Rural Industry Leaders Event Raises $400,000
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
A new Hyundai Santé Fe has been donated to the Waikato Rural Support Trust by Greenlea Premier Meats Ltd.
The trust, one of many in rural New Zealand, is independent and non-profit, offering free, confidential support to rural Kiwis or communities when things get tough.
The support team all have a rural background and can listen, understand and help in times of pressure.
The trust’s relationship with Greenlea began at the 2017 National Fieldays, with a casual discussion about rural support vehicles, says Greenlea livestock manager, Bruce Mudgway. At the time, the company was the principal sponsor of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, so it already had an affinity for rural support, he says.
“WRST is a great cause and given that nobody really knows when support is required, these guys are out
there at the drop of a hat,” Mudgway told Rural News.
“At Greenlea, we are happy to give a little back to those who support folk – who in a lot of case are our farmers and supply partners.”
“We know they are great vehicles. We managed to get a sharp deal out of Gingham Hyundai for the vehicle, and we called on Admark for the graphics and Aon for insurance.”
The Sante Fe will be used to get co-ordinators into the community and see to work that includes supporting community events or during storms etc.
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson says his party – NZ First - isn’t opposed to the “trade element” of a free trade deal with India.
The managing director of a company seeking to build a solar farm in Canterbury says receiving fast-track approval is a “really positive outcome”.
Retiring MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron is blasting the Green Party for proposing to ban the use of synthetic fertiliser and cutting cow numbers.
A huge reduction in ACC claims from on-farm accidents over the last five years is due to thousands of small, practical decisions being made in sheds, yards, paddocks and around kitchen tables across the country, says Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson.
Wayne and Ange Moxham of Horowhenua have just been named as Fonterra's top organic performer for milksolids. As well as providing organic milk to Fonterra, the couple also sell Udderly Organic milk to more than 100 outlets in the region and are embarking on another exciting venture producing organic gelato. Reporter Peter Burke went along to see their farming operation.
Certainty and a clear understanding of the needs of rural communities is a critical outcome in the series of government reforms that are taking place at present.

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