Canadian Spraying Experts Bring Workshops to NZ Growers
Two Canadian spraying experts, Tom Wolf and Jason Deveau, are visiting New Zealand in early August to ensure that arable growers are hitting the target with this key piece of equipment.
A farm with five or fewer staff and observing social distancing among workers need not register as an essential business.
This was announced by Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) chief executive Alison Stewart this afternoon.
“We are aware that the wording around registering as an essential service has been confusing, and have sought clarification from MPI around the process and what advice we can give to you,” she said in a message to farmers.
“They have now confirmed that if you are a farmer with five or fewer people (including the owner) working at your farm business, and you are able to achieve social distancing measures between staff in your workplace, including travelling, to and from work, then you do not need to register.
“If you have more than five staff (including yourself) and/or you cannot guarantee 2 metre distancing of staff due to the type of work being carried out, then you must fill out and submit the Safe Practice Registration Form on the MPI website.”
This advice also applies to any contractors or industry personnel visiting or working on your property. Remember, that although your farm is still operational, you must enforce the physical distancing rules.
“We are aware that many of you are receiving emails such as these from several sources, and that it can be annoying,” says Stewart.
“However, as a levy body, we are obliged to keep in contact and will continue to do so. We will endeavour to keep emails as short as possible and only send them out when information changes.”
For more information, go to the MPI website to register or contact MPI on 0800 00 83 33.
Or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details on registering or the registration process.
DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.
While the Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers' lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in the creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.
Waikato farmers have been told that the Government’s new planning system legislation and the region’s Plan Change 1 (PC1) “won’t mesh together very well”.
Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.
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More than 300 growers, exporters, researchers, service providers and industry leaders will descend on Queenstown later this month for EXPO 2026, the annual conference for New Zealand’s apple and pear sector.

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