Farmers Warned Over Track Dangers After Wairarapa Floods
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
OPINION: As your old mate - as well as many in the sector - expected, the Budget had nothing in it for the country's all-important primary sector.
As Federated Farmers curtly pointed out that it asked for "absolutely nothing in this year's Budget, and it's safe to say the Government have exceeded our expectations on that front with no new spending for farmers".
Feds' acting president Wayne Langford said farmers weren't looking for a handout and were happy to stand on their own two feet.
However, he pointed out that his organisation wanted the Government to stop weighing farmers down with impractical, unpragmatic, and unfair regulations.
"We're still waiting for them to deliver on that second request."
Langford added that farmers were having to tighten their belts, count every penny and live within their means, but - unfortunately - the Government wasn't doing the same.
OPINION: David Seymour and James Meager's plan to make it easier for farmers and orchardists to operate drones can best be described a 'courageous' move.
New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
Opuha Dam's ability to protect South Canterbury communities from major flooding has taken a significant step forward, with Opuha Water Limited (OWL) successfully commissioning a new outlet valve capable of releasing record volumes of water from the dam ahead of a weather event.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's announcement on changes to freshwater farm plans that come under the Natural Environment Bill, which is now set to replace the existing RMA.
A partnership between state-owned enterprise Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Limited) and charity Meet the Need is putting more than quality New Zealand beef into food bank parcels this year.
The Opportunity Party has faced criticism during the election campaign that its policies are too urban-focused and offer little for rural communities.

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OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…