Farmers: What’s your plan if someone in your family or among your staff tests positive for COVID-19? As COVID-19 vaccination rates build and New Zealand begins to transition to coping with the disease without lockdowns and less reliance on managed isolation facilities, the agri-sector and Ministry for Primary Industries have been working together to ensure […]
COVID-19
Primary sector returns strengthen export-led recovery
Farmers’ hard work in leading New Zealand’s export-led recovery from COVID-19 is being rewarded with high prices forecast for milk and very strong returns for meat, says Trade and Export Growth and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Fonterra announced today a record predicted milk price of $7.90 to $8.90 for the coming season. The mid-point of […]
Back in Covid Lockdown
Compared to the rest of the world, down here we have had a very fortunate escape from the ravages of Covid19, largely because we are bobbing away in the ocean, 4,000km from anyone else. The Delta variant of Covid19 has arrived, which many would say was inevitable, but unfortunately, as of Sept 1st, our vaccination […]
Beekeepers’ message to Kiwis this September: Love bees? Plant trees (when you can)!
Beekeepers are calling on bee-lovers across New Zealand to take what actions they can to improve the health and resilience of Kiwi bee populations this September for Bee Aware Month. Apiculture New Zealand, the national body representing beekeepers and honey producers, is asking Kiwis to Feed the Bees by planting bee-friendly trees and plants this […]
Economic Week – July 16
Stimulus reduced. The Reserve Bank caused ripples this week with its decision to wind back on its extraordinary monetary stimulus. Although it kept its Official Cash Rate on hold at 0.25%, the Reserve Bank announced it would be ceasing its programme of large scale asset purchases from 23 July 2021, almost a year ahead of […]
World Milk Day recognises Kiwi dairy farmers
As global World Milk Day (June 1) gets underway, New Zealand dairy farmers continue to play a key role in a post-COVID economy, as a sustainable producer of milk for the world. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says our communities and regional economies see real benefits from dairy, particularly with current increased global demand […]
Trade Minister to travel to UK and EU to progress free trade agreements
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor announced today he will travel to the United Kingdom and European Union next month to progress New Zealand’s respective free trade agreement negotiations. The decision to travel to Europe follows the agreement reached last week between Minister O’Connor and UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, to […]
Red Meat Report shows sector confidence and resilience
The latest Red Meat Report shows red meat exports have held up strongly in the face of significant disruptions. Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association have released their May 2021 Red Meat Report. In the report both B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor and Sirma Karapeeva, the MIA’s chief executive, reflect on […]
Much to be discussed at Apiculture Conference
Rotorua will be abuzz with beekeepers and honey producers this June, as the apiculture industry gathers for the annual Apiculture New Zealand Conference and Trade Exhibition. Held from 24th-26th June at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, the theme of Conference 2021 is ‘Healthy Bees, Healthy Industry, Healthy Future’. Apiculture New Zealand chief executive Karin Kos […]
Rise in alert levels a reminder for farmers to be prepared
The double threat of protracted Covid-19 alert level restrictions and lack of sustained rainfall should be cause for farmers to review their level of supplies, Federated Farmers Dairy Chairperson Wayne Langford says. “There is a high chance this won’t be the last lockdown we’ll see in coming months. Nor does anyone have a working crystal […]