Election 2026: Rural Lobby Groups Challenge Parties on Agriculture Policy
Three farmer lobby groups are applying the blowtorch to political parties on key issues facing the primary sector ahead of the general elections.
OPINION: Your old mate understands that lobby group Groundswell's 'Mother of All Protests' is still going to be held on Sunday November 21.
This would be a bad move.
Sources tell this old mutt that much of the goodwill and support farmers garnered from many New Zealanders after the successful 'Howl of a Protest' back in June is in danger of evaporating.
Apparently, another big concern is that several fringe groups - such as anti-vaxxers, Brian Tamaki supporters and 'UN Agenda 21' conspiracy types - are hoping to hitch their wagons to the Groundswell protest, which would do untold damage to the group's hard-won respectable reputation.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.

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