News
Wool price lifts on back of weaker NZ$
The weaker New Zealand dollar and poor weather has combined to push up local prices as exporters struggle to meet shipment commitments.
New rules for ag vehicles
… agricultural vehicles first registered from June 1 2013 must use a flashing amber beacon at all times when on-road …
Fonterra offer scaled back to 79% of 25%
The high level of demand means the Fonterra Offer will be scaled. Fonterra will buy 79.7284 per cent of the economic rights each farmer shareholder offered to sell.
Angus bull for dinner – almost!
… the bull in question will not be on the menu, but instead will have pride of place on the wall.
Boost to quarantine inspector numbers
The recruitment of more biosecurity quarantine inspectors calls into question earlier staff and budget cuts, according to the Public Service Association.
Policy changes could help boost biogas production
Livestock produces a lot of waste. One solution is to turn such agricultural waste into biogas to generate energy. It requires using so-called anaerobic digestion, which consists in breaking down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. This approach could thus solve farmers’ problem while helping diversify farmers’ income. This is particularly relevant in agricultural […]
Wool prices steady
… longer Fine Crossbred Shears were firm to 3.5 percent dearer with the shorter types 2 to 4 percent easier as recent premium levels ease back. Coarse Crossbred Fleece were firm to 1.5 percent stronger as were the coarse shear types.
Pesticides not to blame for bee decline
Europe’s decision to ban neonicotinoids is another example of politicians making decisions meant for regulators. Pesticides have been blamed for a decline in bee health despite a lack of scientific proof. “Clear scientific evidence has taken a back-seat to a politically-based decision on regulation, which could mean the reduction of effective crop protection products in […]
Remember when, 2008: No Mexican standoff PLEASE
Murmurs of animosity and past rivalries between the co-operatives have Natural Producers Chairman Murray Rohloff concerned that the Mega-Merger negotiations are heading toward a Mexican Stand-Off.
Remember when, 2008: Hart says much for meat industry to consider
This series of articles looks back at the previous attempt to fix the problems facing the meat industry. In 2008, the Meat Industry Action Group managed to get meat companies talking and get farmers active. Despite this nothing came of their efforts. This series may just act as a reminder of what we as farmers […]