Tuesday, 17 September 2024 14:25

Clarity needed

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: This month, the government announced a pause to the rollout of the national farm plan system.

However, Environment Southland’s message to farmers is: start pulling together the information for farm plans now.

So, what should farmers do? Stop work on their respective farm plans or carry on as urged by ES?

This confusion isn’t helping the farming sector. The Government must move quickly with changes to the Resource Management Act that will put a stop to councils like ES working on freshwater farm plans, already a requirement in the Southland Water and Land Plan.

Everyone agrees that we need a farm plan system that is practical and cost-effective and based on specific farm conditions. So, why the confusion?

More like this

Simon Upton urges cross-party consensus on New Zealand environmental goals

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.

Government issues warning on RMA compliance

The Government has issued a stern warning to regional councils and unitary authorities to toe the line in respect upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Working with farmers to ensure best outcomes

OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.

Environment Southland rejects claims of $4000 farmer invoices for winter grazing checks

Claims that some Southland farmers were invoiced up to $4000 for winter grazing compliance checks despite not breaching rules are being rejected by Environment Southland.

Southland landowners offered catchment funding boost

Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.

Featured

Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm

Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.

Early drought conditions emerging in Hawke’s Bay as rainfall drops

As you approach Hastings from the south along SH2, the colour of the west-facing hills are a good indicator of a drought.

Global beef trade set for growth driven by Asia – Rabobank report

Global beef trade is expected to grow steadily over the next five years, driven by increasing demand from Asia and strategic export expansions by South American countries.

Bremworth reintroduces solution-dyed nylon while backing wool carpets

Carpet maker Bremworth is reinstating solution-dyed nylon (SDN) into its product mix but says wool carpets remain central to its brand.

New series draws rural inspiration

While New Zealand may be under siege from braindead, flesh-eating monstrosities, that doesn’t mean lambing can stop.

India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) dairy outcomes

OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.

National

Culverden dairy farmer counts cost of windstorm damage to irrigation

The effects of the big windstorm of late October will be felt in lost production in coming weeks as repair crews…

NZ dairy sector eyes inclusion in India free trade deal

The dairy sector is hopeful of being part of a free trade deal being hammered out between New Zealand and…

Dairy farmers urged to participate in 2026 Levy vote

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next…

Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of…

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight…

Machinery & Products

Samasz Z4-1550 Four-Rotor Rake & KDX Mowers Debut at Agritechnica

In an already crowded market, Polish machinery manufacturer Samasz is set to unveil a prototype of its Z4-1550 four-rotor rake at…

STIHL launches battery-only production site in Romania for power tools

STIHL outdoor products, especially petrol chainsaws and brush-cutters, have always been firm favourites with farmers and rural dwellers.

JCB 80th Anniversary: From farm trailers to global machinery leader

There can't be many people who on seeing the distinctive bright yellow and red colour scheme, don’t think ‘JCB’. Indeed,…

Grange Machinery upgrades 6m close coupled toolbar for maize & cereal efficiency

Following a disappointing UK harvest and severely constrained cereal pricing by grain buyers, many machinery manufacturers are still prepared to invest…

New pick-up for Reiter R10 merger

Building on experience gained during 10 years of making mergers/ windrowers, Austrian company Reiter has announced the secondgeneration pick-up on…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives

Clarity needed

More like this

Simon Upton urges cross-party consensus on New Zealand environmental goals

Government issues warning on RMA compliance

Working with farmers to ensure best outcomes

Environment Southland rejects claims of $4000 farmer invoices for winter grazing checks

Southland landowners offered catchment funding boost

Popular Reads

Bold taste wins gold medal

Dawn Meats confirms no Alliance plant closures

Hawke’s Bay farmers donate livestock to support rescue helicopter

Make the right decision, Peters urges Fonterra farmers

Farmers Lead Sustainability Push: Woodchip bioreactor cuts nitrate runoff in Manawatu

Featured

Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm

Early drought conditions emerging in Hawke’s Bay as rainfall drops

Global beef trade set for growth driven by Asia – Rabobank report

Bremworth reintroduces solution-dyed nylon while backing wool carpets

New series draws rural inspiration

India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) dairy outcomes

National

Culverden dairy farmer counts cost of windstorm damage to irrigation

NZ dairy sector eyes inclusion in India free trade deal

Dairy farmers urged to participate in 2026 Levy vote

Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

Machinery & Products

Samasz Z4-1550 Four-Rotor Rake & KDX Mowers Debut at Agritechnica

STIHL launches battery-only production site in Romania for power tools

JCB 80th Anniversary: From farm trailers to global machinery leader

Grange Machinery upgrades 6m close coupled toolbar for maize & cereal efficiency

New pick-up for Reiter R10 merger

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Remembering Bolger

Time for action

» eNewsletter

Clarity needed

More like this

» Latest Print Issues Online

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter