Editorial: Long overdue!
OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.
With food being to New Zealand what 'Silicon Valley' is to the United States' technology sector, Federated Farmers is backing AgResearch's strategic move to create two major research campuses supplemented by two smaller ones.
Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers vice-president, says its masterplan is about supporting primary exports to reach $64 billion by 2025.
"We cannot deny there is a human element to this change and while 40 positions are slated to go, the actual number will be low given this is a four- year transition. That said, it will require a number of staff and their families to consider where their long-term futures lie.
"Federated Farmers is encouraged to see that no staff will be required to relocate until 2016.
"We must also stress that capability will be retained at both Ruakura and Invermay but the focus will change.
"The challenges in this strategy will depend on maintaining and enhancing AgResearch's good linkage with the University of Otago's exceptional genetics team and on Lincoln University continuing to build its capability; a process Lincoln began last year.
"The downsizing of Invermay must not see a reduction of AgResearch's capability in either sheep or deer.
"Yet if we are to light the after-burners on our primary exports, then we need to create a culture of cool, innovative science backed with functional well-resourced campuses.
"AgResearch, at Palmerston North, will be part of 'Food HQ' based on Massey University together with the Riddet Institute, Plant & Food Research, the Bio Commerce Centre and Fonterra.
"At Lincoln University, AgResearch, will join not only the University itself, but an 'Ag HQ' hub comprising DairyNZ, Plant & Food and Landcare Research too.
"This brings to New Zealand and the primary industries a campus culture usually associated with Silicon Valley. It is about paddock to the plate solutions in campuses that attract the world's best scientific talent, not to mention, research monies to.
"It is no secret that some of AgResearch's physical scientific infrastructure was getting creaky. Its $100 million reinvestment is not only timely, but a wise investment to build strategic capability of benefit to farmers and all New Zealanders," Dr Rolleston says.
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.