DIRA Review: Open Country Dairy Warns Against Regulatory "Complacency"
The country's second largest milk processor is warning against 'complacency' during a review of competition regulations in the dairy sector.
The Government has announced its support for 18 community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the fund was established last year to boost wellbeing programmes that support the rural sector.
"These initiatives will ensure farmers and growers have the support they need to thrive,” McClay says.
Meanwhile, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says the Government is committed to delivering faster access to mental health support, including for the one in five people living in rural communities.
“We’ve focused on supporting proposals that can have the greatest impact on the ground, as well as new initiatives targeting gaps,” Doocey says.
“Partnering with grassroots organisations enables the Government funding to go further and make a real difference.”
As part of the funding boost, Farmstrong Charitable Trust will receive $399,250; Surfing for Farmers Charitable Trust receives $160,000, and The NZ Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Incorporated receives $585,000
The Ministry for Primary Industries and Health New Zealand each allocated $2 million over four years for the fund through Budget 2025.
Special courses for secondary school teachers to help excite kids about agriculture and horticulture are now being run at Massey University.
Running a tight and self-contained ship is the key to the success of the country's largest dairy farmer, says Blair Robinson, the new man at the helm of Dairy Holdings.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.

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