Don't bully cheese lovers!
European dairy giant Arla Foods claim young people in the UK are being bullied for eating dairy products.
Following on from fuel shortages and panic buying in the UK - said to be inflamed by media hype about a dire shortage of heavy truck drivers - red diesel suppliers are reporting disruption to farm deliveries in some parts of the country that are well into the post-harvest cultivation and planting season.
Some contractors in the east of the country have been advised of a three to four week delay in getting deliveries. One operator with four large tractors reports: "It's a busy time on farms, with lots going on, including spraying, cultivations, drilling and hedge-cutting. We certainly don't have enough fuel to last until the end of the month, given that when cultivating, even medium horsepower tractors are easily using up to 100 litres plus each day."
The National Association of Agricultural Contractors said it is aware of issues with deliveries in some areas and is telling its members to plan well ahead.
Meanwhile, there are reports that some farmers have been using red diesel off-farm out of necessity because of poor rural supplies of "standard" diesel. Government department DEFRA is warning users that there is no amnesty on its use in non-agricultural vehicles, so getting caught could result in a large fine, plus a calculation of the duty being evaded.
The UK's largest rural insurere, NFU Mutual is warning of increasing reports of fuel theft from rural properties, urging farmers to be vigilant and to strengthen security.
It advises fitting a fuel tank alarm such as remote electronic fuel-level gauges that can set off an audible or monitored alarm if the fuel level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a defined level. It also suggests that tractors and powered machinery should also be locked up and out of sight from public roads and footpaths when not in use, to prevent thieves draining fuel tanks.
Red Oil
In the UK, red diesel is the term used for gas oil that is intended for use by farmers and contractors, alongside other off-road vehicle users.
It is so named because since 1961 it has been a requirement that it must be marked with a red dye as well as chemical markers to make it easily identifiable.
This helps prevent its misuse in road vehicles as it is a lower cost and is subject to a reduced VAT (tax rate) of only 5%.
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has revised its operating earnings guidance, saying trading conditions have deteriorated since the last market update in February.
It's been a bumper season for maize and other supplements in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Leading farmers from around New Zealand connected to share environmental stories and inspiration and build relationships at the Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) national forum in Wellington last month.
AgriZeroNZ, a joint venture fast-tracking emissions reduction tools for farmers, is pouring $5 million in a biotech company to develop a low emissions farm pasture with increased productivity gains.
Fonterra is teaming up with wealth app provider Sharesies to make it easier for its farmer shareholders to trade co-op shares among themselves.
Te Awamutu dairy farmers Doug, Penny, Josh and Bayley Storey have planted more than 25,000 native trees on the family farm, adding to a generations-old native forest.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.