US Launches Lamb Safeguard Probe, NZ Exports at Risk
As expected, the US has launched a safeguard investigation into lamb imports, a move that could impact New Zealand sheepmeat returns.
The Primary Sector CEO Bootcamp conference last week was a major success, says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.
The boot camp over two days last week brought together 35 agribusiness leaders and five Government agency chief executives into one room, representing 80% of all primary sector exports, says Guy.
"The boot camp initiative started in 2012 and has involved chief executives working together to grow our export earnings and take advantage of major opportunities around the world.
"There is renewed determination to double our primary sector exports to $64 billion by 2025 and establish New Zealand as a premium producer of food and fibre. This is an ambitious but very achievable goal, with the right policies and leadership from both Government and industry.
"It is great to have so many top industry leaders in one room, prepared to collaborate and share expertise for sustainable growth."
Prime Minister John Key along with ministers Steven Joyce and Guy spoke to the boot camp, which has also featured update presentations from CEOs and collaborative action planning.
"Recent challenges have reinforced just how important the primary industries are to New Zealand. They remain the powerhouse of our economy, making up around 72% of all our exports and generating around $32 billion a year."
The inaugural boot camp began at Stanford University in 2012, and the success of this has led to an ongoing programme of collaborative actions.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any…
OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…