A new poll shows it’s not just farmers who question government moves to make New Zealand the first country in the world to tax livestock methane emissions. The latest Curia survey of 500 New Zealanders, which has a margin of error of +/- 4%, found 57% did not support taxing animal methane before other countries. […]
climate change
He Waka Eke Noa
William Beetham At the recent Federated Farmers Meat & Wool council many concerns were raised about He Waka Eke Noa, the pricing of agricultural emissions, and the subsequent impact on the sheep and beef industry. He Waka Eke Noa is one challenge of many currently facing our rural communities. Federated Farmers policy is pricing should […]
Better for climate does not mean sacrificing quality: new findings
Farmed animals bred for less impact on the climate are as healthy and produce meat quality just as good, if not better, newly published results of long-running research suggest. New Zealand has been a world leader in the recent development of breeding sheep that belch out less methane – a relatively short-lived but potent greenhouse […]
Is the ‘waka’ really adrift?
By Andrew Hoggard, President Federated Farmers of NZ The recent open letter on He Waka Eke Noa in Farmers Weekly has sparked a lot of discussion, and that’s a good thing. We should always be open to debate whether we are doing the right thing, and so much of the farm emission pricing discussions happened […]
Is agriculture the sacrificial lamb?
By Reon Verry, Federated Farmers Waikato Meat & Wool Chairperson We constantly hear agriculture is responsible for 48% of New Zealand’s emissions. What we are not hearing is how much warming effect those emissions have. It brings to mind the old adage, ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’. The truth is farmers do not need to […]
Integrated report shows strong progress for company against strategic objectives
Ravensdown’s 2022 Integrated Report published today shows the fertiliser co-operative owned by primary producers is tracking well against its strategic objectives. Highlights include: A 12 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from fertiliser against the previous year. A net reduction of scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions of 2,206 tonnes of carbon dioxide (14%) […]
From the Board – Andrew Hoggard
Friday Flash, August 26, 2022 Over the last two weeks there has been a bit of activity on the He Waka Eke Noa front, just what I needed in the middle of calving. Two weeks back I was in on the regular Food and Fibre Leaders catch up with the Prime Minister and Ministers Shaw […]
Climate Change National Adaptation Plan – What’s in it for farmers?
Hamish Barwick The Ministry for the Environment released a National Adaptation Plan earlier this month designed to prepare New Zealanders for climate change. It includes adaptation recommendations for farmers. The plan – Adapt and Thrive: Building a climate-resilient New Zealand – features an Integrated Farm Planning Programme. Led by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) […]
Andrew wraps the week
No time to watch? listen here! https://bit.ly/3N6Z5cQ Andrew wraps the week that was, #FMG Winter, powercuts, 3 Waters and of course HWEN.
Government backs Māori climate action
Media release – New Zealand Government $35.4m to help farmers, growers and whenua Māori owners reduce their agricultural emissions $30.5m to establish a platform for Māori Climate Action Farmers, growers and whenua Māori owners have been supported by the Government to ramp up their efforts to reduce agricultural emissions and the impacts of climate change […]