Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Feds news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.
A young shearer on the rise
Jodiesha Kirkpatrick reached her impressive 200-lamb tally in November while shearing on Pihitia Station just north of Gisborne.
Feds call for better response to semen failure
While LIC spotted the problem and informed farmers, Feds says a refund is not good enough.
Gore Council must listen to farmers: Feds
The proposed plan approach to require assessment against cultural values for consents for normal farming operations could drive conflict, Feds says.
Parker’s unworkable rules must go
Federated Farmers calls on the government to address the 'broken promises' and 'unworkable' freshwater rules with urgency.
Re-fencing a godsend for cyclone-hit farmers
Commence the Re-Fence was launched at the Fieldays in June, with Federated Farmers and the Farmy Army involved as partners.
A tale of two school farms: ‘one woke, the other broke’
Federated Farmers weighs in on the future of two of the country’s long-standing high school farms facing tough decisions.
‘Cautiously optimistic’ on Fonterra targets
Although a 30% reduction in the next seven years will undoubtedly be challenging, Federated Farmers says it’s really important to look at how that target is broken down and how Fonterra plan to work with farmers to achieve it.
Work visa wage requirements ‘untenable’
A Federated Farmers survey in March this year found just under one-third of farmers employed migrant staff.
Time to cut red tape hindering water storage: Feds
El Niño’s early arrival has farmers in many districts, but especially on the east coasts of both islands, checking feed and livestock levels.
NZ’s regulation-heavy approach to emissions out of step
Federated Farmers says gathering with other dairy sector leaders helped seeing the big picture – and how New Zealand compares.
From the back paddock to the Beehive
How has the newly elected List MPs' time in Federated Farmers set them up for the job in politics?
KiwiSaver rule change: ‘Make it happen’
Federated Farmers’ sharemilker vice chair for the Waikato says it’s high time young farmers had the same opportunity as their urban counterparts.
New forestry rules good news for rural communities
Environmental damage from poor harvesting practices had to be addressed, Feds says.
Govt must hit the ground running: Feds
Feds say this election was all about restoring that confidence, putting the fun back into farming, and getting our communities humming again.
Rule review is farmers’ priority for new govt
Rural New Zealand is looking to the incoming administration to deliver on its promises.
Proposed restructure on the cards at Feds HQ
For some time now Federated Farmers has been facing the same inflationary pressures as the rest of New Zealand.
Don’t risk it with ‘handshake’ agreements
A new and improved iteration of that Forage Trading Agreement is now available for farmers – just in time for the upcoming maize growing season.
Time for a national conversation about GE?
The world has really changed since NZ last had this discussion in the late 1990s and early 2000s, writes Wayne Langford.
Wild animal numbers are totally out of control
We just want wild animal numbers brought under control, so they stop wrecking our farms, says Feds.
Hunting goes from sport to chore
“Farmers are spending a lot of time and money on pest control on their own land, trying to make as good an effort in denting the populations as possible.”
Speed of freshwater change a ‘hospital pass’
The world is changing; farmers are not resistant to this. But when policy lands and is not fit for the intended outcome, it fuels mistrust in authorities, writes Emma Crutchley.
Farmy Army: a light in the dark, shovel at the ready
An important part of the work is supporting farmers through conversations.
Feds back OSPRI on M bovis
In its submission to MPI, Feds said OSPRI is the best organistion to deliver of the level of integration needed.
Cross-sector for pest control funding
Data shows that these pest populations have been expanding in range across native habitats and primary production land.
Turning down the dial on farm-related stress
The financial pressures of rising costs and interest rates, and the depressing milk price forecast, can be devastating enough – particularly for those farmers carrying high debt.
New report raises serious questions about NZ’s methane targets: Feds
Federated Farmers say the Climate Change Commission to take this significant new research into account and set targets based on a climate warming approach.
35,000+ tune in live to Rural Issues Debate
A live studio audience of 300 farmers, along with 35,000+ online viewers, got to see spokespeople from the major political parties go toe-to-toe discussing the big issues impacting rural NZ.
It’s not failure when it’s out of your control
Richard McIntyre says he’s proud to introduce himself as a dairy farmer when he meets new people. But his Twitter feed notes he’s a husband and father first “because it’s easy to forget that".