New Zealand and Ireland Extend $34.5m Climate Research Partnership for Agriculture
Ireland and NZ have concluded a deal to extend a joint research programme on climate change.
A mate of the Hound who recently travelled to Ireland found that country’s airport biosecurity rather lax.
On the flight’s approach to Dublin came a request that passengers involved in agriculture should make themselves known to the Department of Agriculture. This old mutt’s honest mate, after passing the immigration check and collecting his bags, asked an Irish customs official who he should speak to about biosecurity. “What’s biosecurity? I’m looking after border security,” was the reply. Our Kiwi traveller said he was off a farm in NZ, with the potential for disease, etc. “Aw, that’ll be the Department of Agriculture you’ll be wantin’… over there to the right. But I don’t fancy your chances, there’s never anyone there.” Sure enough, no one there; he waited a few minutes but still no one appeared, so our traveller just wandered off.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.
Westgold butter has been named New Zealand's tastiest in a blind tasting conducted by Consumer New Zealand.