Bulk wine exports surpass packaged wine volumes
Data from February 2025 shows volumes of bulk wine exports exceeded packaged wine.
The country's pork sector has welcomed an extension to consultation on a controversial draft code of welfare for pigs.
Following a request to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), it has agreed to extend the consultation by two weeks to July 8 after discussions with NZ Pork.
"When the consultation was launched at the end of April, it quickly became clear to us that an eight-week period was insufficient time to allow for well-considered submissions to be made from all industry stakeholders," chief executive of NZ Pork Brent Kleiss says.
:"The proposed changes are colosal and unprecedented, the material accompanying the draft code is substantial and there is a large amount of information for farmers and other industry stakeholders to review and assess.
"Given the survival of individual farmers and the industry supply chain is at stake, we are pleased MPI has agreed to our request."
The draft code goes well beyond the welfare requirements in other countries.
It includes major changes to the minimum space allowance required for grower pigs, a ban or significant limitation on the traditional use of farrowing systems (farrowing crates) and an effective ban on mating stalls.
Kleiss claims the proposed changes could force pig farmers out of business and put the price of New Zealand born and raised pork out of the reach of many New Zealanders.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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