Cut with care
OPINION: NZ farming is built on hard work, but also on innovation, a lot of which came about thanks to a focused scientific effort over many decades.
OPINION: It divides opinion, but the House has passed the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill.
No working groups, just getting on with it, finally.
Judith Collins says our current regulations for genetically modified organisms are some of the "most backward looking in the world".
Countries, such as Australia, Canada, and England have safely used thses technologies for the benefit of their economies.
Gene technologies having been in use in New Zealand since the 1970s, the restrictive rules and time-consuming processes we have imposed on researchers have made testing and innovating outside the lab all but impossible.
Collins says she's listened to our research, primary industry, and medical communities and the frustrations they have felt over many years.
GE critics remain, but supporters will see this as a win for science over hysteria.
A survey of contract milkers in the dairy sector has revealed some shocking statistics - 43% of respondents reported abusive behaviour from a farm owner and a whopping 72% suffered a mental and/or financial setback in the role.
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.