Rural Industry Leaders Event Raises $400,000
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Federated Farmers and the Rural Support Trust are extending the call for volunteers to assist Canterbury High Country farms with snow-raking.
Volunteers in Canterbury are being asked to contact the Rural Support Trust's Allan Baird direct on 03 308 7594 or 0274 350 141 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Volunteers from outside of Canterbury can also call the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254. Federated Farmers is further collating volunteers via our 0800 FARMING line (0800 327 646) and supplying these numbers to the Rural Support Trust.
Because the High Country can be treacherous volunteers will need to be experienced in working in alpine conditions and equipped accordingly. Conditions in winter are especially harsh so volunteers will need to carry a suitably stocked daypack.
The Feds say the call for volunteers in Otago has seen an excellent response and Otago now has a good number of volunteers.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.

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