Dairy farmer profits to hit record levels in 2025
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
The 2013 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards will be the biggest and best yet, with a record 566 entries received, up from the previous best of 525.
"We are just so rapt with the response and at the level of competition that will take place to determine the winners," national convenor Chris Keeping says.
A total of 144 entries were received in the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year competition, 171 entrants will compete for the New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year title and 251 entries were received in the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year contest.
"It's the most entries we have had in both the farm manager and the dairy trainee contests, with the trainee contest in particular just going from strength to strength," Keeping says.
"It is obvious entrants are becoming more aware of the benefits to be gained by entering the awards to have some fun and progress their dairy farming career."
Entries in the sharemilker/equity farmer contest were also up (by five) on last year.
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner AgITO.
The Canterbury/North Otago region – one of 12 that organises regional competitions in the awards – has received the most entries. The region received 83 entries, with nearly half of those entries (40) in the dairy trainee contest.
"Waikato topped the regions last year, but has had to settle for second place this year with 73 entries, although it has the most farm managers entered with 29."
Other regions to do well include Central Plateau and Taranaki, both with 52 entries, and Northland with 48.
Keeping says the entrants will first compete in one of the regional competitions being held around the country, with the regional winners progressing to the national final to be held in Wellington on May 24.
She says the entrants will be invited to attend information evenings later this month to meet other entrants and sponsors, and gain information about the judging process, which takes place throughout February.
Further information about the awards and a timeline of the awards programme can be found on www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.