Farmers jumpy over attention at calving time
Chastened by scrapes with animal rights groups, farmers are on high alert for cameras lurking behind cowsheds or drones whirring in the skies.
In calving season images of distressed or abused bobby calves are the last thing the industry needs. When a Northland dairy farming couple spotted two vehicles and a camera crew with a drone on the road next to their farm their suspicions were aroused. The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, approached the crew, one of whom was freelance journalist Cameron Bennett.
The moment they identified him, their wariness deepened. Farmers believed Bennett stitched up the dairy industry with his Sunday programme ’’The Price of Milk’’ in April. When confronted over what he was up to, Bennett was ‘‘defensive’’. What was it to do with them what he was up to, he asked. Pressed, he confessed. The crew were in the process of making a documentary about an historic pa¯ site nearby.
However, his presence in the region was posted on Twitter and reaction followed. Dairynz also posted on Facebook that farmers should keep a wary eye out because he was nosing around. The industry-good body also informed farmers of their legal rights about drones being flown over their properties and the fact they should contact police if their privacy was being invaded.
The comments that followed the post ranged from the mild ‘‘sneaky’’ to veiled threats about shooting down the drone. Last week the Facebook post was removed.
A Dairynz spokeswoman said information had come to light confirming that Bennett was making a documentary about a pa¯ site. It had felt a ‘‘duty’’ to inform farmers about his presence after what it considered his earlier unfair attack on dairying. Bennett said Dairynz should have approached him first to verify the facts. He has written seeking an apology from Dairynz.