The red meat processing sector is working hard to support cyclone-affected farmers by ensuring plants return to operation as soon as possible and providing assistance to rural communities. The AFFCO plant in Wairoa and Silver Fern Farms’ Dargaville plant have resumed processing while Ovation’s plant in Gisborne and Silver Fern Farms Pacific in Waipatu, Hawke’s […]
National
OSPRI taking pragmatic approach to TB testing
Following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, OSPRI is taking a pragmatic approach to TB testing in the Hawke’s Bay Movement Control Area (MCA). Safety for people and animals is our primary concern, says OSPRI’s Disease Management, general manager, Danny Templeman. “We know either due to the ongoing impact to feed levels, damage to on farm […]
People Expos to support great dairy workplaces
This month People Expo events will provide dairy farmers with an opportunity to hear from experts around economic and workforce trends, technology adoption, and how to find and keep great people. DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network have partnered to deliver four People Expo events in the Canterbury, Southland, Taranaki and Waikato regions during March 2023. […]
Kiwis urged to back farmers
Kiwis are being urged to back New Zealand sheep and beef farmers as part of a new campaign designed to raise awareness about crippling government policies. The Kiwis Backing Farmers campaign, supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and rural advocacy group 50 Shades of Green, highlights the overwhelming wave of policies and proposals […]
More Cyclone Gabrielle funding announced
As farmers and growers continue their work to re-establish their businesses in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, the government is providing a boost of $26 million to meet the need in the recovery efforts. This sits alongside the initial $4 million rural community recovery fund already available to sector and regional organisations. Finance and Cyclone […]
Support network a strength for Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Award winners
The major winners in the 2023 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards, Cameron and Jessica Lea, say being surrounded by a strong mentor network has set them on the path for success. The couple were announced winners of the region’s Share Farmer of the Year category at the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards annual […]
Economic Week – March 3
by Nick Clark, National Manager General Policy Ag debt climbs Agricultural sector lending was up in January, according to the Reserve Bank’s monthly Sector Lending Statistics. In January 2023, agricultural sector lending was $62.21 billion, up $226 million from December and also up $299 million (0.5%) from January 2022. There were differences within the sector: […]
Raising racehorses with cows a winning formula
On a 180-hectare farm in the Whangaehu Valley, in the Wanganui/Manawatu region, Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary mix milking cows, growing maize and breeding racehorses. While some may shy away from the idea of three different types of farming, Fiona says the relaxed on-farm systems in place for the racehorses make it work. The O’Leary’s emigrated […]
Water services: no access, so no charges
Pay for what you use; don’t be expected to pay if you can’t access the service. The logic and fairness of this seems so self-evident it seems ridiculous to even have to say it to legislators but it’s what the Federated Farmers’ submission on the Water Services Legislation Bill boils down to. The bill is […]
I can only imagine the toll…
The plight of farming families slammed by Cyclone Gabrielle flood, slip and other damage has drawn a ready response from other farmers, ag businesses and urban Kiwis. The Farmers Adverse Events Trust is an independent charitable trust set up by Federated Farmers. Its givealittle page dedicated to raising money to help farmers get back on […]