Who's the glutton?
OPINION: We are told there is a wine glut - production outstripping demand worldwide - and the words 'wine lakes' are being thrown around.
Wine growers have welcomed the economic cooperation agreement signed this week between New Zealand and Taiwan, giving New Zealand wine tariff-free access to the Taiwan market as soon as it comes into force next year.
The deal advantages New Zealand wine exporters, says general manager advocacy and trade for New Zealand Winegrowers, Dr John Barker.
"Taiwan is a small but developed market well suited to the premium wine styles New Zealand offers.
"Asia is an increasingly important destination for New Zealand wines. This agreement will make New Zealand the only wine exporter with tariff-free access to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan."
Trade Minister Tim Groser says the deal will benefit New Zealand exporters, "enhancing New Zealand's growth prospects through vastly improved links with a major Asian economy.
"It will immediately eliminate the tariffs for over 70% of current exports to Chinese Taipei, and will eventually allow 100% of New Zealand goods to enter tariff-free."
While the District Field Days brought with it a welcome dose of sunshine, it also attracted a significant cohort of sitting members from the Beehive – as one might expect in an election year.
Irish Minister of State of Agriculture, Noel Grealish was in New Zealand recently for an official visit.
While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.
AgriZeroNZ has invested $5.1 million in Australian company Rumin8 to accelerate development of its methane-reducing products for cattle and bring them to New Zealand.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
A bull on a freight plane sounds like the start of a joke, but for Ian Bryant, it is a fond memory of days gone by.

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