Contributed by: Environment Canterbury It’s around this time of year that you may start to notice smoke from stubble burning in rural areas. Zone Lead Brian Reeves reminds us about the things we should do before lighting up to ensure better and safer outcomes for all. Last year more than 850 smoke-related complaints were lodged […]
Environment
Chinese energy restrictions will add strain to the supply chain
by Mark Ross, CEO Agcarm A nation of intense manufacturing activities combined with ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions has forced China to make drastic policy changes, resulting in strict measures to control energy supply. The global market will be caught in the crossfire of China’s measures to reduce its environmental footprint, with ambitious goals […]
High-tech investment extends drought forecasting for farmers and growers
The Government is investing in the development of a new forecasting tool that makes full use of innovative climate modelling to help farmers and growers prepare for dry conditions.. The new approach, which will cost $200,000 and is being jointly funded through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and National Institute of Water and Atmospheric […]
Liability claims from neighbours a big chunk of costs when burn-offs go wrong
Nearly 200 claims and $6 million paid out, including one claim that totalled $761,000. That was the toll from rural fires in New Zealand 2016-2020 for FMG. Bear in mind that FMG has around 52 percent of the rural market, and also, as the company’s head of client strategy and advice services Stephen Cantwell pointed […]
Report confirms trend of carbon farms cannabalising pastoral farming
The latest analysis of farm sales data confirms the increasing price of carbon in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is driving the conversion of whole pastoral farms into forestry, particularly for carbon farming. Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is tracking data on farm sales for conversion into forestry as concerns continue to grow over […]
EcoPond demonstrating methane leadership on world stage
A New Zealand farmer-owned co-operative has showcased new methane mitigating technology that the dairy sector can start using from today to reduce emissions. Developed with Lincoln University, Ravensdown’s EcoPond system virtually eliminates the methane emitted from effluent ponds. The breakthrough discovery was to target methane with an additive normally used in the treatment of drinking […]
Regenerative agriculture research receives Government boost
The Government continues to invest in farm sustainability, this time backing two new research projects to investigate the impacts of regenerative farming practices, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. Soil health and regenerative agriculture “We’re contributing $2.8 million to a $3.85 million five-year project with co-investment by Synlait Milk and Danone that aims to understand […]
‘More milk from fewer cows’ trend continues in a record year for NZ dairy industry
Kiwi dairy farmers hit a new high for milk production last season with fewer cows, showing that a focus on breeding higher performing cows is paying off. The annual New Zealand Dairy Statistics report, released today by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), shows that total milk volume, total milksolids and per cow production were the highest on record in the 2020-21 season. New Zealand has 4.9 million […]
Feds supports moves to make better use of DoC stewardship land
The announcement by the Department of Conservation that it will look to streamline the process for reclassifying or selling stewardship land it administers is excellent news, Federated Farmers says. “We’ve been calling for the process to be made more efficient and practical for all involved for many years,” Federated Farmers environment spokesperson Chris Allen said. […]
OSPRI on track for a TBfree future in Hawke’s Bay
OSPRI is getting Hawke’s Bay back on track to a TBfree future after delivering multiple aerial operations in the past six months. OSPRI’s Disease Control GM Simon Andrew says that it is essential to reduce the possum population in these problem areas to a low level and to maintain this long enough to break the […]