Idea of killing cows to curtail methane emissions 'crazy'
Visiting US climate change expert Dr Will Happer says the idea of reducing cow numbers to greatly reduce methane emissions is crazy.
OPINION: TVNZ's recent 'Q&A' programme has a lively discussion on methane emissions and how dairy farmers are doing their bit to reduce the sector's emissions.
Judging by comments on twitter, it is clear farmers feel by ambushed by TVNZ: the 'expert' panel included Maori activist Mike Smith with an anti-farming agenda; and there were no farmers in the audience, with most questions thrown to the panel coming from left-leaning environmentalists.
While DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle did a sterling job as the sole crusader for the dairy sector, his comments drew a negative reaction from the biased audience when saying that farmers are hard working families that care for the environment.
Kind of like a knife to the heart, is how one farmer described it on twitter.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.