OSPRI writes off $17m over botched traceability system
Animal disease management agency OSPRI has written off nearly $17 million after a botched attempt to launch a new integrated animal disease management and traceability system.
Science backs what humans need to thrive, and DairyNZ wellness and wellbeing specialist Dana Carver is keen for dairy farmers to benefit from such science to stay strong and healthy.
Wellness is as much a science as the study of grass species or cow conditioning, Carver says.
Her workshop on this topic at last year's South Island Dariy Event was highly rated, many people asking for a repeat.
"Most said they knew of someone else who would benefit from coming along, and we're hoping that will happen. It's encouraging that so many people in the industry are starting to talk about wellness and resilience.
"We're keen for farmers to discuss tips from the workshop with family and colleagues in their networks."
Her talk is themed, 'The resilient farmer: keeping yourself strong amidst the ever-increasing pressures of farming'. She will talk about what it means to be healthy and how to deal with stress, with practical examples.
"The stressors aren't going away, but there are things you can do as an individual that will help you; these don't cost anything and don't need to take up a lot of time," she says.
For example, set aside time to turn off the television and play a board game with the family, get off the farm once a fortnight for three hours, or make a simple change to diet.
Carver will tell stories of changes made by some farmers who attended previous workshops, including one who now jogs the 2km from his home to the milking shed – and back – each morning. "It's made all the difference to his stress, and it's a cool example of what a small change can make."
She will speak about understanding your personality and values, and how this can help with decisionmaking, handling the unexpected, stress and burnout.
And she will remind farmers that farming should be enjoyable as well as profitable.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be fronting farmers at three large public meetings organised by Federated Farmers over the coming weeks.
Federated Farmers and a major Australian-owned bank are at loggerheads over emissions reduction targets set for New Zealand farmer clients.
More locally grown tomatoes are coming to stores this month and you can thank New Zealand greenhouses for that.
Changing skill demands and new job opportunities in the primary sector have prompted Massey University to create a new degree course and add a significant major into another in 2025.
It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee, that has ensured that Christchurch will have a show this year, says CAPA general committee president Bryce Murray.
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