More funding for vet graduates in rural areas
A total of 34 graduate vets will be placed in rural areas this year, from Northland to Southland, through the Government's Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS).
The prolonged low dairy payout is affecting rural vets; some are reporting 25-30% reduction in income.
The fall comes as dairy farmers cut budgets, have fewer lame cows, and as more cows get culled, leaving fewer animals for vets to treat.
In the past two months, work has picked up as farmers spend on pregnancy scans for dairy cows, but this is expected to drop off again.
Vets say they are cutting back: stripping printing and stationery costs, pulling back on continuing education for staff, watching phone costs and even scrutinising their giving to local charities and farming groups.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.