Roadmap set to double hort exports by 2035
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
Landpower recently opened its new agricultural retail hub in Yaldhurst, Christchurch.
Nicola Grigg, Associate Minister of Agriculture, was the chief guest at the opening.
Said to reflect the developing world of agricultural technology at a time when Landpower heads into its fiftieth year in 2025, the new purposebuilt facility has become home to three former sites: the Templeton retail store, parts distribution centre, and the company’s support office.
Key features of the new building include an area set aside for equipment demonstrations, allowing farmers or contractors to view and test out equipment first-hand, as well as the dedicated training facility, allowing the company to deliver a higher standard of training to its technical team.
The complex features six retail service workshop bays, two advanced training bays, and a parts distribution centre that holds more than 30,000 parts lines, all located under one roof.
“I have always had a long-term view and this building is our base for the future. We will be bringing more staff into the region for training and career progression, and showing our commitment to Canterbury agriculture,” said founder and owner Herby Whyte.
To mark the occasion, Cathrina Claas-Muhlhauser, chairperson of the CLAAS Group joined founder Herby Whyte and CEO Richard Wilson for the opening ceremony. She used her first visit to New Zealand to spend time meeting customers and visiting farms throughout the South Island.
“We are delighted to have Cathrina here from Germany to mark this day with us. We have proudly represented CLAAS since 1987 and our long-term relationship has allowed us to provide the world’s leading machinery to our New Zealand customers,” said Wilson.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
Graduates of a newly-updated Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) course are taking more value than ever from the programme, with some even walking away calling themselves the “farm CFO”.
Meet the Need, a farmer-led charity, says food insecurity in New Zealand is dire, with one in four children now living in a household experiencing food insecurity, according to Ministry of Health data.
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through a new initiative designed to make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking easier.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.