Rowarth appointed DairyNZ deputy chair
DairyNZ has appointed Jacqueline Rowarth as its first deputy board chair.
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
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
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