Oz farmers' election wishlist
Australian farmers advocate NFF says this year’s Federal Election will be a defining moment for Australian agriculture.
Asia may not be far from Queensland’s doorstep but the challenges of catering to the export market are great, says an Australian dairy leader.
Norco Dairy Co-op deputy chair Tony Wilson says the road to China had not been easy for the company.
“The tyranny of distance is still a challenge for Australia, but the size and scope and proximity to Asia cannot be ignored,” Wilson says.
In the past 12 months, Norco has managed to set up systems so that fresh milk is sent to China within seven days of production. It achieved faster regulatory and logistics access, and a direct selling trail online.
The co-op also developed a smartphone app that allows customers to trace information on when the milk was packaged, and it will tell where it was produced.
“Slowly but surely the potential in China is being realised,” Wilson says.
Norco’s sales in China had grown ten-fold in the past year “and there was more to come,” he said. The Norco brand is now available in many cities in China.
Bruce Warren, head of Japfa Comfeed, an agribusiness firm, told the conference the opportunities in Indonesia are immense and that Australian producers needed to be “bold”. “Unless we jump in boots and all now, we’re going to be left behind.”
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
After tasting 240 New Zealand made cheeses, judges have bestowed medals upon 199 of the entries.
Bay of Plenty’s top share farmers Andre and Natalie Meier are no strangers to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winning circle.
OPINION: Is it the beginning of the end for Greenpeace?
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.