MPI Opens $3m Greenhouse Gas Research Funding Round
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced has opened applications for the 2026/27 funding round of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research (GHGIR) fund.
Farmers, foresters and orchardists have just a few days left to complete the official agricultural production census, run by Statistics NZ in partnership with MPI.
This large-scale census is done every four years with the purpose of providing vital insights and the most up-to-date data about agriculture's contribution to New Zealand. It is compulsory for all large scale farming, foresty and horticultural businesses and is not a random survey.
The manager of the survey, Ana Krpo, says Stats NZ has a system that identifies all agricultural businesses in the above categories that meet the requirement for registering for GST, which is $60,000 turnover. Excluded from the survey are the likes of lifestyle farmers, beekeepers, worm farmers and others in minor agri-related operations.
Krpo says the agricultural statistics from the census benefit NZ by supporting evidence-based discussions and decision-making. She told Rural News this data is used by industry organisations, government, researchers, and the wider farming and growing community for industry forecasting, policy advice, planning and investment decisions, trade negotiations and national and international reporting.
All those required to participate in the census were posted out information packs in June. At that stage, they were given the option of doing the survey online or requesting a paper form.
The official deadline for completing the survey is July 19, although Stats NZ says it will accept some latecomers.
As the data is received by Stats NZ, it is collated and validated. The hope is that a provisional result focusing on major national issues will be released in December.
The final census results should be out in May 2023.
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson says his party – NZ First - isn’t opposed to the “trade element” of a free trade deal with India.
The managing director of a company seeking to build a solar farm in Canterbury says receiving fast-track approval is a “really positive outcome”.
Retiring MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron is blasting the Green Party for proposing to ban the use of synthetic fertiliser and cutting cow numbers.
A huge reduction in ACC claims from on-farm accidents over the last five years is due to thousands of small, practical decisions being made in sheds, yards, paddocks and around kitchen tables across the country, says Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson.
Wayne and Ange Moxham of Horowhenua have just been named as Fonterra's top organic performer for milksolids. As well as providing organic milk to Fonterra, the couple also sell Udderly Organic milk to more than 100 outlets in the region and are embarking on another exciting venture producing organic gelato. Reporter Peter Burke went along to see their farming operation.
Certainty and a clear understanding of the needs of rural communities is a critical outcome in the series of government reforms that are taking place at present.

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