Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
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.
North Otago farmer Jane Smith is standing for the Ravensdown South Island director seat.
"Unwelcome" is how the chief executive of the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA), Simon Hegarty, describes the 15% tariff that the US has imposed on primary exports to that country.
Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.
The Government and horticulture sector have unveiled a new roadmap with an aim to double horticulture farmgate returns by 2035.
Canterbury farmers and the Police Association say they are frustrated by proposed cuts to rural policing in the region.
The strain and pressure of weeks of repairing their flood-damaged properties is starting to tell on farmers and orchardists in the Tasman district.