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Migrant work visas popular in south

Most migrant applicants for a special South Island Contribution Work Visa are in farming, as shown by figures from Immigration NZ.

National organic standard consultation underway

A national standard for organic is being looked at by MPI.

Organics Aotearoa (OANZ) chairman Doug Voss is urging members to support a proposal for a national organic standard.

Hui on animal welfare

Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri.

An all-day hui, to discuss the priorities of the country’s animal welfare groups, has been called for next month by the Associate Minister of Agriculture the Meka Whaitiri.

Booming kiwifruit sector struggles for workers

Bay of Plenty’s kiwifruit sector has 1200 vacancies for pickers and packers.

Kiwifruit is in a “perfect storm” this year with a larger harvest and fewer backpacker and international student seasonal workers, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) chief executive Nikki Johnson.

Cow cull on the cards?

National leader Simon Bridges says the government has done no analysis on enforcing nutrient limits.

Environment minister David Parker says he strongly favours enforcing nitrogen leaching limits in some catchments.

Biosecurity not registering with public

Roger Smith, head of MPI’s new biosecurity unit.

A mere 2% of New Zealanders see biosecurity as relevant to them, says the head of the new biosecurity unit in the Ministry of Primary Industries.

Cow cull ‘fake news’ – O’Connor

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and DairyNZ chairman Jim van der Poel address last week’s DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum in Hamilton.

Politicians are rubbishing reports that the dairy industry will need to reduce cow numbers to improve fresh water quality.

Sustainability key focus for Primary Sector Council

Former Zespri chief executive Lain Jager will chair the Primary Sector Council.

Given the worldwide public focus on sustainability, now is the time for New Zealand’s primary industries to dialogue about the issue in a non-offensive way.

NZ meat’s grand brand plan

BLNZ market development manager Nick Beeby.

Branding created by the NZ meat industry and Beef + Lamb NZ will be available for use on products marketed by NZ companies in the NZ Farm Assurance Programme or that have their own ISO-approved standard.

Changes may lead to unforeseen problems

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing nutrient levels, scientists say.

Imposing changes on farming without considering wider issues such as economic and community impacts could cause unforeseen problems out ahead, says Robyn Dynes, science impact leader, AgResearch.