Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm
Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.
The future for irrigating farmers in Otago will come under the spotlight at IrrigationNZ's first-ever AGM in the region next month.
The AGM will take place on Thursday 5 November. All irrigating farmers and potential irrigators are invited to attend a workshop beforehand at 10.30am, which will precede the 12.30pm AGM at the Cellar Door Restaurant in Alexandra.
IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis says the workshop will cover how national policy impacts irrigation in the region and how Otago irrigators can best equip themselves to benefit from this. The discussion will be based on a recent report that IrrigationNZ commissioned outlining the challenges and opportunities facing Otago irrigators.
"We'll be presenting the big picture of what's ahead for irrigators in this area. The regulatory barriers you need to be aware of, alongside the prospects for growth and innovation in our sector. If you're already irrigating, thinking about converting or upgrading irrigation infrastructure, you need to be at this workshop."
IrrigationNZ chair Nicky Hyslop and Curtis will present an overview of the national situation and IrrigationNZ's role in advocating for industry, while report author Suzie McKeague will highlight significant findings from her report around the prospects for Otago irrigators.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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