Women: put on your overalls with pride
The role women play in the dairy industry is enormous and women are truly stepping up and demonstrating leadership.
A new campaign designed to tell good news farming stories has caught the imagination of kiwi farmers attracting over 1000 followers and reaching tens of thousands more in the first 24 hours since launch.
The Proud to be NZ Farmers campaign, announced by prominent beef and deer farmer, Shane McManaway, was kick-started with a Facebook page.
The page invited anyone associated with New Zealand agriculture to share their positive news stories and talk about the pride they feel for their profession.
Shane McManaway says the #ProudNZFarmers campaign is all about farmers coming out of their shells and showing the world the positive and passionate side of New Zealand farming.
"Agriculture is one of New Zealand's biggest businesses, it is the backbone of our economy and one of our main sectors of employment and yet we as farmers tend not to stand tall and shout about how proud we are to be playing our part.
"In fact, we often forget to broadcast any of the good news altogether – and no-one will know about the good stuff unless we tell them."
McManaway adds that reaction to the first phase of the campaign has been overwhelming, "It shows that New Zealand farmers are ready to unite and openly display their pride."
The campaign, an initiative by the Australasian agri-networking group, the Platinum Primary Producers (PPP), of which McManaway is the chairman, will be rolled out to YouTube and also print media advertising in New Zealand as well as overseas.
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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