Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says the latest SOPI report shows that NZ still relies on the agricultural sector for its wealth.
Speaking to Dairy News just after the launch of the report at Fieldays, he pointed out the significance of the fact that more than 80% of NZ's export earnings come from the ag sector. He says, despite the challenges in front of the sector, its contribution continues to grow and be the major contributor to our export earnings.
Van der Poel says its dairy exports that make it possible for Kiwis to buy cars and medicines and all the items that people take for granted. He says if it wasn't for the dairy industry the country would be a very different place.
"People don't connect the dots and realise this," he says.
He says the numbers in the report don't surprise him and says this illustrates just how resilient farmers are, despite the challenges outlined in the SOPI report.
"We have to take the challenges head on and try to work through them. We have confronted these all before and we will continue to find ways through them," he says.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.