Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced a $6.9 million investment over three years in to 25 new projects through the Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF).
Some of the problems or opportunities being looked in to:
• Optimising pollination of Gold3 kiwifruit under hail netting;
• Resource development for new entrant deer farmers;
• Reducing use of antimicrobials when managing mastitis;
• Understanding and managing grain storage pests;
• Increasing the market share for New Zealand olive oil.
The SFF supports farmers and researchers involved at grass-roots level to tackle shared problems or to develop new opportunities says MPI Director General, Martyn Dunne.
"Every year we receive a very high calibre of project applications, and this year was no different. This year's projects cover nine primary sectors including horticulture, forestry, dairy and meat.
"Each project has a number of milestones to reach over the three years. As milestones are reached, information is shared among the community who benefits from the project. Through the fund, we are able to support industries and communities to help each other carry out applied research and field trials.
"Our investment programmes team supports each project through their milestones and each year we are pleased by the quality of projects, and the results they produce."
Open Country Dairy has finalised a deal to acquire 100% of Miraka.
Fonterra has unveiled the first refrigerated electric truck to deliver dairy products across Auckland.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
Virtual fencing and pasture management company Halter says its NZ operations has delivered a profit of $2.8 million after exclusion of notional items.
Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).