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M. bovis levy awaits farmer approval

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle fronting at the Darfield meeting held last month.

Dairy farmers could end up paying more for the Mycoplasma bovis eradication effort if they do not endorse DairyNZ’s proposed levy.

Irish tackle water clean-up

Local solutions to local environmental problems: that’s Ireland’s plan for improving the quality of water in rivers and lakes.

The struggle for a good worker

Biosecurity aside, most farmers will tell you the biggest challenge facing the primary sector is a shortage of good, qualified people.

Drought bites top of the South

Golden Bay Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the top-of-the-south drought is starting to bite. Image: Rural News Group.

Farmers across the top of the South Island are pinning their hopes on forecast rain to ease a drought some say is shaping up to be the worst since 2001.

Deer numbers bouncing back

Farmed deer numbers, including breeding hinds and fawns, increased in 2018, says Statistics New Zealand.

ApiNZ disappointed by beekeepers’ votes on levy

Commercial beekeepers have voted not to support the introduction of a honey levy.

Brake failure brings big fine

A Gore farm machinery company’s shoddy repairs to a tractor have landed it with a fine of $239,063 and reparations of $103,459 awarded to an injured farm worker.

Face up to the facts

Farmers must accept individual responsibility for the industry’s poor health and safety record, says an industry health and safety leader.

Punter goes cherry picking

It is not always the fastest-growing or biggest returns which influence decisions on investment in various sectors, says MyFarm head of research Con Williams.

Geographical indications threat to NZ exports

The EU’s proposed restrictions on the use of geographical names in products could have implications for NZ exports to other regions – including China, a trade expert says.