Content but cautious

Speedy told Dairy News that most farmers are happy with how the dairy industry is faring.

"They are enjoying high commodity prices and are using fair returns to pay down debt," he says. "But there are definitely concerns around looming environmental regulations and labour shortages on the farm."

Speedy says most farmers understand the impact of climate change. They acknowledge the need to invest and make farming more efficient.

"There were a lot of conversations around learning and investing in farming to make it lot simpler. They only want to invest once."

Speedy says farmers also understand that shoppers are increasingly choosing products which meet their personal and environmental values. "Farmers know they have to make investments to improve their environmental footprint."

During Fieldays, ASB announced a new rural sustainability loan offering a 2.25% p.a. variable rate for sustainable farming invest once."

Speedy says ASB rural customers can now tap into discounted lending to take their farm sustainability to the next level, with funding available for conservation and biodiversity restoration, and projects to drive the switch to renewable energy, prevent pollution and waste, cut emissions, and promote healthy soil, ecosystems, waterways and animal welfare.

ASB executive general manager for business banking Tim Deane says the 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 Kiwis who want to go beyond compliance basics and drive change that makes a deeper difference for their farm and ultimately the environment.

"Already our farming customers have invested more than $120 million to plant native trees, install environmentally-friendly effluent systems and fence off waterways - and we know many want to do more. 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."

Applications for ASB's rural sustainability loan are now open and the variable rate will be available for up to five years from whent the customer makes their first draw down. The variable rate means customers are free to make lump sum payments or fix their rate at any time.

"Climate change is a critical issue for New Zealand. And whether it's navigating shifting consumer expectations, or the reality of changing weather conditions on their farm, we know ASB has an opportunity to help our customers get ahead of their sustainability challenges.

"We're proud of the work many farmers have already done and are excited to be offering this sharp rate to encourage more to get stuck into meaningful environmental improvements. From solar power for the milk shed, precision fertilisation or changing pasture or herd genetics to reduce methane emissiions, there's so much we can do to make a real difference for farmers while supporting a more sustainable rural sector in the longer term," says Deane.