NZ growers lead freshwater compliance
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.
Industry stalwart, Mick Ahern, has been awarded the Horticulture New Zealand Industry Service Award for 2022.
HortNZ president Barry O’Neil says Ahern has contributed to the development of the horticulture industry for over 40 years.
“Mick is known for his common sense and ability – after everyone else has exhausted themselves with talking – to sum up the situation and provide wise counsel, while pointing to the best if not only way forward,” says O’Neil.
Ahern started in the industry in the 1970s as a university student when he wrote a case study on the kiwifruit industry’s development, something that lead to roles in a then-fledgling kiwifruit export industry.
He went on to roles in the onion export industry and then a position exporting a range of horticulture products.
“Next, Mick turned his attention to consulting, with an emphasis on export businesses and industry good organisations,” says O’Neil. “That is certainly where he has focused in the past ten years, with undisputed success in the onions and strawberry areas, leaving behind fit for purpose organisations with a focus on the future.”
Ahern says today’s horticulture industry leaders “have one hell of a job”.
“That is why they need the industry’s support to deal with the volume and complexity of challenge and change that the industry faces.”
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
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The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Through collaborative efforts with exhibitors, visitors, and industry partners, Fieldays says it is reaffirming its commitment to environmental responsibility with new initiatives for 2025.
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