Young winemakers
2015 saw the first ever Young Winemaker of the Year competition held in New Zealand.
New Zealand Young Farmers is celebrating a milestone reaching over 2000 members.
New Zealand Young Farmers is a social network for rural youth which develops the leadership and personal skills of its members.
Founded in 1932, New Zealand Young Farmers has 90 plus clubs around New Zealand.
Only seven years ago membership sat at just 450 people. Since there has been a steady increase year by year and to reach 2000 members is hugely significant and rewarding for this non-profit organisation.
New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Richard Fitzgerald says, "to reach 2000 members is an important milestone for Young Farmers. It has been many years since we have had this number of members so it's a good sign the organisation is in a healthy position".
In the early 90s membership was last at where it is today. Programmes such as AgriKids and TeenAg have been introduced to highlight the organisation is dedicated to growing the skills and opportunities of the younger generation and developing them into fully fledged New Zealand Young Farmer members.
Fitzgerald says "the really exciting thing about this is what is going on within the organisation. Over the past few years Young Farmers has continued as a fun place for people to connect, meet their mates and it is also building the leadership and personal skills of these people too. It is a good combination and is working well".
The New Zealand Young Farmers website and other social media platforms are a great medium for communication and exchange of ideas to help clubs and individuals connect with one another.
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.
National Lamb Day is set to return in 2026 with organisers saying the celebrations will be bigger than ever.
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

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