Plant-based bubble bursts
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird Ventures, and its products are no longer available in supermarkets.
OPINION: Over the past year the world has been shown the psychological damage that lockdown can have on human wellbeing.
New research led by Queen's University Belfast has found that "livestock lockdown" may also damage emotional wellbeing in dairy cows. The research has been published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports. Dr Gareth Arnott, senior lecturer in animal behaviour and welfare at Queen's University and principal investigator on the research, explains: "Animal welfare scientists and dairy consumers have long been concerned that depriving dairy cattle of pasture access harms their welfare.
"Pasture access can promote natural behaviour, improve cows' health, and cows given the choice spend most of their time outside.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.