Comments on: US Style Cow Stalls – what aspiration!

By: chris

chris — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:45:31 +0000

You’re right, however what i was actually referring to more is the dependence and prioritisation of farming at all levels over other, more innovative forms of business (tech and the like). I actually tried to edit that but couldn’t. But whatever, i’m just a dumb, psuedo-anonymous commentator, much like yourself actually.

By: Pascal's bookie

Pascal's bookie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:35:12 +0000

Shit: AMP= SMP

By: Pascal's bookie

Pascal's bookie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:34:24 +0000

It’s why he supports AMP for the electoral system. He’s not quite sure what it means but it just feels comfortable.

By: roger nome

roger nome — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:27:46 +0000

“All those extra cows are costing us at least $100 each per year under Kyoto, and the government is picking up 90% of the tab. ”

oh – so is this what Key meant when he said that he admires Muldoon – some weird bent for subsidising unsustainable farming practices?

By: travellerev

travellerev — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:34:49 +0000

And ooh, Rocky is right.

This is about getting more cows to feed on less land because they don’t damage the grass (they’re never on it) and expanding your business to make more money and has nothing to do with cleaner controlled disposal of effluent stuff.

The whole idea that you can harvest methane from the cow shit while yes, you can to a certain degree is only possible when the animals are living in absolutely grueling inhumane conditions and as such just another example of unsustainable factory practices.

The whole “Factory” “farming” term is an oxymoron. Factory and farming are two terms to describe activities which are incompatible with each other.

By the way the edit function seems to have ceased.

By: travellerev

travellerev — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:22:51 +0000

I never realized how we farmed in Holland but our cows never saw the light of day and Only when I arrived in NZ did I realize how truly inhumane it was. We had (thank god a thing of the past) little calves in individual little boxes without sunlight without gras and running around because it kept the meat pale and delicious (or so we thought). The poor mites were so deficient they ate each others fur trough the holes in the crates.

John Key says that most cows will still be outside in the future and that people will still perceive NZ as green blah di blah but like everything else that comes from his mouth that is a lie.

Intensive factory farming is about competition. Just like battery hens. Once one starts the others have to follow to keep being competitive.

The ones starting can do so because they can parasite on the NZ green image for a while because of the the ones still farming the old more humane way while they rake it in for a bit but slowly but surely the other farmers will have to follow suit.

It’s just another step in the race to the bottom.

By: felix

felix — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:43:20 +0000

Didn’t you just say “I hate farming and farmers as much as the next guy ” ?

And now you’re lecturing Rocky on message delivery and maturity. Hmmmm

By: chris

chris — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:19:47 +0000

Yes, I understand completely, however you’re scatter gun approach is quite disconcerting. You need to decide what exactly it is you’re protesting against: Farming in the Mckenzie basin, Factory Farming, or increased dairy heards. Choose one and hammer it. Message delivery 101. you seemed smarter than this kind of rant style activism to be honest (although your post the other day has me wondering about your maturity….)

[lprent: That is why we have a variety of posters. They offer a range of opinions. In this case there is a question about a new innovation in our farming sector, and you'd have to ask why in the hell this innovation is worth while for NZ. ].

By: prism

prism — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:57:55 +0000

‘apparently’ something went wrong here. Sorry to bore you twice.

By: prism

prism — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:55:33 +0000

Why would anyone say they hate farmers and farming – as much as the next guy? This talking about hating it’s not constructive criticism. Farmers are OK – it is the irresponsible old style ones that are unwilling to change, and the new style entrepreneurs with multi properties, stocked to the max. They are pushing up land prices and down on proper care of their stock, with what’s called industrial agriculture now coming to some lucky cows with prison factory conditions inside with feed or outside with possible feed, mostly a hope that the grass will grow fast enough to keep up with the animals’ need on overstocked pastures.

Farmers dilemma! Um shall I pop down to the farm today or leave it till next week/month when it is more convenient and the children are back from boarding school.”

By: prism

prism — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:53:40 +0000

By: grumpy

grumpy — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:09:12 +0000

In answer to Rocky’s earlier question.

By: Macro

Macro — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:37:41 +0000

And then there is the problem of who actually is planning to do this farming – grumpy and us all should be VERY concerned – THIS MAN HAS NO PLACE IN FARMING!
I refer to NRT’s post here
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2009/12/more-on-industrial-dairying_11.html

capcha “refuse”

the consent should have been refused and the result will be refuse.

By: Red Rosa

Red Rosa — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:47:09 +0000

And of course the taxpayer is subsidising this madness.

All those extra cows are costing us at least $100 each per year under Kyoto, and the government is picking up 90% of the tab.

Best part of $2m per year.

Does anyone have better figures? This is a very rough approximation. But the general picture must be right. After all, the ETS deal has had Fed Farmers crowing, ever since the legislation passed.

By: grumpy

grumpy — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:49:52 +0000

Not quite the same. Veal comes from live births and are mainly male (as you said earlier).
Induced calves are either born dead or close to it and can be male or female.