Large and small companies are seeking strategies to reduce their water use and impact on the environment and to mitigate risk in drought years.

Federated Farmers says the government is finally acknowledging it has released freshwater regulations that will not work on farms.

Industry groups have been lobbying for independent greengrocers, butchers and bakers to be allowed to operate under COVID-19 Alert Level 3.

An estimated 28 million tonnes of crop worth $110 million will be at risk if overseas machinery operators are not allowed into the country, according to a new survey.

Farmers remain cautious and even wary – despite the sector having done reasonably well during the COVID-19 pandemic – according to the latest rural report from the BNZ.

Farming groups are greeting the Government’s newly imposed freshwater regulations with trepidation, but acceptance.

HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman says his organisation wrote to the Prime Minister when the lockdown was first announced asking for independent retailers to be allowed to open during Alert Level 3.

Farming leaders have hit out at the Ministry of Health’s handling of the Level 3 lockdown in the Auckland region and the chaos and frustration that it’s creating.

DairyNZ is cautioning farmers against boycotting some rules under the Government’s Essential Freshwater legislation.

Widespread use of genetics for low-N dairy cows could result in a 20% reduction in nitrogen leaching in 20 years, says CRV Ambreed.