Stories by Eric Frykberg
News
Low-methane 'elite' sheep breeding project finds success - AgResearch scientist
Low methane appears to be a breedable trait that does not affect economic value in sheep, and could lead to a cumulative 1 percent reduction in emissions each year, farmers have been told.
Labour policy would put forestry decisions in council hands
The Labour Party will get tough on forestry conversions if it wins the next election, it says.
The perils of growing food in the era of Covid-19
The main problem is that many essential workers from overseas cannot come in because of travel restrictions, either as backpacking working holiday makers, or Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme…
Shane Jones slams Greenpeace - 'I am an apostle of industry'
The Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones has taken a swipe at environmental activists, calling them economic vandals.
Month-long mercy mission for fishing crew
The slog across the Southern Ocean was to help the crew of a fishing boat who spent months at sea in rough waters near Cape Horn due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
Forestry Amendment Bill would hurt GDP, damage industry - NZIER
Proposed changes would mean some short-term job creation, but would cut up to $30.9m from the economy, damage the forestry industry long term, and violate 10 trade agreements, a report says.
Restricting forest planting 'at odds with NZ's climate change goals'
New Zealand runs a serious risk of failing to meet legally mandated goals on climate change if it restricts forest conversions of farmland, the Forest Owners Association says.
Majority of farmers find Fonterra Shareholders Council ineffective - survey
The main watchdog for dairy giant Fonterra has been told it has to lift its game.
Govt may review farm to forestry conversions at 40,000 hectares a year
The much criticised conversion of farm land into forestry could be checked by the government if it goes too far, politicians have been told.
'Planting a tree doesn't make carbon emissions go away' - Beef and Lamb
Farming groups have hit out at emissions trading reform legislation passed yesterday, saying it will not cut greenhouse gas emissions and will simply undermine the agricultural sector.
Proposed national organic certification faces major opposition
Government plans to regulate the organic farming industry have come under savage attack in Parliament.
Fight for better protection of pigs goes to the High Court
SAFE and the NZ Animal Law Association have gone to the High Court in their bid to improve the protection of farmed pigs.
Forestry reform bill 'cumbersome and unworkable' - industry
There has been scathing criticism of the government's latest forestry reforms at a parliamentary select committee.
Covid-19 could revive single-use plastics - agribusiness head
The Covid-19 crisis could be a big setback to progress on eliminating plastics, a rural expert has warned.
Desperate in drought: 'Mother nature has got it in for us'
Farmers in Hawke's Bay are becoming desperate as drought conditions continue in their region.
Horticultural labour shortage could mean food shortage, industry warns
Production of some food could become a casualty of the campaign against Covid-19, the horticultural industry says.
Farmers want domestic, international emissions target aligned
Two major farming groups have urged the Climate Change Commission to align New Zealand's domestic policy with its international promises on climate change.
Meat the Need: Farmers donate stock for poor, needy with new scheme
Two New Zealand farmers have launched a campaign to bring meat to low-income people around the country.
Workers give up Easter break to clear logjam at meat plants
Staff at 12 meat plants run by Silver Fern Farms worked on Good Friday and Easter Monday to try to catch up with a serious backlog of animals needing to be processed.
Kiwifruit growers' PSA case: Government cleared of liability
The Crown has been cleared of a potential $500 million bill over the arrival of the vine killing disease PSA into New Zealand.
Covid-19: Horticulture gains employees as urban jobs dry up
There are early signs the farming sector is gaining workers as urban jobs dry up.
Electricity use down since lockdown began
The Covid-19 crisis has cut energy use sharply, as shuttered shops and factories remain in the dark.
Oil and gas ban lacked consultation - report
A new report has found that a two-year-old a ban by the government on new oil and gas exploration would be costly, would do little for the environment and was done without proper consultation.
Miners exempt from lockdown as govt classifies coal as essential energy
Most of New Zealand's coal miners will head to work today, as usual, having won a last-ditch exemption from the Covid-19 lockdown.
Coronavirus: House sellers, buyers face derailed or delayed sales
The Real Estate Industry and the Law Society are scrambling to find solutions for people whose house sales have been derailed by the Covid-19 lockdown.