NZ growers lead freshwater compliance
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.
The best of New Zealand's growing talent will be going head-to-head this month in a bid to win the title of Young Grower of the Year at Auckland's Ellerslie Event Centre, on Monday, July 23.
The four young growers competing for the title of Young Grower of the Year are Jos Bell, 27 from Nelson; Joel Wanhill, 24 from Bay of Plenty; Benjimen James, 28 from Hawkes Bay and Andrew Scott, 29 from mid Canterbury.
The growers will participate in a day-long event testing a range of practical and business skills such as driving a tractor, resource management, innovation and irrigation. There will be a Ballance Leadership Panel Session where the young growers will speak on their views on biosecurity and take part in an open discussion about the future of the horticulture industry.
The growers will also give a three minute speech to over 400 delegates at the Horticulture New Zealand annual conference dinner with the winner being announced later that evening.
This will be the fourth year of the Young Grower of the Year competition run by Horticulture New Zealand. The competition is supported by platinum sponsor NZ Horticentre Trust and others, who recognise and celebrate young leaders in the horticulture industry with both excellent technical skills and leadership capabilities.
Andrew Fenton, president of Horticulture New Zealand, is a strong advocate of the competition. "Horticulture New Zealand believes in celebrating excellence in our young people."
"These four growers have already demonstrated passion, direction and the potential to become significant contributors to our industry's future. I look forward to watching how their careers progress."
For more information about the Young Grower of the Year competition, please visit www.younggroweroftheyear.co.nz.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
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Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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