Agriculture

Farmers and growers are getting a helping hand to prepare for Omicron, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. 

The Government is investing in the development of a new forecasting tool that makes full use of innovative climate modelling to help farmers and growers prepare for dry conditions.

Food and fibre export revenue is projected to surge to a record $50.8 billion in the year to 30 June 2022 – an increase of 6 percent over the previous year.

The Government has approved border class exceptions for key agricultural jobs including 200 mobile plant machinery operators, 40 shearers and 50 wool handlers.

The Government is investing in a seven-year programme led by Bragato Research Institute to help future-proof the sustainability of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc grapevines.

The Government continues to invest in farm sustainability, this time backing two new research projects to investigate the impacts of regenerative farming practices.

Thirty-four graduate vets are being placed in rural areas, from Kaitaia in the far North to Gore in Southland, through the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS).

The Government is boosting its support of 20 community-led catchment groups in Otago to help their on-the-ground work to improve land management practices.

Biosecurity and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has welcomed an independent review into the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme, which has found it is on track to achieve eradication and made recommendations to boost biosecurity work.

The ‘humble’ onion is about to undergo an extreme makeover, with the Government investing $2.83 million in a programme to enhance the competitive advantage of New Zealand’s onion industry.

The Government is backing an innovative research and development programme to help accelerate the establishment of New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis industry and boost export potential.

Farmers’ hard work in leading New Zealand’s export-led recovery from COVID-19 is being rewarded with high prices forecast for milk and very strong returns for meat, says Trade and Export Growth

Agriculture plays an important role in the economic, social, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of Ireland and New Zealand.

An estimated 9,000 migrants working in New Zealand’s primary industries and their families could benefit from the Government’s announced one-off, simplified pathway to residence, Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor said.

As part of a programme of work to reopen our borders and reconnect with the world, the Government has announced quarantine free commencement dates for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.

Secondary school students in Canterbury will have the breadth of food and fibre careers showcased to them thanks to a new initiative launched today, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.

Government investment in on-the-ground efforts by farmers to improve land management practices has passed a milestone, with more than 170 catchment groups nationwide now receiving support, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says.

The first stage of one-way quarantine-free travel with Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu will commence in October, initially for RSE workers from those countries, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.

The Government is backing a $5 million project to develop a commercial-scale autonomous robotic asparagus harvester, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.

The Government is backing a genetics programme to lower the beef sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by delivering cows with a smaller environmental hoof-print, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.

The Government has put the greyhound racing industry on notice following a review of animal welfare and safety in the industry.

Proposed changes to intensive winter grazing regulations are being consulted on that will make them practical for farmers to comply with while ensuring improved environmental outcomes, Environment Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.

Agriculture and food ministers from APEC economies have committed to delivering a new roadmap to guide efforts to boost food security over the next ten years, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.

The Government will help develop improved tools to manage and estimate total on-farm nutrient loss, Environment Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.