NZ scientists make breakthrough in Facial Eczema research
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
A project that aims to develop dairy wellness products as well as build Maori agribusiness capability is to receive government funding through the Primary Growth Partnership.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has approved co-funding of $1.75 million for the three-year Whai Hua PGP programme, which is worth $3.5 million in total.
The Whai Hua programme will develop natural probiotic dairy milk products targeting health-conscious consumers in Asian and New Zealand markets.
The Whai Hua partners are leading agribusiness Wairarapa Moana Inc, which runs 10,000ha of dairy and forestry operations in central North Island, and Miraka Ltd, the first Maori-owned dairy processing company, based in Taupo.
It will operate in collaboration with in-market partners which ensures a connection with consumers.
The research partner is AgResearch. "This programme exemplifies what the PGP is all about – innovation to the fore and increasing profitability – in this case of dairy farming and processing," says Scott Gallacher, MPI deputy director-general.
Whai Hua chairman Kingi Smiler says he is pleased with the announcement and the significant benefits that this programme will bring to both organisations and the country.
The Whai Hua programme expects to generate $8.6 million a year in economic benefits to New Zealand by 2021.
It will also enhance the experience and skill base of Maori agribusinesses investing in higher valued foods and differentiated products for Asian markets.
Global trade wars and uncertain tariff regimes could play into the hands of many New Zealand exporters, according to Gareth Coleman ANZ’s Head of Trade & Supply Chain.
The long running trade dispute between NZ and Canada appears to be over.
Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's move to put the brakes on local authorities to do any more work on planning changes ahead of major changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).
Rural health advocates say the Government's decision to establish a new medical school at the University of Waikato augurs well for the rural sector.
People affected by the recent two severe flood events in the Tasman district are weary and exhausted trying to deal with the devastation on their farms and orchards, according to the head of the Rural Support Trust (RST) in the region.
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