Gong for Waikato farming leader
Waikato farming leader Sam Lewis says he’s surprised and delighted at being made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the community in the latest King’s Birthday Honours list.
Federated Farmers welcomes the settlement, subject to worker ratification, that will see AFFCO back in full production.
Early on Tuesday morning a joint statement was released saying a draft collective agreement had been brokered between the NZ Meat Workers Union, Affco and the Talley family, effectively ending the 12-week deadlock.
"Some of our members were getting anxious but with a settlement now on the table, AFFCO suppliers will be relieved," says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre spokesperson.
"Farmers often supply a number works and AFFCO is an important part of our processing mix.
"With large numbers of former dairy cattle soon to come through for processing as beef, Federated Farmers is pleased all of our processors will now be on line," says Maxwell.
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
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.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.