OSPRI writes off $17m over botched traceability system
Animal disease management agency OSPRI has written off nearly $17 million after a botched attempt to launch a new integrated animal disease management and traceability system.
DairyNZ says the Government's decision to allow an extra 500 more international workers to help on dairy farms will help address the present shortage - estimated to be 4,000 workers.
Under the new government arrangement the number of international workers allowed into New Zealand under the 2022 dairy class exception visa will increase from 300 to 800. This is in addition to the 2021 dairy class exception visa which allowed 200 international workers to enter the country.
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says his organisation has been working hard to make sure the Government understands the huge pressure farmers are under, due to workforce shortages;.
He says the sustained advocacy from the dairy sector has helped spur the Government actions.
"DairyNZ has pushed for 1,500 international dairy workers to be allowed into the country in time for the 2022 dairy season on 1 June. We made it clear to Government that the 300 dairy border class exception workers previously approved was nowhere near enough to meet the demands on-farm and reduce the current high levels of farmer stress," he says.
Mackle says the Government's decision to increase the number of international workers by 500 is a step in the right direction to reducde the pressure on farm teams. He says DairyNZ will continue to advocate for more to be allowed into New Zealand to help address the significant staff shortage.
Can discarded beef skins become premium dog food? Would camel milk work for your morning flat white? These are just two of the questions that will be answered next week at an international conference in Palmerston North.
Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National Charity Auction.
The turmoil and challenges faced by the kiwifruit industry in the past 30 years were put to one side but not forgotten at a glitzy night for 400 kiwifruit growers and guests in Mt Maunganui recently.
The Government's passing of new freshwater management laws has been welcomed by farmers, but could cause some councils a headache.
Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Vanessa Winning is stepping down after four years in the role.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming get underway this week.
OPINION: The country's dairy farmers will now also have a hand in providing free lunch for schools.
OPINION: The abrupt departure of Synlait chief executive Grant Watson could be a sign that Chinese company Bright Dairy, the…