Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
The recent presentation of a cheque for $4,500 to the Rural Support Trust, was the result of the Fieldays’ inaugural Tractor Racing Experience that replaced the usual tractor pulling competition.
The event, supported by training professionals’ Ag Drive, allowed visitors to get behind the wheel of one of two identical 200hp Case IH tractors for a high-speed dash down the track against the clock and their mates, under the guidance of a team of skilled instructors.
New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation was thrilled to have raised a healthy sum towards the Trust’s critical work.
“Mental health is a big area of concern in rural communities and people often don’t know where or who to turn when things get tough.
“The work that the Rural Support Trust does is vital. And of course, it’s not hard to have fun when you’re behind the wheel of a 200hp Case IH tractor racing your mates,” says Nation.
Rural Support Trust is a not-for-profit network of regional trusts that provide free and confidential assistance to rural people facing challenges in everyday rural life.
The Trust is made up of farmers and those with a good understanding of rural life, acknowledging that there are often ups and downs, and the farming community faces many stressors around health and wellbeing, financial pressures, animal welfare, employment matters and adverse events.
Fieldays organisers also provided the Rural Support Trust a site in the Hauora Taiwhenua Health and Wellbeing Hub, giving visitors the opportunity to stop by and chat with the trusts’ coordinators.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
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.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.