Campaign Urges Growers to Plan Ahead on Resistance
Growers and farmers are being encouraged to have an important conversation before the coming season starts: how to prolong the effectiveness of the crop protection tools they rely on.
An initiative that supports networking and career progression of women in horticulture has received state funding.
The United Fresh Women in Horticulture (Women in Horticulture) initiative will use the funds to deliver workshops and professional development sessions enabling women to upskill and reach their full potential.
Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says the Government is happy to back the initiative with a $300,000 grant.
“Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20% of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this are so important,” says Grigg.
“It also provides the sector an opportunity to positively influence industry attitudes by looking for ways we can encourage women to remain in - and be recognised - within horticulture.
“Women are underrepresented at leadership level, meaning they are impacted by the gender pay gap and disproportionate retirement earnings compared to men.
“The Government has committed $300,000 over three years to the Women in Horticulture initiative to making New Zealand a world leader for gender equity in this space.
“Our Government’s focused on growing the economy and supporting our primary industries so that Kiwis can get ahead. As Minister for Women I want women to succeed, and this programme will support this objective.”
Women in Horticulture is an innovative and collaborative industry strategy that empowers all women.
Its goals are to provide a platform that aims to support women to be connected, valued, and have equitable access to opportunities and to achieve inclusivity and diversity within the industry.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any…
OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…