Agriculture News & Articles
Prepare for Adverse Weather: Urgent Message from Agriculture Minister Todd McClay
1 week ago | 167 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay is urging farmers, foresters, and growers in the Top of the South, Bay of Plenty, and parts of Northland to prepare for adverse weather conditions, with orange rain warnings issued for these regions due to significant rainfall expected. MPI staff are on standby to assist, with additional support deployed in affected areas, such as the Top of the South and the Bay of Plenty. Farmers are advised to relocate stock to higher ground in preparation for the storm, and are encouraged to stay updated on weather warnings for further guidance.
Tags: Todd McClay Agriculture Minister farmers foresters growers adverse weather MPI staff rural communities weather warnings surface floodingNew Zealand Farmers' Confidence Soars: Leading the Charge to Double Export Value
1 week ago | 249 viewsFarmer confidence in New Zealand has reached an eight-year high, indicating the resilience of the sector and progress towards doubling export value. The shift in sentiment is evident from the latest Federated Farmers Confidence Survey, showing a significant increase in confidence levels. This positive trend is attributed to the hard work of rural New Zealanders and government support, with key improvements in profitability, productivity, and mental health reported.
Tags: Farmer confidence Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay New Zealand export value Federated Farmers Confidence Survey rural New Zealanders Labour government profitability mental healthGovernment Increases Financial Support for Nelson Tasman Region's Rural Communities
2 weeks ago | 206 viewsThe Government is increasing financial support for rural communities in the Nelson Tasman Region, with an additional $600,000 in funding announced by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay. This brings the total Government contribution to $500,000 to aid farmers, foresters, growers, and rural contractors in recovering from recent severe weather events. The support package includes contributions to the Mayoral Relief Fund, Farmers Adverse Events Trust, Horticulture sector, and coordination efforts to assist affected vineyards, with a focus on providing immediate and meaningful assistance to help rural businesses recover quickly.
Tags: Todd McClay Government rural communities Nelson Tasman Region farmers foresters growers Agriculture and Forestry Minister rural contractors severe weather eventsActing Prime Minister Congratulates Hugh Jackson, 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year
1 month ago | 261 viewsThe Acting Prime Minister has extended warm congratulations to Hugh Jackson on being crowned the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year. “Last night I was lucky enough to attend the Young Farmer of the Year grand final in Invercargill. It was a brilliant event, celebrating the future of farming and showcasing their expertise, leadership, and passion for agriculture,” says Mr Seymour.
Tags: Hugh Jackson Seymour Young Farmer of the Year Invercargill Waikato Bay of Plenty Epsom New Zealand agriculture farming export revenueInnovative Investment Boosts New Zealand's King Salmon Feed Development for Export Growth
1 month ago | 383 viewsThe Government is backing innovation to grow New Zealand’s high-value aquaculture exports, with a $455,000 investment from the new Primary Sector Growth Fund to support the development of specialised feed for King salmon, Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced today. The $1. 2 million project—led by global aquafeed company Skretting—will design feed tailored specifically for New Zealand’s King salmon, supporting the growth of open ocean farming and helping reduce costs for local producers.
Tags: Government innovation aquaculture exports investment Primary Sector Growth Fund Todd McClay agriculture trade King salmonGovernment Facilitates Support for Flood-Affected Farmers in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough Regions
1 month ago | 415 viewsThe Government today classified the flooding across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions as a medium-scale adverse event unlocking extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. “Last week’s deluge damaged infrastructure such as livestock fences, culverts, and tracks, and left pasture and orchards covered in silt and flood debris,” Mr McClay says. “The Government is making up to $100,000 available to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including up to $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust.
Tags: Farmers Mark patterson Marlborough Mayoral relief fund Metservice Ministry for primary industries On farm support Patterson Rural communities Rural support trust Taskforce green Todd mcclay Top of the south rural support trustNew Zealand Bee Health Trust Takes Over National AFB Pest Management Plan
1 month ago | 405 viewsBiosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has appointed a new management agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan (AFB NPMP). The New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity Trust (NZBB) will take over management of the NPMP from 1 July 2025. “The NZBB will bring a lot of experience.
Tags: Afb management Afb management agency Afb npmp American Andrew hoggard Apiculture nz Biosecurity act Charitable trust Hoggard National american fbrood pest management New zealand New zealand bee health and biosecurity trustGovernment Takes Stand to Safeguard Farmland for Food Production with Climate Change Bill
1 month ago | 351 viewsThe Government has taken a major step towards protecting food production by ending the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill receiving unanimous support in Parliament last night. “This Bill is about protecting our most valuable land that grows food for export and sustains rural communities,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “For too long, ETS incentives have driven the wrong outcomes for our rural sector.
Tags: Climate change response Conversion New zealand Todd mcclay Trading schemeNew Zealand's Horticulture Sector Set for Record-Breaking $8.5 Billion in Exports by 2025
1 month ago | 413 viewsNew Zealand’s horticulturalists are breaking new ground with exports tipped to surpass $8 billion for the first time, Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg says. “New Zealand’s horticulture sector is poised for impressive growth, with export revenue forecast to hit a record $8. 5 billion by 30 June 2025,” Ms Grigg says.
Tags: New zealand Nicola grig Resource management actNew halal agreement unlocks opportunity in Indonesia
1 month ago | 302 viewsThe Government has signed a new halal cooperation arrangement in Jakarta over the weekend to strengthen trade access to Indonesia and create new opportunities for New Zealand’s red meat and dairy exporters, Agriculture and Trade Minister, Todd McClay announced today. “Indonesia is an important growth market for dairy and meat products – worth over $1. 1 billion in exports last year.
Tags: And trade Halal cooperation arrangement Indonesia Jakarta New zealand Todd mcclay