Fieldays’ sustainability credentials getting greener
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Ireland's Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, led a contingent of Irish businesses to the Fieldays last week.
Among their products were innovative agritechnology and machinery tested in the challenging Irish climate. Passing this test makes the equipment ideal for New Zealand conditions, Humphreys said.
Ireland see NZ as a key element in its current and future export strategy via direct sales and partnering with NZ companies.
“Many see significant potential for long term relationships because of the similarity of the two countries’ agricultural bases. This enables Irish agri solutions to seamlessly and successfully integrate with NZ agricultural landscapes,” she told Rural News.
The two countries share a similar outlook and values which set the foundation for a growing commercial relationship
“I see this going from strength to strength,” she says.
Humphreys said the embassies set up recently by both countries will help deepen the relationship.
Ireland and New Zealand have much in common culturally, and many opportunities exist to deep and strengthen that relationship with the advent of Brexit.
“Because of this obviously NZ is going to be looking for an EU base and what better place to choose than Ireland?” Humphreys asks.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.

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