forestry killing off our farming industry

[C_T_Russell]

And of course they are going to say it's not their fault.
Timaru loosing their meat works is going to be a real blow for the region.
Carbon farming is not sustainable, not only will we run out of land, but also run out of money to pay out carbon credits once the population switches over to electric cars and stops buying petrol.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/5294...ustry-says

Timaru meatworks closure: What’s behind Alliance Group’s proposed Smithfield plant shutdown?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/timaru-mea...CDV3MVENI/

[harm_less]

Lamb prices are abysmal at present and together with wool being pretty much regarded as a loss factor in sheep farming these days it's no wonder land owners are looking for better returns be it dairying or forestry. Typical though of the knee jerk strategies to economic factors both alternatives are exposed to market crashes in the coming years. Forestry is hitting the wall as regulations focused on slash disposal bites and dairying has precision fermentation looming on the horizon.

All in all we as a primary production based economy really need to start concentrating on value adding to our export streams, and throwing our Paris Agreement responsibilities out of the cot is another sure way of destroying our market access to many countries.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Seems only fair, seeing farming killed off our forestry industry.

And then sent their production offshore so domestic food prices rose so much there is malnutrition among our children.

Funny thing is, trees are more use to the planet than farmers.

[Lilith7]

Seems only fair, seeing farming killed off our forestry industry.

And then sent their production offshore so domestic food prices rose so much there is malnutrition among our children.

Funny thing is, trees are more use to the planet than farmers.

And there's apparently a recent rise in Vegan & Vegetarian diets which probably won't be much help to farmers. Even if they wanted to start growing suitable crops they'd probably have to firstly meet the standards for organic farming.
Which would be extremely difficult to do in the near future given the chemical aid used in farming here for some time now.

[harm_less]

Which would be extremely difficult to do in the near future given the chemical aid used in farming here for some time now.

One of the worst offenders, and relatively unknown, is the soil contamination by heavy metals resulting from decades of superphosphate application sourced from phosphate inputs from reserves with high cadmium levels, and of course the copper, chrome and arsenic leached from our tanalised fencing timber.

In the case of cadmium a high reading of this mineral in soils can render land unable to gain Organic certification for decades into the future in many cases.

[C_T_Russell]

Lamb prices are abysmal at present and together with wool being pretty much regarded as a loss factor in sheep farming these days it's no wonder land owners are looking for better returns be it dairying or forestry. Typical though of the knee jerk strategies to economic factors both alternatives are exposed to market crashes in the coming years. Forestry is hitting the wall as regulations focused on slash disposal bites and dairying has precision fermentation looming on the horizon.

All in all we as a primary production based economy really need to start concentrating on value adding to our export streams, and throwing our Paris Agreement responsibilities out of the cot is another sure way of destroying our market access to many countries.

I think there needs to be a higher emphasis on sheep farming, wool is a great alternative to synthetic fibers and has many applications such as insulation in homes, etc.
Once oil production slows down, we will see more demand for wool.
But putting that aside, farmers shifting to self shedding breeds like nature intended is a good option.
We have recently had a country calendar episode on this.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

No point in putting a higher emphasis on sheep when the wool market is totally wrecked by our preference for cheap plastic fibres. How much wool are you wearing CT? Not much point in farming sheep for meat when the world markets are turning vegetarian, and investing in over processed fake meat alternatives to a nice bit of mutton. When was the last time you had a leg of hogget for Sunday lunch CT?

These are our choices at work. We actually prefer Temu over the local producers. We prefer the new and fast over old and lasting. We like wrapping our bodies in plastic bags and couldn't use a sewing machine to save ourselves, let alone a pair of needles...

[C_T_Russell]

No point in putting a higher emphasis on sheep when the wool market is totally wrecked by our preference for cheap plastic fibres. How much wool are you wearing CT?  Not much point in farming sheep for meat when the world markets are turning vegetarian, and investing in over processed fake meat alternatives to a nice bit of mutton. When was the last time you had a leg of hogget for Sunday lunch CT?

These are our choices at work. We actually prefer Temu over the local producers. We prefer the new and fast over old and lasting. We like wrapping our bodies in plastic bags and couldn't use a sewing machine to save ourselves, let alone a pair of needles...

Forests still get chopped down to plant crops, so I dont see how farming animals is any better or worse for the environment over plants.
Since lamb meat is so cheap, i buy it quite often, plus its more enjoyable than beef. Its my favorite meat.
Lamb shanks and mint sauce is one of my favorite dishes.
Veganism is a threat to farming. Planting pine trees is unsustainable and still has environmental drawbacks.
Once people drive electric cars, where does all the money come from to pay these carbon farmers? The money will dry up.

I do own an icebreaker top and its great, made from NZ merino.
Wool has many great applications like insulation in homes, blankets, carpets, etc.
We need more of this.