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.
Maori dairy farmers are being urged to enter the BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming dairy competition.
Chief judge and former Dairy InSight chairman, Doug Leeder, wants Maori landowners to put their businesses on the line and reap the rewards which include great feedback, supported by free entry to DairyBase and DairyNZ on-farm analysis.
"The Ahuwhenua Trophy-BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming dairy competition is a great way of growing your business," he says.
With entries closing on Friday, January 27 there is still time to enter.
"So get hold of an entry form and send it off – there's all to gain and nothing to lose," says Leeder, a long-time Bay of Plenty dairy farmer.
Leeder has been chief judge of the Ahuwhenua Dairy competition since 2006. This year he will be assisted by Stephen Veitch, BNZ, Tafi Manjala, DairyNZ and Paul Klee, Fonterra.
The first round judges are Peter MacGregor, Paul Radich, Fonterra, Paul Bird, DairyNZ and Duncan Matthews, BNZ.
There are two judging rounds in Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. First round judges will assess all entrant farms before the three finalists are chosen, and later assessed, by the finals judges.
Entrants will be tested on a range of factors based on the efficiency with which the property is farmed relative to its potential. These include effective governance and management, attention to environmental excellence and recognition of cultural practices relevant to a farm business enterprise. Initial judging for the competition will take place in March 2012.
Entry forms are available from all offices of Te Puni Kokiri and the Maori Trustee or from Joan Nathu, 04 803 2851 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Copies of the entry form are available on www.ahuwhenuatrophy.māori.nz and www.māoritrustee.co.nz.
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.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
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OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.