Rural contractors talk about the F word
Rural Contractors NZ have launched a campaign today against the risks of fatigue in their industry.
The new presidential team leading Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) says the organisation plays an invaluable role educating and up-skilling contractors and promoting their interests.
At its annual conference in Masterton last month, the RCNZ board elected Southland contractor David Kean to be its new president and Waikato contractor Helen Slattery as its new vice-president.
Kean has been on the RCNZ board since 2009 and served as vice-president for the past five years.
Slattery has been on the board for six years and serves on a number of the RCNZ’s subcommittees including health and safety, training and biosecurity.
Both are second-generation contractors. In 2003, Kean took over the sheep dipping and weed spraying business his father Leo started in 1966. In 2016, his two sons, Jarrod and Nicol, joined him in the business.
Helen and her husband Roger Slattery now run the Matamata contracting business that Roger’s father and uncle started in the mid-1950s.
The Slatterys also operate a collection service and compacting unit for Plasback, which recycles waste silage film throughout NZ.
Avocado growers are reporting a successful season, but some are struggling to keep their operations afloat following years of bad weather.
It's time to start talking up science again, especially as a career for young people. That's one of the key messages from the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor, Dr John Roche.
Horticulture and commercial vegetable growers in particular stand to be major beneficiaries of radical proposals by government to make sweeping changes to RMA regulations.
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
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