Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm
Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.
Time is closing in on the search to find the best innovation in the New Zealand irrigation industry.
Innovation, discovery and achievement making a positive contribution to irrigation and efficient water management are set to be rewarded by the industry's national body with an award that aims to uncover the industry's progressive and exciting happenings.
Entries are due to close for the 'Innovation in Irrigation' award coordinated by Irrigation New Zealand in association with Aqualinc.
The 2012 award is run in conjunction with the association's conference and expo to be held in Timaru in April. Sponsored by Aqualinc the award carries a cash first prize of $2500, as well as recognition and kudos, not only for the award winner but also those entrants selected as finalists.
The award promotes innovation and the benefit irrigation provides to communities throughout New Zealand. This second biennial award is IrrigationNZ's way to recognise new invention, ideas, systems or gadgets.
"There are a lot of good things happening in the irrigation space and IrrigationNZ is looking to recognise and reward those positive initiatives being undertaken within the industry, also identifying the wider community benefits as a result of irrigation," IrrigationNZ business manager Chris Coughlan says.
Nominations from irrigators, schemes, water user groups, environmental groups, industry, university students and researcher close on February 15.
Finalist entries will be showcased, and the official award presentation held at the IrrigationNZ conference in Timaru from April 2-4.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.
A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.
Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying. Decades later, it's her passion for the industry keeping her there, supporting, and inspiring farmers across the region.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…