Wind could help blow away food miles arguments
In the battle to fight the growing scourge of food miles campaigns, Kiwifruit exporter, Zespri International, may be pointing the way to the future …
Archive for June, 2009
Migrant workers need more support – Rural Women
Rural Women, says the economic downturn is starting to hurt overseas farm workers who were brought in to fill labour shortages on farms. Social …
Fonterra Consolidates Business In Shake-Up
Fonterra will return to where it started by consolidating its diverse core operations into a single business unit, having separated them out shortly after …
Queen of calves boost growth rates
Milk production from cows can be boosted by up to 18% by rearing them on the Queen of Calves programme. This is the finding …
Councils threatened with BIG STICK over RMA woes
Eight councils predominantly in rural areas including Environment Canterbury, have been warned an administrator could be sent in to run them if they do …
Measuring Ag Emissions Too Costly – study
Agriculture’s inclusion in an Emissions Trading Scheme from 2013 is in doubt following advice to the Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the scheme the …
Futures market casts more doubt on on-line auction
Fed Farmers is welcoming consultation by NZX to create a NZ futures market but says it cannot co-exist with the on line whole milk …
Higher input prices hammer sheep and beef sector
Sheep and beef on-farm inflation hit 7.6 % in the year to March 2009. Meat & Wool NZ’s Economic Service, Executive Director, Rob Davison …
Fresh water management looms over tradeable rights
The Govt aims to bring all interested parties inside the tent on water management this year. The Land and Water Forum, representing agriculture, industry, …
Near Normal Winter Weather Likely
With La Niña over, NIWA is predicting a near-normal winter through to the end of July, meaning there should be few surprises in store …
New Research Could Boost Dairy Cow Productivity
AgResearch scientists have uncovered some vital clues in their quest to improve production in NZ dairy cows. Dr Kuljeet Singh and her team have …
“Modest improvement” Tipped For Farm Profits
National Bank’s Rural Report predicts farm profitability for 2009-2010 will to show a modest improvement over last year’s results on the back of firmer …
Niwa picks cold dry spring
Farmers are being warned to expect a relatively cold spring, dry conditions in drought-prone regions and much wetter than average conditions in the far …
Heavier trucks could save farmers thousands
FedFarmers is predicting farmers could save thousands of dollars in transport costs annually if the Govt goes ahead with a permit scheme allowing trucks …
SFF bets more farmers will back restructuring
Silver Fern Farm’s supplier shareholders are in a more positive mood this year, bolstering the chances of success for the co-operative’s restructuring plans at …
FedFarmers launches new rural jobs website
Rural employers struggling to locate qualified workers may find their search easier thanks to a new job website being launched by FedFarmers. …
Fertiliser prices fall as commodity prices sink
Good news for farmers with Ravensdown announcing further fertiliser price reductions due to falling international commodity prices as the company moves to ensure farm …
New scheme takes over from Fast Forward
National has announced the replacement for Labour’s $700m Fast Forward Fund which was abolished last year. The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP), starts off without …
