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.
DAIRY FARMERS have been on a rollercoaster of late – especially given the daily misfortunes of Fonterra and its botulism debacle. To see their industry ‘in lights’ in the international media, and being described as less than perfect, has been distressing.
Few will disagree Fonterra has botched its public relations response, not to mention serious mistakes at the Hautapu factory that started it all. Sadly the bad publicity is far from over: the various inquiries will be rolling it out for months.
Right now we’re seeing a phenomenon you could call the ‘race to China’. Fonterra is sending a delegation there, MPI is sending its man there and John Key is planning a visit there too. With bags packed with humble pie they are hoping to placate the Chinese for their stuff-ups. No mention yet about the impact on other dairy companies and others tainted and affected in various ways.
But amidst all the Fonterra turmoil is a spark of good news on the home front for dairy farmers who have kept their heads down and focused on their farming. Early indications are that the drought’s effects are being overtaken by the mild winter, and that production is now roaring away in this early spring.
It might be too soon to lay bets, but hope is there for a good season. The other good news is the global milk price holding up and the good payout announcements by all dairy companies.
One has to admire dairy farmers for their resilience during the Fonterra crisis. They have remained calm and focused on the issues on-farm, doing what they do best – producing high quality milk. They have been badly let down by Fonterra, whose directors and senior managers ought to be extending apologies to their shareholders, not just to Chinese customers.
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.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
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