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Flooding in Edgecumbe. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says dealing with silt on dairy farms around Edgecumbe is going to be a big problem.
Guy visited the region recently and flew over some of the worst hit areas.
He says while pastures near Edgecumbe itself appeared to be under water, further out at places such as Taneatua silting is a problem.
“We need to get some experts into the region who have been through floods before and know how to handle re-grassing on silt because there are all sorts of different theories out there as to what is the best way to deal with this. These include ploughing it back in, waiting for it to dry, direct drilling, and roller drilling -- putting on fertiliser with grass seed. All need to be considered.”
The Government classified the flooding from ex-Cyclone Debbie as a medium-scale adverse event. This declaration provides for extra recovery assistance including recovery coordination, increased support through Enhanced Task Force Green teams and the Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust, and tax flexibility
Guy says he’s impressed with how farmers and rural organisations have worked together to deal with the problems of the flooding.
Former Minister for Primary Industries, and retiring MP, Nathan Guy says his plans to invest more than $2 million in a new innovative dairy shed is a vote of confidence in the future of the dairy industry.
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The timing just feels right, says Nathan Guy, National’s former Minister for Primary Industries, who said last week he would not stand in the 2020 election.
Farmers regarded Nathan Guy as a pragmatic and knowledgeable Minister for Primary Industries, says Federated Farmers.
The government’s new freshwater laws, signed off this week, have the potential to create significant unnecessary costs for ratepayers, farmers and entire communities, Federated Farmers says.
Final harvest data for wheat, barley and oats (milling/malting and feed) in 2020 show yields were up 17% overall across the six crops.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the joint decision three years ago to eradicate Mycoplamsa bovis was a difficult call.
Cutting edge technology designed to simulate biosecurity threats has emerged from the collaboration of two Hamilton companies.
DeLaval has come away with the runner up prize in this year’s Fieldays Online innovation competition with a new milking cluster that eliminates the need for conventional liner changes.
Thomas Lundman's work focus has gone from tracking tiny critters in pitch black caves to looking after considerably larger animals in paddocks near Whakatane.
There could be another dairy health scare brewing in China and this one starts in our backyard.
Does anyone in the Government understand the essential role St John Ambulance has in our society?
