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: As we were going to print, National, ACT and New Zealand First MPs were preparing to converge in Wellington. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, a stable National/ ACT/NZ First Government is in place.
For the country’s farmers, a significant change in government was what they were after. The majority of farmers will be happy to see the change. Also, the three parties now in government have farmers as MPs. In ACT’s case, the former president of Federated Farmers, Andrew Hoggard, will be expected to spearhead its push for a better deal for farmers on all fronts.
The farming sector believes that National’s timeframe will enable the sector to get its numbers in order and for mitigating technologies to advance further.
For dairy manufacturers, the focus will be on areas of trade, food safety, biosecurity and climate. Existing free trade agreements will need to be fine-tuned to ensure they deliver on their intent. Farmers would also want new doors opened into markets which are currently not covered by FTAs.
An efficient and effective risk-based food regulatory system, a sound national infrastructure strategy that prioritises efficiency and therefore productivity in export supply chains, and a focus on biosecurity to retain NZ’s relative freedom from many livestock pests and diseases are also high on the agenda for dairy processors.
DCANZ members, like Fonterra, will hope that any domestic policy approaches for methane and nitrous oxide are effective.
Farmer representatives are ready to get to work with the new government to get the rural sector cranking again. Many will be hoping that a new era begins this week for the all-important agriculture sector.
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.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
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