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Federated Farmers' annual conference kicks off in Ashburton today and runs until Friday.
President Bruce Wills says precision agriculture and the red meat sector's future are likely to dominate in industry group annual meetings. These are dairy, meat and fibre and grain and seed.
"We look forward to hearing from our colleagues at Meat Industry Excellence, as well as from industry experts, leaders and insiders," he says.
"This will also feature one of the first talks by New Zealand's Special Agriculture Trade Envoy, Mike Petersen, since his confirmation in the role.
"On Thursday afternoon our Plenary Day kicks-off and this is about generating new thinking and ideas. We are using external panellists to get discussion flowing on Local Government's Future; Water Partnerships for Progress and Rural New Zealand & Agriculture with the Next Generation."
The annual awards will be held on Thursday evening.
"Here we will announce our Agri-Personality and Allflex Agri Businessperson for 2013. This night is also the only opportunity where all of agriculture's major award winners come together under the same roof. It is a galaxy of farming talent."
The federation's formal business day takes place on Friday. This will also feature a focus on adverse events and Federated Farmers role in them. "Somewhat timely given recent snow and of course, the 2013 drought," says Wills.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
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