Punctures were repaired and parts were fashioned out of what was available.
Covid-19 has led to a slowdown of freight to mainland New Zealand and farmers might be having to break out the tools to fix any mishaps soon.
The freight’s still getting here, just quite a bit slower than usual, which is challenging for an industry ruled by the seasons.
Still, farmers have always been pretty good at troubleshooting using what’s at hand.
They might just be doing it a bit more than they’d like at the moment.
Whatever it takes to keep the tractor rolling.
Bryan Gibson
Tight air freight space delay parts imports
Contractors and farmers needing to tune up equipment for the busy demands of the spring-summer season may face some delays in getting parts to keep that equipment operating in coming weeks.
New dryland park reignites land control debate
Those living in the South Island’s Mackenzie Basin were kept in the dark about plans for an 11,800-hectare dryland park announced last week.
FARMSTRONG: Rest, support an important part of farming
After eight years farming, with three years sharemilking, Stu Davison has taken on a fresh challenge working as a dairy analyst. He shares what farming taught him about the importance of looking after yourself.
B+LNZ backs native forests report
A new report has called for more recognition of the carbon sequestration potential of native trees over exotics, which Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) says would reward farmers for what is already happening on their properties.
OCD fined $137k for ‘nauseating’ factory smell
Open Country Dairy has been convicted and fined $137,500 for discharging objectionable odour from its Waharoa factory near Matamata.
Tonight on Sarah’s Country
7.10pm – The Hawke's Bay TB strain is coming from wildlife not through the movement of livestock. However, OSPRI has been blocked access to do the necessary pest control on feral pigs as it is held up in the Maori Land Court. OSPRI extension manager Danny Templeman explains his frustration.
7.20pm – Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC) chair Roger Dalrymple wants to see change made from the bottom up at local river catchment level rather than being forced on them from the top down.
7.30pm – Pamu chief executive Steve Carden will discuss the diversification of the state-owned enterprise and how it will focus on freshwater national standards and animal welfare over the next 12 months.
7.40pm – The drive to reduce bobby calves has seen demand for sexed semen surge. LIC's general manager NZ markets Malcolm Ellis will share how this is leading to surplus calves having an increased chance of being retained on farm and destined for either domestic or export beef markets.
