farming chat

So we went to a fifth birthday party this afternoon. Gorgeous day at the beach (great venue cos you don't have to sweep the floor afterwards) and while kids ran free, my farming friend Mark and I chatted about farming and the global shortage of FOOD. Just that stuff that keeps us all alive, that's all.

A few weeks ago I reported the doom story about the near future economically from the left - few New Zealanders would dispute Sue Bradford's left wing credentials. In fact, I recommend you read the link on her anyway - one inspirational, committed activist for a better world.

I think it is safe to presume that the messages Mark was getting at a recent luncheon presentation by Ravensdown, a major fertiliser manufacturer, were to the right of the economic spectrum.

And the messages were very similar. Food shortages, rising prices, small amounts of land viable for food production and even those under threat. And a realisation that the old dig for victory campaign in the UK in the second world war could be wise, indeed necessary, again here.

Then we got talking about cows. Turns out that fertility is now a significant problem on NZ dairy farms. Some farms are running at 20% infertility. Which is pretty damn costly when a cow currently costs $2500. Do the sums on that for a 400 cow farm...

Whyt the rise in infertility? Because NZ farmers have been using a lot of US breeding stock (artificial insemination straws I presume rather than exporting live bulls) and as they are raised and bred there on corn, not pasture, and milked continuously, not seasonally, fertility is poor.

So New Zealand farmers are returning to traditional, local breeding stock and methods.

Not before time.