Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut under the Government's plan to reduce the public service.
The Ministry for Primary Industries congratulates Marlborough dryland farmer Doug Avery, who has been named the 2013 Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year.
Doug's Grassmere property Bonaveree was the focus of a project co-funded by MPI's Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) from 2005 to 2008.
The project's aim was to develop land management practices for farming dryland in Southern Marlborough. It was run by the Starborough Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group.
"Since the success of the SFF project Doug has been a skilful, passionate and generous advocate for dryland farming techniques, which include a lucerne-based grazing system," says MPI's deputy director general Scott Gallacher.
The focus of the work was Marlborough, but Doug has taken the learning's well beyond that. "This kind of expertise is important for New Zealand farming to ensure it is resilient in the face of climatic extremes," Gallacher says.
What Gallacher has achieved helping other farmers across New Zealand and Australia become more resilient and productive, shows how the SFF can be a catalyst for improving sustainable practice within the primary industries.
Gallacher was presented with the trophy at an event in Hamilton on Thursday (June 12), organised by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.
The SFF project Gallacher was involved with was, "Changing attitudes and practice for farming dry land in Marlborough", 05/132, run by the Starborough and Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group from 2005 to 2008, with $197,000 of SFF funding for a project worth $401,500 in total.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.