Mystery chopper hangs over stock – Neal Wallace:
Southland farmers are feeling under siege by campaigns believed to be by animal welfare and environmental activists questioning intensive livestock wintering practices.
There have been multiple reports in recent weeks of a helicopter with a camera on the front hovering over stock being wintered on crops in various parts of the province.
Separately, Waikato businessman Angus Robson has confirmed he plans to travel to Southland as part of a campaign highlighting questionable wintering practices. . .
Bacteria key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from sheep – Esther Taunton:
New Zealand scientists have singled out the microbes responsible for producing methane in sheep, a discovery which could help reduce emissions from livestock.
Scientists from AgResearch and Otago University are part of a global team that has identified processes that control methane production in sheep and other ruminant animals like cattle and deer.
As well as identifying gut bacteria which produce hydrogen during digestion in sheep, the researchers discovered which organisms feed on that hydrogen in the production of methane. . .
https://twitter.com/RozMackenzie/status/1149069565076262912
New NOIC chief executive – Sally Brooker:
Andrew Rodwell brings international leadership experience to his new job as chief executive of the North Otago Irrigation Company.
He has replaced Robyn Wells, who spent nearly nine years in the role.
Mr Rodwell has a BSc from Canterbury University and a finance diploma from Auckland University’s Graduate School of Business.
As New Zealand’s trade commissioner in Los Angeles he focused on food and agritech, then formed and led a United States subsidiary for Telecom New Zealand. . .
Beekeeper buzzing after honey medals – Richard Davison:
A South Otago beekeeper is enjoying a sweet buzz after flying high at the country’s top honey awards.
Allen McCaw, of Milburn Apiaries near Milton, received the Supreme Award at the ApiNZ National Honey Competition in Rotorua recently, after hauling in two golds, a silver and a bronze medal for his creamed honey entries.
Although he and wife Maria were now working towards retirement, he still enjoyed competing with the honey from his ”cottage” factory to the rear of the couple’s 6.5ha smallholding on State Highway 1, Mr McCaw (69) said. . .
Young Farmers posts big loss – Colin Williscroft:
A one-off gift let Young Farmers record a surplus for its latest financial year instead of a significant loss.
The organisation reported a profit of $4.61 million for the year ending September 30, 2018.
But that was because it was bequeathed a farm valued at $5.5m.
Its trading results show losses of about $900,000 for the year though chief executive Lynda Coppersmith is confident the organisation is on the right track to ensure that won’t happen again. . .
Stratford shearer Gavin Mutch wins for Scotland at world championships – Mike Watson:
Stratford shearer Gavin Mutch returned to the podium at the world shearing championships in France.
The Scottish-born shearer combined with compatriot Calum Shaw to win the teams’ event at the championships in Le Dorat, western France, at the weekend.
Mutch and Shaw finished ahead of Welsh pairing Alun Lloyd Jones and Richard Jones, and New Zealand’s Cam Ferguson and Rowland Smith, who were third. . .
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