Govt releases ag emissions proposal
The Government has released a proposal to reduce agriculture emissions for consultation which includes farmers paying a core levy from 2025.
Deer Industry NZ says it has beefed-up its farmer services by appointing Phil McKenzie as its new manager of farm performance.
McKenzie is now managing the on-farm components of the DINZ’s Primary Growth Partnership programme, Passion2Profit (P2P), as well as the development of the industry’s farm-facing services. In these roles, he works closely with DINZ producer manager Tony Pearse and environmental stewardship manager Lindsay Fung.
The position – a newly created one – was established following the appointment in late 2019 of Innes Moffat – the former P2P manager – as chief executive.
Overall, DINZ says its staff numbers remain unchanged.
“We are increasingly focusing the on-farm side of the P2P programme on helping our farmers improve water quality and biodiversity, and to meet climate change obligations. Meeting market and social expectations for animal and environmental management will enhance the value of the industry,” Moffat says.
“Deer farmers have long been leaders in good environmental practice. The challenge is to fit that good practice into a framework that complies with district plans and new and proposed legislation.”
Over the past 12 months, McKenzie has already been working part-time for DINZ as the P2P environment project manager.
“I have been helping groups of farmers complete their Farm Environment Plans. This work will continue. Our formula of bringing together groups of deer farmers, where they can learn from each other, with the support of skilled consultants, is working well,” he says.
Originally from a farm in Southland, McKenzie has worked in many regions throughout New Zealand and overseas. He has deep farm systems knowledge and extensive agribusiness experience, including experience with Pamu, where in his most senior role he was a general manager with responsibility for environment.
“I’ve been impressed by the spirit of innovation among deer farmers, their ambition to excel and their willingness to collaborate. There is of course much still to be done, which is what excites me about this new role – working with others to design practical on-farm solutions that work.”
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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