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Federated Farmers Hawkes Bay provincial president Will Foley.
Federated Farmers is thrilled the Ruataniwha Water Storage scheme has made another significant step towards hitting go.
It was confirmed sufficient water sign-up will make the Hawkes Bay scheme cash positive.
Hawke's Bay Regional Investment Company (HBRIC) announced recently it has 196 Signed Water User Agreements, the numbers needed for the project to proceed.
Federated Farmers Hawkes Bay provincial president Will Foley says the dam will preserve the inter-generational nature of family farming in the Hawkes Bay.
"It's a great outcome for the region, and another positive step toward reaching regional benefits," he said.
"The Ruataniwha plains are highly vulnerable to drought, this dam will help protect farmers' productivity particularly through the summer and autumn periods and enable them to work towards higher value produce."
"The hardest part of getting this scheme underway was knowing whether the farmers would commit to this scheme with a 35 year contract and a change in the way they have been farming from traditional dry-land to irrigation."
Foley said that yesterday the message was loud and clear that CHB farmers are fully committed to the scheme and want to see this proceed.
"In turn this will have huge positive benefits to the whole of Hawkes Bay and I can't wait to see the transformation of from the dam construction, farm productivity, thriving communities and high value produce being exported from within the region all while maintaining the community's environmental values," he says.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.
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