Guy Trafford
The fight over the Three Waters reforms is about to reignite in earnest in 2022 amid claims of administrative bullying, broken promises, and dodgy numbers. But all agree we need to rise higher than our global top ten drinking water quality ranking
21st Jan 22, 10:26am
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The fight over the Three Waters reforms is about to reignite in earnest in 2022 amid claims of administrative bullying, broken promises, and dodgy numbers. But all agree we need to rise higher than our global top ten drinking water quality ranking
New Year livestock prices have eased back somewhat, but with warmer temperatures and reasonable rainfall, some regions are not as water-stressed as usual. New Zealand is faring better than many other global agricultural areas
19th Jan 22, 1:55pm
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New Year livestock prices have eased back somewhat, but with warmer temperatures and reasonable rainfall, some regions are not as water-stressed as usual. New Zealand is faring better than many other global agricultural areas
Guy Trafford reckons the recent rural protests have been quite misplaced. Besides there are larger issues to deal with on the farm during a prosperous period, like getting ready to adapt to big climate change forces
25th Nov 21, 9:46am
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Guy Trafford reckons the recent rural protests have been quite misplaced. Besides there are larger issues to deal with on the farm during a prosperous period, like getting ready to adapt to big climate change forces
Guy Trafford checks the Glasgow 'blah, blah, blah' from a rural perspective and is underwhelmed. Even the rhetoric from the 2015 Paris Agreement has barely improved, and the NZ contribution seems confused
19th Nov 21, 10:55am
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Guy Trafford checks the Glasgow 'blah, blah, blah' from a rural perspective and is underwhelmed. Even the rhetoric from the 2015 Paris Agreement has barely improved, and the NZ contribution seems confused
With a record high dairy payout in sight, Guy Trafford checks what it will take to lock it in. He also shows what artisan cheese makers are up against, both from EU subsidies and local bureaucracy
16th Nov 21, 2:32pm
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With a record high dairy payout in sight, Guy Trafford checks what it will take to lock it in. He also shows what artisan cheese makers are up against, both from EU subsidies and local bureaucracy
Guy Trafford highlights the political games being played at COP26, the fact that only a handful of countries can make any meaningful difference, and how science can cut dairy methane by 50% of the target with one practical innovation
12th Nov 21, 3:10pm
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Guy Trafford highlights the political games being played at COP26, the fact that only a handful of countries can make any meaningful difference, and how science can cut dairy methane by 50% of the target with one practical innovation
Consumer sensitivities over farm chemical use will drive lower use. But if spoilage rises and costs escalate, those sensitivities may change if they affect first-world consumers
10th Nov 21, 11:49am
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Consumer sensitivities over farm chemical use will drive lower use. But if spoilage rises and costs escalate, those sensitivities may change if they affect first-world consumers
Guy Trafford notes that China's 'dual circulation' policy development may crimp their dairy imports as they push a Five Year Plan goal of more local supply. Rising Chinese production may already be suppressing GDT results
6th Aug 21, 9:27am
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Guy Trafford notes that China's 'dual circulation' policy development may crimp their dairy imports as they push a Five Year Plan goal of more local supply. Rising Chinese production may already be suppressing GDT results
The Australian Government leadership is now dominated by two throwback climate change sceptics. Guy Trafford assesses where they are going, and why New Zealand may benefit
25th Jun 21, 10:52am
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The Australian Government leadership is now dominated by two throwback climate change sceptics. Guy Trafford assesses where they are going, and why New Zealand may benefit
Guy Trafford reviews KPMG’s Agribusiness Agenda 2021 document and isn't impressed by the attempt to be trendy and assume the rest of the world will adopt our politicised worldview
23rd Jun 21, 9:34am
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Guy Trafford reviews KPMG’s Agribusiness Agenda 2021 document and isn't impressed by the attempt to be trendy and assume the rest of the world will adopt our politicised worldview
Guy Trafford takes his livestock risk management for nitrate poisoning and wonders how these risks apply to humans - and finds salad eaters need to moderate their enthusiasm
17th Jun 21, 4:53pm
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Guy Trafford takes his livestock risk management for nitrate poisoning and wonders how these risks apply to humans - and finds salad eaters need to moderate their enthusiasm
Guy Trafford sees strong demand pressures from China for our redmeat products, threatening to upend the current balanced set of markets we supply
14th Jun 21, 8:16am
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Guy Trafford sees strong demand pressures from China for our redmeat products, threatening to upend the current balanced set of markets we supply
Guy Trafford reviews what the Climate Change Commission's final report recommends for the rural sector. He sees an opportunity to lead change and restoration
10th Jun 21, 11:05am
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Guy Trafford reviews what the Climate Change Commission's final report recommends for the rural sector. He sees an opportunity to lead change and restoration
Flood affected dairy farmers are not only facing years of reconstruction, but the region-wide loss of winter feed reserves. These are the farmers producing more milk with fewer cows and the world's lowest emissions
3rd Jun 21, 10:50am
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Flood affected dairy farmers are not only facing years of reconstruction, but the region-wide loss of winter feed reserves. These are the farmers producing more milk with fewer cows and the world's lowest emissions
Guy Trafford notes that while recent rains flush rivers, they also fill aquifers. But the time it takes to clear nitrates is vastly different between each system. And that sets up special risks for drinking water supplies
31st May 21, 9:47am
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Guy Trafford notes that while recent rains flush rivers, they also fill aquifers. But the time it takes to clear nitrates is vastly different between each system. And that sets up special risks for drinking water supplies
Guy Trafford sees some good early signs for upcoming livestock and dairy season prices. He sees signs of flock and herd rebuilding. And he notes a growing range of skills development programmes
24th May 21, 11:06am
Guy Trafford sees some good early signs for upcoming livestock and dairy season prices. He sees signs of flock and herd rebuilding. And he notes a growing range of skills development programmes
Guy Trafford sees a Budget low on ambition or transformation. He wonders if we will ever get the impetus to make the serious changes needed. This Government isn't engaging in the goals it set for everyone else
21st May 21, 11:26am
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Guy Trafford sees a Budget low on ambition or transformation. He wonders if we will ever get the impetus to make the serious changes needed. This Government isn't engaging in the goals it set for everyone else
Farmers will be focusing on the Budget, but the Budget may not focus on rural priorities. However the Government will be relying on rural export revenues to pay for its urban 'catching up' priorities
18th May 21, 10:05am
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Farmers will be focusing on the Budget, but the Budget may not focus on rural priorities. However the Government will be relying on rural export revenues to pay for its urban 'catching up' priorities
Guy Trafford traces changing consumer emotions around any chemical with a three-letter code, risking the useful for environmental remediation on the altar of the [impossible] quick-fix obsession
12th May 21, 4:25pm
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Guy Trafford traces changing consumer emotions around any chemical with a three-letter code, risking the useful for environmental remediation on the altar of the [impossible] quick-fix obsession
Guy Trafford finds New Zealand's nuanced approach to trade with China has far less long-term risk than that of Australia, even if the short-term favours our cousins
11th May 21, 10:10am
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Guy Trafford finds New Zealand's nuanced approach to trade with China has far less long-term risk than that of Australia, even if the short-term favours our cousins
Without an overall umbrella system, New Zealand's varying sector claims to producing food in an environmental sustainable way lacks credibility, new research shows. And no progress to remedying that flaw
8th May 21, 9:37am
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Without an overall umbrella system, New Zealand's varying sector claims to producing food in an environmental sustainable way lacks credibility, new research shows. And no progress to remedying that flaw
Guy Trafford watches the issues farms have to deal with where the property has a road frontage. He also sees a loss of Canterbury's rural trees, much of it because Councils cashed up - and then reneged on replanting promises
3rd May 21, 10:00am
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Guy Trafford watches the issues farms have to deal with where the property has a road frontage. He also sees a loss of Canterbury's rural trees, much of it because Councils cashed up - and then reneged on replanting promises
Guy Trafford tracks the national GHG net emissions levels, setting the agriculture trajectory, especially compared to transport. There is a lot to do, and not just on the farm, to reach the 2030 goal
28th Apr 21, 2:29pm
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Guy Trafford tracks the national GHG net emissions levels, setting the agriculture trajectory, especially compared to transport. There is a lot to do, and not just on the farm, to reach the 2030 goal
Guy Trafford finds that the good work the MoE/StatsNZ does on land use is being used by others to bolster unsubstantiated biases, especially around the impact of lifestyle blocks
21st Apr 21, 9:50am
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Guy Trafford finds that the good work the MoE/StatsNZ does on land use is being used by others to bolster unsubstantiated biases, especially around the impact of lifestyle blocks
Guy Trafford despairs at the quailty of the 'information' Immigration NZ works with, suspecting it is a department full of bureaucrats that either don't know NZ's regional geography, or ignore the obvious
19th Apr 21, 9:07am
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Guy Trafford despairs at the quailty of the 'information' Immigration NZ works with, suspecting it is a department full of bureaucrats that either don't know NZ's regional geography, or ignore the obvious