Court decision a win for Southland farmers
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
Wilma Falconer has been announced as Environment Southland’s (ES) new chief executive.
The announcement was made yesterday in a statement by ES chair Nicol Horrell.
Falconer has been a member of the ES’s executive team as it’s general manager of strategy, planning and engagement for two and-a-half years and took on the acting chief executive role after Rob Phillips retired last month.
She has also held roles at Environment Canterbury and Ngāi Tahu as well as running her own consultancy firm in Wellington.
“She has strong strategic leadership skills and a thorough grasp of the environmental issues facing the region, and our work programme to address them,” says Horrell.
He says Falconer’s appointment to the role brings continuity to the Council, something he says is highly beneficial given the increasingly complex nature of the challenges it faces.
“Wilma’s significant management experience will be crucial in leading our staff in the delivery of the broad range of services we provide for the community and the increasing workloads required for us.”
“Wilma’s expertise, energy and drive will be a real asset to the Council and I and my fellow councillors are thrilled that Wilma has accepted the position,” says Horrell.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.