Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
The amazing recovery of the kiwifruit industry from the ravages of PSa was celebrated recently at Parliament in Wellington.
Politicians, diplomats, government officials, primary sector representatives and scientists joined Zespri board members and staff to formally recognise that the kiwifruit industry was now fully back in business.
Zespri chairman Peter McBride says it's exciting to have the industry back on track and noted that this wouldn't have happened but for the efforts and support of a huge number of people. McBride also praised the Government for the FTA's it has negotiated, of enormous benefit to the kiwifruit industry.
Zespri chief executive Lain Jager says they have sold their 100th million tray of kiwifruit this season and he predicts a rapid rise in volumes in coming seasons
"Driven by the recovery of Gold, the NZ kiwifruit industry has created a unique value chain supported by government regulation," he says. "This allows us to invest in innovation and marketing and this structure supported our recovery from PSa. It will continue to support our growth."
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, who hosted the evening, described 2015 as fantastic for the industry which, with fortitude and determination backed by good science, has achieved an amazing turnaround.
Guy says the Government will work with the industry to help it grow via free trade agreements.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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