Apple, pear sector stakeholders meet for annual conference
New Zealand apple and pear industry stakeholders are out in force for the annual conference in Queenstown.
OPINION: MPI employs more than 3,600 staff in 45 locations around the country and internationally.
It also has a total budget of $1.1 billion for the 2023/24 year.
So, it's comforting to know that this agricultural powerhouse really knows its stuff.
A mate of your truly was tickled pink to read the following information in its advice to an update in the food regulations.
In its discussion on proposed changes to The Animal Products Notice: Production and Supply Processing, MPI advised that: "Notice Reference Proposed amendment: Type of change: Reason for amendment 2 (3). Create a separate goat animal code: Update Goats are not sheep. They are different mammals."
Isn't it comforting to know that the more than $1 billion spent a year on funding MPI is not wasted and that it recognises that 'goats aren't sheep', but in fact are 'different mammals'?
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.

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