Editorial: Sensible move
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Federated Farmers board member and Horowhenua dairy farmer, Richard McIntyre says it’s one of the driest summers his region has experienced for some time.
He says while it’s not time to call it drought, the grass is not growing much at present. He says it’s the same in other parts of the country including the Wairarapa.
But despite the imponderable weather, McIntyre says farmers are more optimistic now than they were.
“The GDT going upwards has helped and the news of another increase in the milk price has reduced some of the stress that dairy farmers have been under and there is wave of optimism that things will get better,” he says.
McIntyre says one of the reasons that farmers have been stressed is their concern over government regulation from the previous administration.
He says famers felt they were bashing their heads against a brick wall trying to get Labour to listen. Farmers, he says, are looking for sensible and cost-effective solutions and are hopeful the new government will deliver on the promises they have made and fix things.
McIntyre says while dairy farmers aren’t facing the challenges that their sheep and beef colleagues are going through, he says some dairy farmers are struggling to make ends meet with the high input costs and higher interest rates.
“A lot of promises have been made but we now need to see some appropriate action to set things right,” he says.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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