Honey sector strategy aiming for sweet spot
While confident that the apiculture sector can meet its target of doubling honey exports by 2030, chair of ApicultureNZ, Nathan Guy, says it will be challenging.
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.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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