Farmgate prices rise as farmers rebuild confidence
Sheep and beef farmers are cautiously optimistic as farmgate prices continue to firm.
Another bank is offering farmers low-cost 'green loans' to help them tackle environmental impacts.
ASB announced, at the opening of National Fieldays last week, that its new rural sustainability loan will offer a 'market-leading' 2.25% annual variable rate for 'sustainable farming improvements'.
In March, BNZ revealed it was offering a loan discount to dairy investor Southern Pastures, if the company meets water and bio diversity targets on its farm. The New Zealand first $50m sustainability-linked loan isa pilot, but BNZ says it will roll it out more widely if successful.
ASB says it will loan for conservation and biodiversity restoration, and projects to drive the switch to renewable energy, prevent pollution and waste, cut emissions, as well as promote healthy soil, ecosystems, waterways and animal welfare.
General manager for business banking Tim Deane claims ASB’s Rural Sustainability Loan will help future-proof two of New Zealand’s greatest assets: our farmers and our land.
“Farmers tell us climate change and regulatory pressure are big issues keeping them up at night. That’s why we’re digging in and doing more for those who want to go beyond compliance basics and drive change that makes a deeper difference for their farm and ultimately the environment,” Deane says.
He adds that the bank’s farming customers have already invested more than $120 million to plant native trees, install environmentally-friendly effluent systems and fence off waterways.
“Our goal is for our new sustainability loans to back $100 million in green upgrades over the next five years, so New Zealand can continue to lead the world in efficient and profitable farming and command a premium for Kiwi products.”
Deane says applications for loans are now open and the variable rate will be available for up to five years from when the customer makes their first draw down.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
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