Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
OPINION: Finally there's clarity for farmers around freshwater management regulations.
This coalition Government was voted in by farmers in part to either stop or repeal a raft of unworkable regulations imposed by the previous Labour government. But legislative changes haven't been coming fast enough for many farmers.
For months now, regional councils have been facing a dilemma, whether to continue notifying freshwater plans in their respective districts as required by law under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (the NPS-FM) or wait for the current Government to repeal the law.
Farmers accused some councils of stubbornly ploughing ahead with plans to implement expensive, excessive and impractical new rules for farmers. If councils pass these new rules, they will effectively lock in unobtainable freshwater bottom lines and NPS-FM requirements.
Federated Farmers say that would result in Labour's NPS-FM being here to stay, despite the Labour government being voted out.
If that happens, all the new Government's efforts to make freshwater regulations more practical, affordable or workable will make absolutely no difference behind the farm gate.
Federated Farmers has been incredibly vocal in calling for the Government to stop councils notifying these new rules.
Last week the Government finally acted. It's moving an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament, which will restrict councils' ability to notify freshwater plans before the gazettal of the replacement NPS-FM.
Farmers are hailing the Government's move as a win for both them and common sense. The move could have come sooner. However, farmers up and down the country will be breathing a deep sigh of relief - better late than never.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.