One and One Don't Make Three
OPINION: Since when did one and one make three? Who didn't smell an elephant-sized rat when our leaders decided to give $60 million to save the cement factory in Northland?
Your old mate notes that the Greens latest policy – in its desire to 'clean up the country's rivers' – is to implement a wholesale ban on future dairy farm conversions.
The policy would bring down a ban preventing any rural landowner in NZ from ever being able to convert land to dairy. No wonder Labour's primary industries spokesman Damien O'Connor is walking round with a face like a slapped bum. He is likely to be shafted in respect of the primary sector portfolio in a Labour/Green coalition: it is common knowledge that Labour would happily give this portfolio to the Greens, and renowned farming hater Eugene Sage would likely get it. The Hound reckons it might be a good time for him to retire and go where he can actually make a difference.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.