Federated Farmers is right behind the intent of proposed new regulations on prolonged tethering of dogs. However, the Federation has told the Ministry for Primary Industries that because of practicalities, and because the lives of working dogs on farms are so different from those in urban areas, they should be exempt from most of what’s […]
Community
First time for safety survey in NZ dairy sheds
Dairy workers, managers and employers are being invited to take part in the first New Zealand survey of safety climate research in dairy milking sheds. The survey is being run by dairy farmer, Deborah Rhodes for her Master of Health Research thesis at Victoria University of Wellington. As farmers and workers in the dairy industry […]
Federated Farmers calls out misinformation and scaremongering from Greenpeace
Greenpeace is spreading harmful misinformation that there is a link between nitrates in water and colorectal cancer, Federated Farmers Vice President Wayne Langford says. “This is a new low for Greenpeace, who are using misinformation about a human health issue to prey on people’s fear of cancer and to push an anti-farming agenda. “Farmers and […]
Arable excellence showcase expanded with three new awards
New Zealand’s arable industry is once again gearing up to acknowledge and celebrate the innovators and leaders who drive progress in the sector. “There’s a danger that with all the focus on costs and challenges our growers are grappling with, we lose sight of our significant success stories and all the hard mahi that underpins […]
The whack-a-mole frustration of nitrate alarmism
By Dr Jacqueline Rowarth The World Health Organization (WHO) is “dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science”. Its ambit includes nitrate in drinking water; it reviews the scientific literature as it is published and adjusts recommendations accordingly. Since established, however, the drinking water standard has remained the same: 50 mg/L as […]
More time to renew firearms licences in cyclone-hit regions
People in areas impacted by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle with expiring firearms licences have been given more time to get them renewed. Executive Director of Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority, Angela Brazier, said many people have been suffering great hardship in the cyclone-affected areas. This is a temporary, but necessary, extension that allows […]
Farmy Army lightening spirits – and farmer workload
“When we get people walking up the drive, legitimately offering their time and labour to help clean up the massive damage and mess that the cyclone left behind, it brings with it such a huge boost to our morale – that someone cares. It lifts our spirits so much.” They’re the words of Rob Wilson, […]
Land use change hitting Northland economy
by Colin Hannah — Federated Farmers Northland President Since 2017, the reduction in milk solid production on Northland dairy farms combined with the loss of beef and dairy farms to plantation forestry has meant a $4 billion hit to the Northland economy – and the figure continues to grow annually. This is all thanks to […]
Fifth-generation farmers take out Regional Supreme Award
Cameron and Robert Grant of Croydon have been announced as Regional Supreme Winners at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Invercargill. Known as Grant Brothers, the business comprises four farms that span 4,444ha (4,200ha effective). Since 1884, the original block has been added to, with the brothers inheriting a successful long-term vision that has […]
Hard work pays for Northland Fieldays team
by Cameron MacDuff Northland Fieldays returned this year after two years of absence, and through hard work from a determined committee it managed to deliver on high expectations from Northland’s ever-supportive community, says Committee treasurer and Feds’ Northland Vice-President John Blackwell. “It was the best Fielday we’ve had in six years,” he says. Delivering the […]