Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The importance of streamside fencing and planting to Taranaki's dairy industry was highlighted today as four farmers were rewarded for their commitment to the work.
Industry leaders were on hand to endorse and promote the Taranaki Regional Council's Riparian Management Scheme, under which 430,000 plants are being distributed this week – a significant increase on last year's 350,000 as implementation is ramped up.
The scheme is one the nation's largest water and soil conservation projects and participants who were early with their plant orders went into the draw for $10,000 worth of prizes sponsored by Fonterra, Revital Fertilisers and Spray It.
"More and more farmers now recognise riparian fencing and planting as part of their day-to-day business. We've made good progress so far but it's vital that the momentum keeps building," says the council chairman, David MacLeod.
The Council has prepared almost 2,400 individual riparian management plans, covering 96% of the region's dairy farms and approximately 12,500 km of streambank. In total, 7,358 km (72%) of streambank is protected by fencing and 4,517 km (58%) is protected by planting and vegetation.
MacLeod says the programme is transforming Taranaki and Fonterra has long supported it as a major sponsor of the prize draw.
"Now they are telling suppliers that stock must be excluded from waterways, so the message is loud and clear: Now is the time to be getting the fencing and planting completed," he says.
"The council's regional fresh water plan is up for review and we will be looking long and hard at whether regulation is needed around riparian protection. If farmers don't demonstrate leadership and get their riparian fencing and planting completed in the next few years, they may well find themselves being led."
Research in New Zealand and overseas has confirmed that riparian management is an effective means of protecting freshwater quality. Fences prevent stock from fouling waterways and vegetation filters run-off, reduces nutrients entering waterways, provides shade, lowers water temperatures and enhances biodiversity.
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
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