Election 2026: Former Federated Farmers President Named National Party Candidate
Katie Milne, former Federated Farmers president, has been announced as the National Party’s candidate for the West Coast-Tasman electorate.
State Highway 1 (pictured) is one of the roads which needs to be cleared — in the meantime detours are being used. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
Federated Farmers board member Katie Milne says rural posties could play a significant role in helping to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.
Milne, who is helping coordinate Feds’ assistance to farmers in quake-hit areas, says once the roads are cleared, rural posties could play a major role in helping to get information to isolated farmers. They could also bring back information to people working on assistance programmes.
She says the rural mail people know farmers well and could provide valuable feedback. They are a vital communication link especially if telecommunications are dodgy.
Milne says Feds are keen to meet the welfare needs of all farming families. Some farmers may choose to send children away to relatives while they focus on fixing damaged farms. Others may want to their family close by and this will be a very personal issue.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.