More rain needed in drought regions
Recent rains across much of the country have had little impact on some of the worst hit drought regions of the country - namely the top of the South Island.
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.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.