Opinion

Soil properties critical when applying effluent

Soil properties should be weighed up when applying effluent, explains Bala Tikkisetty, sustainable agriculture advisor (technical) at Waikato Regional Council.

Let’s be fair to farmers — Editorial

Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa has made no new friends in the dairy sector with its farcical display of water quality ‘samples’ from around the country.

Why steal Stihl?

If someone turns up on your farm, selling Stihl 461 chainsaws, please shout out. That’s the message from NZ Young Farmers.

Fake milk bites processors

If you think only Fonterra is in financial dire straits... the US milk industry is reeling from the decline in dairy sales.

Think again

Have you given up milk in the name of sustainability? Think again.

2020 the year of ‘New-Gen’ ag

Could 2020 be the year of New Zealand ‘generative agriculture’?

Wairarapa PGF water funding “outstanding news”

Farmers have welcomed the Provincial Growth Fund’s decision to put $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa.

Cloud in sector’s silver lining — Editorial

OPINION: High farm debt levels have cast a shadow over the Ministry for Primary Industry's positive predictions for agriculture in 2020.

Your canine crusader reckons it is ironic – and highly appropriate – that Shane Jones’ $3 billion electoral slush fund the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has exactly the same initials as the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF)!

Thank god!

Like this old mutt, no doubt farmer shareholders are delighted to know that Fonterra is focusing on the important issues.

Funny names

Over the years, a mate of the Hound’s has always been quick to point out to him people in roles whose names either match or clash with the organisations they work for.

More waste!

Your old mate notes that after almost two years of cosy meetings and more than $2 million wasted, Ag minister Damien O’Connor’s brainfart, the Primary Sector Council, released its ‘strategy’ on the eve of Christmas, last year.

Time for a mature conversation on water

Kiwis need to grow up when it comes to conversations on water quality, says an opposition MP.

Here’s why rural NZ is revolting

Andy Scott, chair of 50 Shades of Green explains why many farmers are concerned with new government policies.

Ironic

Your old mate notes that a recent bid to buy more than 4500ha of South Island farmland by a Canadian outfit was rejected by the Overseas Investment Office.

Good value

A mate of this old mutt reports being somewhat surprised to see Southland farmer and chair of Beef + Lamb NZ Andrew Morrison gracing the streets of the plush North Shore suburb of Takapuna in Auckland, last month.

Really?

Speaking of useless, pointless and waste-of-space working groups... the Hound wonders what really was the point of Damien O’Connor’s $500,000-a-year brain fart – the Primary Sector Council (PSC)?

C’mon, mate

Your old mate hears it can be a tough gig for MPs getting back into the real world after retiring (or being voted out of) from Parliament.

No value added — Editorial

OPINION: The unexpected departure of A2 Milk’s chief executive last week was an unpleasant, but timely reminder of the destruction of value often seen between the farmgate and the end market.