MPI launches industry-wide project to manage feral deer
An industry-wide project led by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is underway to deal with the rising number of feral pests, in particular, browsing pests such as deer and pigs.
OPINION: This old mutt understands that MPI and agri industr bodies had to do a fair bit of scrambling to shoot down rumours circulating about China shutting its borders to NZ and Australian products over concerns about foot-and-mouth disease.
The Australian Financial Review quoted a Chinese news report that Beijing had announced a temporary suspension of agricultural imports from both countries.
"We are aware of the rumour. There does not appear to be anything behind it," the Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) said in statement.
Meanwhile, a representative from the meat sector described the claims as a "false alarm".
MPI also closed ranks with the industry with a spokesperson saying: "New Zealand exports to China are continuing as normal."
It is good to see a quick, solid and strong response from these outfits.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.
Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.
DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.
New Zealand’s national lamb crop for the 2025–26 season is estimated at 19.66 million head, a lift of one percent (or 188,000 more lambs) on last season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest Lamb Crop report.
Farmers appear to be cautiously welcoming the Government’s plan to reform local government, according to Ag First chief executive, James Allen.
The Fonterra divestment capital return should provide “a tailwind to GDP growth” next year, according to a new ANZ NZ report, but it’s not “manna from heaven” for the economy.

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