India FTA 'still a priority'
Agriculture and Overseas Trade Minister Todd McClay says his government is pulling out all the stops to get a trade deal with India.
WAIKATO FARM consultant Sharlene Charleston is the first to achieve accreditation under a new people management certification scheme launched last month at the NZIPIM's annual conference.
Charleston works for Te Awamutu-based farm people management consultancy, No.8 HR.
NZIPIM chief executive Stephen Macaulay says the programme, supported by funding from DairyNZ, was introduced to provide farmers with confidence that industry standards have been met by the consultant in 10 key areas. They include performance management; coaching and mentoring; recruitment; and health and wellbeing.
"People on-farm are key to productivity and business growth and too often this is stunted by high staff turnover," says Macaulay. "Certified people management consultants can improve the way farmers manage their staff and then everybody wins – the farmer, the employee and the industry."
Charleston is a former dairy farmer who started with No.8 HR in January 2011.
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A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
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