MAF to be renamed Ministry for Primary Industries

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is to be renamed to reflect the importance of the whole primary sector to the economy.The ministry, to be known as the Ministry for Primary Industries from April 30, will cover agriculture,… … Read More read more

On March 6th, 2012, posted in: News by

More rain and wind coming for storm-damaged areas

A looming front will bring another dose of rain and wind to storm-damaged areas of the lower North Island, forecasters warn.About 2000 properties in South Taranaki and Wanganui remain without power following Saturday’s extreme w… … Read More read more

On March 6th, 2012, posted in: News by

Queen’s estate receives millions in farming subsidies

The Queen has received £7million in farming subsidies funded by taxpayers over the past ten years, it emerged yesterday.And the Duke of Westminster – one of Britain’s richest men – has been given around £6million. They are among… … Read More read more

On March 5th, 2012, posted in: News by

Smaller investors sought for dairy farms

The balance between the cost of buying a dairy farm and how much it can earn is the best that Pastoral Dairy Investments chairman Malcolm Bailey says he can remember.Pastoral Dairy Investments (PDI) is looking to raise a minimum… … Read More read more

On March 5th, 2012, posted in: News by

Bumper Wattie’s beetroot crop after Tasman move

The summer may not have been great for cooking the perfect burger but at least one essential ingredient – beetroot – is enjoying a booming season.Wattie’s is forecasting a harvest of 11,500 tonnes of the bright-coloured vegetable… … Read More read more

On March 3rd, 2012, posted in: News by

Sideswipe: Something for the weekend

Television: Nigel Latta’s Politically Incorrect Guide to Grown Ups looked a lot like a Tui Beer ad on Sunday. A pre-filmed scene designed to hammer home the point, which was ‘it’s ok to be attracted to people other than your partner’,… … Read More read more

On March 2nd, 2012, posted in: News by

Commodity prices hold steady in February

The ANZ commodity price index of New Zealand exports was unchanged during February, with declines in some areas balanced by gains in others.Dairy prices in aggregate fell 1 per cent, seafood dropped 4 per cent and the price of skins… … Read More read more

On March 2nd, 2012, posted in: News by

Gisborne farmers combat rural rustling

Gisborne’s farming community and police have joined forces to tackle what appears to be a wave of organised stock rustling around the district – with as many as 30 sheep stolen each night.Gisborne police area commander Inspector… … Read More read more

On March 1st, 2012, posted in: News by

World’s oldest sheep dies after falling off cliff

A sheep thought to be the world’s oldest has died after falling over a 45m cliff.The blackface ewe – nicknamed Twiggy because of her scrawny appearance – was just a month short of her 26th birthday. Crofter John Maciver put her… … Read More read more

On March 1st, 2012, posted in: News by

Flood of European milk to hit market

Billions of litres of extra milk are expected to hit the global market once restrictions on European production are fully lifted, says Rabobank.It said its forecasts indicated when dairy quotas were fully lifted in 2015 an additional… … Read More read more

On February 29th, 2012, posted in: News by