Green but not much grass!
Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre, who farms just north of the Horowhenua township of Levin.
Federated Farmers wants a plan to attract the world's top scientists to New Zealand to concentrate on those who will work on primary sector initiatives and the environment.
Federated Farmers President Dr William Rolleston says it makes sense for the government's $35 million 'Entrepreneurial Universities' programme to build knowledge in areas which are key to New Zealand's economic and environmental needs.
The four year programme, announced by Science Minister Steven Joyce on Wednesday, aims to encourage the world's leading researchers to bring their teams to work in New Zealand.
"This programme will help New Zealand keep up with the scientific developments already going on around the globe.
"Federated Farmers is keen to engage in the programme to help identify areas of opportunity for the primary industries and the environment," Rolleston says.
Agriculture is a high-tech industry that is intimately linked to the environment.
"The industry's scale brings great opportunities for entrepreneurs. It's critical our farmers have all the tools of modern biology available to them, plus capability in high-tech areas so that we can stay at the forefront as the digital and biology revolutions unfold."
Federated Farmers believes the programme should be about encouraging industry and universities to think about how New Zealand can develop entrepreneurial opportunities, especially in the areas where we already have strength, like biological technologies.
"Our best and biggest opportunities are where we already have strength and scale," Rolleston says.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.