Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
The Government is offering wellbeing support to fruit growers facing tough times.
A support package, announced today by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, will boost funding and resources to support affected growers and their staff, including workplace-based wellbeing training programme.
focusing on the importance of mental wellness are expected to kick-off in April and are also planned for the Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Tasman and Central Otago regions.
The package is a joint initiative between Government and industry. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will contribute almost $350,000.
“I understand it’s challenging at the moment. The pandemic has led to national workforce issues and orchardists down south have suffered crop losses caused by weather events,” says O’Connor.
New Zealand Apples and Pears chief executive Alan Pollard said it will build on work already being done to boost training and development to help growers attract, recruit and retain staff.
“Many of our members are under considerable stress and we all need to look out for each other. This comprehensive package of workshops, training and events will greatly assist with that,” Pollard says.
The support package is part of a raft of measures being funded to help address labour shortages across the sector.
O’Connor said there is a big focus on connecting people looking for work with roles that need to be filled.
“Last year, I launched Opportunity Grows Here – a campaign funded through Budget 2020, to attract 10,000 New Zealanders into food and fibre jobs over four years.
“I’m pleased that to date 3,121 people have gained employment as a result of promotional campaigns, training courses and connections provided through MPI’s regional liaison service.”
MPI has funded a free online course to provide job seekers with the credentials they need, such as health and safety and phytosanitary training, to be able to work in the horticulture sector.
“Rural Support Trusts are also there to help rural people with wellbeing support during tough times. The Trusts work alongside communities and are well placed to deliver confidential one-on-one support,” O’Connor said.
Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.
The Government and horticulture sector have unveiled a new roadmap with an aim to double horticulture farmgate returns by 2035.
Canterbury farmers and the Police Association say they are frustrated by proposed cuts to rural policing in the region.
The strain and pressure of weeks of repairing their flood-damaged properties is starting to tell on farmers and orchardists in the Tasman district.
The sale price of Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses to the world’s largest dairy company Lactalis has risen to $4.22 billion.
Alliance Group's proposal to sell a 65% shareholding to Ireland's Dawn Meats won't solve the red meat industry's structural problems, says former Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams.
OPINION: Your old mate gets the sinking feeling that no matter who we vote into power in the hope they…
OPINION: Newsroom is running a series of articles looking into the influence of lobbying and has kicked it off with…