Editorial: Roll on 2021!
OPINION: There is no doubt that 2020 has been a challenging year for New Zealand and the world.
Federated Farmers is encouraging South Island farmers to enter a competition to discover who could become the South Island's farmer of farmers.
"The 2013 Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year Competition is about finding the Mainland's next best farmer," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers President.
"This competition is unique in two regards. For starters, it is open to all farmers whether they are apiarists or the growers of zucchinis. Secondly, the competition for the first time ever will accept nominations of deserving farmers from third parties.
"Many farmers are focussed on getting out there and just doing what they do best. As such, they can be reluctant to self-nominate so by allowing third-parties this right, it means the very best can be celebrated by us all.
"The competition's top prize is a $20,000 travel grant, which allows the winner to travel overseas to look at other farming practices and technologies. It is about doing what Kiwis do best and that is to adopt and adapt best practice wherever it is found.
"The Lincoln University Foundation is also offering four new category prizes in Human Resource Management, the Use of Technology, Consumer Awareness and in Resource Use Efficiency. The winner of each category will receive an impressive $5,000.
"Nominations are open now and will close on August 1, 2013.
"Federated Farmers encourages South Island farmers, farm workers, contractors, suppliers and friends to visit the Lincoln University Foundation's website for more details," Wills concluded.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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