Farmers: What’s your plan if someone in your family or among your staff tests positive for COVID-19? As COVID-19 vaccination rates build and New Zealand begins to transition to coping with the disease without lockdowns and less reliance on managed isolation facilities, the agri-sector and Ministry for Primary Industries have been working together to ensure […]
Covid-19 effects
Economic Week – November 5
Commodity prices set new record. Commodity prices hit new a record high in October, according to ANZ World Commodity Price Index. The World Price Index lifted 2.1% in October compared to September. Dairy prices jumped 3.7%, mainly on the back of tight global milk supply with demand steady. Meat and fibre prices were up 1.6%, […]
2021/2022 Ballance Farm Environment Awards programme to proceed nationally
Despite the interruptions of COVID-19, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust is delighted to confirm that the 2021/2022 Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) will proceed as planned throughout the country, including the new Catchment Group Award. Even with the disruptions caused by the changes to alert levels in Auckland, Northland and Waikato the awards have […]
Economic Week – October 29
Fonterra milk price good news for farmers and for New Zealand. With the 2021/22 season well underway, Fonterra has increased and narrowed its forecast farmgate milk price to $7.90-$8.90 per kgMS, up from its previous forecast $7.25. The mid-point is up from $8.00 to $8.40. Fonterra observed that the $8.40 would equal the highest farmgate […]
Suppliers need a fairer deal
With the Commerce Commission’s market study into the retail grocery sector drawing to its conclusion, Federated Farmers is calling for a fairer deal for suppliers. As a representative of food producers (and consumers), Federated Farmers is keen to ensure that the retail grocery sector is competitive. It’s concerning but perhaps not surprising that the Commission […]
She’ll be right message from Government not good enough
“She’ll be right” is the message from the Government when it comes to insurance liability of trucks during Level 4 lockdown, says Road Transport Forum (RTF) chief executive Nick Leggett. “That message was reiterated at the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee today, but it is not good enough for operators who have trucks that could […]
Southland Feds president has his say on rates rise
President – Southland Federated Farmers Do you support Environment Southland’s decision to permanently increase rates by 20%? Due to lack of feedback, councillors believe you do. On Friday 30th July they’re meeting to ratify this decision, so if you don’t support it, this is your last chance to let them know. This rates rise […]
PINZ roundup: the finalists of the 2021 Awards
Nominations for the 2021 Primary Industries New Zealand Awards saw a 50 percent jump from last year. This shows the amount of innovation and leadership going on in the sector as well as the resilience to soldier on through all manner of trials such as COVID-19, droughts, floods and so much more. The PINZ Awards […]
Farmers bankroll Budget’s big spending
Federated Farmers wants New Zealand’s farmers to pat themselves on the back for making it possible for the country to afford the Budget announced by the Government today. In his speech to present the Budget Minister of Finance Grant Robertson acknowledged the financial carnage predicted by the Government last year did not eventuate. “And that’s […]
Time for agriculture to promote the true benefits of farm jobs
By Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers employment spokesperson OPINION: Farmers would have been largely unsurprised by the recent dip in unemployment figures. The almost 800 jobs advertised in the dairy industry pretty much every week since Covid-19 reared its ugly head is a clear sign that New Zealanders are not out there clamouring for work, or […]