Why Now Is the Time to Plan Farm Succession, Findex Says
OPINION: Succession and long-term planning are perennial topics because it is perpetually sidelined on busy farms.
WAITAKI MP JACQUI Dean is pleased with the efforts of farmers around Otago in fencing waterways, as Fonterra announces that 20,000kms of waterways across the country now exclude stock.
"I'm really encouraged by these figures. Farmers acknowledge the importance of sustainable environmental practises and fencing waterways is a step in the right direction.
"As caretakers of the land, farmers know that they need to take good care of it.
"Whether it's more efficient irrigation systems, or improved effluent disposal, farmers are aware that water resources need to be better managed."
The Government is also investing heavily in research to tackle the environmental impacts of agriculture, focussing on cutting nutrient loss on-farm, improving effluent management and developing more efficient irrigation.
She says this includes over $100 million jointly invested in Primary Growth Partnership projects, along with research to lessen the environmental impacts of farming.
"It's an on-going battle, but one that we must put our best efforts into as we move to protect our environment, while promoting economic growth."
Minister of Conservation Hon Tama Potaka has appointed Susan O'Regan as Chair of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (QEII) for a three-year term.
Red meat farmers are welcoming Labour’s plan to review the Emissions Trading Scheme and not to campaign on pricing agricultural emissions.
Where any worker in the kiwifruit industry is mistreated, we expect the authorities to take action.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
Seed and grain companies share the concerns of arable farmers about the viability of their sector, says Seed and Grain New Zealand chief executive Dr Sarah Clark.
The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) says unnecessary changes to New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) will seriously erode investor confidence and result in significant reductions in forest planting rates.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.