The word ‘sustainability’ seems to crop up in just about every second article on agriculture, usually referencing the environment. But as Federated Farmers Vice-President Karen Williams said at the Waikato Federated Farmer’s AGM, true sustainability must also encompass social and economic wellbeing. Karen enthusiastically described a future Ag-sector where happy farmers get out of bed […]
Biodiversity
SNA laws bad for everyone
By Don Carson, Forest Owners Association Communications Manager OPINION: The events of 15 and 16 July could not have been more different. On Friday 15th rural communities throughout New Zealand stood up in protest against the regulatory burdens the government is imposing. The day after the Friday protest, the heavens opened up over central New […]
Where we’re at with Significant Natural Areas
SNAs and the pending National Policy Statement – Indigenous Biodiversity are hot talking points in agricultural circles. We thought we’d outline the background. The issue of areas of farmland being identified as SNAs (Significant Naturals Areas) is not new. Many farmers are well aware of this being a significant challenge in many districts for close […]
Clearing the air on concerns with Significant Natural Areas
by Chris Allen, Federated Farmers environment spokesperson In a TV One news item last Friday night about Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) a reporter said that Minister James Shaw had said Federated Farmers ‘was in support’. The impression was that we fully supported last year’s draft National Policy Statement – Indigenous Biodiversity in its entirety – […]
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 […]
Sharing best practice through virtual farm tours
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 […]
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 […]