Misguided campaign
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is polluting the environment.
OPINION: Milking It understands a major announcement on livestock exports will be made at the National Fieldays next month.
The coalition Government has made no secret of its desire to resume the $300m livestock trade but with stringent animal welfare regulations in place.
Assistant Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard is expected to signal a green light from the Government.
Livestock Export NZ believes that livestock exports can be reinstated while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare. Research shows that this commitment to animal welfare aligns with the view of many New Zealanders. According to independent research conducted by VolconIQ, 59% of those surveyed believed that rather than banning live exports, New Zealand should raise the standards required of the industry.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).