Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly reckons these days it appears you have to be a boring, bald bloke to get a run at the Nat’s ag portfolio.
Of course, new National leader and former ag spokesman – and seriously lacking in the hair department – Todd Muller took over the role from the rather hirsute Nathan Guy, who is retiring at the upcoming election.
When Muller took on the leader’s job, he appointed David Bennett, another chrome dome, as ag spokesman, and someone called Andrew Falloon – who, you guessed it, is another bloke with a receding hairline – as associate ag spokesman.
This old mutt is unsure why these uninspiring two made the cut when you consider the Nat’s line-up includes some good people with better and stronger ties to the sector – such as Amy Adams, Louise Upton, Barbara Kruger, Ian McKelvie, Lawrence Yule and former Young Farmer of the year winner Tim van de Molen.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.