latest new zealand news

NZ kiwifruit sector facing a major dilemma

NZ Kiwifruit Growers (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond says the kiwifruit industry is facing a shortage of 6,500 workers this season.

Who'll replace the backpackers? That's the dilemma facing the kiwifruit industry this season, which is looking at a shortage of 6,500 workers.

Published in General News

An eye on costs is key

ANZ’s Susan Kilsby says financial management skills and the ability to manage cash flow will be pivotal to farmers retaining profitability this year.

While the outlook for global food prices is positive for New Zealand primary producers, some challenges lurk in the year ahead.

Published in General News

Record number of elite bulls join AB team

LIC Livestock Selection Manager Simon Worth says the major benefit in these early-mid mating season additions is ensuring farmers have access to the latest and greatest young genetics.

LIC says farmers around New Zealand are set to reap the rewards from a record number of genetically superior young bulls joining the ranks of its artificial breeding bull teams.

Published in Farm Health

High jump for Hi-Cane?

NZKGI believes that banning Hi-Cane would be disastrous for the NZ kiwifruit industry.

A Northland grower wants the horticulture sector to show stronger leadership in opposing a proposal to ban the chemical Hi-Cane.

Published in General News

An answer looking for a problem

Lincoln University professor of Agricultural Science Jon Hickford warns against diverting an already limited public purse away from traditional research.

NZ's latest farming fad - regenerative agriculture (RA) - is getting a boost with more taxpayer funded backing.

Published in General News

Countries race to join CPTPP

Stephen Jacobi says the motivation of the three countries to join the CPTPP is a mixture of geopolitical and economic issues.

Chinese Taipei is the latest of three countries seeking to join the CPTPP – the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership.

Published in General News

Fonterra pulls out all the stops to woo farmers

Fonterra chair Peter McBride says he's confident farmers will back the latest proposal.

Fonterra's board is pulling out all stops to get farmer shareholder approval for its proposed capital structure.

Published in General News

New catchment award a 'natural fit' for BFEA

New Zealand Farm Environment Trust general manager James Ryan.

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards has launched a new Catchment Group Award as part of its 2021 awards programme.

Published in General News

Genomic sheep selection tool gets an upgrade

Tom Berkovitz claims the Infinium technology is the most widely adopted genome-wide genotyping technology globally.

A genomic selection tool that is helping New Zealand sheep farmers lift animal performance is getting a revamp.

Published in Farm Health

A case for changes to methane approach

OPINION: In his recent open letter, David Lloyd asked for our help in clarifying the impact of methane in global warming (Will you help, Andrew?, Rural News, 24th August 2021).

Published in Opinion