Dairy farmer profits to hit record levels in 2025
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
A company that owns a number of farms in South Waikato has been fined more than $30,000 for illegally discharging dairy effluent into the environment.
The Waikato Regional Council began an investigation at one of the farms owned by Fernaig Farms (2006) Ltd in February 2012 after effluent issues were identified.
Council staff found the effluent storage pond on the Mangakino farm did not have sufficient capacity and was overflowing into a nearby gully.
An effluent irrigator was also found to be operating at such a slow speed that it caused a large volume of effluent to pond on land, causing a risk of contamination to ground water.
Subsequent to the council launching an investigation, the company spent $250,000 upgrading the effluent system at the property.
In the Hamilton District Court, the company pleaded guilty to two charges under the Resource Management Act and was this week convicted and fined $30,037.
Judge Melanie Harland acknowledged the improvements made by the defendant but said "the court is always mindful not to allow the rectification of an inadequate system to count as a mitigating matter", however, "the defendant has gone well beyond what would be required".
Judge Harland also said "the court has on many occasions referred to the need for there to be sufficient capacity within effluent systems".
The company had previously been issued infringement notices for unlawful discharges of effluent into the environment but suggested in court that these were "administrative" in nature and did not prompt them to make improvements to their effluent system.
Council spokesperson Patrick Lynch said: "We are pleased that this farming entity seems to be taking their environmental responsibilities seriously now but it is disappointing that they did not change their practices earlier, particularly after receiving infringement notices for previous non-compliance. If they had made changes to their system then, they could well have avoided the cost and stress of a prosecution."
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
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Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
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