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Has NZ won the battle to fully eradicate M. bovis?

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and former PM Jacinda Ardern at the announcement of the M. Bovis eradication plan back in 2018.

Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor claims the success of the M. bovis eradication programme has saved NZ billions of dollars.

Farmers confused over HWEN

Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy is not holding much hope for progress on HWEN before the general election.

Farmers are finding themselves "extremely confused" about He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), says Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy.

Lamb price to remain soft

The sheepmeat sector is bracing for opening lamb prices in November of around $7/kg, equating to $40-$45/head lower than the previous two years.

Lamb prices are expected to remain soft as Chinese consumers struggle to put the effects of Covid behind them.

No time to slow down minister warns

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says Fonterra cannot afford to "bury its head in the sand".

Fonterra should not back down on plans to reduce its carbon footprint despite the slump in milk prices, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

Dark times ahead before dawn appears

Rabobank analyst Emma Higgins says farm costs right across the sector remain high while prices for primary exports have dropped.

A little bit more darkness is expected before dawn starts to emerge.

Concerns over 'non recovery'

Toby Williams, whose property is just out of Gisborne, says the weather damage on his farm has been relentless – with fences lost and many small slips that have had to be cleared multiple times.

Six months on from Cyclone Gabrielle, a farming leader says the so called ‘recovery’ is almost non-existent.

A scarred and wounded region

Six months on from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Wairoa region is still suffering. Photo Credit: NZTA.

Six months on from Cyclone Gabrielle, despite everyone’s best efforts there is seemingly no end to the problems.

Little respite for Wairoa

Wairoa farmer and mayor Craig Little says, six months on from Cyclone Gabrielle, major problems still exist in the region – including road access.

Wairoa District farmers are beside themselves with stress as they still deal with the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and the numerous other storms that have hit the area.

Farmer confidence hits all-time low!

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford.

A recent survey by Federated Farmers of 1000 dairy, sheep, beef and arable farmers has found that confidence is at historic lows.

Co-ops at heart of NZ agri

Co-operative Business NZ chief executive Roz Henry believes there is a fundamental lack of education and understanding about the co-operative business model.

In the first of four articles, Rural News looks at challenges facing these businesses, along with the opportunities presented by the co-operative model: