Apparently it's far-right to grow food. Bring on das tractor revolt - Jeremy Clarkson :
Every government in the civilised world knows that food must not be too expensive. If people can't afford to eat, it's a known fact that within days, or maybe even hours, everything will go full zombie apocalypse. This is why a standard-sized tin of Heinz baked beans is just £1.40.
That's great of course. Except, if you think for a moment, it's not great at all because how in the name of all that's holy can a supermarket sell you 415g of food for so little? You've got all the tomatoes needed to make the sauce, and the herb extracts and the salt and the cornflour and the vinegar. And then you need the tin and the labelling. And all of the trucks needed to get the ingredients to the Heinz factory in Wigan, and the distribution centres, and the profit that the retailers are going to need. So how much of the £1.40 do you suppose is left over to pay the farmer who grew the 465 beans that you find in each tin?
Yes, you're absolutely right. It's bugger all. And it's not just beans either. McDonald's has got staff bills and heating and lighting and a logistical empire bigger than the US navy's. So how much of the £4 they charge for a Big Mac goes to the farmers who grew the cows and the potatoes and the flour and the tomatoes and whatever it is they put in that delicious sauce? . .
Rules loading stress on livestock truck drivers :
Do you risk a hefty fine, or look after the welfare of animals you're transporting?
That's a regular dilemma for livestock truck drivers, and Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick says there needs to be less bureaucratic stringency and more common sense.
"There's no autonomy and no trust given to drivers and transport companies," Herrick says.
"The whole industry is being punished for the bottom five percent. . .
Agricultural co-operatives and why farmers need them - Jacqueline Rowarth :
Co-operatives are doing together what nobody can do alone, writes Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.
Societies, associations, levy bodies and co-operatives work for their members through the power of the membership.
Societies and associations tend to have a particular focus. In the primary sector the foci of the NZ Grassland Association (founded in 1931), Society for Animal Production (1941) and Soil Science Society (1952) are clear. Like Federated Farmers of NZ (1944) they are organisations run by their members for the good of the members and their discipline.
In contrast, levy bodies (a result of the Commodities Levy Act - 1990) have been constituted to overcome market failure in the supply of industry-good goods and services, particularly those having the characteristics of non-rivalry and non-excludability. . .
Farmers back review of health and safety laws - Sudesh Kissun :
Farmers are hoping for a respite from complex national health and safety laws, under review by the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers workplace health and safety spokesman David Birkett says there's plenty of room for improvement including putting in place a system that's appropriate for the scale of the farm.
Last week Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced that a roadshow will be held over the regions in the coming months to consult with stakeholders.
Van Velden says this is the first step to deliver on the commitment to reforming health and safety law and regulations, set out in the ACT-National Coalition Agreement. . .
New industry award recognises rural professionals at the peak of their careers :
FarmIQ and the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industries Management (NZIPIM) have today announced a brand-new accolade: the FarmIQ Rural Professional of the Year Award.
The purpose of the award is to recognise industry professionals who have dedicated themselves to the agricultural industry and have contributed positively to their farmer clients, colleagues, and the rural field.
The new award accompanies the existing FarmIQ Emerging Rural Professional of the Year Award, which celebrates passionate and innovative young people in Aotearoa's agricultural industry, with five years' experience or less.
Gavin McEwen, executive general manager of FarmIQ, says, "It's important and exciting to recognise those who have spent many years dedicated to the agricultural industry. These people have built connections, shared expertise and formed trusting relationships that help Kiwi farmers to flourish and excel. . .
Growth in export markets for New Zealand milk powder :
Milk powder exports were valued at $9.7 billion in the year ended April 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Milk powder made up 14 percent of the total value of exports for the same period, making it our largest export commodity.
Since the year ended April 2008, annual milk powder export values have increased 109 percent, and quantities have increased 112 percent.
In the year ended April 2024, China was the main destination for our milk powder exports. Over this period, 30 percent of our milk powder exports were sent to China. . .
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