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 Ministry of Primary Industries has begun an advertising campaign encouraging people to let it know if they come across the mis-treatment of livestock.
"The vast majority of livestock owners care for their animals, but there is a very small minority who don't, and they let the rest down," says MPI's Deputy Director General of Regulation and Assurance, Scott Gallacher.
"We saw from the response to last year's allegations of bobby calf abuse just how much farmers care. There was a pretty clear voice from the farming community that animal abuse is not on. We agree, and we want to work with farmers and other livestock owners to do something about it to ensure that any abuse is identified and acted on."
"The advertisements encourage people to let us know if they see things that don't look right, and how to do that."
"MPI places a high priority on animal welfare. We know it's important to people, it's clearly important to the animals and it's important to New Zealand's reputation. When we get information about mistreatment of animals, we investigate. When there is offending, people are held to account."
People who become aware of potential livestock abuse can call MPI confidentially on 0800 00 83 33.
MPI has broad responsibility for managing animal welfare compliance in relation to livestock and other animals used for commercial purposes. The SPCA manages compliance in relation to companion (pet) animals.
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.