Rowarth appointed DairyNZ deputy chair
DairyNZ has appointed Jacqueline Rowarth as its first deputy board chair.
A fantastic dairy farmer turnout at a recent effluent management field day is a sign of the sector's commitment to doing the right thing by the environment, says organiser Jon Palmer.
"We had about a total of 100 farmers and industry professionals coming along to the field day at the Tumunui Dairy property to see how its great effluent system works," says Palmer, a sustainable agricultural advisor at Waikato Regional Council. The farmers were from the Reporoa and Waikite area.
"It's excellent to see such strong farmer interest in managing dairy effluent in a way that both protects the environment and enhances profits by using nutrients in effluent to boost farm production."
Besides staff from the regional council, farmers at last week's event south of Rotorua were able to consult experts from DairyNZ, AgFirst and OPUS. Dairy companies Fonterra and Miraka were also on hand to talk about their environmental initiatives.
The field day builds on work the council is doing to engage directly with farmers in the area one-to-one to help them ensure their effluent management systems are up to scratch, with a reasonable amount of time given to make improvements where required. It's part of a new region-wide approach the council has been implementing in recent years.
"Farmers have been responding positively to this approach," says Palmer.
The council's sustainable agriculture team is on 0800 800 401 and more effluent management advice is available at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/forfarmers
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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