Cuddling cows
OPINION: Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its cows and instead charge visitors to cuddle them.
They help prevent flooding and drought by building leaky dams, but UK farmers are concerned about their reintroduction.
Late last month, a pair of Eurasian beavers were released in Somerset in South West England by the National Trust.
The release follows the UK conservation governing body’s announcement in November last year that it would be releasing the beavers into two sites in the south of England.
Beavers became extinct in England in the 16th century after intensive hunting for their fur, meat, and scent glands.
The National Trust says their reintroduction can reduce flooding and improve biodiversity.
But not everyone is happy about their reintroduction.
Farming UK reports that the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has expressed concern about the reintroduction of the species.
It says that the NFU believes releasing the animals loose in the wild could have a 'massive impact' on farming and the countryside.
NFU senior countryside adviser Claire Robinson told The Telegraph: “Any species introduction, particularly if it has not been in this country for hundreds of years, can have a massive impact on the many benefits that the countryside and farming delivers,
“Beavers in the wild could have potentially serious implications on farmland such as land drains being blocked in lowland arable areas.”
A new University of Exeter study looks to validate some of the NFU’s concerns.
The five-year study on the impacts of beavers on the English countryside found that whilst the animals can bring ‘measurable benefits’ to people and wildlife, some farmers will be affected.
The study shows that the animals created ‘adverse impact’ on five farmland sites.
The authors state that beavers will create ‘localised problems’ for a ‘handful of farmers and property owners’.
They add that the reduction of flood risk in communities downstream may come at a cost of water being stored on farmland upstream.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…