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Science can help bridge rural/urban gap

Farming leader Dr William Rolleston is calling farmers to take charge of the scientific narrative going into the election with the urban-rural divide “as big as it has ever been”.

Japanese beef ‘squeeze’ if TPP fails – warning

Trade expert Stephen Jacobi warns of a Japanese beef squeeze if TPP does not progress.

If we don’t get Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) through, we will be seriously ‘squeezed’ in the Japanese market, says trade expert Stephen Jacobi.

High yields boost kiwifruit returns

The increase in the average yield per hectare for Green was a key factor in “remarkable” volume growth in the 2016-17 season, says Zespri chief executive Lain Jager.

North Otago expansion ready to flow

A storage pond is filled for the North Otago Irrigation Company’s Stage Two expansion.

The North Otago Irrigation Company (NOIC) expects its $53 million stage two expansion to be fully operational by the end of September, following a year’s delay caused by construction problems.

A wake-up call for biosecurity

Research has found that nematodes in soil pose a potential biosecurity risk.

Tiny creatures in soil that attack plants have been seen to survive for at least three years stored in dry conditions in a recent AgResearch study.

Water tax irks

Mid-Canterbury enjoys a direct relationship between water use and employment, says Federated Farmers.

Farmers have heads in sand - Labour

The farming sector has its head in the sand if it doesn’t realise water is a huge issue waiting to be tackled, says Labour’s primary industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor.

A need to keep hort sector booming

The $5.6 billion horticulture industry is a big contributor to New Zealand’s economic wellbeing.

Sensible, practical and affordable - Feds

Federated Farmers says its ‘Farmers’ Manifesto’ challenges political parties in the upcoming general election to take a “sensible, practical and affordable” approach to tackling issues of high importance to its members.

Wool carpet sales hit the floor

Cavalier says the decline in wool carpet sales in NZ has been huge.

Ten years ago 80% of the carpets sold in New Zealand were wool; now it is only about 15% of carpet sales, says Cavalier chief executive officer Paul Alston.

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Fert co-op backs farmer water group

Ravensdown’s John Henderson says the co-op firmly supports the Farming Leaders’ Pledge.

Ravensdown chair John Henderson has added the co-op’s weight to a pledge by New Zealand farming leaders to help make our rivers swimmable for future generations.

A very good move

Any initiative that helps train health professionals ready and willing to work in rural communities is good, says Michelle Thompson, chief executive of Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ).