Sheep & Beef Farm Conversion to Forestry Slows, Risk Remains
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
OPINION: This old mutt reckons it doesn’t take long for farmer directors to get their noses well and truly in the trough when they get elected to levy organisation boards.
Take, for example, Beef+Lamb director Kate Acland, who was only elected on to the BLNZ board back in March 2021. She has now packed her bags for her first post-Covid overseas jolly – care of farmer levypayers.
Acland was joined by BLNZ chair Andrew Morrison, chief executive Sam McIvor and policy manager Dave Harrison on an all-expenses-paid trip to the EU and UK, described as “a whistle-stop tour meeting agricultural counterparts, farmers, government officials and politicians in the UK and the EU in support of further developing New Zealand’s relationships”.
Oh, and the trip also manages to squeeze in “celebrations” to mark the Meat Board Centenary, with events in London and Brussels. Nice for some!
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…