Fruit fly discovery puts growers, exporters on edge
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Ian Greaves receives the HortNZ President's Trophy from Jullian Raine, chairman of HortNZ, last year.
Nominations are now open for the 2016 Horticulture Industry Awards.
There are four awards to be presented at the horticulture industry conference in August.
The awards are:
The Bledisloe Cup - awarded for an outstanding and meritorious contribution to the New Zealand horticulture industry.
The HortNZ President's Trophy - to celebrate inspiring leadership within the horticulture industry.
The HortNZ Industry Service Award - to recognise people with long and dedicated service in a supplier or service role (not a grower) that have worked beyond the call of duty for the betterment of the horticulture industry.
And the HortNZ Life Member - to recognise growers with long and dedicated service as office holders of HortNZ and/or an affiliated Product Group or affiliated Grower Association.
Nominations must be received by 5pm on Thursday 16 June 2016.
Any grower member of HortNZ, an affiliated Product Group or an affiliated Grower Association can make nominations.
Forms are on the website www.hortnz.co.nz
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.