increase font size
Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei president Murray Holdaway is urging farmers to plan ahead for Covid-related disruptions.
Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei president Murray Holdaway is warning farmers to be ready for further disruption due to the pandemic.
He says there is a risk that many people - both on farms and in the supply chain - will be off work sick and that disruption and delays will be the order of the day.
Holdaway, who milks cows in Tararua, says farmers have to think differently and be prepared for the day when they cannot go down to their local farm supply store and get an item straight away. He believes farmers need to have a good plan for disposing of their cull cows.
"This could have some long term implications for the way we think about our businesses as well and a lot will depend on relationships. I have always tried to build relationships with people, not take the cheapest or best price on the day but build some trust and relationships, and I expect some in return. This situation could go on for months," he says.
Holdaway says there are other issues such as staff shortages and that will add to increased workloads and stress on farm and could affect health and safety.
"My plea to farmers is to think about these issues and to start planning, and do it today," he says.
OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.
It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.
One of the country’s two largest supermarket chains is reporting that for the first time since the disruption of Covid, they have largely full supply on almost all fruit and vegetables grown locally.
Covid-19 took global shipping rates to mind boggling highs, but over the subsequent 12-15 months they returned to more sustainable levels. Fast forward to July 2024 and rates have nearly doubled over three months.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) chief executive Nadine Tunley says the industry-good body’s support for growers has proven to be multifaceted.
As part of preparing for a potential IPO in relation to the divestment process for its global Consumer business and integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka, Fonterra has named Anne Templeman-Jones as chair-elect of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Mainland Group board.
There's been a positive response to the Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable.
Massey University has begun trialling the use of superior beef genetics in its two dairy farms as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's dairy beef progeny test.
The annual Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival – a fusion of books and storytelling - celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Emissions by dairy cattle decreased by 1.6% according to the latest NZ Greenhouse Gas Inventory report.
Tasman sharemilkers Warric and Rachel Johnson haven't let the 2006 milk payout crash put them out of business.
