McClay Nats' new ag spokesman
National Party trade spokesman Todd McClay will become the party’s agriculture spokesperson, National leader Christopher Luxon announced today.
Hamilton East MP David Bennett has been appointed National’s new agriculture spokesman.
Bennett replaces Todd Muller who is now the leader of the National Party.
Muller has appointed Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon as deputy agriculture spokesman.
IrrigationNZ congratulated Bennett.
“We have worked closely with Todd since he took over the agricultural portfolio, and we congratulate him on his new role as leader of the National Party, alongside his deputy Nikki Kaye,” says IrrigationNZ chief executive, Elizabeth Soal.
“We look forward to working with David - and all political parties - to ensure that water infrastructure, use, and good management gets the focus it urgently requires.
“It is critical to underpin a resilient and sustainable future for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, our communities, and the environment.”
Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.
DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.
New Zealand’s national lamb crop for the 2025–26 season is estimated at 19.66 million head, a lift of one percent (or 188,000 more lambs) on last season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest Lamb Crop report.
Farmers appear to be cautiously welcoming the Government’s plan to reform local government, according to Ag First chief executive, James Allen.
The Fonterra divestment capital return should provide “a tailwind to GDP growth” next year, according to a new ANZ NZ report, but it’s not “manna from heaven” for the economy.
Fonterra's Eltham site in Taranaki is stepping up its global impact with an upgrade to its processed cheese production lines, boosting capacity to meet growing international demand.

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