Young water science talent recognised
Third-year student Cady Burns has won the Waikato Regional Council Prize in Water Science for 2024.
Environment will be the focus of Waikato Regional Council at Fieldays.
Council staff in the main pavilion will answer queries about, for example, managing riparian areas, soil erosion, plant and animal pests, shallow lake, wetland and bush restoration projects and water use.
“The stand will show how farmers can get on the front foot with environment-related changes, to enable them to operate under new targets and limits designed to protect water quality,” said council chairperson Paula Southgate.
Southgate, and staff from AgResearch, Federated Farmers and University of Waikato will also be on the stand at times, as will other councillors.
Says Southgate, “We’re a big supporter of economically successful and environmentally sustainable farming. Dairying has been facing tough times of late and it’s important we help the sector.”
She stresses that farmers need to be up to speed on such issues given that farming in the Waikato and Waipa rivers catchments are due to face new targets and limits to protect water quality. A proposed plan change is due to be announced early next year.
“Farmers must… prepare for whatever is introduced,” she says.
www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/frontfoot
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.