald’s NZ spends $235m on local farmers in 2024
Feeding more than 1.5 million people a week takes more than quick service, it takes the ongoing work of New Zealand farmers and producers, according to McDonalds.
OPINION: This old mutt notes that 'activist' Angus Robson tried a new tack in using woke, online media outfit Newsroom to reboot his ongoing - and thus far failed - attempt to muddy the name of NZ farming.
Just before Christmas, a story ran on Newsroom, fed to it by Robson, accusing McDonalds of encouraging mud farming.
This followed a failed complaint by Robson to the Advertising Standards Authority where he whined about ads used by Maccas promoting the use of NZ beef in its burgers that described NZ beef as being raised in "an ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming".
Robson's complaint to the ASA said the claims were misleading because of some of the winter grazing practices used by NZ beef farmers.
Sensibly, the ASA dismissed this whingey complaint and Maccas are still promoting its yummy, NZ beef filled burgers.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.
National Lamb Day is set to return in 2026 with organisers saying the celebrations will be bigger than ever.
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.
Keep focused on things that can be controlled on farm.

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