Rural advocacy crucial in current environment
By the time you read this Otago Fed’s annual meeting will be over and I will have stepped down as president.
Federated Farmers
Farmers are key to positive solutions
Farmers are key to positive solutions
The rain arrived in time to see a good flush of feed for ewe mating and to ensure covers were where they needed to be heading into winter.
Fed's view: Better communication needed over water
Fed's view: Better communication needed over water
Upcoming limits for fresh water quality and quantity are not news. Environment Southland has been beavering away for a long time to determine Southland’s water quality targets which will drive...
Environment Southland responds to Fed Farmers
Environment Southland responds to Fed Farmers
A statement sent by Federated Farmers’ Southland branch to its members criticising Environment Southland’s draft environmental limits and targets was "disappointing", regional council chairman...
Water tests could have cost
Water tests could have cost
Some farmers could pay up to $300 and $800 for water quality and dairy monitoring respectively, under proposed new targeted rates.
Gains for farmers in water plan mediation
Gains for farmers in water plan mediation
The Otago Regional Council deserves credit for its water plan, writes farmer Stephen Korteweg.
English to step down
English to step down
Federated Farmers chief executive Conor English will leave the rural lobby organisation in July.
Fed Farmers praises 'new attitude'
Fed Farmers praises 'new attitude'
Federated Farmers believes a ''new attitude'' shown by Environment Southland is starting to pay off and the regional council is now actively working alongside dairy farmers.
Getting red meat sector 'back on its feet'
Getting red meat sector 'back on its feet'
The red meat agricultural sector enters the new year at a crossroads. Agribusiness reporter Sally Rae looks back on 2013, a tumultuous year for the sector and hopes for tangible change this year to ensure a sustainable industry for all involved - but she wonders exactly how that change can be achieved.
Survey due back by Monday
Survey due back by Monday
Federated Farmers members have less than a week left to complete a survey regarding reform options for New Zealand's red meat industry.
Meat industry consultation to begin after 'revolutionary fortnight'
Meat industry consultation to begin after 'revolutionary fortnight'
Federated Farmers is due to start consulting its members on a series of meat industry reform options.
Farmers urged to vote for directors
Farmers urged to vote for directors
Federated Farmers is urging farmers to vote in the upcoming Silver Fern Farms and Alliance Group director elections, describing them as ''historic'', given the moves to restructure the red meat sector.
Synlait offer under close scrutiny
Synlait offer under close scrutiny
Federated Farmers says it will be watching developments ''very closely'' as a Shanghai Pengxin Group-backed company looks to take over Canterbury dairy farmer Synlait Farms Ltd.
New role fulfils rural passion
New role fulfils rural passion
Kim Reilly recalls how she was a ''ridiculous tomboy'', growing up in a farming family on the Taieri Plains, - so it was no surprise that she pursued a career in the rural sector.
Farmers want fair go from councils
Farmers want fair go from councils
Federated Farmers has made a plea for local authorities to focus on undertaking core activities efficiently and effectively and funding them in a fair way.
Synlait investor known to farmers
Synlait investor known to farmers
Federated Farmers is keeping a close watch on Synlait Milk Ltd.
Worrying manuka honey test brings call for action
Worrying manuka honey test brings call for action
Federated Farmers is recommending regulators update their sugar-testing regime for manuka honey to bring it in line with latest research.
Trinity of support for infrastructure
Trinity of support for infrastructure
Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills has called for an ''infrastructural trinity'' of transport, internet and water storage.
Rate remissions needed: farmers
Rate remissions needed: farmers
Federated Farmers say huge rate rises for rural properties in Waitaki this year could have been mitigated had concerns raised by farmers been heeded sooner.
'Blatant environmental tax'
'Blatant environmental tax'
Federated Farmers has labelled Environment Southland's dairy differential rate ''a blatant environmental tax'' which has nothing to do with recognising the costs the council incurs as a result of dairying.