Farmers' incomes take a battering
Farmers' incomes take a battering
Consumers want and are prepared to pay for our meat, but benefits are not flowing back to southern farmers, who face an almost halving in income before tax this year.
Farming
Effluent discharge brings fine
Effluent discharge brings fine
A Clydevale dairy farmer and his company were each fined $16,750 plus costs, in the Environment Court in Dunedin yesterday, for discharging dairy effluent to land.
Rural pay deals 10% up on urban
Rural pay deals 10% up on urban
Farm workers' average overall wages and benefit packages are about 10% higher than annual urban wages, but Federated Farmers is cautioning farm debt may temper rural wage growth "in the foreseeable future".
If we lose 1080, we're shot: Butcher
If we lose 1080, we're shot: Butcher
Rabbit numbers could get out of control in Otago if any of the most effective tools used to curb their numbers is lost, the Otago Regional Council has warned.
Green leader hails decision to call-in dairy applications
Green leader hails decision to call-in dairy applications
The decision to call-in consent applications for controversial dairy farm developments is a victory for the Green Party and for every New Zealander who cares about water quality and the "wonderful" landscape and biodiversity of the Omarama and Ohau area, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says.
MP joins call for dairy farm consent applications to be called in
MP joins call for dairy farm consent applications to be called in
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean has joined those asking Environment Minister Nick Smith to call in the controversial Omarama-Ohau dairy farm consent applications.
Result seen as positive for Fonterra
Result seen as positive for Fonterra
Farming commentators are hailing Fonterra's raising of $271 million in new shareholder's capital as an achievement, given farmers' tight cash flow and not a sign the dairy giant needs to open its share base to general investors.
Root weevil found
Root weevil found
The clover-killing clover root weevil has been found in four places on the Taieri Plain, meaning farmers might have to use more chemical fertiliser to encourage pasture growth.
Long-term view vital,SFF says
Long-term view vital,SFF says
The chairman of the country's largest meat company is urging farmers to take a long-term view of their industry and reject one-off price inducements from companies wanting their stock.
Scribe tackles tough contest
Scribe tackles tough contest
The pen may be mightier than the sword, but the two 48kg weights gave the pen a good run for its money yesterday.
Rain 'fantastic for farmers'
Rain 'fantastic for farmers'
The sound of steady rain on Thursday night was music to the ears of Central Otago farmers.
Irrigation consents granted
Irrigation consents granted
A farmer has been granted two resource consents to use groundwater in the Maerewhenua catchment for irrigation - the fifth decision on 52 resource consents in the lower Waitaki catchment being considered by Environment Canterbury (ECan).
Support systems already there for farmers in drought
Support systems already there for farmers in drought
Support systems are already in place for Central and North Otago farmers struggling to cope with their driest season for many years.
Otago farm sales reflect economy
Otago farm sales reflect economy
Otago farm sales for December were down 60%, reflecting a national slump with no improvement in sight, as financing for the rural sector remains tight.
Shareholders show patience
Shareholders show patience
Allied Farmers' new shareholders are showing more resilience and patience than they were given credit for as they hold on to the shares they were allocated as part of the Hanover Finance takeover.
Faster bidding at stronger deer auction
Faster bidding at stronger deer auction
Faster bidding and a stronger market than last year at the 2010 Red Deer Stud Sale at Remarkables Park Stud Farm yesterday were attributed to a steadily improving economy, the farm director said.
Stock safe from river
Stock safe from river
Some farmers with land beside the flooded Pomahaka River shifted stock on Monday night, fearing the river would spill over into their pad-docks, but this failed to happen.
Wharetoa ram sale
Wharetoa ram sale
A sale last week of rams, by Wharetoa Genetics in Clydevale, set records.
Fears for paeony business
Fears for paeony business
A new dairy processing plant near Glenavy could have a catastrophic effect on a paeony export venture established by a family whose farming links with the area go back four generations.
Fair go urged over farms
Fair go urged over farms
Before the controversy over dairy farms in the Mackenzie Basin goes any further, Don Nicolson, argues that Resource Management Act processes should be given a chance.