The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) has announced the winners of its prestigious 2021 awards. In what has been an exceptionally volatile year for many, the forestry sector remains a significant contributor to the New Zealand economy. NZIF President James Treadwell says the industry is working hard to benefit Aotearoa / New Zealand and […]
Community
Transpower project about to start work in Alexandra
With Spring nearly here, a crew of about 40 will return to Alexandra for the next stage of Transpower New Zealand’s ‘Clutha Upper Waitaki Lines Project’ (known as CUWLP) which is well underway between Roxburgh and Livingstone in the Otago/Waitaki region. There are five parts to this project, with three parts already completed, and we […]
Economic Week, August 20
by Nick Clark, Federated Farmers Manager General Policy Here we go again It was probably only a matter of time but Covid-19 has reared its ugly head again, this time in the form of its virulent Delta variant. So, we’re back in Level 4 lockdown: Auckland and Coromandel for seven days and the rest of […]
Spotlight on rail safety for rural workers and animals
Raising rail safety awareness in rural New Zealand is the focus of a campaign launched by KiwiRail as part of Rail Safety Week this month. New research reveals more than three quarters of serious vehicle collisions with trains occur in provincial towns and rural areas with fewer than 75,000 people. Farmers and rural workers are […]
Herbicide resistance greater than expected; growing concern
Herbicide resistance is emerging as a serious and growing threat to New Zealand’s food production, with recent surveys by scientists finding half or more of arable farms and vineyards in some regions have weeds resistant to commonly used herbicides. AgResearch scientists, who are carrying out the first systematic approach to surveying for herbicide-resistant weeds in […]
Rural residents deserve strong voice at Council table
By Rhea Dasent, Senior Policy Advisor, Federated Farmers Farmers and other rural people value local democracy, so Federated Farmers has commented on the early stages of the Hastings District Council Representation Review. Farmers collectively contribute a huge portion of rates towards council revenues, and are also subject to most of the council regulation for use of land […]
Celebrate dairy farmers this Farm Worker Appreciation Day
Today is Farm Worker Appreciation Day (August 6), where Kiwis are encouraged to pay tribute to the dedicated workers on our farms. DairyNZ general manager responsible dairy Jenny Cameron says Farm Worker Appreciation Day provides the opportunity to celebrate the success, dedication, and contribution of our farmers. “Our farmers undertake a lot of work on […]
Miraka donated milk on the way to local foodbanks
Earlier this week Taupō-based dairy company Miraka processed over 20,000 litres of farmer-donated milk, which will be distributed to local foodbanks through farmer-founded charity Feed Out. The milk has been donated by Miraka farmers to provide direct local support to a growing number of families in need. Wayne Langford, Founder and General Manager of Feed […]
Applications for prestigious trans-Tasman agriculture award open
The search is on to uncover talented young individuals in agriculture, with applications for the 2022 Zanda McDonald Award opening this Sunday. The trans-Tasman award provides an opportunity for young Kiwis and Aussies working in agriculture to fast track their careers and personal development, through an impressive prize package that puts the winner in the […]
Women leaders bring ‘wider vision’ to North Canterbury executive
The two women at the helm on the Federated Farmers North Canterbury executive are keen to show others there’s nothing stopping women taking the lead on the challenges facing agriculture. Caroline Amyes (President) and Bex Green (senior Vice-President and Vice-Dairy chairperson) were elected by fellow farmers at the province’s AGM in May and both are […]