Opinion

No threat to farming from forestry

OPINION: There’s some agitation out there at the moment about farming being under threat from forestry. Much of what’s circulating is based on misinformation so it’s time to lay out the facts.

Food-Friendly Wines — Bob's Blog

What are best food-friendly wines? Bob Campbell, MW offers his picks.

Any Old Vines? — Bob's Blog

How important is vine age to wine quality?

A mate of the Hound reckons outgoing special agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen, who is due to finish his current role at the end of the year, is currying favour – and job prospects – with the Government by backing its moves to lump agriculture into the ETS.

Hot air?

With the Government wanting to implement huge costs on the livestock farming sector by making New Zealand the only country to include farming in an ETS, this old mutt thought it might actually get serious about funding mitigation research.

Interesting...

It appears many dairy company competitors of Fonterra are worried that some of the proposed changes to the DIRA regulations will give the country’s largest dairy co-op an unfair advantage over them.

Stink!

Your old mate understands the country’s second largest dairy company, Open Country Dairy (OCD), has just had a ‘stink’ month. During October OCD copped a record fine of more than $221,000 for a “vomitus stench being emitted from its Waharoa factory”.

Saving us from ourselves

OPINION: The Government's policy to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand is working directly against the goals of the Paris Accord.

Realism or rhetoric? — Editorial

OPINION: In theory everyone is happy with the deal struck between the Government and the agricultural sector over emissions.

No time to stand still

Tom Pow, founder of Herd Homes, on the banking and environmental pressures facing farmers.

At last a deal on climate change — Editorial

OPINION: Primary sector bosses and Government ministers waxed lyrical at a news conference at Parliament on the new deal on agricultural emissions.

Angry as usual

The usual culprits are angry at hearing last week that the Government and the agri sector will work together to deal with greenhouse gas emissions.

Cripes, stripes!

Have you ever tried painting zebra stripes on your cows?

Vegans chase nurseries

The battle between milk and its fake rivals is spreading to nurseries in the UK.

Vladimir the dairy farmer

Russian President Vladimir Putin is a master tactician in taking advantage of international conflicts.

40 years and 800 studies prove safety

Agcarm chief executive Mark Ross explains why we shouldn't fear glyphosate.

Told ya!

OPINION: As pointed out in this column a while back, a new special agricultural trade envoy (SATE) has now been appointed to replace Mike Petersen and take over the role at the start of next year.

How come?

OPINION: This old mutt is somewhat conflicted over the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) overseen by the king of pork barrel politics – Shane ‘Porn free’ Jones.

Utu?

OPINION: Your old mate notes that the former ‘junior staffer’ who was ‘let go’ by the Nats after the Christchurch shooting has now joined the farming haters at Bitch & Complain (Fish & Game) as a spin doctor.

Independence necessary — Editorial

OPINION: News that a group of Fonterra farmers want an independent review of the Fonterra shareholders council may well be the beginning of the end of its ‘lapdog’ reputation.