By Annabel McAleer, Senior Communications Advisor, Our Land and Water (this article is from the National Science Challenges website). Buckwheat, soybeans and quinoa trials were undertaken in Canterbury last year, comprising three of the six ‘star’ specialty grains and pulses identified by Our Land and Water research as having high potential for New Zealand farmers. […]
Economy
Dairy notches record milksolid production in tough year
It’s been another record year for New Zealand’s dairy sector, with total milksolids production at a record high. The DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) statistics show that in the 2019-20 season, New Zealand dairy companies processed 21.1 billion litres of milk containing 1.90 billion kilograms of milksolids (kg MS). This is a 0.6 percent […]
Federated Farmers hails pragmatic migrant worker visa decisions
Farmers and growers up and down the land will be pleased with the pragmatic decision by government to extend visas for migrant workers already on our shores. “The six-month extension for employer-assisted work visa holders and the postponed stand down period for low-paid Essential Skills via holders will come as a relief for the primary […]
Dairy earns close to one in four of our total export dollars
The dairy sector will be feeling encouraged by today’s GDP results that emphasise New Zealand’s economic rebound amid Covid-19. The dairy sector is playing a key role in a stable economy, contributing nearly one in every four dollars earned from total goods exports and services in the year to September 2020. Recent Sense Partners analysis, […]
Primary industry exports close to breaking $50b mark
Economic prospects for the primary sector are bright despite the significant challenges from COVID-19, according to the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report. The report, released on Tuesday afternoon, forecasts food and fibre export revenue of more than $47.5 billion for the year ending June 2021, and a record $49.2 billion the […]
Farmer bank pressure drops but so do satisfaction rates
Fewer farmers are feeling undue pressure from their bank but satisfaction rates continue to slide, according to the Federated Farmers November Banking Survey. Of the 1,341 farmers who responded to the survey independently run by ResearchFirst, 65.4% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their bank relationship. That’s down from 68.5% from the Feds’ […]
Compelling case for glyphosate use – with care
A year studying glyphosate here and overseas on a Nuffield Scholarship has convinced Mid Canterbury arable farmer Hamish Marr it is a vital tool in agriculture. But it comes with responsibilities, and if farmers and growers are arrogant about its use, they risk losing it through political pressure. Can we farm without glyphosate? Of course […]
Meat, dairy essential to global nutrition
Meat and dairy will continue to play a major role in the world’s food production systems if we’re to deliver adequate nutrition to a growing world population. That was the core message Dr Nick Smith of the Massey University-based Riddet Institute’s Sustainable Nutrition Initiative (SNI) delivered to the 400 farmers, horticulturalists, government and sector representatives […]