Planting to feed the bees
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have released a handbook offering guidance on how to plant strategically to feed bees.
New Zealand’s bee industry has appointed a consulting firm to advise the industry on how best to unify under one representative body.
Currently several bodies and membership organisations represent the industry. A situation, which is inefficient and stifles industry development, says Kim Singleton, Chair of the Interim Industry Working Group established to manage this project.
“This process is about exploring options that provide a more effective and better resourced industry organisation and to do that we need an outside look in. That’s why we’ve brought in a consultancy firm.”
Singleton says Catalyst Limited will lead the project and work with a range of industry stakeholders over the coming months. They will consult and research a number of viable options with the most appropriate organisational structures and funding mechanisms.
“It’s about both leading and supporting the bee industry more proactively.
“The bee industry is worth over $5 billion a year to the New Zealand economy and there is plenty of scope to expand that level of return. However, we need to have the right infrastructure and resources in place to facilitate the industry’s continued development.” Singleton concludes.
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.
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has revised its operating earnings guidance, saying trading conditions have deteriorated since the last market update in February.
It's been a bumper season for maize and other supplements in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Leading farmers from around New Zealand connected to share environmental stories and inspiration and build relationships at the Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) national forum in Wellington last month.