The dairy sector is calling for more people, particularly school-leavers, to consider a career in dairy.
DairyNZ education facilitator Susan Stokes said there is a real shortage of young people for both on-farm positions and rural professional roles. "Just about every graduate has multiple job offers as demand far exceeds supply."
To help attract more young talent into the dairy sector, DairyNZ has created a careers booklet outlining the variety of roles available and answering questions. Studying agriculture-related subjects can offer many other roles from working on-farm through to agri-business or agri-science positions, said Ms Stokes.
Visit dairynz.co.nz/careers or dairynz.co.nz/grow-your-future.
Firearms moves miss target
Further restrictions on semiautomatic firearms is not the answer to the illegal possession of firearms in New Zealand, Federated Farmers says.
The organisation does not support the recommendation of the Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry that semiautomatic firearms be further regulated and permits to lend firearms to other gun licence holders be required.
Firearms are essential on farms, with semiautomatic shotguns and rifles the most effective way of shooting fast moving, numerous pest species like rabbits, hares and Canada geese.
Semiautomatic rifles and shotguns are commonplace on farms and many farmers were forced to purchase modern semiautomatic shotguns to comply with new steel shot regulations introduced by Fish and Game and this review puts their considerable investment at risk, said Federated Farmers national board member Katie Milne.
"Police resources would be better spent enforcing the current Arms Act and focusing on the criminal gang activity," she said.
Film puts forcus on women shearers
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is the premier sponsor for Number 1 Stand, a film documentary of women in the shearing shed.
The film investigates what drives women shearers to sacrifice personally and professionally to follow their dream to win the Golden Shears competing with men. RWNZ will host the film premiere at the Golden Shears event in Masterton in 2018.
The five women featured include Hazel Wood, a junior shearer and dairy farmer based in Ruawai; Catherine Mullooly, a senior shearer working in Piopio and Australia; Pagan Karauria, a senior shearer and open wool handler based in Alexandra; Emily Welch, an open level shearer and current world record holder for shearing 648 sheep in a day; Jill Angus Burney, an open level shearer and former world record holder based in Masterton. Go to: www.facebook.com/No.1Stand/