tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post3698223071708844992..comments2024-03-29T03:41:12.499+13:00Comments on Bowalley Road: Stemming the FlowChris Trotterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-9726311475551437682010-07-22T09:25:53.684+12:002010-07-22T09:25:53.684+12:00Are you sure it was an easterly that kept those hi...Are you sure it was an easterly that kept those hills a tawny brown, Chris? It wasn't a previous generation of farmers abusing the land, just in a different way? By overstocking with subsidised ewes, by ripping out native bush on unproductive land to plant grass, that has now turned to gorse?Iainnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-2021118144155695262010-07-09T15:19:55.601+12:002010-07-09T15:19:55.601+12:00Nice work Chris, I have been hot on this issue sin...Nice work Chris, I have been hot on this issue since Ruth Richardson in the early 80s was in favour of the MOWD at tax payer’s expense ripping water from the Canterbury rivers and irrigating. Funny how she moved to user pays, says something significant about her regard for plundering the public domain. She is currently heavily involved in the corporate water rush in the same region, enough said.<br /><br />Your comments about this “milk fats” rush hit a chord; I have in my lifetime seen in both islands an almost total collapse in the quality of the lowland trout fisheries, and a serious decline in the associated ecology. The common factors are water extraction and fertilizer run off. The sad bit is that this rush is predicated on unsustainable practices, principally dependence of artificial fertilizers and cheap energy. When these disappear as they inevitably will we will be left with the mess and a lot of bankrupted corporate entities. It will end the same way as the kiwifruit, venison, angora rushes. <br /><br />You are right about the power of the shadowy interest groups behind this industry, and the consequent fear. It’s much the same throughout the corporate sector; we are playing for high stakes. Its neo feudal serfdom versus democratic freedom.Nick Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-62337299640071192602010-07-09T14:00:47.520+12:002010-07-09T14:00:47.520+12:00Unfortunatley I think the corporate farm is the wa...Unfortunatley I think the corporate farm is the way of the future. With the family farm battered by low product prices (the recent dairy boom being an overated exception), input costs rising out of comparison to product, increased compliance and environmental costs and in 2015 the ETS on animal emmissions I struggle to see how a smaller farm without the economy of scale and access to outside capital can compete. This is compounded by larger farms able to negoiate better deals from processors and suppliers. <br /><br />Being a family beef farmer myself (and in the top 10% re profitability)I have managed to make ends meet and also fence off my streams etc but it is increasing difficult. It is inevitiable that many like myself will eventually sell our sustainably run finishing blocks as dairy runoffs. And given that virtually all land purchasers in my area since about 2000 have been the corporate boys no guesses as to who will buy.<br /><br />It is interesting to note that the Landcorp purchase of the Crafer Farms is in conjunction with a corporate farming company. Personally I have some off farm work in a differing industry, so will hang in as long as I make a few bucks but if things fall too far will sell and just do something else. I will miss it though.davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-51481408977678049332010-07-08T19:45:48.057+12:002010-07-08T19:45:48.057+12:00Thanks dude for the long version of
the known fact...Thanks dude for the long version of<br />the known fact that <br />Resource Management Act is a dog and should be repealed in its entirety.paul scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15675247055484136242noreply@blogger.com