by Nick Clark, National Manager General Policy Budget 2022 was a big spending budget with a strong emphasis on cost of living, health, and climate change. Its approach was sold by the Government as putting New Zealand on a path to a ‘Secure Future’. The Government considers its new and increased spending and its […]
National
Feds pleased to see emissions tech talk backed with investment
Federated Farmers is pleased the government has recognised solutions to agricultural emissions lie in new technologies and tools, and is stepping up investment on that front. “Nitrate and methane inhibitors, gene editing, animals bred for their lower methane ‘burping’ – they’re the kind of advances that will enable New Zealand’s farming sector to continue to […]
Research on repellents to keep kea safe
Department of Conservation – media release New research to test the use of repellents to help keep kea safe during predator control operations is underway near Arthur’s Pass in Canterbury. The Department of Conservation and OSPRI (TBfree) are funding the research, which will test the effectiveness of two bird repellents (d-pulegone and anthraquinone) in reducing […]
Economic Week – May 13
Fonterra cuts forecast Fonterra this week revised its 2021/22 forecast Farmgate Milk Price range to $9.10-$9.50 per kg milk solids (from its previous forecast of $9.30-$9.90). This reduces the midpoint of the range, which farmers are paid, to $9.30 (from $9.60). Fonterra cited lockdowns in China due to COVID-19, the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, […]
Successful rural resilience programmes receive MPI funding boost
Ministry for Primary Industries – media release The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has renewed funding for two successful programmes training farmers, growers and other rural people to manage pressure and adapt to change. The Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) has been allocated $339,000 to expand its popular ‘Know Your Mindset. Do What Matters’ and ‘Our Resilient […]
Feds calling out shoddy behaviour
By Karen Williams, Vice-President, Federated Farmers of NZ While an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Indonesia has Australasian biosecurity authorities on high alert, on a more local and human scale it’s a deplorable case of ‘foot in mouth’ that grabbed headlines in New Zealand last week. DLG chief executive Simon Henry’s offensive, misogynist […]
FALL ARMYWORM UPDATE AND DETECTION
As many of you would’ve heard or read by now, Biosecurity New Zealand and primary sector partners are continuing to respond to the discovery of fall armyworm in New Zealand. It is important that you have the below information no matter what sector you’re in because, despite the fact that fall armyworm larvae favours sweetcorn […]
‘Smart spade’ one of new technologies for forest silviculture project
A ‘smart spade’ which identifies exactly where to plant a tree seedling is just one of the new technologies in the seven-year $25.5 million Precision Silviculture development project. The newly elected President of the Forest Owners Association, Grant Dodson, says the just announced joint government funded project to bring mechanisation and robots to the production […]
Technical innovation to revolutionise forestry
An innovative high-tech approach to forestry management is set to transform New Zealand’s forestry industry, Forestry Minister Stuart Nash and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The Government is backing Precision Silviculture, a $25.5 million, seven-year programme led by Forest Growers Research Limited (FGR). “The investment is part of the Government’s wider plan to provide […]
Economic Week – May 6
Commodity prices slip from highs After trending up over recent months the ANZ World Commodity Price Index dropped 1.9% in April compared to March. Dairy prices fell 4.0% month-on-month, driven primarily by lower prices for whole milk powder. ANZ noted Chinese lockdowns causing logistical nightmares and dampening consumer demand while its economic slowdown will also […]