Category Archives: Agribusiness

Dairy debt an outcome of wayward policy and land-banking

Posted on February 8, 2019 by

In a recent article, I wrote that high debt levels within the dairy industry will constrain the industry transformation that needs to occur.  Subsequently, I have been exploring how the industry got itself such a debt-laden pickle. Here is what … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Rural Finance | 3 Comments

Does Russia belong in the West or the East?

Posted on November 25, 2018 by

The issue of whether Russia belongs in the West or the East might seem a strange topic for a New Zealand agri-food systems person like me to be discussing. However, political and food systems, and the associated international trade, are … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness | 3 Comments

Mycoplasma communication team needs to play with a straight bat

Posted on November 14, 2018 by

MPI is currently reporting a positive story about Mycoplasma bovis eradication. There is indeed good news to report. But in cricket terminology, the communication team needs to play with a straight bat. I found myself to be a topic in … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Mycoplasma bovis | 4 Comments

The sun must never set on New Zealand’s agriculture

Posted on October 30, 2018 by

These are increasingly troubled times for New Zealand agriculture.  A significant proportion of the population has turned against farmers for environmental reasons relating to nutrient leaching and water quality. There is also a loud political narrative about methane from ruminant … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Land and water | 11 Comments

A2 becomes a global dairy disruptor

Posted on October 23, 2018 by

A2 dairy products are now mainstreaming on a global platform.  In marketing parlance, A2 is becoming an industry disruptor. A2 dairy products are characterised by being free of A1 beta-casein.  Instead, all of the beta-casein is of the A2 type.  … Continue reading →

Posted in A1 and A2 milk, Agribusiness, China, Dairy, Fonterra, Synlait | 4 Comments

Fonterra’s China Farms are a target for asset sales

Posted on October 1, 2018 by

This is the first of a two-part series putting Fonterra’s China Farms under scrutiny. In this first part, the focus is on the origins of how Fonterra managed to entrap itself in its loss-making China Farms project. Fonterra’s new leadership … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, China, Dairy, Fonterra | 3 Comments

MPI needs new thinking and more transparency

Posted on September 5, 2018 by

[This article is published at http://www.interest.co.nz and is forthcoming at Farmers Weekly] The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is desperately in need of both new thinking and more transparency. It has a culture and internal power relationships which align with … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis, Science ethics and communication | Leave a comment