When regulations push farmers out of farming we need a new approach – Jacqueline Rowarth :
In a world with food prices escalating, it is difficult to understand why any government would implement regulations that made food less available and, potentially, more expensive.
Yet this is what is happening in many countries, including New Zealand.
The EU is determined on the Farm to Fork strategy, which involves achieving 25% organic production and a 20-50% reduction in use of agrichemicals. The decreased availability of food (10-15% in key products) and economic implications have already been calculated as significant.
For Sri Lanka, the foray into organics is considered one of the significant factors which crashed the economy.
And in New Zealand the regulatory environment, designed to protect humans, animals and the natural environment, is becoming ever more stringent and complex – which makes farming more difficult and hence costly. . .
Exotic tree crops established for carbon credits ‘morally corrupt’ – David Norton :
There is no evidence exotic tree monocultures will continue to sequester CO2 at high rates beyond the first few decades of their life
Yet another heavy downpour leading to a state-of-emergency in Tairāwhiti this week highlights the existential threat we face from human-induced climate change.
Papatūānuku continues to suffer through our lacklustre response, which is focused more on planting fast-growing exotic trees (estimated at 60,000 ha in the past year alone) than actually reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
The problems with this approach have been clearly highlighted in the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice for the Government’s 2026-2030 emissions reduction plan, which warns against this over-reliance on exotic trees in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). . .
New Zealand’s three-decade ban on genetic modification explained – Tony Conner :
After years in the scientific wilderness, GM is once again a hot political issue. Dr Tony Conner explains what our current law says, and why removing the ban could transform agricultural science in New Zealand.
So, what does GMO stand for?
GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. Genetic modification may also be referred to as genetic engineering or transgenics.
And what exactly is that?
Genetic modification involves taking DNA from the genome (the complete set of DNA) of an organism such as a plant or animal and inserting it into the genome of another organism. The purpose is to transfer the ability to make new substances or perform different functions. There are no barriers to where the DNA can come from. DNA from microbes, animals, plants, and even entirely synthetic DNA made in the laboratory can be transferred into other microbes, animals, or plants. GM development needs to be undertaken in carefully controlled conditions in the laboratory. In the case of plants, DNA is inserted into single plants cells that are then be multiplied in cell cultures in the lab and regenerated back into complete plants. . .
Trade policy must evolve – research :
New research suggests New Zealand needs to evolve its trade strategy in order to capture more value from existing markets, especially if the country seeks to increase exports and grow the economy amid rising protectionism and geopolitical tensions.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) today published the latest edition of its biennial Barriers to International Trade report.
The report shows that New Zealand’s framework of free trade agreements has reduced the level of red meat tariffs from $366 million in 2010 to $193 million in 2022, a reduction of $173 million.
However, between 2021 and 2022 there was a 22% uptick in red meat tariffs because New Zealand is exporting more products to markets with high tariffs. . .
Competition hots up for Young Farmers tournament national finals :
The competition is heating up for the New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) Tournament National Final, to be held in Timaru next month.
Running alongside the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, the NZYF Tournament National Final will see 55 NZYF members head to Timaru with their eyes on the Goldpine Fencing, Hunting & Fishing Clay Target, NZ Farmers Livestock Stock Judging and Tavendale & Partners Debating titles.
Earlier in the year, 230 NZYF members competed at the Northern, Waikato Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Taranaki Manawatu, Tasman, Aorangi and Otago Southland regional NZYF Tournaments for a qualifying spot. Qualifying competitors will battle it out on Thursday 6 July at various locations around Timaru.
Advancing from each region are the top two clay shooters, the top fencing team, the top three stock judges and two debating teams, one from each island. The debate competition features two teams facing off in the Tavendale & Partners Debate, to be held at the New Holland NZYF National Awards in Caroline Bay on Thursday evening. . . .
Retirement beckons for stud owners – Shawn McAvinue :
Central Otago sheep and beef farmers Geof and Joyce Brown and are set to retire, ending a career of more than half a century breeding Hereford cattle. The owners of Locharburn Herefords talk to Shawn McAvinue about their passion for the cattle breed and sticking to sheep and beef as the surrounding landscape was planted in grapevines and cherry trees.
Hereford stud owners Geof and Joyce Brown are set to retire and have been ignoring neighbours’ suggestions to sell out to grapes, so their sheep and beef farm in Central Otago can stay in the family.
The couple have sold their nearly 2000ha farm Locharburn in Queensbury to their daughter and son-in-law Allannah and Duncan McRae, who farm at Alpha Burn Station in Glendhu Bay.
The McRaes take over Locharburn on July 1. . .
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