Word of the day

Acersecomicke – one whose hair has never been cut.

Thatcher thinks

We want a society where people are free to make choices, to make mistakes, to be generous and compassionate. This is what we mean by a moral society; not a society where the state is responsible for everything, and no one is responsible for the state. pic.twitter.com/1mqTKI4mZ3

— Margaret Thatcher (@MrsMThatcher) November 20, 2021

Rural round-up

Feds honours the life and work of John Luxton:

Federated Farmers wishes to pass on its condolences to the family and friends of former Minister of Agriculture and dairy industry leader John Luxton who passed away today.

“We pay our respects to acknowledge and praise the work John did for New Zealand agriculture, especially the dairy sector,” Federated Farmers national president Andrew Hoggard says.

John was a Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2002 and his political contribution was significant across numerous ministerial roles, including his time as Minister of Agriculture.

“The dairy sector would not be the same if it weren’t for John’s work towards forming DairyNZ and then chairing the organisation between 2008 and 2015. . .

Farmers helping feed Auckland families this Christmas:

Farmers and growers are being asked to help put fresh food on the Christmas table for Aucklanders in need this year.

Federated Farmers has launched a “Farmers Feed Families” campaign aimed at raising funds for the Auckland City Mission.

Feds Gisborne President Toby Williams was dismayed to learn how many more Auckland families were struggling as a result of COVID-19 fallout, including loss of jobs or cutbacks to hours.

“It only costs $135 to provide a box of food for a family of four, with enough good ingredients for about four days’ worth of meals. We are asking fellow farmers to help families pay for good, fresh food for Christmas. . .

Rural connectivity not ready for Covid-19:

Rural New Zealand is facing a COVID crisis thanks to the Government’s failure to secure their digital future, says National’s Digital Economy & Communications and Rural Communities Spokespersons Melissa Lee and Joseph Mooney.

“Alongside the Government’s failure to provide New Zealanders with a plan to get our country back in business and end the MIQ Lottery of misery the Government continues to leave rural connectivity behind causing real fears that families across our regions will be unable to access critical health services and information when COVID strikes their towns.

“Rural New Zealanders have already had to do the hard yards during lockdowns of the past 18 months facing network congestion, poor connectivity options and data limits that have seen many of them having to choose between their child’s education or keeping their businesses afloat. This is morally bankrupt for those working in the primary sectors keeping our economy intact. . .

“The essential joy of being with #horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and freedom.” ~ Sharon Ralls Lemon. Rusty today #writerslife #NewZealand #farmlife He makes my day. pic.twitter.com/zUNsZMbkYB

— Liz Ferry (I float – sorry I can't fly) (@madbushfarm) November 19, 2021

Crunch is coming for agricultural contractors :

Federated Farmers’ concerns about the serious shortage of experienced agricultural machinery operators is proving justified as summer approaches.

A shortage of experienced operators is being felt across rural New Zealand, and the pressure is building on both farmers and rural contractors, Feds immigration and employment spokesperson Chris Lewis says.

“Unfortunately, we all saw this coming a long way out. Federated Farmers has repeatedly explained the implications of having no international seasonal rural workers to the Immigration, Primary Industries and Workplace Relations and Safety Ministers, the Primary Production Select Committee and the CEO of WorkSafe.

“The shortage is leaving both contractors and farmers in the lurch and we have serious concerns for the coming season. These are complex machines that require experienced operators,” Chris says. . .

When you need to grab some descent fresh air, Can't complain farm is looking premo 💪 #clearthemind pic.twitter.com/IXRSDEYMYv

— Sarah Dooley (@cobb808) November 18, 2021

IrrigationNZ makes big strides with plans to deliver more in 2022 :

IrrigationNZ has made great strides in the last 12 months, with a revitalised strategy put to work propelling the organisation to new heights.

The organisation held its annual general meeting (AGM) via Zoom yesterday, and revealed to members that for the first time in three years the organisation has ended the financial year in the black.

Chief Executive of IrrigationNZ Vanessa Winning, who has been in the role for a year, is proud of her team’s performance, and is looking forward to continuing the good work into 2022.

“I joined IrrigationNZ just before last year’s AGM. We had just completed a restructure, decided to move the head office to Wellington, and were close to another annual loss,” says Ms Winning. . .

Producer prices increase :

Producer prices increased more in the year ended September 2021 than in any other year for more than a decade, Stats NZ said today.

In the year ended September 2021, prices received by producers increased 6.2 percent, and prices paid by producers increased 7.0 percent.

“The increases in prices received and paid by producers in the year ended September 2021 are the largest increases since the years ended March 2009 and December 2008 respectively,” business prices delivery manager James Mitchell said. . .

Sowell says

One of the mysteries of the ages is why the political left has, for centuries, lavished so much attention on the well-being of criminals and paid so little attention to their victims.

— Thomas Sowell Quotes (@ThomasSowell) November 19, 2021

Seen but not heard

Groundswell’s Mother of All Protests  went ahead as planned yesterday.

The ODT reports southern towns were swarmed by tractors, utes and other farm vehicles.

Similar numbers drove into towns and cities throughout the country.

In spite of attempts to paint Groundswell as anti-vax and racist, the overwhelming message was clear – farmers and the people and businesses that supply and support them have had enough of unworkable regulations.

The movement and its supporters are not environmental luddites.

We accept that mistakes have been made in the past and there is a need to ensure that they are not repeated and damage done is repaired.

It is the pace of change and the way it is being handled that is the problem.

What needed in one catchment isn’t necessarily what’s right for another.

But what has been proven to work in some places and will work in others is farmers and councils working together to clean-up past messes and to protect the land and waterways.

One farmer told me her family had been on the same farm for five generations and had no doubt about their responsibility to ensure that they farmed in a way  to ensure that future generations could continue their legacy.

Sums it up pic.twitter.com/ADJrnwPzgB

— Joseph Mooney MP (@JosephMooneyMP) November 21, 2021

The crowd is pouring in to Wanganui Racecourse for the #motherofallprotests this afternoon. Plenty of on-message signage, and nothing remotely offensive pic.twitter.com/TUPCz7SQbi

— Tony Stuart (@TonyStuart55) November 20, 2021

Got my non offensive signs ready for #MotherOfAllProtests #Groundswell
Also double vaxxed so, sorry to disappoint! pic.twitter.com/1OD1RYmXqy

— 𝕊𝕒𝕘𝕖 🇳🇿❤🇳🇿✊ (@Soul_of_a_Sage) November 20, 2021

Groundswell’s Howl of a Protest a few months ago and yesterday’s Mother of All Protests ensured the message was seen but the message from the government has been equally clear – it wouldn’t be heard because they don’t want to listen.