Wool Impact CEO Andy Caughey calls for greater use of natural fibres in NZ buildings
Andy Caughey of Wool Impact says a lot of people in NZ have been saying it's crazy that we are not using natural fibres in our buildings and houses.
An iconic agricultural figure – shearer David Fagan – is now Sir David.
Fagan's knighthood was announced in the recent new year honours list and recognises his 30 years at the forefront of competitive shearing sports until his retirement last year.
Fagan won 642 open championships, was an individual world champion five times and a world team champion seven times. He was the first shearer to exceed 800 lambs and 700 ewes in a nine hour working day under world record rules. He has represented New Zealand at least 120 times in various teams.
He was recently appointed chairman of Shearing Sports New Zealand and been on the committee of the New Zealand Shearing Championships since 1985.
Fagan has played a huge role in the promotion of his home town of Te Kuiti as the shearing capital of the world.
Others in the ag sector to recognised in the honours list were farmer John Lee who receives the CNZM for developing a number of tourism businesses in the Cadrona Valley.
The ONZM has been awarded to David Civil for developing dairy by-products as a fertiliser. Dr Andrew McEwen received the same honour for his services to forestry and Professor Norman Williamson also received the ONZM for services to the veterinary profession.
MNZM's were awarded to Jonathon Kirk for devising the K-Line spray irrigation system and Linda Nelson for services to agriculture and women.
The New Zealand hemp industry is hoping for quick and comprehensive reform of its legislative framework after a recent "historic" visit to sites in Canterbury by a big group of politicians, officials and industry stakeholders.
Resolving rural sector disputes constructively, fairly and with long-term outcomes in mind will top the agenda at a gathering of experts in Hamilton next month.
A recent trip to Singapore has highlighted the importance of marketing better, says ASB’s new head of food and fibre, Kristen Ashby.
The chair of Beef + Lamb NZ, Kate Acland says the rush appears to be on to purchase farms and convert them to forestry before new rules limiting this come into effect.
New Zealand farmers will face higher urea prices this year, mainly on the back of tight global supply and a weak Kiwi dollar.
Andy Caughey of Wool Impact says a lot of people in NZ have been saying it's crazy that we are not using natural fibres in our buildings and houses.