Rural confidence rises. Strong agricultural commodity prices and a positive outlook for them have driven a third consecutive lift in New Zealand farmer confidence, according to Rabobank’s latest Rural Confidence Survey. After 10 consecutive negative surveys, farmer confidence returned to net positive territory in the March 2021 quarter, with more farmers optimistic than pessimistic in […]
economy
Feilding student’s dedication to agriculture is rewarded
Agricultural scholarship winner Olivia Buick loves all things ag – be it the serenity of driving a tractor in the central high country, the fascination for how soil, science and the economy make up a farm system or helping others at Young Farmers. Born and bred on a sheep and beef farm just out of […]
Economic Week – June 18
GDP surprisingly strong….will rates rise sooner? Despite continued border restrictions keeping out international tourists and despite Auckland being in alert level 3 lockdown for 10 days, March quarter’s Gross Domestic Product was undeniably strong. Quarterly growth of 1.6% came in well ahead of economists’ expectations, including the Reserve Bank which had been forecasting a 0.6% […]
World Milk Day recognises Kiwi dairy farmers
As global World Milk Day (June 1) gets underway, New Zealand dairy farmers continue to play a key role in a post-COVID economy, as a sustainable producer of milk for the world. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says our communities and regional economies see real benefits from dairy, particularly with current increased global demand […]
Awards celebrate the food and fibre sector employer excellence
Exceptional employment practices in the primary industries have been celebrated at the Good Employer Awards, held at Parliament on Monday evening, 12th April. “Tonight’s awards provided the opportunity to celebrate and thank those employers in the food and fibres sector who have gone beyond business-as-usual in creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work environments for […]
Reviewing the year we’d all rather forget
Kim Reilly, Federated Farmers South Island Regional Policy Manager Queen Elizabeth II once described 1992 as an “annus horribilis” – a horrible year. Moving forward 28 years, I’m not even sure there is a sufficient (publishable) term to sum up 2020. Let’s just say, it was a bloody shocker. Covid19 created the perfect storm for […]
Dairy notches record milksolid production in tough year
It’s been another record year for New Zealand’s dairy sector, with total milksolids production at a record high. The DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) statistics show that in the 2019-20 season, New Zealand dairy companies processed 21.1 billion litres of milk containing 1.90 billion kilograms of milksolids (kg MS). This is a 0.6 percent […]