Why our future depends on taking biosecurity seriously
OPINION: When it comes to biosecurity, we often hear about the end of a response, but it’s the beginning that helps determine our success.
Biosecurity remains the top priority for agribusiness leaders, according to KPMG's 2025 Agribusiness Agenda released last week.
For the 15th year running, agribusiness leaders continue to view world-class biosecurity as the cornerstone of New Zealand's agrifood reputation, particularly considering the incursions experienced in the last 12 months.
The leaders want ongoing investment and innovation in biosecurity systems to protect the sector's long-term viability.
Now in its 16th year, the Agenda, titled 'Turning talk into tasks', draws on insights from almost 200 industry leaders, including farmers, growers, innovators, sustainability professionals, and emerging voices. It lists the top 10 priorities for leaders.
Ian Proudfoot, KPMG global head of agribusiness, says this year's report is intended to be a provocation to the food and fibre sector around imagining what its potential could be in the future.
BNZ says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through an innovative new initiative that helps make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Lincoln University Dairy Farm will be tweaking some management practices after an animal welfare complaint laid in mid-August, despite the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) investigation into the complaint finding no cause for action.
A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…