2
Farming Dairy Focus
www.guardianonline.co.nz
INDEX
COMMENT FROM EDITOR
Depression - one farmer’s journey
3
ANZCO chairman Sir Graeme Harrison on foreign investment
6
Rabobank on the state of NZ agriculture
9
International dairy news
12
Dairy industry awards
15
New Zealand news briefs
16 18-19
Around the traps
I was not surprised by SAFE man Hans Kriek and his campaign of war against the entire dairy industry nor his bold declaration of revenge via a United Kingdom newspaper. Having spoken to the man several times this year I have found him at times to be as blunt as a Nadine RURAL mallet, dogmatic in his stance and Porter REPORTER uncompromising. Tweet us @farmjourno But this is what I want to ask everyone who supports SAFE – do they really feel in their heart that throwing his toys out of the cot. Hans Kriek is an animal do-gooder or His harsh outlook on this and are they slightly suspicious that he is many other issues makes him a public on a power trip. liability to our export economy. I always feel when so-called Going straight to television every activists start ranting about bringing time you film something was never Governments to heel, that it is time going to be the answer and I just for them to move on – that their own hope his own cupboard is squeaky personal objectivity may be somewhat clean. clouded. Regardless something must be done In Hans’ case I think it’s time he about SAFE – starting from the top. was deposed. On another matter, the dry This last escapade has lost him continues to bite and with it comes valuable urban further uncertainty support through for our dairy farmers his unwillingness to grow It’s a sick sort needing to sit down and supplementary feed. meter out some It’s tough out there of irony that kind of valid and it continues to be people can be response with tough. industry. Farming seems to prosecuted by When I asked resemble a hurdle public media him if the track this year and so footage from the it seemed appropriate before being Waikato could to reprint a special allowed to be determined as story shared with us nationwide, he have their say earlier this year by simply said that google.com about if it was filmed in former Mid various trucks up Canterbury farmer there, then it would Dennis Bird. be happening here. Dennis has come through That was wrong on so many levels depression and was brave enough and dangerously wrong at that. to talk about the pain he was feeling It’s a sick sort of irony that people when he was at his worst. can be prosecuted by public media Some of you may be having some before being allowed to have their of the same feelings. say and yet he lives on to defame If so, I strongly urge you to talk to whomever, wherever he wants. your loved ones, or reach out to the If he really did have animal welfare myriad of help available. as his number one priority surely In the meantime let’s keep hoping he would be trying to help fix any for some substantial rainfall and take problems here, rather than acting comfort in our family and friends like a childish schoolboy or a toddler during the festive season.
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