Build more and be damned! – David Anderson:
Water storage is one of the keys to helping rebuild NZ’s economy in the wake of COVID-19, says Ian Proudfoot, KPMG’s Global Head of Agribusiness.
This was the message he gave to Parliament’s Epidemic Response Committee on the opportunities our food and fibre industries have to lead our national economic recovery.
“We have long been the developed nation with the greatest reliance on growing and selling biological products to the world to pay for our schools, roads and hospitals,” he explained.
“Now, more than ever, the industry recognises it needs to step forward to ensure that our country is able to maintain the living standards we have become accustomed to.” . .
Drought relief ‘too little too late’ Hawke’s Bay farmer – Robin Martin:
A Hawke’s Bay farmer says the government’s latest drought relief package – a $500,000 fund for advisory services – is a “drop in the ocean” and won’t go far to alleviating struggling farmers’ problems.
Extremely dry conditions have hit much of the North Island and parts of the South Island in recent months and in some areas, including Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay, the situation remains dire.
Grant Charteris farms deer and beef cattle at Tikokino in Central Hawke’s Bay.
He said today’s relief package was a case of “too little too late”. . .
Telephone diplomacy to fight protectionism – Peter Burke:
Rising protectionism is one of the major concerns of New Zealand exporters in the light of COVID-19.
NZ’s chief trade negotiator, Vangelis Vitalis, told Parliament’s Epidemic Response Committee that as a result of COVID, many countries will resort to protecting their own economies. NZ exporters fear this will make it much harder for them.
Vitalis says exporters are also concerned about the logistics of getting goods to market, but they have praised the work done by MFAT, NZTE and MPI in keeping freight lines open. . .
New farm safety initiative aims to empower women to effect change :
A new farm safety initiative aims to rally rural women to help save injuries and lives on New Zealand farms.
Action group Safer Farms has partnered with Australian woman Alex Thomas to bring the #PlantASeedForSafety Project to New Zealand.
The project profiles women from all parts of rural industries and communities who are making positive and practical improvements to the health, safety and wellbeing of those around them.
With the message “save a life, listen to your wife”, it aims to raise the voices of rural women and boost their confidence in their ability to influence change and to inspire others to make safer, healthier choices. . .
Quinoa growers urged to band together and take on the world – Nigel Malthus:
One of New Zealand’s very few quinoa growers is calling on his colleagues to band together to help market their product.
Andrew Currie, who farms near Methven in inland Canterbury, believes he is one of only three commercial quinoa growers in the country. He’s the only one in the South Island and the only one with a breeding programme of golden, white, red and black quinoa varieties.
He told Rural News if there is any good to come out of the current COVID-19 emergency, it may be renewed support for locally grown produce. Currie says the post-lockdown environment will be very different.
“New Zealand farming will be the strength of our economy. Some people will need to change occupation to more rural orientated jobs.” . .
Ag’s critical role in post-COVID recovery a unique opportunity – Michael Guerin:
Although Australia is weathering the COVID-19 storm better than almost any other nation, there is no doubt that it has dealt us a sickening blow.
And the worst is definitely still to come, as the long-term economic, employment and social effects become apparent.
However, out of the tragedy emerges a unique opportunity for Australian agriculture to lead the country out of the COVID-19 doldrums.
The NFF’s “Don’t panic. Aussie farmers have your back” campaign was highly successful in reassuring the public that our robust industry would ensure the country could feed itself.. .
Homepaddock 
Finally there is a growing wider understanding of what is a growing by the day extended drought in central Hawkes Bay.
I have Family who overlook one of the holdings featured on State TV last night, The Dasent property. Jeremy Dasent has a familial connection of 118 years with the land there, a daughter Rhea who writes for the Local Herald related paper , Hawkes Bay Today.
There has been a similar expanding concern for Auckland Water supplies, the difference being that city has a pipeline direct from the mighty Waikato River, alas the Crats and talking heads have not gotten around to making it legal, and now I note there is a “Rahui’ on that water source.
Auckland has options while the poor buggers in the grip of a worst in recorded memory drought have no such luxury.
Canterbury has many acres of dryland country suffering from a lack of rainfall, Marlborough is in a more serious situation.
Sadly Irrigation masks what is drastic production suffering dry extending into winter, but the inane MSM think it is Auckland that faces a problem. Sheesh those sad Pricks in the City of Sails are not able to “Wash” their Boats and Cars.
Perspective people?!
LikeLike