Biosecurity award for M. bovis work
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
The Ministry for Primary Industries congratulates Marlborough dryland farmer Doug Avery, who has been named the 2013 Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year.
Doug's Grassmere property Bonaveree was the focus of a project co-funded by MPI's Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) from 2005 to 2008.
The project's aim was to develop land management practices for farming dryland in Southern Marlborough. It was run by the Starborough Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group.
"Since the success of the SFF project Doug has been a skilful, passionate and generous advocate for dryland farming techniques, which include a lucerne-based grazing system," says MPI's deputy director general Scott Gallacher.
The focus of the work was Marlborough, but Doug has taken the learning's well beyond that. "This kind of expertise is important for New Zealand farming to ensure it is resilient in the face of climatic extremes," Gallacher says.
What Gallacher has achieved helping other farmers across New Zealand and Australia become more resilient and productive, shows how the SFF can be a catalyst for improving sustainable practice within the primary industries.
Gallacher was presented with the trophy at an event in Hamilton on Thursday (June 12), organised by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.
The SFF project Gallacher was involved with was, "Changing attitudes and practice for farming dry land in Marlborough", 05/132, run by the Starborough and Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group from 2005 to 2008, with $197,000 of SFF funding for a project worth $401,500 in total.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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