Tuesday, 07 July 2015 06:00

Common sense first

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

NZ First deserves a pat on the back for defending farmers against the furore over high milk prices.

Blaming farmers for the price of milk is wrong when supermarkets are creaming profits, says New Zealand First primary industries spokesperson Richard Prosser.

“We think it’s insulting to farmers to have fresh milk compared with Coca-Cola. Milk is a food taking skill to produce, whereas Coke is just carbonated water packed with sugar,” says Prosser.

Good on your Prosser.

More like this

One and One Don't Make Three

One and One Don't Make Three

OPINION: Since when did one and one make three? Who didn't smell an elephant-sized rat when our leaders decided to give $60 million to save the cement factory in Northland?

Ewe Zealand First

Ewe Zealand First

OPINION: After all the criticism that Winston Peters leveled at the India/NZ FTA, it seemed just a trifle ironic to the Hound that the first NZ politician to visit India after Prime Minister Modi's visit was a member of the Ewe Zealand First party.

Going Green

OPINION: The Green Party’s rivers and oceans policy may have a new name but nothing else has changed.

Political Points

OPINION: Staying on Plan Change 1, NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones took to social media to gain some political points.

NZ First 'doesn't oppose trade element' of India FTA

Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson says his party – NZ First - isn’t opposed to the “trade element” of a free trade deal with India.

Popular Reads

How a Scholarship Helped Build a 1400-Cow Taranaki Farm

On a farm in Tikorangi, North Taranaki, Brent Stevenson is sharemilking 1,400 cows.

NZ Confirmed as World's Largest Single-Country Dairy Exporter in 2026 Report

A team effort that is paying dividends for the wider New Zealand economy.

South Waikato Farmer Cuts Nitrogen With Soil Biology Trial

South Waikato farmer Bas Nelis is always interested in fine-tuning his business to improve results.

Krone Enters Merger Market With First Belt Model, the Swativo T1040 Pro

Already known for its extensive range of mowers, tedders and swathers, German manufacture Krone looks to be joining the trend…

Milk Glut Drags Fonterra Forecast Down to $9.20/kgMS

A milk glut around the world shows no sign of easing, putting downward pressure on farmgate milk prices for the…

Featured

Palmerston North Shearer Sentenced After MPI Investigation Into Sheep Abuse

A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.

Power Farming Launches Southland Joint Venture

Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.

Meet the Need Delivers Record 1.27 Million Meals as Food Insecurity Hits One in Three NZ Households

Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.

NZ Tractor Sales Up 10.7% in First Half of 2026: TAMA

As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.

NZ Avocado Sector Eyes Bigger Crop and New Export Markets

The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.

Keep What Works Working: NZ's New Resistance Campaign

New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.

National

NZ Confirmed as World's Largest Single-Country Dairy Exporter in 2026 Report

A team effort that is paying dividends for the wider New Zealand economy.

Bex Green Named Federated Farmers' Advocate of the Year 2026

A strong sense of community involvement is what propelled the Federated Farmers' North Canterbury president Bex Green to the honoured…

DIRA Review: Open Country Dairy Warns Against Regulatory "Complacency"

The country's second largest milk processor is warning against 'complacency' during a review of competition regulations in the dairy sector.

Fonterra & Silver Fern Farms Launch Beef-on-Dairy Programme

As dairy farmers lock in plans for the upcoming mating season, a partnership between Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms has…

AgFirst Warns Dairy Farmers Not to Expect Repeat Season

A warning to dairy farmers not to expect the same good conditions that they experienced last season, has been issued…

Machinery & Products

25 Years of John Deere Automated Guidance: A Precision Ag Timeline

This year marks the 25th anniversary of John Deere moving into automated guidance.

Lemken Saphir XMR: New Mechanical Seed Drill Replaces Saphir 10m

The new Lemken Saphir XMR mechanical seed drill has been introduced as the successor to the proven Saphir 10m with…

Krone Enters Merger Market With First Belt Model, the Swativo T1040 Pro

Already known for its extensive range of mowers, tedders and swathers, German manufacture Krone looks to be joining the trend…

Evaluating Tech Providers Beyond The Product

As the dust settles after Fieldays, we're once again reminded of the sheer volume of technology now available to New…

VatGuard: The Kiwi-Made Fix for Milk Vat Contamination

The greatest nightmare for any dairy farmer is the fear of contaminating the milk vat, either with milk from a…

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

Irish Dilemma

OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.

Beef Cows To The Rescue

OPINION: Could beef cows play an increasingly important role in improving profitability and resilience on hill country farms?

» eNewsletter