Arable advocacy?
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other by limits on further yield increases.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
He says as the middle class rises around the world, demand for protein, especially that produced by New Zealand, will remain elevated.
Marr was speaking at the Dairy Women’s Network annual conference in Hamilton this morning.
An arable farmer from Canterbury, Marr says his confidence in dairy is reflected on his decision to buy a neighbouring 600-cow dairy farm this year.
“The middle class is rising, and they will be hungry for protein,” he told the conference.
 He noted that New Zealand’s dairy offering is unique in the world.
NZ’s low-cost system of rotational grazing is the key point of difference with many other dairy producers, he says.
“Our cows walk to the feed, eat and come back: in many countries under the high-cost model feed goes to the animals.”
But he adds that many countries the New Zealand dairy industry as a threat to their domestic sector.
“They fear New Zealand will flood our market and put cheaper products on supermarket shelves,” he says.
 “That’s one thing the dairy sector needs to be cognisant of.”
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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