The invasive climber Old Man’s Beard has been given more than just a trim in the Pukeokahu district near Taihape. With nine local farmers at the forefront, serious infestations of the pest plant are now in full retreat. Former Federated Farmers Manawatu-Rangitikei executive member Fraser Gordon says it was about six years ago that the […]
Environment
Horizons decision on Plan Change 2 brings certainty for farmers
Federated Farmers and DairyNZ are pleased the Horizons Regional Council has adopted the recommendations of the Independent Hearing Panel for Proposed Plan Change 2. “This gives some certainty for farmers who have been in limbo,” Federated Farmers National President and Manawatu dairy farmer Andrew Hoggard says. “Importantly, PC2 is an interim measure, intended to […]
Wairarapa farmer nurtures marginal farmland into a wetland
Greater Wellington is backing a Carterton farmer’s vision to regenerate marginal farmland into a flourishing wetland through environmental programmes that support native biodiversity and healthy waterways. Wetlands work hard for our people, land and wildlife. Today, only two per cent of Greater Wellington’s wetlands are estimated to remain, many of which are in a degraded […]
Research on extracting protein from green leafy crops underway
The Government is partnering with Canterbury’s Leaft Foods on a $20 million research and development programme that could put New Zealand on the map as a leading leaf protein concentrate producer. Through its Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund, the Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing $8 million to the five-year programme to develop technology […]
Help for farmers to know their greenhouse gas numbers
A new guide and tools have been released to help farmers with measuring, managing, and reducing agricultural greenhouse gases. He Waka Eke Noa: The Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership has developed two information sources to help industry bodies and farmers understand their agricultural greenhouse gas emissions: Greenhouse Gases: Farm Planning Guidance, and The Greenhouse Gases […]
Positives in climate change report but methane’s different warming impact still not accurately accounted for
Federated Farmers is very concerned the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice to the government on emissions budgets puts a much bigger ask on methane-emitters – largely farmers – to make up for a lack of action on those sectors emitting carbon dioxide. This is due to the terms of reference given to the Commission by […]
Linda and Evan Potter named National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing
Federated Farmers members Evan and Linda Potter, of Central Hawke’s Bay hill country property, Waipapa, (sheep, beef and deer) are the new National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing and the recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy. The announcement was made on Thursday at the National Sustainability Showcase at Te Papa in Wellington, attended by all of […]
Feds proud to back NZ Dairy Story
Sip that fresh glass of New Zealand milk, cut a wedge of our cheese, and know the farmers behind it are world leaders in animal welfare and climate change. And unlike producers in many other nations, they do it without direct, free-trade distorting subsidies. Federated Farmers is proud to endorse the messages in The New […]
Whio winging their way to Arthur’s Pass
The release of 17 hand-reared whio (blue duck) into Arthur’s Pass National Park later this week is a significant first, and one of a number of whio releases planned across Aotearoa over the coming months, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. The whio – the rare whitewater river-loving native duck that Federated Farmers has championed in […]
Humble dung beetle potential game changer for landowners
Marlborough landowners and the Council will be as happy as dung beetles in muck if an ambitious programme to improve the region’s waterways achieves its objectives. The humble little critters themselves could also prove to be a game changer for Marlborough landowners, assisting in the quicker conversion of manure back to pasture. Did you know […]