Early drought conditions emerging in Hawke’s Bay as rainfall drops
As you approach Hastings from the south along SH2, the colour of the west-facing hills are a good indicator of a drought.
Hawke's Bay residents are being urged to submit their experiences of Cyclone Gabrielle to an independent review.
This week is the final chance for communities to share their experiences in support of an independent review of the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The short online survey is due to close on Monday, 15 January 2024 and has been open since mid-November 2023.
In addition to an ongoing series of community focus groups, Hawke’s Bay communities and mana whenua have been invited to anonymously share their experiences and views on the CDEM’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle during the days immediately leading to the event and in the immediate aftermath of it.
Since its launch, the Independent Review Panel, led by Bush International Consulting, has received close to 1,000 responses from residents from Wairoa to Pōrangahau, with the community and mana whenua feedback continuing to form a significant part of the ongoing review process.
The Panel says it is also making good progress and remains on track to deliver its final report to the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Committee by the end of March 2024, just over a year after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the region.
The survey can be completed by visiting: https://feedback.askyourteam.com/CBqcR2c.
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.
National Lamb Day is set to return in 2026 with organisers saying the celebrations will be bigger than ever.
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

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