James Blair Named 2026 Young Grower National Champion
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
Horticulture NZ has appointed Mike Chapman as its new chief executive.
Chapman has been chief executive of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc since June 2005. He is interim chair of the industry's National Labour Governance Group, serves on a number of kiwifruit industry committees and is a Bay of Plenty Polytechnic councillor.
Chapman trained as a lawyer and his previous appointments include Defence Force solicitor as part of his career in the Royal NZ Navy, chief counsel at the Commerce Commission, professional standards director for the Auckland District Law Society and chief executive of Kiwifruit NZ.
Chapman will start his role with HortNZ on January 18.
High country stations, mixed sheep and beef farms, Māori-owned farms, corporates and family operations are among the nine commercial farms taking part in the Livestock Innovation Farming Transformation programme, known as LIFT.
OPINION: New health and safety guidance unveiled by the Government recently provides farmers greater certainty about what is expected of them when managing risks on farm.
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the Code of Welfare for Rodeos.
A New Zealand initiative supporting farmers to restore the health of grazing landscapes has received international backing through the Regenerative Fund for Nature, a global collaborative fund supporting regenerative agriculture and the communities that produce natural fibres for the fashion industry.
Combine premium New Zealand products, blend in a family ritual and what do you get? A world-class functional drink.
Entries are now open across eleven regions for the 2027 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).

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