Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
OPINION: Fonterra deserves a pat on the back for delivering another solid set of financial results.
They are the culmination of a huge amount of hard work put in by everyone across the co-op, led by chief executive Miles Hurrell and his management team. They must be commended for continuing to deliver consistently strong financial results in an increasingly volatile world.
The results also delivered relief to Fonterra’s 10,000 farms, whose owners have a stake in the co-op. Life on farms has been tough thanks to high input costs and interest rates over the past few years.
Fonterra is an extension of the farm businesses. Peter McBride, Fonterra chair, says the co-op exists to provide certainty and manage risk on their behalf, while maximising returns via a competitive and sustainable milk price, and a respectable return on the capital they invest in Fonterra.
Stable earnings across the co-op - Ingredients, Foodservice and Consumer channels- contributed to earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) from continuing operations of $1.6 billion.
Last year the co-op’s Foodservice channel was the standout performer with a return on capital of 19.6%.
Fonterra finished the year in a strong position - a solid return on capital of 11.3%, significantly above its five-year average and with a gearing ratio of 24%, a drop of almost 50% over the previous year.
A strong balance sheet delivers benefits and Fonterra farmers will receive an extra dividend of 15c/share.
Fonterra farmers, like other sectors of the agriculture sector, have been doing it tough for the past few years.
For many farmers, the extra cash this season would be used to catch up on deferred farm maintenance and improve cash flows, making life a bit easier on the farm in the coming months.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.