Top breeders and cows honoured at 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ Awards in Invercargill
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
Biosecurity New Zealand says it has implemented revised border measures to manage any possible threat of foot and mouth disease (FMD) from air passengers arriving directly from Bali.
This comes with the resumption of flights from Bali to NZ with the first direct flight from Denpasar arriving in Auckland on March 30. The resumptin of the seasonal service, which runs until 27 October, will bring up to 1,000 passengers a week into Auckland.
Biosecurity NZ says passengers from Bali will use a dedicated biosecurity lane and baggage carousel at Auckland Airport. They will also face footwear disinfection measures, including footbaths at the arrival gate when they step off the plane.
"Biosecurity New Zealand has been working with Air New Zealand to ensure travellers receive information about the revised requirements throughout their journey - including at departure from Denpasar, during the flight and at the baggage collection area on arrival," says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand's northern regional commissioner.
"Passengers should expect additional questioning from our officers. If need be, they will be directed to undergo full baggage searches. The revised measures will minimise potential delays and disruption for air travellers while providing strong biosecurity protection for New Zealand."
Inglis says the revised measures build on enhanced clearance processes introduced in July last year for travellers arriving on indirect flights from Indonesia, due to an FMD outbreak. The measures included a ban on personal consignments containing meat products.
"Biosecurity New Zealand takes the FMD threat very seriously, given the damage it could inflict on producers and the New Zealand economy," he adds.
"We will continue to assess the situation in Indonesia and modify our border checks as required."
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…