Working with ANZ’s rural lending team, Taranaki/Manawatu 2021 Young Farmer of the Year Jake Jarman sees real value in good health and safety practices. “In my experience, a farm that makes health and safety a priority is a productive and profitable farm,” he says. Jake’s own health and safety focus began with a solid grounding […]
Wool bale stencil exhibition to make a great impression at Highwic
Media release by John O’Hare – Heritage New Zealand An exhibition telling the story of an old Kiwi shearing shed practice, which produced some of the country’s earliest export brands that represented New Zealand internationally, will open at Highwic on June 16. Secret Lives of Stencils is an exhibition that celebrates the life and 150-year […]
Growing professionalism driving awareness of health and safety in shearing industry
“Industry campaigns and growing professionalism are driving awareness of health and safety among shearers,” says national FMG Young Farmer of the Year finalist Joseph Watts. Yet, he still sees plenty of room for improvement. Joseph, from Waipukurau, will represent East Coast in the national competition. He began his rural career as a shearer, having completed […]
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 a record high of $9.2 billion last year, with the US leading beef export volume growth across all key global markets. B+LNZ […]
Voting now open for sheepmeat and beef levy referendum
Farmers are being asked to have their say on the future of their industry in Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) 2021 sheepmeat and beef levy referendum. Voting packs are arriving in mailboxes this week and farmers have until midday on 9 July to vote. B+LNZ Chairman Andrew Morrison says it’s important farmers think about […]
World Milk Day recognises Kiwi dairy farmers
As global World Milk Day (June 1) gets underway, New Zealand dairy farmers continue to play a key role in a post-COVID economy, as a sustainable producer of milk for the world. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says our communities and regional economies see real benefits from dairy, particularly with current increased global demand […]
Indigenous fungus may help to control wilding pines
An indigenous New Zealand fungus may help to control wilding pines – one of the country’s most ecologically damaging weed species – a student’s research project shows. Wilding pine control costs New Zealand millions of dollars a year, and involves the costly and time-consuming methods of cutting down the trees and spraying herbicide from the […]
Ensure people are well trained for all the tasks they need to do
Working on massive farming operations in the United States highlighted the importance of New Zealand’s focus on health and safety for Dale McAlwee. Dale, Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year, grew up near Timaru on the farm that’s been in his family for over a century. After gaining a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, he […]
Feds backs firearms safety, but rules must be practical and achievable
Farmers support practical rules around safe storage of firearms but some of the proposals in the Arms Regulations Consultation Document go too far, Federated Farmers President and firearms spokesperson Andrew Hoggard says. If the proposed rules go through unchanged, Feds believes they will lead to widespread non-compliance – both accidental and intentional. “We need to […]
Retention and fun two ingredients as we battle staff shortages
By Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers national board member I’ve been talking to a lot of Feds members lately about why we need migrants on our farms. It’s no different to the conversations I’ve had with builders, tilers, machinery operators … and the list could go on longer than the length of this article. With continued […]