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Federated Farmers applauds the AgResearch team for a global breakthrough on hypoallergenic milk, which could add value to new milk based exports, so long as it clears regulatory and safety approvals.
"This could be a major technological advance. Five to seven of the 252 children born every minute have milk allergies or intolerance," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
"AgResearch's development has been received positively in the international media as a technological breakthrough.
Leferink says it's early days and products, if they prove possible, will take years before they are on a doctor's prescription or a supermarket shelf.
"Before it can be considered for commercialisation, hypoallergenic milk will require a lot more study and regulatory approval to ensure it is not only safe, but works.
"We also need to consider how it will sit alongside current milk production.
"Bearing in mind we are looking years into the future, I believe a product like this could be produced and processed separate from other milk. We do this now with organic milk in order to maintain its integrity.
"So assuming this does become possible, keeping things separate from conventional and organic milk and backed by clear labelling, provides choice for farmer and consumer alike.
"I believe should be looking to realise the value of this intellectual property for New Zealand and that means keeping this technology here.
"If we can meet these challenges, we should be willing to embrace new technology where there is benefit medically and economically.
"This breakthrough marries agriculture to biotechnology in a smart science led green economy. There is a lot of work to be done and hurdles to be jumped but the scientists involved deserve recognition as world-beaters," Leferink says.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Federated Farmers has something positive to say about the Labour Party’s climate change policy leading into a general election.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
Will a stronger, more coordinated voice help rebuild confidence and improve returns in the wool sector?
New Zealand's citrus growers were challenged to build their future on the value embedded in their fruit rather than the volume they produce, at Citrus New Zealand's annual gathering in Gisborne on 17 September.
Leading John Deere technicians and apprentices from New Zealand and Australians were recognised at the recent sixth annual JD Technician of the Year Awards, held in Brisbane.
In Dacre, near Invercargill in New Zealand’s South Island, Bruce Dinnington is running a dairy operation unlike any other.
A free online platform aggregating governance vacancies across rural and regional New Zealand has been launched.
Environment Minister Nicola Grigg has announced details of a new rural plastics recycling scheme.
Agricultural drone operators say that a government decision to allow lower-risk drone work without certification won’t lower standards but drive innovation and efficiency.
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