Salmonellosis Surge: MPI reports rising cases in New Zealand cattle
Salmonellosis is a serious disease in cattle.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is calling for research proposals for projects to investigate regenerative farming practices.
Funding will be provided through the Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) co-investment fund.
MPI chief science advisor Dr John Roche said that MPI saw regenerative farming as a set of practices that, in isolation or collectively, could result in improved outcomes for land, animals, and growers.
“Regenerative agriculture is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ activity with prescribed inputs and outputs,” Roche said.
He said that some practices New Zealand farmers already used could be considered regenerative.
“By determining which farming practices have a positive impact on environmental sustainability and human health and wellbeing in the New Zealand context, we’ll be able to confidently share these regenerative practices widely with farmers,” he said.
“An important part of these projects will be turning the findings into practical information for farmers, to help them adopt methods that are shown to work.”
MPI’s director investment programmes, Steve Penno, said there was increasing interest from farmers and the wider community in regenerative agricultural practices.
“We’re looking to define what regenerative agriculture means from a New Zealand perspective, and develop a sound evidence base to test and confirm what works in our soils, climates, and farming systems,” he said.
“We’re excited about what the future may hold in the regenerative agriculture space and we encourage anyone who thinks their idea might be eligible to get in touch.”
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.

OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer…
OPINION: The Hound reckons a big problem with focusing too much on the wrong goal - reducing livestock emissions at…