Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
Leaders from the global dairy community will gather in Israel later this year for the International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit.
Hosted by Israel for the first time, the week-long event will also be attended by agricultural ministers from Israel and around the world.
The Israel National Committee of IDF and the Israel Dairy Board (IDB) will organise the Summit with the technical collaboration of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The theme of this year's Summit is "The Future Begins Here," and will focus on the industry's readiness in coping with the challenges of feeding the world's growing population.
IDF president and Fonterra's chief scientist Jeremy Hill says the Israeli organising committee is building an attractive and innovative program.
"It promises to educate and challenge our thinking on the opportunities and issues faced by the dairy sector. It will be a fantastic opportunity to be exposed to both global and local perspectives, further your knowledge and expand your network," Hill says.
Workshops at the event will focus on different aspects of increasing the efficiency of dairy production and how they relate to the problems of food supply, including farm management, economics, animal health, genetics and environment.
The Summit will be held in Tel Aviv October 27-31. www.idfwds2014.com
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
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