Displaying items by tag: MPI

OPINION: As soon as the ‘pen hit the paper’ this column quickly morphed into a ‘Dear John letter’.

A Levin farmer found responsible for the deaths of 29 cattle has been fined $32,000.

The effects of Cyclone Gabrielle have left many in North Island wine communities at a loss, with the destruction and devastation of homes, vineyards and wineries.

MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund will invest over $35,000 in a project with Tokaora Diagnostics to develop a prototype facial eczema (FE) rapid antigen test (RAT) and undertake field testing.

Farmers needing stock feed or wanting to supply or donate feed are being urged to use the National Feed Co-ordination Service.

The Government is providing $25 million to kick-start recovery efforts for farmers, growers and rural communities significantly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Rural towns completely cut off with no or limited electricity, water, food and telecommunications, blocked roads, flooded and wrecked homes and buildings, paddocks and orchards turned into lakes.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Federated Farmers have restarted the national Feed Coordination Service to help farmers recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Plan for all eventualities. That’s the message from Auckland Council amid the release of a new emergency management handbook for urban dwellers moving to lifestyle blocks.

The complexity of farming and horticulture – and a desire to better connect generally with people on the land – has prompted MPI to put its own staff in gumboots and establish a strong presence in regions.