Project takes aim at pasture persistence problem
Farmers are welcoming a $17 million, seven-year collaborative science and research programme to lift pasture persistence and productivity.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the hard-working men and women of rural New Zealand are playing their part to help rebuild the economy.
McClay says that interest rates and on-farm inflation have turned a corner, meaning farmers can continue to innovate and boost productivity while working to meet environmental obligations.
“With 80% of all the goods coming from the primary sector and more than 350,000 Kiwis employed because of rural activity, farming, forestry, and horticulture remains a mainstay of the NZ economic activity,” McClay says.
He says the Government’s target of doubling exports by value over ten years provides an opportunity to work with the primary sector to add value and deliver greater returns at the farm gate.
“The Government has huge respect for our farmers,” he says. “We will continue to partner with them to drive down costs, simplify regulations and build trust as we get Wellington out of farming.”
“This Government trusts farmers and will continue to back them to deliver for NZ, rural communities can be assured that we have the best and most connected team of Ministers from all over New Zealand working hard on delivering for them,” McClay says.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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