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.
A fantastic dairy farmer turnout at a recent effluent management field day is a sign of the sector's commitment to doing the right thing by the environment, says organiser Jon Palmer.
"We had about a total of 100 farmers and industry professionals coming along to the field day at the Tumunui Dairy property to see how its great effluent system works," says Palmer, a sustainable agricultural advisor at Waikato Regional Council. The farmers were from the Reporoa and Waikite area.
"It's excellent to see such strong farmer interest in managing dairy effluent in a way that both protects the environment and enhances profits by using nutrients in effluent to boost farm production."
Besides staff from the regional council, farmers at last week's event south of Rotorua were able to consult experts from DairyNZ, AgFirst and OPUS. Dairy companies Fonterra and Miraka were also on hand to talk about their environmental initiatives.
The field day builds on work the council is doing to engage directly with farmers in the area one-to-one to help them ensure their effluent management systems are up to scratch, with a reasonable amount of time given to make improvements where required. It's part of a new region-wide approach the council has been implementing in recent years.
"Farmers have been responding positively to this approach," says Palmer.
The council's sustainable agriculture team is on 0800 800 401 and more effluent management advice is available at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/forfarmers
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be fronting farmers at three large public meetings organised by Federated Farmers over the coming weeks.
Federated Farmers and a major Australian-owned bank are at loggerheads over emissions reduction targets set for New Zealand farmer clients.
More locally grown tomatoes are coming to stores this month and you can thank New Zealand greenhouses for that.
Changing skill demands and new job opportunities in the primary sector have prompted Massey University to create a new degree course and add a significant major into another in 2025.
It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee, that has ensured that Christchurch will have a show this year, says CAPA general committee president Bryce Murray.
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