Third Candidate Confirmed for Feds President Election
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
While there is no news yet on whether Transpower would appeal Waimate District Council's decision to ignore the former's pylon buffer zone proposals, it seems likely Federated Farmers will appeal the plan to the Environment Court, albeit on different grounds.
The main reason is areas designated as 'outstanding natural landscape' include many already developed farms; other points include stock underpass requirements, setbacks for dairy shed construction, and hill and high country stocking rules.
Branch chairman Colin Hurst told Rural News they are reluctantly planning an appeal, as they appreciate the cost to all involved. "But we think [the council] need to take a hard look at themselves."
Strengthening the voice of vegetable growers on "big ticket items" will be the immediate focus of newly formed New Zealand Vegetable Council (NZVeg), says inaugural chair Alison Stewart.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the red meat sector is doing an excellent job promoting our pasture-fed system around the globe.
The European Union ramped up its presence at this year's Fieldays.
Moves are underway to create a single organisation to represent the country's beekeepers.
Against all the odds, the primary sector has turned in a stellar performance with export returns for 2026 hitting $64.3 billion - up 6% on the previous year.
Farmers and growers are powering the economy with export revenue at record highs.

OPINION: Well-known and politically very neutral RNZ DJ John Campbell may be having politically neutral kittens about the news that…
OPINION: This one will upset the identity-politics obsessed snowflakes in Wellington.