by Sue Meade, HR Manager, Growing Future Farmers When most people win awards they sit back and enjoy a job well done . . . when Federated Farmers members Tam and Dan Jex-Blake won a training award in 2016, they realised there was so much more they could do to help the agricultural sector. True […]
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Hay you! Will you help Riding for the Disabled’s Haystack Challenge?
Horses need to eat 1.5% to 3% of their body weight every day, depending on their workload and metabolism. If they aren’t foraging much grass, that can mean five or six kilograms of hay a day for an adult horse. It’s not hard to work out that NZ Riding for the Disabled, which has more […]
Magical setting for 2021 NZ Zanda McDonald Award ceremony
Organisers of the agricultural badge of honour, the Zanda McDonald Award are gearing up for the 2021 New Zealand Award celebrations, announcing that the ceremony will take place at Whangara Farms, the first place in the world to see the sun, at a special dawn ceremony on Wednesday 28 April. The award recognises talented and […]
Feds: live export ban ‘surprising’
The government’s announcement this morning that live export of animals will be banned after a transition period of up to two years has come as a surprise to Federated Farmers, Feds animal welfare spokesperson Wayne Langford says. “The Minister has said this is all about protecting New Zealand’s reputation as the most ethical producer of […]
Awards celebrate the food and fibre sector employer excellence
Exceptional employment practices in the primary industries have been celebrated at the Good Employer Awards, held at Parliament on Monday evening, 12th April. “Tonight’s awards provided the opportunity to celebrate and thank those employers in the food and fibres sector who have gone beyond business-as-usual in creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work environments for […]
Bee colony losses in winter continue to rise
A recently released survey reveals important findings about the winter colony loss rates of New Zealand bees and the experiences of New Zealand beekeepers, says Apiculture New Zealand. The New Zealand Colony Loss Survey is produced each year by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research for the Ministry for Primary Industries. It is based on an online […]
Federated Farmers sees MIQ opportunity for agriculture
Federated Farmers hopes that the Government will take the opportunity of newly available space in MIQ quarantine to bring much-needed workers for the primary industries into New Zealand. COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins estimates that the Australian quarantine-free travel bubble will free up 1000 to 1300 beds in MIQ a fortnight. “MIQ spacing has been […]
Groundspreading awards 2021 – nominations now open
Nominations for the 2021 New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers Association (NZGFA) Awards, the only agricultural awards specifically designed for the groundspreading industry, are now open. In their third year, the four awards – the President’s Award, the Innovation Award, the Health & Safety Award and the Young Achiever’s Award – recognise and celebrate the people behind […]
Arguing the case for extra dairy workers to cross border
By Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers national board member With the developing and serious workforce shortage on dairy farms top of mind, Federated Farmers and DairyNZ have combined to put the case to government for 500 migrant staff to be allowed into New Zealand to head off critical animal and human welfare issues. A survey conducted […]
Get up to speed on the minimum wage
With the adult minimum wage increasing on 1 April 2021, it’s timely for farmers and others in the agricultural sector to ensure employees are paid at the correct rate. Erin Anderson, an Associate with Norris Ward McKinnon (Federated Farmers legal partners), outlines the obligations…. An employer must pay its employees at least the relevant minimum […]