Editorial: Support, don't stifle farmers
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy met with local farmers near Ashburton yesterday and says that dry conditions are a concern.
"The dry summer may have been good news for holidaymakers but farmers are starting to feel the pinch in South and Mid-Canterbury, North Otago, and Wairarapa.
"Restrictions are in place for some irrigators as water levels drop, and the short term outlook is not showing much rain on the horizon.
"Most farmers I talked to today are managing by de-stocking and using feed supplies, but are hopeful of rain before too long to set them up for winter.
According to Guy, MPI is keeping a close eye on the amount of rainfall, soil moisture levels and river levels and gets good information from people on the ground. However, he says at this stage the Government is not planning to classify this event as a medium-scale adverse event.
"This threshold would be reached when the lack of rainfall has an economic, environmental and social impact on farming businesses and the wider community.
Guy advised farmers to take note of the support services already available from Government agencies in all regions. Farmers can contact the IRD if they need help or flexibility with making tax payments, while Work and Income offer standard hardship assistance.
"I would urge farmers to make use of the good advice and support available from their local Rural Support Trusts. They are doing a great job of coordinating farming communities and providing information," he adds.
"It is a tough situation for many with this coming on top of a lower dairy payout. However, I know that farmers are resilient and have come through many challenges like snowstorms, earthquakes and commodity price fluctuations before."
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
OPINION: Will synthetic milk derail NZ's economy?
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…