increase font size
Katie Milne says Feds have been at the forefront of discussions between Government and the rural sector on how to manage farming services during the lockdown.
Federated Farmers president Katie Milne has described the first week on COVID-19 lockdown as “good but nerve racking”.
The West Coast farmer says with COVID-19 numbers climbing in rural areas, the farming sector is also feeling vulnerable.
Milne told Rural News that farmers were getting on what they can within the rules of the Alert 4 Level lockdown.
“We are all getting on with what we can safely – distancing from each other’s bubbles and sanitising,” she says.
“All are on tenterhooks hoping all our service providers like meat companies, dairy companies, vets, pack houses and others stay well so we can carry on preparing for winter.”
Milne and Federated Farmers have been at the forefront of discussions between Government and the rural sector on how to manage farming services during the lockout.
She says it not too far-fetched an analogy to say the nation is at war: this time the enemy is microscopic but still deadly.
“And just as farming and food supply was regarded as essential services during both World Wars, the Government has again given us that status under the COVID-19 lockdown.
“As we face huge economic disruption, as a country, we’re holding onto a small number of economic life rafts.
“Farming is one of them.
“The export income we continue to earn is crucial now, and as we recover at the other end of this crisis.”
But the seriousness of the COVID-19 was catching up in rural areas.
Milne says farmers are also feeling as vulnerable as those surrounded by people in cities now that numbers of COVID-19 cases are also climbing in rural areas.
She is urging farmers to stay in their “bubbles” during the lockdown.
Using separate vehicles to get to other farms is all part of what should be done if those needed on the job are not part of your “at home bubble’.
“Keeping our personal bubbles intact is paramount for our family safety as well as our wider communities.”
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Federated Farmers has something positive to say about the Labour Party’s climate change policy leading into a general election.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
