Nelson Federated Farmers
Getting livestock back into areas of DOC land is gaining traction, as Federated Farmers continues to make the case for responsible grazing as a tool to manage fire risk and vegetation growth. The topic featured strongly at the recent Nelson-Tasman Federated Farmers meeting, with optimism that grazing could soon return to parts of DOC (government-owned) areas. Members said many of these places, once regularly grazed, have become overgrown and are at greater risk of wildfires.
The Federated Farmers team have been working hard in this space and will continue to do so. It’s been a hard few months for many, with a cold, wet winter taking its toll. Still, there was positivity with strong red meat prices and increased lamb prices offering some much-needed relief after several difficult years. Other key talking points included pest management, particularly the growing issue of wild pigs.
This season, there have been increased reports of pigs killing lambs both locally and nationwide. Nelson Federated Farmers continues to advocate for government support to help farmers manage rising pest pressures, with pigs, goats, and deer remaining ongoing challenges. A key part of our team’s work is also ensuring concerns and issues from the paddock reach Parliament, which is vital.
Meanwhile, Alliance Group’s recent deal with Irish company Dawn Meats (Ireland), which gives Dawn Meats a 65% stake, drew discussion among members. River care also generated debate, highlighting the tension between practical farming needs and environmental regulation. Frustrations and concerns around wilding pines were a major topic, particularly in the high country, where there is little funding in the current budget to address the problem. Storms have been found to carry pine seeds up to 30 km, which is a significant concern for many.
Despite the diversity of topics, one message came through clearly: Federated Farmers continues to give local producers a voice and a platform to be heard. The Nelson branch, representing farmers from Nelson through to Maruia, welcomes anyone keen to contribute to its discussions and advocacy efforts. Drop us a line at nelsonfedfarm@gmail.com
