A Clayton’s enquiry – that’s not what we asked for – Clive Bibby:
Readers will forgive me if I use this opportunity to express my concerns about the Government’s response to our particular problems here in Tairawhiti (East Coast) following Cyclone Gabrielle but I do so knowing that other regions like our neighbours in Hawkes Bay will have experienced similar unwarranted brush offs.
In my entire adult life, I have yet to see a cabinet minister stand in front of the citizens of New Zealand trying to defend the indefensible with such feigned indignation. Such was the performance of Stuart Nash, Minister for Forestry in PM Chris Hipkins’ Labour Government as the opening item on Thursdays’ TV One Network News.
What made it worse was the fact that his Prime Minister stood right beside him – ostensibly to offer support if he stumbled in delivering the news that the government had changed its mind and was now agreeing to a limited enquiry into aspects of the Forestry industry in this country. . .
Farmers hitting the wall on East Coast – Jo MOir :
Jim Galloway doubts it will ever be known how many animals died during Cyclone Gabrielle. As the adrenaline runs out, the Hawkes Bay Federated Farmers president told political editor Jo Moir farmers are starting to hit the wall.
Exactly how many animals died when Cyclone Gabrielle hit the East Coast will never be known but rough estimates on the rumour mill have it at about 40,000.
Jim Galloway farms in Raukawa, southwest of Hastings, and counts himself as one of the lucky ones having escaped any damage on his property.
Instead, he’s concentrating on making sure farmers in the region have all the support they need to clean up and start again. . .
Wearable tech helping dairy farm management– Shawn McAvinue :
A Southland dairy farmer is bidding farewell to tail paint and bulls in one of his breeding programmes.
Shaun Goble 50:50 sharemilks 500 cows at Tisbury in Invercargill and lower-order sharemilks another 500 cows on a farm next door.
Allflex collars were put on the cows in the 50:50 operation this season.
Speaking at a DairyNZ field day on wearable technology for cows last week, he said the appeal of the collar technology was how it helped him manage two dairy farms. . .
Forestry contractors chipping in to help with cyclone clean-up :
New Zealand’s forestry contractors are mucking in to help clean up post Cyclone Gabrielle while unable to get back to work as normal.
Some forestry contractors affected by Cyclone Gabrielle remain unable to get back to work, reliant on landowners to grant re-entry to the forests. While roading accessibility and safety remain key concerns, forestry contractors still have bills to pay and staff to retain until they know when they can go back to work or not.
Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO Prue Younger says contractors are adapting as best they can, redeploying machinery and manpower while they try to keep staff busy and income coming in. It will be important to understand if they are going to be supported by government, like other sectors so reliant on the land for employment are.
“We’re hearing stories of contractors getting stuck in and helping out in their communities, whether that’s volunteering or seeking alternative revenue through short-term clean up jobs,” she says. . .
First Grand Finalists announced for FMG Young Farmer of the Year season 55 :
A Massey University veterinarian student has been crowned the Taranaki Manawatu FMG Young Farmer of the Year and is the first Grand Finalist to be announced for Season 55.
Mac Williams, 20, is a second-year veterinary student at Massey University and was announced as the winner of the Taranaki Manawatu FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening, after spending the day competing in a range of challenges at Riverbend Farms in Lepperton.
More than 100 spectators looked on as Contestants were put through their paces. The head-to-head challenges were a major highlight – working side-by-side, Contestants had just 30 minutes to build a beehive, cover a mini silage stack, fish for clams, and cut up a log. A classic sack race to the finish line was the last hurdle.
Williams found the head-to-head one of the hardest parts of the day. . .
Vegetable shortages in UK could be ‘tip of iceberg’, says farming union – Tom Ambrose :
Shortages of some fresh fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers could be the “tip of the iceberg”, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has said.
Certain products are hard to come by in UK supermarkets due to poor weather reducing the harvest in Europe and north Africa, Brexit rules and lower supplies from UK and Dutch producers hit by the jump in energy bills to heat glasshouses.
The NFU’s deputy president, Tom Bradshaw, said a reliance on imports had left the UK particularly exposed to “shock weather events”.
He said the UK has now “hit a tipping point” and needs to “take command of the food we produce” amid “volatility around the world” caused by the war in Europe and the climate crisis. . .
Homepaddock 