Methane could be new crop for farmers

Maybe we need some “Kiwi can” ingenuity so that methane could be simply collected and then used as green power to turn a negative eco-effect into a positive outcome.

For heavy trucks, buses, ferries and planes green hydrogen does offer a viable zero-emission solution using a fuel-cell feeding electric engine or hub motors.

In Germany now farmers raise stock and grow crops but add to their incomes as green fuel generators converting farm waste into valueadded bio-fuel and bio-gas.

The average dairy cow produces 100kg of methane annually and for NZ’s herd that would add up to 500 million kg (500,000 tonnes) emitted annually into the atmosphere.

Maybe we need some “Kiwi can” ingenuity so that methane could be simply collected and then used as green power to turn a negative ecoeffect into a positive outcome and farmers’ income stream?

Housing cows under big gas-slurping-sequestering tarps for feeding sessions at night may be one idea. Happy cows that are dry and comfortable apparently also produce more milk? Rob Buchanan

Kerikeri

Windfall for all

Stretching the grocery bill is a yearround battle. Often the opportunity to fill the pantry/fridge is within reach if only we can see and allocate time. Its often quick and not onerous, just requiring the motivation and a little planning.

March is a busy time of year. There are windfall fruit everywhere and a need to be proactive to harvest before the wildlife take their share. Along with the seasonal peaches, apples, feijoas and figs, all requiring attention and preserving, the abundance of tomatoes has at times nearly caused traffic jams in the kitchen.

Dealing with the last and imperfect tomatoes, the Edmonds pizza sauce recipe is my go to.

1 Tbsp Olive oil

1 Finely chopped onion 1 tsp crushed garlic

400gm tomatoes chopped, peeled and pre cooked

2 Tbsp tomato paste Optional: 1 Tbsp chopped basil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Fry onion for 5 min in frying pan, add garlic, tomatoes and paste. Simmer for 20 min until thick, stir in basil and season. Store in a jar in the fridge for 4 days or freeze in portions for 6 months or longer. Makes enough for 2 large pizzas.

The tomatoes have still been producing new growth that once reduced to small cuttings with about 3-4 leaves, they can sit in a jar of water for a week or so and grow new roots to be planted out into the hot house or the warmest protected spot in the garden. Win win. Gaye Simms

Northland

Overheads before increases

I have read the statements made by my friend Ric Stolwerk concerning another increase in the NRC rates where Ric is proposing an increase of up to 18.3 per cent. I am disappointed that any councillor could expect support for such an imposition to be put on to the financially strapped citizens of Northland. Does he not understand that we have a large proportion of families who are struggling to feed, or even provide breakfast and school lunches to their children.

To put a question out, which I hope gets an overwhelming thumbs down, on the LTP (Long-Term Plan) to add more to the cost of living, shows little knowledge or understanding of what we need in our province.

I suggest that a trimming of the poor management should be first to make a budget work. In my opinion, the fact that NRC increased rates by 54 per cent over the last three years is tantamount to an admission of financial failure.

So, try looking at firstly the increased levels of staff as an overhead.

What has a further 154 members of staff produced? Giving all staff a reduction in working hours, such as a gift of a 37hr week, not 40, and, what bought on a 9-day fortnight.

As there 26 fortnights in a year this awfully close to another month’s holiday on top of 4 weeks they already get. NRC is now at best turning into a holiday camp, and a guess of this horrendous lack of hours worked as a normal place of employment, compared with a few years ago, is costing a fortune.

I also guess that those who handed out this largess have never run a business, and, never understood what prudent responsibility means. Councillors are supposed to be guardians of the public purse. If the council cannot run on the $70 million of current income, they too should look at themselves and those who voted in any of the above should resign.

We as the ratepayers are potentially going to be ripped off and it is obvious that we need to submit to the new council to hold back on these increases. By submitting to the LTP, and saying we do not agree to Ric’s 18 per cent increase we can make a difference. I wish the new chairman Geoff Crawford the best of luck in holding the increases to zero which is where the LTP should be. John Bain

Whangarei