How do your wheat crops look this year? Average, good, great? United Wheatgrowers, Federated Farmers and New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association now invite entries from growers in the annual wheat awards. Crops harvested in 2021 are eligible for entry in the following classes: Premium milling wheat, milling wheat, gristing wheat, feed wheat, and […]
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Ten reasons why we love to farm
By Bernadette Hunt, Vice-President Federated Farmers Southland In the face of constant news about all the challenges farmers face, I’ve been asked several times lately why farmers do what we do. So this morning, as I walked up and down the tractor lines of an oats paddock looking for weeds (one of arable farming’s more […]
Dairy Industry Opportunities with a Guarantee
By chair of the Sharemilker Farm Owners’ Section, John Numan The Sharemilker farm owners’ section of Federated Farmers and the Sharemilkers’ section frequently review the Federated Farmers employment contracts used for Contract Milkers, Lower Order Sharemilkers and Herd Owning Sharemilkers. As anyone who has used them will know, unfortunately, the contracts are lengthy as they […]
Top Māori dairy farm finalists announced
Three dairy farms spanning Hauraki and Eastern Bay of Plenty are the finalists in this year’s coveted Ahuwhenua Trophy, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced at Parliament today. They are Pouarua Farms of Ngātea, Tataiwhetu Trust south of Whakatāne, and Tunapahore B2A Incorporation of Ōpōtiki. “These dairy farms are shining examples of the long-standing commitment of […]
Meat Industry Association awards scholarships for 2021
Eleven New Zealanders considering careers in the red meat processing and exporting sector have been awarded scholarships. Every year, the Meat Industry Association awards a number of undergraduate ($5,000 per year) and post-graduate ($10,000 per year) scholarships. This year’s new scholars include those in their first year of studies to those undertaking Masters or PhD […]
Time for agriculture to promote the true benefits of farm jobs
By Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers employment spokesperson OPINION: Farmers would have been largely unsurprised by the recent dip in unemployment figures. The almost 800 jobs advertised in the dairy industry pretty much every week since Covid-19 reared its ugly head is a clear sign that New Zealanders are not out there clamouring for work, or […]
A day in the life of an arable farmer…
New Zealand’s arable industry is worth $2.1 billion each year to the economy, and earns us $260 million in export sales. It also employs more than 11,300 Kiwis. It’s a diverse sector, and a world leader in both volume and quality producing the likes of radish seed, white clover seed and carrot seed. But while […]
Pig farmers worried by High Court ruling
A High Court ruling around the use of mating stalls and farrowing crates has the potential to significantly impact New Zealand pig farming, says NZ Pork. In November, the High Court ruled regulations and minimum standards regarding use of the stalls and crates were unlawful and invalid. The Court directed the Animal Welfare Minister to […]
New leader for Climate Change Ambassadors
Award-winning dairy farmer Fraser McGougan has been appointed chair of the DairyNZ Climate Change Ambassadors. Climate Change Ambassadors are leaders for climate change action on dairy farms. They help communicate the challenges and opportunities dairy farmers face in playing their part to address climate change, alongside the rest of New Zealand. “The 13 ambassadors are […]
Economic Week – February 12
by Nick Clark, Manager General Policy, Federated Farmers of NZ Budget 2021 The Government this week released Budget Policy Statement 2021 for the upcoming Budget. Last year’s Budget was focused mainly on the immediate need to keep New Zealand safe from COVID-19 and combatting the economic fallout. While continuing this work, Budget 2021 will move […]