Make it 1000%!
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.
OPINION: This old mutt understands that a number of high profile sheep studs are unhappy with Beef+ Lamb Genetics’ recent push to include methane traits in sheep.
Apparently, several of these studs have written to B+L Genetics asking where it got the mandate for using levy resources – and potentially compromising the world leading SIL database owned by stud breeders – to make this move.
Sources tell yours truly that one ag scientist recently mentioned “off record” that while they felt uneasy chasing a non-productive trait, it was the first time in their career that research money was “falling into their laps and laboratories”.
Ironically, B+L Genetics must have gotten wind of the breeders’ annoyance and suddenly and swiftly sent out a survey to sheep farmers asking what they thought about methane trait selection – albeit it a few years too late.
Only this season’s $10/kgMS bumper payout has saved some dairy farms along the Taranaki coast from absolute disaster due to the present drought – dubbed as one of the worst ever for some.
A survey of contract milkers in the dairy sector has revealed some shocking statistics - 43% of respondents reported abusive behaviour from a farm owner and a whopping 72% suffered a mental and/or financial setback in the role.
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.