Your old mate notes that the failing NZ Herald (owned by dying media company NZME) was quick to put the boot into various meat companies for claiming the wage subsidy in a recent article.

Speaking of anti-farming types, this old mutt hears that serial farming bashers Fish and Game – or Bitch and Complain as many know them – may be undergoing a change of attitude.

Your canine crusader noticed a full-page ad recently run in a farming paper calling on meat companies SFF and Alliance Group to pay back the $70m-plus they claimed in wage subsidy.

The Hound understands that Federated Farmers has been cut out of the information loop, for the past year, on the proposed freshwater reforms – driven by well-known farmer hater Environment Minister David Parker.

Your old mate sees that Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has criticised small Southland dairy company Mataura Valley Milk for taking the Covid-19 wage subsidy, which the company claimed after choosing not to process Fonterra milk.

Your old mate is informed that a well-known machinery editor rather enjoys going to general auctions on a Saturday morning, while his better half does the weekly grocery shopping.

Your canine crusader understands that the Government’s decision to not allow butchers to operate during the lockdown period is going to cause some major animal welfare issues on many pig farms around the country.

The Hound is picking up a lot of negative feedback around the traps about the arrogant stance of National Fieldays organisers.

Your old mate reckons it’s incredible how people’s attitudes have changed since the COVID-19 crisis hit us.

A mate of the Hound’s reckons the COVID lockdown must be getting serious when we are being told not to have casual sex during this time.