Stop the rot!
OPINION: Bayer Crop Science closing its Hastings research site could be the tip of the iceberg.
BAYER NEW Zealand is calling on youth with a passion for agriculture to represent New Zealand at next year's Global Youth Ag-Summit in Canberra.
With the theme of Feeding a Hungry Planet, this is the second event to be held as part of the Youth Ag-summit movement, which began in Canada in 2013. The summit will see youth delegates from around the world share, discuss and develop ideas to create a common vision.
Bayer is looking for four New Zealanders between the ages of 18 to 25 to attend the event.
Bayer managing director Holger Detje says the summit is a fantastic opportunity for young New Zealanders to have their say on one of the world's most important issues.
"According to the United Nations, the world's population increases by 233,000 people every day and is estimated to be more than 9 billion by 2050. However, we are supported by less farmland and resources than ever before.
"The Ag-Summit challenges youth to address what is arguably the biggest issue facing the world today, how do we feed ourselves?
To be eligible applicants must be between 18 and 25 as of 24 August 2015 and complete a 1500 word essay outlining their position on the underlying causes of food security and the effect it can have on a population.
The four successful applicants will win a trip to Canberra where they will join 100 young thought leaders from around the world.
Essay applications are now being accepted online through to 30 January 2015 at www.youthagsummit.com.
The sale of Fonterra’s global consumer and related businesses is expected to be completed within two months.
Fonterra is boosting its butter production capacity to meet growing demand.
For the most part, dairy farmers in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti and the Manawatu appear to have not been too badly affected by recent storms across the upper North Island.
South Island dairy production is up on last year despite an unusually wet, dull and stormy summer, says DairyNZ lower South Island regional manager Jared Stockman.
Following a side-by-side rolling into a gully, Safer Farms has issued a new Safety Alert.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.

OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…
OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…