Farmers have done well but outlook uncertain. The results are out for Federated Farmers’ July 2021 New Season Farm Confidence Survey. Most farmers were doing well due to good market prices but they’re uncertain about the economic outlook and have major concerns about labour shortages and the impact of government policy and regulation. There were […]
employment
Economic Week – August 6
Have commodities peaked? Having posted record highs in recent months, commodity prices slipped in July. The ANZ World Commodity Price Index was down 1.4% compared to June. Dairy was the main downward influence, with its prices down 3.4% for the month. Meat and fibre prices were up 0.6%, with higher prices for lamb and wool […]
Minimum sick leave entitlements are increasing to 10 days
The minimum sick leave entitlement is increasing from 5 to 10 days per year from 24 July 2021. Employees will get the extra five days at their next entitlement date. Employers and employees, it is important you are prepared for the change so you don’t get caught out. Here are six key things you need […]
Economic Week – July 2
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 […]
Economic Week – June 11
Bank satisfaction continues to wane. Last Friday, Federated Farmers released the results from its May 2021 Banking Survey. It showed a further slippage in farmer satisfaction in banking relationships, a trend evident since late 2017. Our media release is here and the full report can be found here. The key results were: 62% of farmers […]
Retention and fun two ingredients as we battle staff shortages
By Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers national board member I’ve been talking to a lot of Feds members lately about why we need migrants on our farms. It’s no different to the conversations I’ve had with builders, tilers, machinery operators … and the list could go on longer than the length of this article. With continued […]
#Bringthemhome
It’s time for a good old-fashioned letter writing campaign. I am not a psychologist or a therapist, but my skills at helping others when they are at near breaking-point have been getting a good work out lately. I take a call every day from someone who is desperately trying to figure out how they can […]
Andrew Olsen new CEO for Rural Contactors NZ
Andrew Olsen has been appointed as the new CEO of Rural Contractors NZ which represents 600 contractors in the $1.5b industry. RCNZ vice president Helen Slattery says the former Chief Executive of the Travel Agents Association NZ stood out to the selection panel in a very strong field of candidates. “Our industry is facing some […]
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 […]
Fonterra lifts farmgate price, food prices down
by Nick Clark, Federated Farmers Manager General Policy Fonterra lifts payout forecast Fonterra has lifted its farmgate milk price forecast for the current 2020/21 season to a range of $7.30-$7.90 per kgMS with a midpoint of $7.60. This is up from its previous range of $6.90-$7.50 and midpoint of $7.20. Fonterra said its milk price […]