Farmer compensation for cattle disease to cost over $100m: Nathan Guy – Gerard Hutching:
Compensation for farmers affected so far by the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis could cost more than $100 million, National’s Primary Industries spokesman Nathan Guy says.
But he said the coalition Cabinet would probably soon decide it had other spending priorities, and farmers would be told to learn to live with the disease.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) announced on Friday a further two South Island dairy farms had been confirmed infected with Mycoplasma, bringing the total to 23. . .
US vet: Mycoplasma need not cripple dairy profitability:
Mycoplasma bovis infection, now spreading throughout NZ dairying, needn’t be a death sentence for farm profitability, according to American veterinarian Dr Paul Dettloff, visiting here in early March.
Official response to the M. bovis crisis has focused on containment and keeping the contagious bacterial disease from spreading between animals. This infection is widespread in other dairying countries and needn’t reduce dairy profitability here. Dr Dettloff, who works for a large dairy cooperative in the US, indicates he sees farmers who don’t have M. bovis in their cows, despite being surrounded by farms with infected animals. . .
Rural mum’s infectious enthusiasm part of Fantail’s Nest story – Kate Taylor:
The enthusiasm from Michelle Burden for her Fantail’s Nest business is infectious.
She smiles when she talks about what she does and what the future holds for her business and her family.
Running a small, rural business has its challenges. But they’re worth it.
Burden is one of hundreds of business people, many of them mothers, juggling life and work in a rural area. . .
Feed demand limits grass harvest :
Southern welfare groups are urging farmers not to be complacent after substantial falls of rain appear to have alleviated some areas of drought in Southland and Otago.
Southland Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Lindsay Wright said pasture response and aquifer recharge have been slower than expected and though the rain has jolted winter crops to start growing again, more is needed.
Farmers should assess whether they have enough feed for winter and if not they need to source extra supplies sooner rather than later. . .
Farm visits link town and country:
Youngsters in Northland are getting the chance to experience dairy farming thanks to two couples taking part in DairyNZ’s Find a Farmer programme.
Creating a link between urban and rural communities and showcasing farming to the next generation are just two reasons why Terence and Suzanne Brocx and William and Robyn Hori host school visits.
Suzanne feels the connection many city families once had to relatives in the country has largely been lost. The Brocxs and Horis say joining DairyNZ’s Find a Farmer service has been their attempt to re-establish that connection. . .
Ag’s success should be stirring Australia’s future business entrepreneurs – Andrew Marshall:
First he turned smashed avocado into a much-discussed metaphor for the Millennial generation’s poor money saving discipline.
Now he’s challenging what he fears is often our overly casual national attitude to business entrepreneurship and ambition.
Notably, the demographer and social commentator, Bernard Salt, believes agribusiness and agricultural initiative on the global stage are obvious areas for Australia’s business spirit to rise significantly higher. . .
Posted by homepaddock 
Homepaddock 