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

AIMER, Bovonic and Herd-i join forces to advance NZ dairy tech

Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.

Farmers urged to ‘take a moment’ as peak injury season approaches

As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".

Feds campaign on 'broken resource consent system' gaining traction

Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.

Zespri SunGold and Green Kiwifruit volumes rise in Northern Hemisphere programme

Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.

NZVA urges animal owners to help fight antibiotic resistance through preventative care

Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

US, EU and UK drive NZ red meat export boom to $827m

According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.

National

Fonterra directors set for pay rise pending AGM approval

Fonterra directors and councillors are in for a pay rise next month.

Rabobank 2026 Outlook: Geopolitics shapes global agriculture

The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate…

McDonald’s NZ spends $235m on local farmers in 2024

Feeding more than 1.5 million people a week takes more than quick service, it takes the ongoing work of New Zealand…

Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price

Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward…

BNZ: $10 milk price now unlikely for 2025/26 season

The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

Machinery & Products

Claas Jaguar 1000 Series sets new forage harvesting world record

The recently released Claas Jaguar 1000 Series has seen its flagship 1200 set a new official Guiness World Record in…

CB Norwood appoints John Skurr as new general manager

CB Norwood Distributors Limited has announced the appointment of John Skurr to the position of general manager.

Polaris unveils mid-size utility side-by-side

Polaris Off Road has unveiled the 2026 Ranger 500, an all-new mid-size utility side-by-side aimed at bringing the quality and…

Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition

Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to…

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…

» 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

Hawke’s Bay farmers donate livestock to support rescue helicopter

Dawn Meats confirms no Alliance plant closures

Waituna Lagoon consent puts farms at risk, Federated Farmers Say

Carrfields invests in new Ashburton R&D hub

Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'

Featured

AIMER, Bovonic and Herd-i join forces to advance NZ dairy tech

Farmers urged to ‘take a moment’ as peak injury season approaches

Feds campaign on 'broken resource consent system' gaining traction

Zespri SunGold and Green Kiwifruit volumes rise in Northern Hemisphere programme

NZVA urges animal owners to help fight antibiotic resistance through preventative care

US, EU and UK drive NZ red meat export boom to $827m

National

Fonterra directors set for pay rise pending AGM approval

Rabobank 2026 Outlook: Geopolitics shapes global agriculture

McDonald’s NZ spends $235m on local farmers in 2024

Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price

BNZ: $10 milk price now unlikely for 2025/26 season

Machinery & Products

Claas Jaguar 1000 Series sets new forage harvesting world record

CB Norwood appoints John Skurr as new general manager

Polaris unveils mid-size utility side-by-side

Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition

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

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Price cut coming?

Butter price melt

» eNewsletter

Clarity needed

More like this

» Latest Print Issues Online

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter