Wednesday, 20 November 2013 09:47

Guy talks up farmer progress

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Minister Nathan Guy, launching the proposals, says the recent drought focused attention on the importance of water to the national economy.

Economic and environmental issues are interlinked, he says. “We can’t lose sight of one without the other. Most farmers are environmentalists and understand the need to improve our water quality. They want to leave the environment in a better state than they found it. Farmers recognise the importance of fresh water resources, they understand there will be costs and they have shown that and proven they want to work constructively.”

Guy says farmers have fenced waterways and voluntarily signed the sustainable dairy accord.

The task of improving water quality rests with everyone, he says. “What the primary sector needs is reasonable time-frames to adjust, good science and guidance on how to manage the limits, and new technologies to help make these water quality improvements.”

More like this

Tasman champ first grand finalist

DEFENDING TASMAN champion, Reuben Carter, is the first Grand Finalist to be named for the 2014 ANZ Young Farmer Contest.

Young Farmer contest launched

THE 46th SEASON of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest officially got underway last Friday, October 4 at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch.

Big lift in farmer confidence

New Zealand farmers are reporting a significantly improved outlook for the year ahead, with a big rally recorded in the latest quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey.

Waikato/BOP contestant wins Young Farmer

After two gruelling days of competition Tim Van de Molen of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Region is the 2013 ANZ Young Farmer Contest Champion.

Not just luck

Cam Brown is the fourth Grand Finalist to be named for the 2013 ANZ Young Farmer Contest. He earned his win over the weekend, Friday, March 1, at the Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final in Palmerston North held at the Railway Land and Awapuni Racecourse.

Featured

Ballance Kapuni plant hit by gas supply issues

Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.

Horticulture roadmap aims to double farmgate returns by 2035

The Government and horticulture sector have unveiled a new roadmap with an aim to double horticulture farmgate returns by 2035.

Canterbury farmers and Police Association slam proposed rural policing cuts

Canterbury farmers and the Police Association say they are frustrated by proposed cuts to rural policing in the region.

Tasman farmers and orchardists struggling with flood recovery and mental health pressures

The strain and pressure of weeks of repairing their flood-damaged properties is starting to tell on farmers and orchardists in the Tasman district.

Fonterra consumer business sale price jumps to $4.22b

The sale price of Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses to the world’s largest dairy company Lactalis has risen to $4.22 billion.

Dawn Meats deal 'won't solve industry's structural problems'

Alliance Group's proposal to sell a 65% shareholding to Ireland's Dawn Meats won't solve the red meat industry's structural problems, says former Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams.