Time for Government to practise what it preaches – Sally Rae :
We need to talk about the P word.
Not methamphetamine — although it is an insidious scourge in our communities — but plastic, a scourge of a different variety. And, in particular, plastic carpet tiles which are being rolled out in classrooms throughout the country.
For it is time that we start talking about synthetic carpet for exactly what it is. In an increasingly eco-conscious world where we are doing our best to reduce plastic consumption, is it wise to surround our future leaders — still in their formative years — with plastic?
The Ministry of Education’s decision to award a 600-odd school contract to a United States company that manufactures solution-dyed nylon carpet actually beggars belief.
New Zealand’s wealth was literally built on wool off the sheep’s back; now the ministry seems intent on rolling out the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing. . .
The eco-elites insane war on farming – Brendan O’Neill :
Should we kill all cows? Amazingly, it’s a question the green elites are asking. ‘Cow burps’, with their methane, contribute 14.5 per cent of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions. Cow dung releases ammonia, a nitrogen compound that damages natural habitats. From both their mouths and their behinds, cows cause pollution. So let’s cull them. Earlier this year, the Irish government proposed the slaughter of 200,000 cows to help it meet its climate targets. The Dutch government has flirted with the idea of reducing livestock numbers by 30 per cent to ‘reduce damaging ammonia pollution’. ‘Should we kill trillions of animals to save the planet?’, headlines ask.
So this is where environmentalism is at: slaughter the cows to save the planet. And you thought it was a happy-clappy, animal-loving ideology. ‘The complete eradication of cows and pigs… will eventually save the planet’, as one writer put it a few years ago. Of course, mad as our governments are, it’s unlikely they’ll take the stun gun to millions of cows anytime soon. And yet they are pursuing policies that will cause cow deaths. They have sworn themselves to climate targets that could lead to the decimation of livestock. They have, insanely, gone to war with farming. I’ve never been into animal rights, but I’m wondering if we need a ‘Save the Cows’ movement to counter the irrationalism of a political class that now puts eco-concerns ahead of everything, even food production.
Consider Ireland. The government is apparently not going to pursue the suggestion that it bump off 200,000 cows. It came from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In order for Ireland to get closer to the Holy Grail of Net Zero emissions, we might have to kill 200,000 dairy cows at a cost of 600,000 Euros to taxpayers, a department document said. But it was only a ‘modelling’ scenario, not a ‘final policy decision’, officials insisted last month. Let’s leave to one side that it’s bizarre a Department of Agriculture was even talking about slaughtering thousands of cows, potentially devastating some farmers’ ability to make a living. More importantly, Ireland is already drafting policies that could have similar cow-obliterating consequences, only indirectly. . .
Second set of career goals needed for hardworking pair – Shawn McAvinue :
A Chilean couple who met working in the New Zealand dairy industry have been smashing their career goals in the South.
Gonzalo “Gonz” Bascur (33) and Nayabet “Naya” Espinoza (28) were both born and raised in Los Angeles in central southern Chile.
They went to same high school but met on a dairy farm in Mid Canterbury in 2013.
Before coming to New Zealand, Mr Bascur was working as a veterinary assistant on a dairy farm in Chile, milking more than 6000 Holstein Friesian cows. . .
Tradition meets transformation as a family changes its farm – Daniel Eb :
Our farmhouse looks onto a hill. It’s steep, but gives way to a gentler roll at the bottom with some decent feed for our Angus herd.
I’ve spent dozens of hours, maybe hundreds, looking at that hill and getting angry. Like countless other hills around New Zealand, it is cut by cattle tracks. Slowly but surely, our animals have pressed and packed down the soil. One day the hill will slip. Then nothing but moss will grow there, clinging to the bedrock.
I don’t want to leave a hill like that to my daughter or nephew.
The cold fact is that our animals shouldn’t be on that hill, or the other 60% of our rolling-to-steep Kaipara farm. The other cold fact is that our beef-raising business survives on that marginal land. . .
Kelvin Wickham appointed as chief executive of Ballance agri-nutrients :
Kelvin Wickham, a proven co-operative leader with over 34 years at Fonterra creating value for farmer shareholders, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer at Ballance Agri-Nutrients (Ballance).
The announcement comes as Mark Wynne, the current CEO, prepares to leave Ballance after nine successful years at the end of September following the AGM.
“The appointment of Kelvin reflects the Board’s ongoing commitment for Ballance to be fit for purpose in a fast-evolving world. Kelvin’s wide-reaching experience in the marketplace, his passion for innovation, strong focus on people and driving performance will ensure the co-operative is well placed to serve the needs of our customers and shareholders into the future,” says Ballance Chair, Duncan Coull.
Kelvin’s extensive career at Fonterra culminated in him being based in Amsterdam leading all business activities across Africa, Middle East, Europe, North Asia, and the Americas, along with global oversight of the Active Living Functional Nutritional Unit and the NZMP brand. Prior to that he was responsible for the business unit NZMP, the biggest dairy ingredients selling and marketing entity in the world. He has lived in Shanghai where he led Fonterra’s Greater China business across the full value chain from farms to brands. In an earlier Supplier and External Relations role he worked closely with farmer shareholders, with responsibility for Fonterra’s farmer facing teams as well as engaging with key New Zealand government and external stakeholders. . .
Tristan Van Schalkwyk announced as 2023 Canterbury Young Viticulturist :
Congratulations to Tristan Van Schalkwyk from The Bone Line in Waipara who became the North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year 2023. The South Island Regional competition is open to contestants from Nelson, Waitaki and N. Canterbury. There was no competition last year, so Tristan was back to defend the title, having also won it in 2021. Since winning two years ago, Tristan’s career has progressed significantly and he is now Vineyard Manager at The Bone Line.
Congratulations also goes to Nick McArthur from Tiki Wines who came second and Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone who came third. The other contestants were Mick Boon, Petra Henry, Cole Hughes and Lucy Gardiner.
This was the first time most of the contestants had competed in the competition and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to coming back to compete again next year. The competition was held on 20 July at Greystone in Waipara. Despite the weather deteriorating late morning, nobody was deterred and judges were impressed with how the contestants continued to give it their all, smiling through the wind and rain.
“Their positive, professional attitude is an asset to them and will take them far.” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers. The support of the sponsors, judges and regional organisers was also hugely appreciated as they encouraged the contestants and kept everything on track despite the weather. “It really highlighted the strong community spirit which makes Young Vit so special.” . .
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