Farmers' call
OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.
Fonterra says its emergency response teams have contacted over 500 farms in flood-affected areas of lower North Island.
The co-op says around 30 farmers have requested immediate help, and the teams are on the ground working with them.
"Our staff are pumping out sheds, clearing slips, and working to get farms back in working order as quickly as possible," it says.
"We're able to collect milk as usual from all but three farms, and we're working to find other ways to get to those three as soon as possible."
Fonterra activated its emergency response team after severe flooding in Manawatu and Taranaki.
Any Fonterra farmer requiring urgent assistance can call 0800 65 65 68.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.