Federated Farmers intends ramping up political pressure for a long overdue increase to the school access barrier boarding allowance. This follows a Feds’ survey of farming families which revealed substantial costs and family disruption from the access barrier board allowance being totally outstripped by the fees that boarding schools charge. Average state boarding school fees […]
National
Compelling case for glyphosate use – with care
A year studying glyphosate here and overseas on a Nuffield Scholarship has convinced Mid Canterbury arable farmer Hamish Marr it is a vital tool in agriculture. But it comes with responsibilities, and if farmers and growers are arrogant about its use, they risk losing it through political pressure. Can we farm without glyphosate? Of course […]
Meat, dairy essential to global nutrition
Meat and dairy will continue to play a major role in the world’s food production systems if we’re to deliver adequate nutrition to a growing world population. That was the core message Dr Nick Smith of the Massey University-based Riddet Institute’s Sustainable Nutrition Initiative (SNI) delivered to the 400 farmers, horticulturalists, government and sector representatives […]
Eat Meat, Wear Wool .. JUMP!
Former Federated Farmers staff member and now FMG’er Angela Hogg took her support for Kiwi farmers to the skies this week, jumping out of a plane in Kerikeri with the ‘eat meat, wear wool’ message firmly front and centre for this photo opportunity. Nice work Ange!
DairyNZ wins science award for fertility research
A DairyNZ-led team took out the Primary Industries Award at the Kudos Awards for its ground-breaking collaborative research into improving dairy fertility genetics. The Improving Dairy Fertility Genetics research project has determined new ways to select inherently fertile cows. It has also demonstrated that genetic selection for cow fertility will improve herd reproduction. “The ability […]
Feds members show excellence in sustainable irrigation
Federated Farmers members Ted and Sue Rollinson are the New Zealand region winners of the inaugural Zimmatic™ Sustainable Irrigation Awards. The Rollinson’s own a 380-hectare dairy farm in mid-Canterbury. Sharemilkers Tom and Leanne Heneghan, who are also Feds members, have been on farm for 11 years and milk 1,500 cows on the property. The Awards […]
Could you be a mentor for winners of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award?
Eight winners of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award are seeking mentors to support them in reaching their personal, business and career goals. The 6-month mentoring programme will start at the beginning on 2021. The Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award was inaugurated in 2012, recognising the success of young Māori making their careers in the agricultural sector. […]
Red Meat Sector Launches New Strategy
The red meat sector launched a new strategy, a collaboration between Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association, at a function in Wellington this week. The strategy sets four key goals for the sector to achieve by 2030: Sustainably profitable: lift innovation, performance and productivity. Premium value: build a platform to create […]
Wairarapa MP sneaks in Golden Shears invite
Question time in Parliament yesterday, when in amongst warm fuzzies about the government working with Feds and the Shearing Contractors Association to bring more shearers into the country, is a smart move by Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty to get Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi to confirm he will go to the Golden Shears next year. Watch […]
Ravensdown CEO to step down
Greg Campbell, Chief Executive of Ravensdown has notified the Board that he will be leaving the role and has given six months’ notice. This gives the Board time to search for a suitable replacement for Greg who has been CEO of the farmer-owned co-operative for eight years. Greg explained that the time felt right to […]