Government launches review of migrant worker visa scheme for dairy sector, scientists aim to unlock pasture quality data from space, and low dam levels raise concern for Tasman food producers. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Government launches review of migrant worker visa scheme for dairy sector The government has initiated a review of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme, aiming to ensure fair treatment for compliant dairy farmer employers. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced temporary adjustments to the job-check criteria for dairy farm workers ahead of the calving season. These changes come in response to recent challenges, including high net migration, reduced demand for low-skilled workers, and increased migrant exploitation. The minister acknowledged that urgent earlier adjustments didn't account for regional variations, leading to difficulties for dairy farmers in recruiting or renewing visas for staff. The review will examine removing the median wage threshold and consider streamlining assessments. It will also evaluate the potential for region and sector-specific settings. Stanford emphasised the need to balance the scheme so that law-abiding employers can hire migrant workers when genuine shortages exist. For now, dairy cattle farm employers only need to advertise roles for 14 days instead of 21. This change applies to applications submitted before mid-July. Additionally, Immigration New Zealand is prioritising the processing of dairy worker applications until August 1st. These temporary measures aim to shorten the recruitment process, allowing employers to hire and train workers in time for the critical calving season. The government is also collaborating with Federated Farmers to create a user-friendly guide for primary sector employers navigating the visa process. Stanford highlighted the delicate balance needed in migrant worker regulations. While acknowledging the importance of allowing workers to gain necessary skills, she noted the ethical concerns of allowing temporary workers to become too settled without a clear path to residency. The minister and officials are engaging with primary sector stakeholders to address concerns and refine the visa scheme to create a more effective and fair system for both employers and migrant workers in the dairy industry. Scientists aim to unlock pasture quality data from space New Zealand scientists are pushing the boundaries of satellite technology to help farmers make more informed decisions about their pastures. While satellite imaging currently allows farmers to assess pasture quantity, a new study aims to determine if it can also reveal nutritional quality. Lincoln Agritech and AgResearch have joined forces on this project, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Space Agency. The six-month feasibility study seeks to develop methods for analysing pasture nutrition from space. Armin Werner, group manager at Lincoln Agritech, explains that current satellite technology can only measure pasture volume, not its nutritional value. He notes that greener pastures don't necessarily mean higher quality feed for livestock. The research team plans to combine existing plant models with satellite data to identify indicators of nutritional value. This approach differs from standard reflectance measurements, focusing instead on the internal processes of plants. If successful, this technology could provide farmers with a practical tool to assess pasture quality across their entire farm without the need for laboratory testing. However, Werner cautions that the project is still in its early stages and will require further research to develop into a usable farm management tool. This initiative is part of a broader program involving collaboration between New Zealand researchers and NASA. The Space Agency has funded twelve projects in total, each receiving up to $75,000 for a six-month study period. While this particular project focuses on agriculture, other funded studies explore diverse areas such as forest mapping, atmospheric research, and climate risk assessment. Spring Sheep gains retail access for infant formula in China Spring Sheep Milk Company has achieved a significant milestone, receiving approval to sell its Chinese-label infant formula range in retail outlets across China. This authorization, granted by China's market regulator, allows the company to distribute its sheep milk-based infant formula, follow-on formula, and toddler milk drink in the world's largest infant formula market. Nick Hammond, Chief Executive of Spring Sheep, describes this development as a game-changer for both the company and the sheep milking industry. The approval enables Spring Sheep to move beyond online sales and into high-end specialist baby product stores, targeting premium consumers ...
