National

COVID-19: Virus hits rural medical practices

Questions are being raised about the level of medical care rural New Zealanders can access under COVID-19 alert level 4 restrictions.

Rural midwives call for more PPE

The NZ College of Midwives is looking at how to get protective gear – such as masks and gloves out to rural midwives.

Red meat exports top $921 million in February

COVID-19 had little impact on NZ sheepmeat and beef exports in February, says the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

Primary sector responds to COVID-19 challenge

MPI director general Ray Smith has praised the country’s farming leaders for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: Farming keeps the economy ticking

An analysis by two Christchurch economists has underlined the value of the farming sector to the country during the Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown.

Pork farmers want butchers to start trading

Pig farmers want the Government to allow independent butchers to resume trading immediately and help avoid an animal welfare crisis on farms.

COVID-19: Meat processing protocol and advice for farmers

Farmers are being urged to act now in response to new COVID-19 protocols for processing companies that will impact processing capacity.

COVID-19: Financial hit for Rural GPs

Many doctors in rural parts of the country are facing a cash-flow crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Rabobank chair

Andy Borland is the new chair of Rabobank New Zealand Limited.

Hopes for limited re-opening of saleyards

Stock and Station agents have put together a set of protocols they hope will allow the country’s saleyards to reopen as soon as possible as the COVID-19 lockdown progresses.

Welcome interim trade move

New Zealand joining 15 other World Trade Organisation members to set up interim arrangements to solve trade disputes is a welcome step, says the NZ International Business Forum.

Meat plants open – but processing will take longer

Meat companies have now put in place a set of protocols that will allow stock to be killed and processed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Rain gives farmers hope

Heavy weekend rain, in the lower eastern half of the North Island, will start to turn things around for farmers who have been facing a desperate situation with drought.

Ag’s biggest threat during COVID-19 pandemic

The biggest threat to the primary sector – right now – is if COVID-19 gets into a processing plant, says Mike Petersen, former special trade envoy and Beef + Lamb chair.

New director at Our Land and Water

Dr Jenny Webster-Brown will be the new director of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge.

COVID-19: Meat plants’ capacity down, prices under threat

Meat processor Alliance is warning farmers to brace for a drop in prices for their lamb and cattle.

Couple named Share Farmer of the Year

Sharemilkers and equity partners Ralph and Fleur Tompsett are Canterbury/North Otago’s Share Farmer of the Year.

COVID-19: Farmer lobby’s strength on display

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says COVID-19 has highlighted the strength of the farmer lobby.

Rain bringing some drought relief — Penny

While the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 continues, ran has brought some drought relief over the past week, says ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny.

New associate director for Beef + Lamb board

Wairarapa farmer Kate Wyeth has been appointed this year’s associate director on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand board.

COVID-19: Advice for the meat industry

Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) has released a series of documents to assist farmers in operating under Alert 4.

Review begins, but many questions remain

Federated Farmers remains sceptical that Overseer can become a valid regulatory tool.

COVID-19: Call for rural testing stations

The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network is calling for the urgent establishment of rural testing stations in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.