However, the Government has responded to the vocal group opposing forestry on productive land by proposing that if farmers want to plant trees on blocks larger than 50 hectares on elite soils they will have to get resource consent.
Politically, it’s a smart move for a left-leaning administration to cosy up to farming lobby groups but it might have negative repercussions. One is that ambitions to curb climate change through planting will take a hit.
The other is the economic impact. There are about 180,000ha of farmland planted in woodlots of various sizes. On a per hectare basis forestry returns are way above those from sheep and beef farming so it can be argued the forest sector bolsters rather than wrecks rural communities.
Gerard Hutching
Plastic not fantastic
Carpet maker Cavalier is planning to move away from synthetic in favour of wool-based products, influenced by negative consumer perception towards synthetics.
Trade better than forecast
A global markets report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade paints a rosier picture for trade prospects than was earlier predicted. Some of the most serious impacts of covid-19 have been on supply chains.
Canadians buy into dairy
Canadian fund PSP Investments has taken a 24.9% stake in Dairy Holdings, the single largest Fonterra supplier, to add to its other New Zealand interests that include Kaingaroa Timberlands and investment vehicle Global Herd.
Facial eczema test in prospect
Scientists are working on developing a simple test for how tolerant their livestock are to facial eczema. In a bad year the disease can cost the country $266 million in lost production.
Sector fights back
Deer Industry New Zealand is putting its efforts into restoring access to China, helping marketers develop new channels to consumers and ramping up promotion of venison for food service as restaurants reopen.
Tonight on Sarah’s Country
7.10pm – We will speak to Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa farmers Nick and Nicky Dawson who were named the 2020 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award winners during the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards on Saturday night and received the John Wilson Memorial Trophy.
7.20pm – Regenerative agriculture seminars attracted capacity audiences in Northland last week. Northtec principal academic Peter Bruce will tell us why the knowledge events were so popular and share his thoughts on the merging of regional polytechnics into a national body to address skill shortages.
7.30pm – A simple laboratory test could one day be available for farmers to test their livestock’s tolerance to facial eczema. We will be joined by AgResearch scientist Dr Axel Heiser whose team has begun researching the feasibility in a pilot study being launched this month with funding from Beef + Lamb.
7.40pm – Without skilled operators, rural contractors risk having millions of dollars of essential agricultural machinery sitting idle this spring. After an urgent meeting with Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Rural Contractors chief executive Roger Parton will explain the rising concern over the pending labour shortage.
