Meat Industry Association Appoints Nick Beeby as Chief Executive
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) has appointed Nick Beeby as chief executive.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Minister Nathan Guy believes most farmers are environmentalists and understand the need to improve our water quality.
Speaking at the launch of freshwater proposals yesterday, he said farmers want to leave the environment in a better state than they found they found it.
"Farmers recognise the importance of our freshwater resource and understand there will be costs; and they have shown they want to work constructively," he says.
"We've seen huge progress over the last 10 years. Farmers are fencing their waterways, they are doing riparian planting, and we have the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord. All of these things are voluntary – with farmers showing leadership."
Guy says to improve our water quality it will be important for everyone - including urban, hydro generation, industry, recreation and all primary sectors users- to shoulder the burden.
He says the primary sector needs reasonable timeframes to adjust, good decision making including robust science and economic information, guidance on how to manage to limits; and new technologies to help make water quality improvements.
"The Government will work with councils and communities on these proposed changes, including guidance and support with good management practice and new technologies as they become available.
"The framework will also be underpinned by good information that supports regional decision-making, including the environmental, social and economic impacts of any proposed objectives and limits.
"Where costs of meeting national bottom lines may be high, council will have the discretion to set suitable timeframes that give businesses and communities time to adjust without undue hardship. This flexibility will be on a case by case basis."
Developing pasture species that enable farm animals to produce less biogenic methane and nitrous oxide is a critical tool in NZ's quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the winners of this year’s New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are leading the way in productivity, sustainability and profitability.
A dinner, debate and auction event with a difference held for the first time in 2025 is back by popular demand to celebrate the start of Fieldays 2026.
Federated Farmers has been urged to consider establishing a policy on artificial intelligence (AI).
As the Agri Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) begins the process of winding down, the organisation’s general manager Julia Jones says there’s still a place for its programmes within the industry.
Southland farmers staring down a May deadline to submit freshwater farm plans under current regional plan rules have been given an 18-month reprieve by the Government.

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