Domestic Focus
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided to focus on a domestic issue - oil and gas drilling.
OPINION: Many countries are doing their best to reduce emissions and achieve climate goals, China being an obvious exception.
Many countries with sizeable dairy sectors are looking at different tools to reduce methane emissions from cows.
In the UK, the Government is proposing giving cows 'methane blockers' to reduce their emissions of the greenhouse gas as part of plans to achieve the country's climate goals.
The government said in its net zero growth strategy published recently that it expected "high-efficacy methane-suppressing products" to enter the market from 2025 and could force farmers to use them if they prove effective.
Farmers welcomed the proposal, which follows a consultation that began in August on how new types of animal-feed products can reduce digestive emissions from the animals.
However, never satisfied, the anti-cow brigade were sceptical, arguing that the move would not address the other environmental harms resulting from the beef and dairy industries and showed a fixation on "techno fixes" rather than reducing consumption.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.