Federated Farmers believes new requirements announced today for overseas investors buying New Zealand farmland for forestry are encouraging but are only step one of a suite of changes required. “For years Feds and other organisations have been calling for a reversal of rules that exempt overseas buyers intending to convert our farmland into forestry from […]
government
Thumbs up from Feds on rural broadband capacity upgrade
The announcement of a big push to upgrade capacity on congested rural broadband networks gets a big thumbs up from Federated Farmers. “Every year Feds surveys members on broadband and cellphone coverage in rural areas, to gather data on the worst blackspots and inform our advocacy to government,” Federated Farmers NZ President and telecommunications spokesperson […]
Government support for Māori landowners to invest in growing sheep milk industry
The Government is backing a project to support Māori landowners to invest in New Zealand’s rapidly growing sheep milk industry, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said today. “We are backing the Māori Agribusiness Sheep Milk Collective, which has ambitious goals to have multiple farms milking about 25,000 sheep and potentially employing more than 100 people by […]
Emissions pricing could put billion dollar hit on earnings, but no hit on global emissions
By Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers President and climate change spokesperson In discussions on He Waka Eke Noa proposals with farmers I’m often asked “how does this all square with the Paris Agreement, and the multiple mentions the text of the Agreement makes on needing to make emissions reductions but not at the cost of food […]
Horticultural programme to provide new opportunities for Ngāti Hauā
The Government is partnering with Ngāti Hauā Iwi Trust to develop a horticultural programme that will empower Ngāti Hauā whānau to upskill, diversify their businesses and sustainably generate wealth from their land, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The Waikato-based iwi has received $1.12 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre […]
Economic Week – February 11
Budget talk from Feds This week Federated Farmers National President Andrew Hoggard presented to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on our submission to the Budget Policy Statement (BPS). The BPS sets out the Government’s priorities and strategies for the upcoming Budget. Federated Farmers is a regular submitter on the BPS advocating for fiscal responsibility. […]
Regenerative agriculture research receives Government boost
The Government continues to invest in farm sustainability, this time backing two new research projects to investigate the impacts of regenerative farming practices, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. Soil health and regenerative agriculture “We’re contributing $2.8 million to a $3.85 million five-year project with co-investment by Synlait Milk and Danone that aims to understand […]
Government backs rural driver licensing support programme
From the Minister for Rural Communities – Damien O’Connor The Government has committed an extra $600,000 in funding to support driver licensing and education programmes in rural communities across Aotearoa, Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The funding, provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), will be spread over three years to boost […]
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%, […]
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 […]