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OPINION: Groundswell's opinion of the incumbent farm industry representatives isn't high.
Last week's press release from the ginger group, titled 'Farming leaders' spin on RMA Reform demands a grassroots response', didn't have a very conciliatory tone, if you ask Milking It!
However, in this case, they may have a point.
Groundswell's Jamie McFadden says the Government's recent announcements on RMA Reform and Freshwater Farm Plans (FFP) hide an "enormous bureaucratic expansion and farming representative organisations are complicit in providing only one side of the story to farmers and the public", Groundswell would rather see backing for the industry-led efforts already underway with grassroots buy-in.
"The industry groups who would prefer to act as regulatory middlemen are in danger of returning to the bad old days or representing Wellington to farmers, instead of taking farmers' voices to the Government," says McFadden.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says it welcomes the passage of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, calling the bills a positive step for sheep and beef farmers.
OPINION: A founding principle of Groundswell NZ is that farmers, and people generally, should be provided with full and accurate information about regulations that directly affect them.
OPINION: Being a stock manager of a Government MP's farm can come in handy.
Opportunity says its land value tax (LVT) is unlikely to force farmers into a position where asset sales or increased debt are required.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
