Lead Story
Government recognises dairy workforce shortfall
Federated Farmers and DairyNZ are extremely relieved the government has recognised the crippling shortage of workers in the dairy industry by approving 200 skilled people to cross the border. This exception process will help some of the workers stuck overseas to return to their jobs on Kiwi farms. Federated Farmer immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis says now the job of working through the details with Dairy NZ, Immigration NZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries will begin, to see how these 200 spaces can be fairly allocated across the country. Since the closure of the border, farmers have been crying…
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Politics
Beef + Lamb New Zealand sees growing US appetite for grass-fed and sustainably raised meat
The latest insights from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) reported strong growth and increased demand for its grass-fed, pasture-raised beef and lamb in the US. Despite significant export and supply chain disruptions, New Zealand’s red meat exports reached…
Climate commissioner’s comments baffling, irritating for farmers
By Andrew Hoggard, President Federated Farmers of NZ OPINION: As I write this, the release of the Climate Change Commission final report is due tomorrow (June 9). It is doubtful that the report…
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National
Branch closures add to farmers’ bank concerns
Concern about branch closures can be added to the continued slide in farmers’ satisfaction with their banks, the latest Federated Farmers Banking Survey shows. More than 1,100 farmers responded to the May survey…
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Clearing the air on concerns with Significant Natural Areas
by Chris Allen, Federated Farmers environment spokesperson In a TV One news item last Friday night about Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) a reporter said that Minister James Shaw had said Federated Farmers ‘was…
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Local
Hastings Council urged to push ‘paws’ on working dog fee hike
by Rhea Dasent Federated Farmers Regional Policy Advisor Federated Farmers opposes the Hastings working dog registration fee increasing from $48 to $56. While we are pleased that the cost of registering a working…
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New farmer-led sustainability project launched in Waimakariri
Annabelle and Georgie Stalker are the sixth generation on their family’s Waimakariri farm – their father Richard is now joining dozens of other local farmers in an MPI-funded project to ensure the future…
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