Sticky situation
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.
Another nationwide protest by farmers will be held on August 16 unless the Government listens to their concerns.
This was announced at the Groundswell protest in Morrinsville where over 2500 people backed by 250 tractors and 100 utes took part in a rally.
There were calls for the Government to review its policies around farming, especially those related to sustainability and water. Tradies are also unhappy with getting hammered with a clean car tax on utes, vehicles considered an integral part of their job.
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A sign from the protest in Timaru. |
Waikato farmer Andrew McGiven was one of the speakers at the Morrinsville rally.
He says the country and farming folks are fed up with Wellington imposing badly thought out policies on them.
The nationwide protest saw thousands of tractors, utes and other farm vehicles driven through main towns.
In Levin, about 50 tractors and over 200 vehicles took part.
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Henry Bennick from Taihape with his dogs at the Levin Protest. |
Taupo also reported a huge procession of tractors, utes and cars.
In Auckland about 200 tractors drove up the Southern Motorway to the city centre. Some tractors were not allowed into the city centre and ended up at the Ellerslie Events Centre.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.