Methane targets disappoint farmers
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has reiterated calls for New Zealand to revise its methane targets after the Government's "disappointing" announcement of its revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
Environment Southland (ES) is establishing a regional working group on climate change and inviting other local councils and Te Ao Mārama Inc. to join.
The group comes after a regional hui in July brought together governance and senior management from these organisations to hear from expert local and national speakers and to workshop what a climate change response means for Southland.
ES’s acting general manager strategy, planning and engagement Rachael Miller says the July hui gave the council an insight into what joint working looks like in the region.
“We heard from a broad range of speakers which stimulated productive discussions.
“We agreed to work in partnership to advance the Regional Climate Change Strategy and collaborate on other climate change work. This working group helps keep the momentum going in the right direction,” says Miller.
She says the purpose of the new working group will be to develop a joint climate change work programme and terms of reference that will drive the region’s long-term response to climate change.
One of the next steps will involve a visit from Dr Rod Carr, chairperson of the Climate Change Commission.
“The effects of climate change are being felt across the globe,” says Miller. “Europe was recently in the midst of one of its worst heatwaves where London has been hotter than the Sahara. These are reminders that we cannot let this issue fall by the wayside.
“By working together as one Southland, we can make a real impact on climate change for our region.”
The 2025 South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) chairman, Rangiora farmer Andrew Stewart, is predicting a successful event on the back of good news coming out of the farming sector and with it a greater level of optimism among farmers.
WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds, following a sentencing for a death at one of South Canterbury’s biggest agribusinesses.
Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.
Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.
Precision application of nitrogen can improve yields, but the costs of testing currently outweigh improved returns, according to new research from Plant and Food Research, MPI and Ravensdown.
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