The good, the bad and the ugly – 2015 in review
Another year has almost passed us by – again – and it is time for the annual review of 2015's good, bad and ugly in regards to the primary sector as seen by the Rural News editorial team...
The fifth ANZ Young Farmer Contest Grand Finalist will be determined this weekend at the Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final held in Palmerston North.
"This contest season is shaping up to be very exciting, every year the calibre of contestants continues to improve and impress," says Terry Copeland, chief executive of New Zealand Young Farmers.
The eight finalists are contending for a spot at the Grand Final in Taupo July 2-4 and their share of an impressive prize pack worth over $271,000 in products, services, and scholarships.
"The support from sponsors and the community is invaluable, they are not only supporting the contest but the future of agriculture and together with Young Farmers we are driving the industry forward," says Copeland.
Visitors will see an outstanding group of eight contestants (under the age of 31) come together for a day of practical, physical, and theoretical challenges at Railway Land.
Entry to the practical day is free to the public. The event will be followed by a sold out ticketed evening quiz show and dinner held at the Palmerston North Convention Centre.
Also in the midst of the action are the future Young Farmers – the AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg competitions, which will run alongside the ANZ Young Farmer Contest.
The Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final will be held this Saturday, March 28.
For further details head to www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.