PRIMARY SECTOR - MSC NewsWire

Shareholders' leader: Fonterra's future in farmer-owners' hands now

Apr 25 - The future of Fonterra as a farmer-owned heavyweight is at a critical point, says shareholders' leader Duncan Coull.

NZ farmers world leaders in water, soil management

Apr 24 - “Kiwi farmers are world leaders in the wise management of water, soil and nutrients,” says Cribb, who will speak at the DairyNZ Farmers' Forum on May 8-9 in Hamilton. “They are well-placed to lead new food production systems that use less water and soil than they do today – yet produce twice the food …

Conference looks at new technology and a future strategy for irrigation

Apr 24 - The final day of IrrigationNZ's 2018 Conference last week focused on the role of technology in helping farmer's make good decisions about water use and informing consumers about how their food is grown, as well as a future strategy for the irrigation sector. Keynote speaker Felicity Turner of innovative …

Students gain industry insight in Ara Introductory Food Processing Programme

Students in the first intake of the Introduction to Food Processing Industry programme have just finished their first term at Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Timaru campus.

Engineer excels at cheesemaking

Apr 11 - The Cheese Barn, Hauraki Plains, could easily be mistaken for just another countryside café but that’s where you go to find New Zealand’s best cheese.

International acclaim for Whitestone

Oamaru NZ – Whitestone Cheese Co. is riding a wave of international critical acclaim after recent achievements at the world’s biggest cheese competition in Wisconsin USA and a trophy from the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards.

Farmer relationship with processor costing NZ

New research from Lincoln University shows poor relationships between farmers and their meat processors could be costing New Zealand. Dr Nic Lees said improving those relationships was essential to New Zealand producing higher value products that meet consumer needs.

Robotics revolution will see old gear gone

Mar 22, 2018 - Seeing obsolete machinery on New Zealand farms and orchards and in factories is a “bugbear” for Professor Mike Duke, from Waikato University’s engineering and robotics department. Simple engineering automation and computer programs can solve many issues, he told the Agcarm summer conference writes Pam Tipa for RuralNews.

Erosion of NZ rural services must stop

RHAANZ chief executive Michelle Thompson

The endless gnawing away at services for rural communities has gone too far, a national rural leader says. Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ) chief executive Michelle Thompson today pleaded for equitable access to services for rural people.