M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
 Nukuhia Hadfield - pictured with husband Bart - says it is regrettable, but necessary to postpone events given the current situation with Covid and the uncertainty it has created.
		  	
		  
		  		  
		  Nukuhia Hadfield - pictured with husband Bart - says it is regrettable, but necessary to postpone events given the current situation with Covid and the uncertainty it has created.
		  
		  
		  
	  Another primary sector event has fallen victim to the current risk of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
The 2022 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition, which this year will select the top Māori sheep and beef farm in the country, has been postponed due to Covid.
The competition is one of the most prestigious agricultural events and was inaugurated 89 yers ago by Sir Apirana Ngata and then Governor General Lord Bledisloe.
Management committee chair Nukuhia Hadfield says it is regrettable, but necessary to postpone events given the current situation with Covid and the uncertainty it has created.
She says the judging panel had only just started to access entrants to select the finalists, but the management committee deemed it unwise to continue and decided to put the competition on hold until it can be safely reconvened.
"This decision reflects the management committee's wish to ensure the safety of our whānau and wider communities across the country, as well as ensuring the safety and well-being of our judging team and support staff," Hadfield says.
"This also means the rest of our programme is delayed, particularly the upcoming parliamentary announcement, the field days and awards dinner scheduled for May."
She noted that entries for the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award remained open until closing off on February 11. The committee says it will look to modify the dates of this programme to align with the senior competition.
Hadfield says they'll continue to monitor events over the coming weeks and will make further decisions one when judging can recommence, and then also re-set the dates for the other key events in the programme.
She says the competition faced a similar situation in 2020 due to Covid restrictions, but the programme was eventually able to run at a later stage.
"I am confident that we will be able to do the same again later in the year."
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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