New Federated Farmers meat and wool chair praises predecessor
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
All beekeepers will be now represented by Apiculture New Zealand.
Since 2002, either Federated Farmers' bee industry group or National Beekeepers Association have represented NZ apiarists.
A nine-member ApiNZ board was elected at the beekeeper organisation's annual meeting last week.
Federated Farmers bee industry group chairman John Hartnell applauds the move as great news for the apiculture industry, whose exports are forecast to exceed $300 million this year.
"This new approach brings everyone together, strengthens the voice of the industry to government and promotes research and work in industry best practice.
"With 5000 people engaged in apiculture in NZ there's potential for the industry to be worth $1 billion per year."
Federated Farmers' national president Dr William Rolleston says it's now time for the industry to move forward.
"The industry in NZ has matured to a point where [the unified] body is justified. Federated Farmers is pleased to have helped the industry for 14 years, supporting its transition.
"The bee industry group has done a marvellous job promoting the importance of a strong and healthy bee population.
"Educating our members has been a priority for the group; for example, the Trees for Bees project to enable bees to gather quality pollen and nectar raised awareness of the importance of bees to the primary industry."
Rolleston says Feds hopes many beekeepers will remain members of the organisation.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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