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.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
Opportunity says its land value tax (LVT) is unlikely to force farmers into a position where asset sales or increased debt are required.
Milk powder prices are keeping farmgate prices up, helping processors offset the dip in milk fat prices.
Climate, nature and animal wellbeing make up Fonterra's refreshed sustainability roadmap released last week.
The Government is introducing a new nationwide rural recycling scheme that will significantly increase the recovery of farm plastics from March next year, Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg announced today.