Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
The author of the MPI Situation and Outlook report says that while some of it could be construed as less than satisfactory, the primary industries overall have a "phenomenal opportunity".
Jarred Mair, MPI's director of sector policy, sees truly exciting opportunities in areas where New Zealand has not yet been -- notably high-value, processed products in which NZ will have a competitive advantage.
He believes the opportunities for NZ products in the hospitality sector are "phenomenal".
Mair says while it's tempting to look at dairy exports with nostalgia for the 2014 record result, it's important to realise that was an exception.
"Now we are [anticipating] a return to those levels through this forecast period, which at 34% is a pretty big gain over four years. Much of this will be value rather than volume, which is exciting."
Mair says horticulture has been a standout sector for the last three years.
"It shows the power of NZ primary industry, in the sense that it's diversified; so though we have had problems with one sector, another has stepped up."
Another strength emerging is farmers' growing ability to better manage adverse events, helped by technology.
"The strength of NZ's primary sector is that, having been in a market-led economy for so long, we know how to adapt and respond to challenges at the macro level," Mair says.
"A great example: the slowdown in China in dairy; we were able to quickly redistribute that product around the world and still sell it. Yes, there was a drop in price, but we were able to sell it."
The Innovation Awards at June's National Fieldays showcased several new ideas, alongside previous entries that had reached commercial reality.
To assist the flower industry in reducing waste and drive up demand, Wonky Box has partnered with Burwood to create Wonky Flowers.
Three new directors are joining Horticulture New Zealand’s board from this month.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says proposed changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will leave the door wide open for continued conversions of productive sheep and beef farms into carbon forestry.
Federated Farmers says a report to Parliament on the subject of a ban on carbon forestry does not go far enough to prevent continued farm to forestry conversions.
New Zealand Apples and Pears annual conference was a success with delegates and exhibitors alike making the most of three days of exhibitions, tours, insightful discussions, valuable networking and thoughtful presentations.
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