Keeping a watch on dairy farms
OPINION: Dairy farmers are under increasing pressure to safeguard their livestock, equipment and operations from a range of security threats.
TV news coverage of terrible bobby calf treatment by a callous minority of people reminds us of a harsh truth: the dairy industry has committed enemies.
These enemies will ruthlessly use such coverage to taint the entire industry – even those who play by the rules.
Animal rights activist Hans Kriek and SAFE were involved in the hidden camera operation that led to the story, so they knew when the TV coverage was coming and on the night the story ran were already bombarding social media with pre-prepared material saying the dairy industry abused animals – not a minority of farmers, the entire industry! Predictably next morning they spoon-fed journalists with the same messages.
That's how these groups play this game, making it all the more vital that the decent majority of dairy farmers do everything they can to weed out the indecent minority who give the knockers and haters the ammunition they seek to harm dairying.
OPINION: Farmers are rightly urging the Government to relax the rules around KiwiSaver and allow young farmers to use their savings towards purchasing either a house, cows or a farm.
Winning the 2025 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year still hasn't sunk in for Thomas and Fiona Langford.
The grass may be growing again in the drought-stricken coastal area of Taranaki, but the outlook for many farmers there is far from rosy.
Doctors and rural women are welcoming the recent pre-budget announcement from the Government that it would be boosting funding to urgent and afterhours care facilities.
Over 300 farmers and rural professionals have gathered in Hamilton for the first DairyNZ Farmers Forum for this year.
Winter grazing is looming again and the Ministry for Primary Industries says it's going to increase proactive farm visits and provide practical advice for farmers in the lead up to the season.