Help available for flood-hit farmers
The chair of the Otago Rural Support Trust, Tom Pinckney, says he believes that they will be especially busy in the coming months as the enormity of the floods hit home.
The 2017/18 funding round for MPI's Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) opens today.
"We welcome any groups keen to tackle a shared problem or develop a new opportunity related to the primary industries to apply for the fund," says investment programmes director Justine Gilliland.
"SFF supports farmers and researchers involved at grass-roots level and each year we receive a very high calibre of project applications."
A total of up to $7 million is available this funding round to successful applicants for their projects starting from 1 July 2017.
"We encourage anyone who is interested in applying to contact an MPI investment adviser to discuss their ideas as soon as possible."
Applications close on September 8, 2016. Feedback will be given on ideas and draft applications until August 18, 2016 at which point no further assistance can be given.
Over the past 16 years SFF has invested over $125 million in projects benefiting New Zealand's primary industries.
The funding investment by MPI in each project is supplemented by significant cash co-funding and in-kind support by industry, community groups and individuals.
SFF can fund up to 80% of a project.
Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.
Five hunting-related shootings this year is prompting a call to review firearm safety training for licencing.
The horticulture sector is a big winner from recent free trade deals sealed with the Gulf states, says Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg.
Fonterra shareholders are concerned with a further decline in the co-op’s share of milk collected in New Zealand.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
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