A rollercoaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) says it won’t allow the DL Marigold, which was ordered out of New Zealand by the Ministry of Primary Industries after divers found its hull invested with barnacles and tube worms.
BAF chief executive officer Xavier Khan said BAF operations team has informed the ship’s agent, Campbell Shipping of its decision.
The BAF media release says D L Marigold, containing load of palm kernel for feeding dairy cows, visited NZ on 4 March, 2017.
“However, the ship was ordered to leave the Port of Tauranga following the discovery by MPI of the carrier’s hull and underwater surfaces being infested with dense fouling of barnacles and with tube worms.
“DL Marigold then intended to come to Fiji on March 10, 2017 just to clean the hull and return to NZ to offload the consignment. “
Rural News understands the PKE shipment belongs to ADM.
Khan says the DL Marigold could cause biofouling resulting in the introduction of invasive aquatic species in Fiji waters.
“This will never be allowed as it would be very devastating for the Fijian marine and aquatic species.”
Steve Gilbert, MPI’s border clearance director says the vessel won’t be allowed back into New Zealand until it can provide proof it has been thoroughly cleaned.
He says it is the first time MPI has ordered an international vessel to leave a New Zealand port for biofouling reasons.
“We were dealing with severe contamination in this case.”
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.