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8 Ireland visit a wake-up call Vol 21 No 42, October 30, 2023
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NZ values its farmers, study says Bryan Gibson
NEWS
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Food and fibre
HE rural-urban divide does not exist, according to a comprehensive survey on the attitudes of New Zealanders to the farming sector. However, there is work to do to create a better dialogue where concerns and questions can be aired and answered, the researchers from Massey University found. The Diverse Experience of Farming project, co-funded by Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, found New Zealanders across all regions, genders, ages and ethnicities value farming. Dr Alice Beban from Massey University’s School of People, Environment and Planning told the Farmers Weekly In Focus podcast that the results are surprising. “Despite what some media and politicians might claim, there is no deep, authentic, antagonistic chasm between urban and rural New Zealanders,” she said. “In fact, what we found is that farmers are valued for the food they grow and [people] recognise the role in creating jobs and managing the environment.” However, recognising the sector’s benefits does not equate to greater trust or knowledge about farming, said rural scientist
Dr Janet Reid from Massey University’s School of Agriculture and Environment. “Farmers tend to focus on the bad news and to feel like they are constantly under attack,” Reid said. Surprisingly, urban consumers, and farmers and rural people, do not blame each other for this lack of trust, with respondents showing a sophisticated understanding of challenges such as climate change, high prices, farm debt and increasingly tight regulations. Instead, people across regions tend to point the finger at the government, media and supermarkets, who they consider to be creating or promoting an urban-rural divide. “More than half of urban respondents claimed that supermarkets are the most influential source of information about farming,” Beban said. “Neither urban nor rural consumers believe supermarkets are fulfilling their responsibilities to farmers.” Likewise, rural people believe that the government isn’t fulfilling its responsibilities to farming, highlighting interference and regulation that is not effective, clear, or practical. “There are diverse views of farming across urban, rural, and farming communities,” Reid said. “But we all agree that the benefits of food and jobs that Continued page 3
SOMETHING’S
WRONG INHD10/23
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PICTURE.
Tiptoeing through the tulips People have been flocking to Edendale, Southland in recent weeks to catch a look at the spectacular tulip paddocks in full bloom. Southland tulip grower Triflor New Zealand grows 110ha of tulips, mainly for northern hemisphere markets. Full report in next week’s Farmers Weekly. Photo: Gerhard Uys
No sweat to turn woolshed to woolshred Converting a woolshed into a gym was a labour of love for South Canterbury farmer, nutritionist and trainer Abby McKerchar.
PEOPLE 18 NZ could continue to face stiff competition from Australian sheepmeat exports.
The country’s next agriculture minister shapes as a key government appointment.
Scion incentivises local tech to find a solution to the problem of forestry debris.
MARKETS 4
POLITICS 5
TECHNOLOGY 19
The tractor’s insured for more than they are. Insuring key assets on your farm like vehicles, machinery and buildings is a given. But what about yourself and your family? If one of you becomes ill, disabled or even dies, what decisions would you need to make, and what support would you need? With FMG Life & Health cover, your family and your business can be looked after should the worst happen. To find out how, go to fmg.co.nz/picture, or call us on 0800 366 466.
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