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OPINION: The late Sir Rob Muldoon once famously quipped that the plane loads of Kiwis jumping the ditch to live in Australia "raised the IQ of both countries".
The 'brain drain' to Aus continues, with a net migration loss of 27,000 people from NZ to Australia in 2023, says Stats NZ.
Curious to see if the grass is greener for dairy farmers considering the lucky country, an Aussie analyst found that, on average 'VIC/TAS irrigated' farmland cost AU$26,250/ha versus 'NZ Irrigated' at AU$48,000; wintering costs in Tasmania are $27/cow/week versus $40/cow/week in NZ; and NZ has more 'red tape'.
On the flip side, NZ's cost of production is lower and Aus has both stamp duty & capital gains tax.
His summary: "farming is bloody tough anywhere!"
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try harder" report card on the red meat industry regarding its exports to China - particularly when compared to Australia.
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.
OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.
OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
As New Zealand marks International Day of Rural Women today, women from across the horticulture sector are calling attention to the crucial role they play in building a more sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient industry.
Listed rural trader PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore and his deputy Sarah Brown have been voted out by shareholders.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
DairyNZ has appointed Dr Jenny Jago to a newly created leadership team role - science partnerships & impact advisor - as part of a strategic refresh of the organisation's science leadership.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.
