NZ Catchment Groups Thrive with ‘Source to Sea’ Approach
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.
MPI has so far refused to name the importer that owns the cargo of palm kernel extract currently banned from entering the country via Tauranga Port.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has so far refused to name the importer that owns the cargo of palm kernel extract currently banned from entering the country via Tauranga Port.
However, sources at the port have told Rural News Group that it belongs to American-owned company ADM, a relatively small player in the local feed market.
The 23,000 tonne shipment was blocked by MPI because it came from an unregistered facility not approved by the Malaysian Government. MPI says the importer has applied to discharge the PKE but that it must first prove the cargo is not a biosecurity risk.
At the time of writing ADM could not be contacted for comment.
Meanwhile the two main PKE importers – Fonterra and J Swap Stockfoods - have moved to assure customers that the non-compliant shipment is not theirs.
Matamata-based J Swap Stockfoods emailed their customers with this message yesterday: “We would like to take this opportunity to assure all our customers that this cargo and vessel was neither purchased nor chartered by Swap Stockfoods. Furthermore all palm kernel purchased by Swap Stockfoods come from MPI approved suppliers and meet MPI requirements. “
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.

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