Southerly Winds Hit Taranaki Dairy Pasture Growth
A spate of southerly winds bringing cold temperatures has presented challenges for Taranaki dairy farmers.
Taranaki's flagship riparian management programme, which has "gone the extra mile" in developing relationships with dairy farmers, has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to protecting the environment.
The Taranaki Regional Council programme is a finalist in two categories of the Ministry for the Environment's 2013 Green Ribbon Awards: the Caring for Our Water and Public Sector Leadership categories.
Environment Minister Amy Adams announced the finalists in 11 award categories last week.
Adams says the council has "gone the extra mile in developing enduring relationships with dairy farmers to understand the best riparian practices for their land".
"They have shown commitment to addressing a crucial issue for New Zealand – how to ensure our agricultural sector can promote and implement sustainable resource management."
The council's chairman, David MacLeod, is delighted with the nomination.
"For almost two decades the council has worked closely with Taranaki dairy farmers to develop the riparian management programme—a voluntary programme to fence and plant riparian margins on the ring plain.
"The recognition is for the efforts of the Taranaki community which has shown leadership in protecting water quality through the riparian programme, alongside the sustainable development of an industry that is vital to Taranaki," says Macleod.
The awards are open to individuals, organisations, businesses and communities throughout New Zealand. There are three finalists in each category and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at Parliament on June 5, which is World Environment day.
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.
Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
Nominations are open for the 2027 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award.

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