Displaying items by tag: DAVID BIRKETT

Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests delayed and some crops destroyed by violent hailstorms.

Federated Farmers says the farming sector has been unable to effectively address quad bike safety.

Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.

The country may have to import maize grain next season unless the issue of having enough gas to dry the local product is resolved.

If there is a maize grain shortage next season, farmers will have to look for an alternative and that may not be easy.

North Island maize grain growers are facing an uncertain future in 2025 as the country's energy crisis hits the rural sector.

Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett said he was hugely impressed by the calibre and commitment of this year's winners of the Arable Awards in seven categories.

Farmers are hoping for a respite from complex national health and safety laws, under review by the Coalition Government.

Farmers are looking forward to less red tape and delay around approval processes for new agricultural and horticultural products.

As rain pours down on David Birkett's Leeston arable farm, he takes a sigh of relief ahead of the predicted dry summer.