Farming

While global dairy and beef prices are forecast to rise due to widespread drought in the United States, economists are suggesting immediate gains to farmers may be limited.

"Irrigation really is the future" - that is the message from North Otago Irrigation Company chief executive Robyn Wells as the company plans for the second stage of its scheme.

If registering a working dog in Central Otago costs $11 and in Waitaki $28, why does it cost $86 in Dunedin?

European and New Zealand investors who have spent more than $100 million buying South Island dairy farmland in recent weeks plan to invest another $13 million in capital development.

On-farm store lamb sales and the role of stock traders are being questioned by a meat sector strategy report for adding costs and little value to the meat industry.

Oamaru motorcycle sales manager Leighton Selfe sometimes has to pinch himself to make sure he is not dreaming about the number of farm bikes going out the door.

Farmers have invested more than $62 million in developing their farms over the past five years to take advantage of irrigation from the North Otago Irrigation Company scheme covering 10,000ha on the North Otago Downlands and in the Waiareka Valley.

When Governments start interfering in the free exchange of property by political decree for political advantage, we risk the very basis of our property-owning society, argues Gerrard Eckhoff.