Red Meat Sector Conference date unveiled
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) have announced the dates for the 2025 Red Meat Sector Conference.
Former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy will take over as the independent chair of Apiculture New Zealand (ApiNZ).
Guy will step into the role in July when Bruce Wills, who has held the role since the industry organisation was established in 2016, steps down.
Guy's experience includes 15 years as a Member of Parliament and nearly nine years in governance as a Minister of the Crown, with five years as the Minister for Primary Industries. Apiculture NZ says he has built extensive networks, including at a government and international level, and brings strong governance, strategy and business skills to the role.
"The board is delighted that Nathan Guy is to be the new chair of Apiculture New Zealand," says outgoing ApiNZ chair Bruce Wills.
"Nathan's commitment to New Zealand's primary sector, his understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the apiculture sector, and his ability to connect with key stakeholders here in New Zealand and abroad will be welcomed by the industry."
Wills says Guy's time as agriculture minister saw him gain specific experience and knowledge of key areas including biosecurity and honey regulations, as well as experience of international markets and consumers. Meanwhile, Guy says the apiculture industry plays a critical role in NZ's agri-sector, contributing over $5 billion to New Zealand's economy.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).