RURAL CONTRACTORS New Zealand is questioning the high cost of machinery and parts charged contractors and farmers.

FIVE MORE farms, a total of 347, sold in the three months to September, 2014 as compared to the same three month period last year.

WITH TALK now turning to reform of the Resource Management Act, like clockwork an opinion article appeared in the Dominion Post: “Dairying muddies NZ’s thinking”. 

RURAL CONTRACTORS New Zealand is questioning the high cost of machinery and parts that contractors and farmers are currently paying.

By Rick Powdrell is Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson

With the payout for the season looking likely to be below the six dollar mark, many dairy farmers need to be concerned. Six dollars was probably ok for many, but any less will see the hair going greyer and the worry beads being fingered.

Farmers are backing Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler's comments that the high New Zealand dollar is unjustified and unsustainable.

RECENT MONTHS have seen many articles (eg Rural News, August 19) on the need to solve the methane emissions problem of livestock. There have even been calls to cease consumption of ruminant protein altogether. 

RECORD DAIRY prices contributed to Landcorp's net operating profit of $30 million for the year ending June 30, 2014, up from $13 million from the previous year.

HEREFORD FRIESIAN cross calves are fetching astounding premium prices in parts of New Zealand as the annual round of calf sales gets into full swing.