30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast
January 2018 Edition
INSIDE Ploughing ahead THIS EDITION Dairy study
p7 Farm machinery
p15 Lifestyle blocks
p23 Rural wheels
p41
Ploughers around the country are gearing up for the 2018 new Zealand Ploughing Championships. This year’s championships will be held in Southland in early april and are being hosted by the Thornbury Vintage Tractor and Implement Club. The event marks 60 years since Southland first hosted a national championships. Pictured is Colin Drummond with Erewhon Station’s six-horse team competing at the 2017 national Ploughing Championships in Kirwee.
Photo: Kent Caddick
Stronger focus for MPI Federated Farmers believe the changes to the Ministry for Primary Industries are pragmatic.
❚ by Kent Caddick Minister for Agriculture, Damien O’Connor says the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is being reorganised to create a stronger focus on its core responsibilities. O’Connor, who is also the Minister for Biosecurity, Food Safety and Rural Communities says the government will set up four portfolio-based entities, Fisheries New Zealand, Forestry New Zealand, Biosecurity New Zealand and New Zealand Food Safety. “Our priority is to achieve greater clarity and unity of purpose for these areas,” O’Connor says.
“We are seeking enhanced visibility of government policy and regulatory activities and clearer lines of accountability and engagement for stakeholders. “We are now looking to the Director General of MPI to work with his team to achieve this, while ensuring prudent and efficient use of taxpayer and industry funds. “MPI will continue to meet the expectations of our international trading partners as the competent authority.’’ Under the plan MPI will build up its forestry presence in Rotorua. “Rotorua’s location puts it at the heart of our forestr y sector and makes it the most
appropriate site for a dedicated forestr y presence to support the Government’s ambition in this important sector,” O’Connor says. “It’s likely further change in the forest space will occur after policy and operational work to deliver the Government’s ambitious goals in this area.” He says the reorganisation of MPI’s functions will occur in the early part of 2018 and will be in place by April. “This change is about increasing focus and ensuring greater visibility of fisheries, forestry, biosecurity and food safety.”
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INTRODUCING THE STEEL
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