So, tell me why we shouldn’t be global custodians of responsible pastoralism? – Pasture Harmonies:
The purpose of this blog discussion is to debate whether New Zealand Inc should become global custodians of responsible pastoralism.
It is test the hypothesis that we have a golden opportunity to profitably unite around a common story and the reality embodied in our pastoral method.
To own the story I contend, first we must name it.
Instead however of debating what the name should be, a brand/name is proffered, and as shorthand for our entire story, an argument will be presented as to why we should go down this path. Hence, pasture Harmonies – a descriptor, a promise. . .
Ways with water: agriculture vs the environment – Damian Christie:
As Leonardo da Vinci once said, “water is the driving force of all nature”. And it’s coming in for plenty of discussion in New Zealand at present. So are agricultural growth and environmental protection mutually exclusive? Or can a balance be struck? Damian Christie takes a dip.
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of New Zealand’s waterways, not just in material terms, but for their place in our national identity. As a young fella I grew up hunting for tadpoles in the streams out back of our place in Waiouru. On holidays at grandma’s bach in Central Otago my dad taught me to fish for trout in the nearby lakes. And as a teenager in Upper Hutt the river was a constant backdrop to long days spent swimming, rafting, and in later years, summer evenings spent partying around bonfires with friends. . .
On the frontline with our pest busters – Dwight Whitney:
Just as agricultural products evolve, so too do the gremlins, varmints, pest and diseases that are destined to take a bite out of production and wallets. But standing between them and your livelihood are some pretty savvy souls, writes Dwight Whitney.
Any budding Hollywood director wanting inspiration for the ultimate horror movie need go no further than New Zealand’s Biosecurity website for subject matter and inspiration.
Like The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, plants, animals, insects, birds, fish, parasites and diseases are coming to a farm near you. Consider just a few of some recent ‘visitors’—the likes of Devil’s fig, painted apple moth, eastern banjo frog, fire ant, lesser banded hornet, southern salt marsh mosquito, gum leaf skeletoniser, marron and gudgeon—that have decided there’s no place like New Zealand to call home. . .
Keeper has a honey of a job – Sally Rae:
Central Otago beekeeper Colin Wood reckons he has the best job in the world.
A qualified builder, Mr Wood has no regrets about entering the honey industry when he gave a beekeeping friend a hand.
It was during the recession in the 1980s, the building industry was “not good” and switching to beekeeping was not a hard decision to make. . .
Training dogs all about the three Ps – Sally Rae:
When it comes to training sheep dogs, Lloyd Smith reckons it’s all about the three Ps – purpose, precision and positive.
The Palmerston dog triallist and trainer has been passing on his knowledge and training methods at training days throughout the country.
In 2005, Mr Smith published a book, Pup Pen to Paddock, described as a no-nonsense guide to rearing and training better sheep dogs. . .
System prevents consent breach – Shawn McAvinue:
Some farmers are already using fail-safe equipment on their farms in the south.
Bayswater Dairy lower order sharemilker Edwin Mabonga said a spring-fed creek ran through the 260-hectare milking platform where he milked 800 cows in Western Southland.
Environment Southland consent for the farm allowed him to irrigate 10mm of effluent a day to a depth of 25mm, 50 metres away from waterways. . .
Injection to stop methane emissions – Gerald Piddock:
Livestock farmers may one day be able to stop biological emissions by injecting their animals with a methane inhibitor.
The injection is one of several areas of research scientists at the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre in Palmerston North are investigating as they look at ways for farmers to halt their animals livestock emissions.
The research is aimed at developing mitigation technologies for methane emissions that were applicable for farmers without losing profitability or productivity, AgResearch scientist Dr Peter Janssen said. . .
Homepaddock 