Farming

* Wool will become the preferred choice in government construction and refurbishment from 1 July * Ministers say move supports farmers, boosts jobs, and strengthens sustainable building practices * Agencies must explain if wool isn’t used and report decisions annually to MBIE The New Zealand Government has confirmed that from 1 July,

* February red meat exports rose 25 per cent, reaching $1.1 billion in total value * United States led beef growth with record-breaking $251 million in monthly exports * EU sheepmeat demand surged, with volumes up 42 per cent and value climbing 84 per cent New Zealand’s red meat sector had

* Fonterra's earnings and milk collections rose as it focused on long-term value creation * Interim dividend announced as product demand, performance and milk price forecasts all remain strong * Chair and executive team named for potential IPO of Consumer business Mainland Group Fonterra has reported a solid first-half performance for

* Court decision halts costly resource consent requirements for over 3000 Southland farmers. * Farmers faced expenses of up to $30,000 just to continue routine farming. * Legislative changes to the Resource Management Act are expected later this year. A recent court decision has provided relief for over 3000 Southland farmers, pausing

* Federated Farmers Southland encourages hunters to buy game bird licences from other regions. * The boycott aims to protest Southland Fish & Game’s alleged anti-farming stance. * Federation urges constructive engagement between Fish & Game and the farming community. Federated Farmers Southland is calling on duck hunters in the region to

* Brad Fallow will represent Southland in a top national excavator competition this March. * Three women are finalists for the first time in the event’s 31-year history. * The event will include career-focused experiences for those exploring civil construction. Invercargill’s Brad Fallow is set to take on the nation’s

* Kiwi Econet's edible bale netting offers a sustainable alternative to plastic netting. * Southland farmer Grant Lightfoot created the product, inspired while working as a diver. * Farmers worldwide are showing strong interest, including requests from Texas. A Southland farmer's innovative edible bale netting is gaining worldwide attention,

* Government aims to speed up approval of agricultural and horticultural products to boost productivity. * Review recommends halving approval times, potentially saving $272 million over 20 years. * Industry welcomes changes but urges swift action to rebuild confidence in the system. The Government has announced plans to cut red tape for agricultural