Feds support live animal exports
Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.
We've become accustomed to hearing how food and fibre is the backbone of the country's economy, with export revenues hitting $52.2 billion in the year ended June 2022.
However, New Zealand's agritech community seems to be making a worthwhile contribution to the country's economy as well.
A recently released NZ Agritech Insights Report 2022 showed that of the country's Top 200 technology exporters - around 10% or 22 companies - were responsible for $1.6 billion worth of business.
"Agritech is critical to the country's efforts to produce high quality, high value food and fibre products with a lighter touch on the environment," says Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor. "It is not only contributes to economic growth but is also vital to the prosperity and wellbeing of our regions - through high value employment and the products and services they provide to our primary industries."
Encouragingly, the report delivers a snapshot showing that NZ's agritech sector delivers about 11.4% of the country's Technology Investment Network' 200 revenue, with its $1.6b contribution - up $118 million on the previous year.
The sector is employing around 5,400 people, paid on average $95,000, with average earnings generated per employee of $296,000. Categories in agritech include data solutions (29.9%), post-harvest (29.4%), animal and crop health (26%), growing and harvesting (9.1%) and environmental management (5.6%).
Key companies in the NZ Agritech sector include the likes of Gallagher Group, LIC and Datamars, which have revenues in excess of $100m. In the $20m to $100m sector, Waikato Milking Systems reported a result of $73m and Trimax returned $40m.
At the other end of the spectrum, Robotics Plus, Levno and Rezare Systems delivered revenue of $10m, $6.1m and $4.17m, respectively.
Encouragingly, the report also listed more than 100 companies operating in the NZ's Agritech sector, with many new names starting to emerge - such as Cropsy, Halter, Milktech NZ and UBCO.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?