Santa's present for the primary sector - an FTA with India
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
Students considering a future in the red meat sector have until 26 November, 2025 to submit applications for the scholarships which are valued at $5,000 for undergraduates and $10,000 for post graduate students.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the scholarship programme covers a wide range of topics.
“Scholars selected for the 2025 scholarships are pursuing subjects including commerce, nutrition and food science, environmental science, law, agribusiness, food marketing and mechanical engineering, with a post graduate scholar undertaking research into foodborne pathogens," Karapeeva says.
She says the red meat sector has a wide range of career pathways, meaning many subjects fit the criteria.
Karapeeva says the MIA is looking for highly motivated people focused on subjects that will support future careers in the industry.
“To grow the sector, which is so important to the New Zealand economy, we need to be recruiting a pipeline of highly-skilled people and future leaders and the scholarship programme provides an important pathway for talented young people into the industry.”
Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident studying at a tertiary institution in a discipline relevant to the meat processing industry and planning a career in the red meat sector, beyond the farm gate.
To complete the application form, visit www.mia.co.nz/mia-scholarships-current/
New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
New figures show dairy farmers are not only holding on to their international workforce, but are also supporting those staff to step into higher-skilled roles on farm.
New tractor deliveries for 2025 jumped 10% compared to the previous year, a reflection of the positive primary sector outlook, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.
Federated Farmers has confirmed interim chief executive Mike Siermans to the role.
Registrations are now open for the 2026 Ruralco Golf Classic, with all proceeds from the event set to support the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust.