The role farmers play in producing food and in food security – especially when supply chains are disrupted by events such as the Covid-19 pandemic – is not well understood, Leeston arable farmer David Birkett says. “Previous generations understood it but it’s something that has been lost. I think that’s probably one of the bigger […]
Biodiversity
Record numbers of NZ beekeepers to celebrate World Bee Day
New Zealand’s sizeable and growing population of bee lovers will honour the humble, hardworking bee this World Bee Day on Thursday 20 May. World Bee Day was established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the critical importance of bees, and other pollinators to the health of our planet and its people. “The world […]
Taihape farmers mount serious assault on Old Man’s Beard
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Working on achieving workable freshwater regulations
By Gavin Forrest, Federated Farmers GM Policy & Advocacy Federated Farmers and other Team Ag members have been working hard behind the scenes seeking to find changes to a significant number of implementation problems with the Essential Freshwater regulations passed in August last year. We all want to maintain water quality where it is good […]
Farming and freshwater thriving together
Many people are aware of the importance of healthy eco-systems and freshwater on farms. What’s not so well known is that Fonterra and the Department of Conservation agreed in 2013 to set up ‘Living Water’ a 10-year partnership to trial tools and solutions to enable farming, freshwater and healthy ecosystems to thrive side-by-side. Both organisations […]
War on Westland pests hailed by former Feds President
The $45 million predator-free project announced for South Westland today is a “massive” win for biodiversity and the local economy, Katie Milne says. The former Federated Farmers President, who has taken on the role of chairing Predator Free South Westland, said the 50 jobs expected to be created during the five-year assault on possum, rat […]
Feds claims Crown Pastoral Land reform “potentially unlawful”
The Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill is a ‘solution’ looking for a problem, and is unnecessary, counterproductive and potentially unlawful, Federated Farmers says. Speaking to the Environment Select Committee today, Feds South Island Policy Manager Kim Reilly said good environmental outcomes and continued sustainable and productive high country farming “can, and do, work in harmony. […]
White paper sets out pressing regenerative agriculture research priorities
A new white paper says there is significant overlap on the continuum of practices between mainstream and regenerative agriculture. Among its conclusions is that there is a pressing need for scientific testing of the limited evidence and anecdotal claims being made by regenerative agriculture practitioners and proponents. Lead author Dr Gwen Grelet, a senior researcher […]