Category Archives: Dairy

The pain of Mycoplasma bovis is not being shared fairly

Posted on February 17, 2019 by

Anyone reading the official information from MPI would be entitled to believe that the Mycoplasma bovis eradication campaign was going remarkably well. However, amongst the directly afflicted farmers, things remain far from sweet. MPI has acknowledged that afflicted farmers have … Continue reading →

Posted in Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis | 1 Comment

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

Finding the path for dairy

Posted on January 23, 2019 by

I have always been optimistic about the long-term future of dairy. I think it is likely that dairy will remain one of the pillars that underpins the New Zealand economy. But we sure do have some challenges! The first challenge … Continue reading →

Posted in Dairy, Land and water | 4 Comments

Mycoplasma bovis eradication is far from done and dusted

Posted on January 7, 2019 by

There is a widespread belief in both the rural and urban communities that Mycoplasma bovis is well on the way to being eradicated from New Zealand. My response here is that there is a still a long way to travel … Continue reading →

Posted in Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis | Leave a comment

It’s different in Russia

Posted on November 20, 2018 by

This last week I have been working in Russia on issues of A1 and A2 beta-casein.  I am still there, but today is Sunday and together with my wife Annette, I am on a fast train from Moscow to St … Continue reading →

Posted in A1 and A2 milk, Dairy | 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