Greens and Labour waging war on overseas invest – Allan Barber:
The Greens’ private members bill restricting, in other words banning, all sales of farm land of more than 5 hectares to an overseas investor was defeated last week by two votes. Under a Labour/Green coalition, ably assisted by NZ First and the Maori Party, the terrifying thought is this piece of xenophobic ignorance would be passed into law.
There’s a more than remote possibility of a change of Government in 2014, so this, or some variation of it, could become Government policy and would easily gain a majority in the house. Back in March David Shearer put up his first private member’s bill on the same issue which sought to ensure substantial extra jobs and exports from foreign investment. There were some embarrassing omissions, but the intent was clear, if not as draconian as Russel Norman’s bill. . .
Abigail Vickers, the type of person the dairy industry needs - Milking on the Moove:
The May 2011 issue of the Dairy Exporter has an article on Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Trainee of the year, Abigail Vickers.
Omakau farmer outguns Aussies – Shawn McAvinue:
A heartfelt speech helped a Central Otago grazier beat her Aussie counterparts for an agricultural business award.
Omakau dairy farmer Jan Manson said she was “taken aback” when she won the Rabobank business development award.
The $5000 award is part of the executive development programme, which helps agricultural businesses in New Zealand and Australia develop growth strategies. . .
Dairy farmers see milk money in cow pats – Shawn McAvinue:
What creates the perfect cowpat is a hot topic. Shawn McAvinue visits a Central Southland dairy farm where staff are making and mixing quality feed for more milk.
What goes in must come out.
And Southern Centre Dairies owner Alfons Zeestraten is spending a bit more time examining the green stuff to ensure he gets quality milk.
You see, he says the ideal cowpat should have the consistency of a children’s chocolate yoghurt. . .
This is a great time to be a low input pasture based farmer and it’s going to get better – Pasture to Profit:
Chaotic extreme weather conditions have caused the worst drought (for more than 50 years) across most of North America.The feed shortages will impact on every dairy farmer. I feel very sorry for those farmers directly affected. Having worked in Australia during years of extreme droughts I know it’s very tough & stressful for both farmers & rural professionals.
Corn/Soybean & to a lesser extent wheat prices are about to substantially increase. All purchased dairy feed will become very expensive. Low input pasture based farmers who don’t buy feed in will avoid the much higher costs but benefit from the expected higher milk prices. . .
Entering Dairy Awards Motivates And Enthuses:
Unique opportunities, enhanced farm businesses and stronger networks are some of the major benefits gained from entering the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
Plans for the 2013 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are underway, with details to be confirmed at a conference in October. The awards run the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.
In reflecting on their participation and success in the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, 2011 national winners Jason and Lisa Suisted say the experience delivered a new perspective to their farm business. . .
It’s farming Jim but not as we know it - Willie Leferink:
Last week, I presented at the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences summit of farming under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
While many of the presenters focused on what we can do right now, I instead focused on what would happen if farming was included in the ETS.
I was brutally frank with my assessment, but would you expect anything less from a Kiwi-Dutchman?
Right now, there is a lot of work underway to deal with the methane belched from the rumen of cattle.
I take my hat off to the scientists who are trying to find solutions over those who have taken 30-pieces of council silver to ‘police’ farmers. . .
Arable farming is on the rise again, on the back of good prices and consistently good profitability.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has released an analysis of arable production and profitability as part of its annual Farm Monitoring Report series. The report is based on a model of a Canterbury cropping operation and an overview of typical financial performance, based on information gathered from a sample of growers and industry stakeholders. . .
Forget the vegemite/marmite debate – honey is emerging as the hot topic in taste differentiation.
Where once people believed honey was simply honey, a new national competition has highlighted the distinct taste and flavour differences in New Zealand monofloral honey – honey made predominantly from one single nectar source.
The inaugural Airborne Honey MonoFloral Honey Competition aims to raise awareness of New Zealand’s unique honey types, and show the outstanding flavour and taste that can be achieved with stringent quality control and traceability from hive to jar. . .
Nitrogen best option to boost feed for lambing
With bumper lamb numbers due this spring, having the best feed available will be a priority for farmers wanting to achieve optimum live-weight growth, especially with subdued market prices.
Sheep scanning results are showing improvement over last season with 2012 lamb numbers expected to be about 4% up on last year which means an extra 1 million mouths to feed this spring.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Research and Development Manager Warwick Catto says with lambing rates up, the quality and quantity of nutrition will play an important role in determining growth of stock, and nitrogen has a big role to play. . .
Rockburn Pinot Noir 2010 scoops Double Trophies at Bragato Wine Awards in New Zealand
Champion Pinot Noir Trophy & Reserve Champion Wine Trophy
Rockburn Wines’ Pinot Noir 2010 has continued its record of highest success, this time in the prestigious Bragato Wine competition in New Zealand.
Rockburn Pinot Noir 2010 took out the Mike Wolter Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir and also the Richard Smart Trophy for the Reserve Champion Wine. Over 530 wines were entered into the competition that celebrates growers first and foremost. . .
Re Willies comment, taking pieces of silver to ‘police’ farmers.
Unfortunately the audit in the Waikato,confirmed that the majority of dairy farmers were found to be dishonest, when trusted to fence off streams ,work they had agreed to do, failed to carry out, then lied about it.
Dishonesty might be acceptable to National party supporters and dairy farmers, but , the balance of NZ society have somewhat higher standards.
Hi Scotty I agree. In the Wairarapa the 3 district councils are totally honest. They admit that they still discharge so called “treated’ water from the urban settling ponds into the Ruamahanga river and its tributaries. At least they don’t try to hide it. The mayor of the Carterton district was recently heard to protest about the need to stop this and the cost to gain consents for discharge to land. A dairy farmer friend of mine suggested that he join the real world and accept the change in system. Dairy farmers have not been allowed to discharge to water for some time in this area anyway.