Southland farmers nervous about proposed 15 percent livestock reduction – Logan Savory:
Southland farmers are wary about what impact a reduction of livestock numbers will mean for the agriculture sector in the south.
A Climate Change Commission report has been released which outlines the draft plan to cut New Zealand’s emissions.
Included in the draft plan was the national reduction of livestock by 15 percent by 2030. Exactly how that reduction will be rolled out is not clear.
Paul Turner, who farms between Wreys Bush and Mossburn, when asked, for an example, what a 15 percent reduction might mean on his farm, he replied it would mean losing about 300 cows, which in turn would see about $1m drop out of the economy. . .
Climate focus highlights the need for water – Vanessa Winning:
We should no longer be afraid of the conversation about water storage, dams, and reservoirs in the right places, as they are necessary for a sustainable, inclusive, productive and decarbonised economy, chief executive of Irrigation NZ Vanessa Winning writes.
It has been hot, very hot, especially in the central north island, Canterbury, Nelson, and Otago areas.
Then it was cool – still dry for most of us, but temperatures dropped a minimum of 10 degrees in the space of 24 hours in the height of summer.
Southerlies have settled into the lower North Island and we may get a storm next week in the South. Climate scientists tell us that these swings are expected to get more extreme all year round. . .
https://twitter.com/lukechiversnz/status/1358598048675373056
From The Ridge: you don’t get something for nothing – Steve Wyn-Harris:
We had a mini heatwave like many of you last week.
Over a few days, temperatures sneaked into the low 30s and working in the afternoon heat felt like you were in a furnace.
My thermometers are in well-shaded spots, so I’m doubtful about the claims of 40C from near here.
However, I do know that some of you had official recordings in the high 30s, so I guess I have little to complain about.
I made sure I drank plenty of water as I toiled in the afternoon sun, but it was surprising how thirsty I still was in the evenings and despite topping up, the body sucked it up, as little piddling was going on. . .
Sheep milking to be showcased :
Matt and Tracey Jones will display their sheep milking operation tomorrow at Strathclyde Stud, in an open day event at Kirwee.
Sheep Milk New Zealand will join with the Joneses in running the open day at Tuscany Downs on West Coast Road, from 1pm.
There will also be industry speakers — able to highlight an industry capable of generating $250million in sheep milk export products by 2024, and which is already generating profitability for farmers in the North Island — and sheep milking demonstrations on show.
The Joneses started farming East Friesians in 2011 and established Strathclyde Stud in 2012, after a career in traditional sheep farming practices. . .
Smash – dairy workshops for everyone – Yvonne O’Hara:
Smash is holding its first workshop in the southern region.
Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (Smash) was originally formed for farmers “at the smaller end of things”, with about 300 cows or fewer, organiser Will Rolton said.
However, the information delivered at its workshops was often also relevant to those with larger herds and all dairy farm owners, sharemilkers and contract milkers were welcome to attend the free workshops. . .
Chatham High School welcomes rare Tarentaise cattle – Lucy Kinbacher:
A Taree agriculture teacher is not only excelling in the classroom but becoming a key figure in keeping a number of near extinct cattle breeds alive.
Yan Kleynhans of Chatham High School has a strong passion for rare domesticated animals and recently managed to secure seven of the last 14 known Tarentaise cattle in the country for his crop of enthusiastic students.
The Tarentaise will join a Drakensberger heifer (also one of a handful left in the country), five Limousins and commercial cattle that run across the school property and another 141 hectares (350 acres) of agistment. . .
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Homepaddock 