Shipping crisis deepens
The shipping crisis caused by Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea and problems with a lack of water in the Panama Canal appears to be deepening by the day.
Silver Fern Farms says it welcomes the release of the Emissions Reduction Plan and looks forward to working with the Government, industry and farmer suppliers to ensure New Zealand is the food producer of choice in a low carbon world.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Simon Limmer says the company sees the transition to a low carbon economy as an important opportunity to create new forms of value for New Zealand and position the company’s farmers as climate innovators.
“Through the Emissions Reduction Plan process, we have been asking the Government to back our sheep and beef farmers on the world stage and invest in initiatives that empower farmers to act in ways that keep pace with customer demand for more sustainably produced, and processed, red meat,” Limmer says.
He says the Emissions Reduction Plan, released yesterday, shows a growing acceptance of the complexity of agricultural emissions, but also supports the opportunity for New Zealand food producers to work together to respond to growing expectations from carbon conscious consumers.
“As an exporter and marketer, we know that our pastoral farming system already has many of the attributes consumers are looking for. However, we must continue to invest, innovate and support those working the land to ensure our farms continue to be seen as the best in the world.”
Limmer says a coordinated approach to solving methane emissions in New Zealand’s pastoral farming system is the ‘big ticket’ to hitting emissions targets and creating a low emissions farming system.
“A coordinated approach to solving methane emissions in our pastoral farming system is the big-ticket to not only hit our emission 2030 targets, but to create a world-leading low emissions farming system, underpinned by nature positive pastoral agriculture.
“The proposal to form a joint venture means the agribusiness sector now has real skin-in-the-game for methane reduction technology and can better contribute to accelerating solutions into the hands of farmers via the resources, networks and the commercial knowledge we bring to the table. We are confident it will deliver,” says Limmer.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.