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Young farmer outstanding in her field

Katie Watson reckons after she comes home from a day on the farm, she feels like she has achieved something. Photo: Sue McKee.

Katie Watson reckons she has always been a bit of an animal mad person. Sharon Cain reports.

Hort heads for new heights

Impressive is how Damien O'Connor describes MPI's latest prediction that horticulture exports will hit the record $7 billion mark in 2023.

Pretty impressive - that's how Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor describes MPI's latest prediction that horticulture exports will hit the record $7 billion mark in 2023.

How long will the good times last?

The SOPI report shows that by June this year the primary sector's earning will hit $50.8 billion.

The ambitious goals of each of the primary sectors have come together in the past year to produce an outstanding result.

Vaccination critical - MPI boss

MPI director general Ray Smith is encouraging every business in the primary sector to get their people vaccinated.

Vaccination against Covid-19 is absolutely critical to the success of the whole primary sector.

Tears of frustration over MIQ

Rural Contractors NZ chief executive Andrew Olsen.

Despite rural contractors being told in mid-December they could bring in 200 skilled machinery operators into the country, not one has been given any MIQ space.

1500 workers within six months!

Federated Farmers Immigration Spokesperson Chris Lewis says the dairy sector cannot afford another calving season without skilled staff.

Dairy farmers say they urgently need 1,500 overseas workers within the next six months.

Critical worker shortages

SFF chief executive Simon Limmer says current labour shortages mean that the company's processing plants will not be able to operate at full capacity this season.

A critical lack of workers in New Zealand is pushing the meat industry to plead with the Government to urgently allow in more overseas staff.

Govt killing meat sector?

The meat industry says unless the Government allows more overseas workers into the country there's a real risk of killing chains shutting down, export dollars lost - along with jobs for New Zealanders.

The Meat Industry Association (MIA) has launched a stinging attack on the Government for failing to allow the industry to bring in sufficient overseas halal slaughterman.