Project takes aim at pasture persistence problem
Farmers are welcoming a $17 million, seven-year collaborative science and research programme to lift pasture persistence and productivity.
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay plans to visit India in the next fortnight, his first trade mission since the formation of the Government.
McClay told the US Business Summit in Auckland today that a free trade deal (FTA) with India is “some unfinished business” for NZ.
He notes that countries including Australia have done trade deals with India recently.
“Some of these deals are at different scales, but we can’t be left behind,” he says.
Trade Missions are a priority for the new Government. McClay hopes to lead more trade missions in the next three years than any other previous governments.
He says NZ has 15 FTAs in place and the Government will also look at how to improve these deals.
“But first we have to look at how we can sell more of our products overseas,” he says.
“We have to roll up our sleeves and start selling some more.”
McClay says he has asked his officials for a list of potential countries where trade missions could be led.
He says the Government wants to start trade missions straight away rather than leaving it until the final year, just before the next elections.
“I will be visiting India before the end of the year: we made a commitment to do this during the election campaign and we will honour that commitment.”
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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