Tuesday, 17 September 2024 14:25

Clarity needed

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: This month, the government announced a pause to the rollout of the national farm plan system.

However, Environment Southland’s message to farmers is: start pulling together the information for farm plans now.

So, what should farmers do? Stop work on their respective farm plans or carry on as urged by ES?

This confusion isn’t helping the farming sector. The Government must move quickly with changes to the Resource Management Act that will put a stop to councils like ES working on freshwater farm plans, already a requirement in the Southland Water and Land Plan.

Everyone agrees that we need a farm plan system that is practical and cost-effective and based on specific farm conditions. So, why the confusion?

More like this

Sour grapes

OPINION: It seems Greenpeace is upping its long-running but ineffective public campaign against Fonterra.

Too little, too late

OPINION: Economists, in their usual excitable tones, have, for a while now, been openly questioning the Reserve Bank’s glacially slow reaction to the recessionary economic conditions we’re all drowning in.

Court ruling piles more misery on hapless Southland farmers

Southland farmers have been assured that, while concerning, there are no immediate implications from a court decision which requires them to apply for a resource consent just to continue farming.

Fit-for-purpose system for freshwater farm plans needed

The Horticulture sector needs a fit-for-purpose system for freshwater farm plans that works for the sector and delivers on environmental outcomes, says Michelle Sands, acting chief executive of HortNZ.

Sour grapes

OPINION: As a country we should be celebrating Fonterra’s solid annual results announced last week.

Featured

Study grants for students keen on red meat processing, exporting

Fancy a career in the red meat processing and exporting sector? Then here’s your chance to apply for a scholarship.

Help for flood-stricken farmers

Multiple agencies are working to help farmers in Otago hit by the recent floods and Southland farmers who have faced many months of adverse weather.

Shift in farm sales, prices

Farm sales are on the rise. According to recent data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), there was an 18.9% increase in farm sales for the three months ending August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

'Time to hand over the baton'

Waikato farmer Jim van der Poel’s foray into dairy industry governance began 25 years ago with a bang.

Businesses chip in to help farmers

Banks and rural businesses are chipping in to help farmers in Southland and Otago.

Court ruling piles more misery on hapless Southland farmers

Southland farmers have been assured that, while concerning, there are no immediate implications from a court decision which requires them to apply for a resource consent just to continue farming.

National

Milk research wins global dairy award

A food scientist from the Riddet Institute has wowed judges at an international dairy industry award, confirming the Palmerston North…

Co-op opens its doors to Wuhan

Fonterra has opened its sixth application centre in China to meet growing demand for foodservice offerings.

Toll proposal a cause for concern

Farmers in the Tararua District are meeting to decide whether to throw their weight behind a move to oppose the…

Maize grain shortage looming?

If there is a maize grain shortage next season, farmers will have to look for an alternative and that may…

Future looks competitive - McBride

Fonterra chair Peter McBride warns that the future looks increasingly competitive - both in New Zealand and internationally.

Machinery & Products

Quick, accurate access to data

Agri-tech company Precision Farming is linking with John Deere’s Operations Centre guidance technology to automate nutrient and spray record-keeping and…