US Launches Lamb Safeguard Probe, NZ Exports at Risk
As expected, the US has launched a safeguard investigation into lamb imports, a move that could impact New Zealand sheepmeat returns.
The Minister for Primary Industries and a team of his officials from MPI are now visiting some of the farms in the lower North Island that were affected by the heavy weekend rain.
Nathan Guy is visiting a farm in the badly hit area of Whangaehu area north of Whanganui where he’s expected to make an announcement on what assistance the government will be making available to farmers. He will then head north to Hunterville where there are reports of a large number of slips on hill country farms, which have wiped out farm tracks.
Horizons Regional Council are reporting that there are more than 2000 slips, 25 road closures and 12 farms under water in the region.
Earlier this morning Guy inspected his own dairy farm north of Levin. The farm lies close to an organic dairy farm which was inundated with flood waters yesterday, when a stop bank on the Koputaroa Stream burst.
Many farmers have told Rural News these latest floods have been more devastating than those of 2004.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.
It was billed as a chance for all the political parties to woo the rural vote, but question marks hang over just how effective this was.