HortNZ levy vote referendum looms
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Horticulture New Zealand’s grower members have elected two new directors to their board: John Cook and Mike Smith, both kiwifruit growers from Bay of Plenty.
Cook has worked extensively in agriculture and horticulture -- owning a dairy and sheep farm – and has worked on and had investments in pipfruit, summerfruit and kiwifruit businesses in Australia and New Zealand. He has a Diploma in Agriculture from Lincoln University and was a recipient of a Kellogg Rural Leadership Scholarship.
Smith has been in the kiwifruit business for at least 20 years and has worked in dairy farming and the stock and station industry. He is chair of the Green Kiwifruit Growers Association and a member of the Bay of Plenty Young Fruitgrower committee.
The new board’s term starts at the HortNZ annual meeting in Rotorua on July 28.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…