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Federated Farmers board member Richard McIntyre.
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.
OPINION: While we're on the topic of lumberjacks, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has no doubt used a chainsaw hundreds of times, but your old mate reckons he would’ve still been sweating on getting it right when cutting down a pine in front of the cameras, as he did above Queenstown during a recent pre-Budget announcement around extra funding for wilding pine control efforts.
Wilding pines are the wrong tree in the wrong place, and they need to go, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Federated Farmers says the Government’s latest investment in road resilience is a positive step toward protecting rural communities and freight routes from increasing severe weather events.
Animal welfare improvements as well as reduced costs for dairy farmers are at the heart of a new move which could help cut back on the waste of unused vet drugs.
Federated Farmers has been urged to consider establishing a policy on artificial intelligence (AI).
Massey University says its stand at the Fieldays will showcase regenerative science and “circular bioeconomy innovation supporting more sustainable and resilient farming systems”.
Fonterra is strengthening its foodservice presence in China with the launch of a new cream for professional bakeries at Bakery China 2026 in Shanghai.
OPINION: The coalition Government’s plan to make about 9000 public servants redundant looms as a major election issue
From last week, the Industrial Hemp Regulations 2006 have been revoked.
The Rural Support Trust is hosting a series of community wellbeing events featuring former NZSAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata.
Government plans to reduce the regulations relating to drones that farmers use on their own properties has drawn a mixed reaction from commercial drone operators.
