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, MPI, FMG and DairyNZ are all busy this week trying to work out how best to manage Gypsy Day.
The day, on June 1, is when share milkers, contract milkers and staff traditionally move to new properties.
Chairman of Feds sharemilkers section, Richard McIntyre says Gypsy Day is a complicated enough day – without the added problem of COVID-19.
He’s been getting numerous phone calls from sharemilkers concerned about how the day will run.
McIntyre says part of the problem is that no one knows what Alert Level will be in place on that day.
The group working on the project are having to come up with a range of solutions to meet some unknown eventualities. McIntyre says it is not just the physical moving of people and animals to new farms, but also the associated paperwork and the checking that previous contractual arrangements have been met.
McIntyre says the aim is get an agreement that causes the least disruption but also meets the COVID-19 requirements.
Less Wellington bureucracy and more local, on-farm common sense was the focus of recent meetings held in South Canterbury as part of the Government's National Woolshed tour program.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023.