Feds support live animal exports
Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.
Government investment in on-the-ground efforts by farmers to improve land management practices has passed a milestone, with more than 170 catchment groups nationwide now receiving support, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
“When it comes to freshwater, we have a job to do as an industry and that’s to restore our rivers within a generation,” O’Connor says.
On 14 September at a meeting with catchment group leaders and farmers, O’Connor announced $2.1 million in funding for 31 farmer-led catchment groups across the Manawatū, Rangitīkei, and Wairarapa which are helping farmers and growers transition to more sustainable land use.
“Nationally, these groups that we are backing provide on-the-ground support to more than 5,000 farmers, helping them access expertise and tools to improve their environmental and economic sustainability, not to mention wellbeing.”
O’Connor says that, over the past 18 months, the Government has invested close to $29 million in catchment groups through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) extension services and Jobs for Nature programmes.
O’Connor says catchment groups support farmers to develop detailed Farm Environment Plans and provide an opportunity to learn good practice from one another.
“Catchment groups working together and farming integrating practical and meaningful insights from them into their farm plans is how we’re going to shift the dial,” O’Connor says.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it is delighted by the Government’s announcement that it would invest $250,000 in the organisation.
The road between Napier and Wairoa is on the mend.
Biosecurity remains the top priority for agribusiness leaders, according to KPMG's 2025 Agribusiness Agenda released last week.
Farmers are feeling more satisfied with their banks, but the situation remains fragile, says Federated Farmers.
Environment Canterbury has confirmed a surge in interest in new dairy conversions, with four effluent discharge permits for conversions granted since the start of the year.
Probably the smoothest season growers can remember. That's how Kiwifruit Growers Association (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond describes the situation with fruit picking just past its peak.
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