ACT, farmers push for changes to Paris Agreement
The ACT Party's call for a better deal on the Paris Agreement on climate change is being backed by farmer organisations.
OPINION: The Hound reckons former Fed Farmers president Andrew Hoggard's move to stand for the Act Party at this year's election had to have been the worst kept secret in NZ agri-circles.
Hoggard follows in the footsteps of two other former Feds presidents, Owen Jennings and Don Nicolson, both of whom hitched their political colours to Act.
Hoggard will be hoping he emulates Jennings who managed to get a high enough list ranking to get into parliament, rather than Nicholson who missed out each time he stood.
Meanwhile, your old mate had to laugh at much of the commentary - mainly from beltway politicos - who claim securing Hoggard means all farmers will now vote Act instead of National.
If you take a look at the confirmed National candidates standing this election at least a dozen are farmers, compared to Act's two.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock farm operators.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.