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.”
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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