Drought-stricken farmers urged to seek support
Dry conditions are widespread but worse in some places, with rain and drought affecting farms just a few kilometres away.
The world’s largest wool processing facility, badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle over one year ago, has re-opened following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project.
The Woolworks’ Awatoto scouring facility in Napier is the largest of its kind in the world. Woolworks scours 80% or 100 million kilograms of New Zealand’s wool each year. The Awatoto facility scours more than half of New Zealand’s wool.
Chief guest at the re-opening, Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson said the reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20% of global strong wool production.
“The refurbished facility will bolster New Zealand’s wool scouring capacity and capability, contributing to the local and wider economy and growing our wool sector.”
Petterson met with key industry leaders from NZ’s largest export markets, including delegates from International Wool Textile Organisation Congress who attended the event.
“This presents an opportunity to build and strengthen connections across the global wool supply chain, promote our incredible, natural fibre, and help open doors for New Zealand wool businesses.
“This, along with the woolshed meetings we’re holding across New Zealand, are part of the Government’s commitment towards supporting the success of the food and fibre sector, including New Zealand wool businesses.”
The chair of the Dairy Environmental Leaders (DEL) says the country's dairy farmers are at the forefront of environmental management.
On the edge of the hot, dry Takapau plains, Norm and Del Atkins have cultivated a small but exceptional herd of 60 Holstein Friesian cows within their mixed breed herd of 360 dairy cows.
The DairyNZ board and management are currently trying to determine whether, and to what degree, their farmer levy payers will support any increase in their levy contributions.
Milk production is up nationally, despite drought conditions beginning to bite in some districts, according to the latest update from Fonterra.
Dry conditions are widespread but worse in some places, with rain and drought affecting farms just a few kilometres away.
The Government's plan to merge the seven crown institutes presents exciting possibilities for plant technology company Grasslanz Technology, says chief executive Megan Skiffington.
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