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Government backs Fonterra's capital structure revamp

The Government has announced plans to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) to support Fonterra's capital restructure.

The Government has announced its intentions to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) to support Fonterra’s capital restructure.

No silver bullet

DairyNZ says the decision to allow an extra 500 international workers to help on dairy farms will help with the present shortage - estimated to be 4,000 workers.

F is for farm inflation!

Overall farm inputs rose 7% in 2021 - led by fuel, which leapt 44% and fertiliser which rose 29%.

The three f's - namely fuel, fertiliser and feed prices - led the pack in double digit on-farm cost increases over the last year.

Local solution to on-farm GHGs

Knewe-Mg provides the first real step in practical on-farm greenhouse gas mitigation, says Graeme Coles.

Graeme Coles claims he has developed a product that provides the first real step in practical on-farm greenhouse gas mitigation.

Strong demand for wool

Demand for wool carpets is on the rise, say retailers.

Wools of New Zealand (WNZ) is reporting more demand for wool carpets.

New chair for fertiliser co-op

Former Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills has been elected as the new chair of fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown.

McDonalds proves healthy for NZ farm produce

Last year 60.7 million kg of NZ beef was exported globally to other McDonald's markets - this was on top of the 6.5m kg was used locally.

Fast food chain McDonald's spent nearly $500 million on New Zealand agriculture products last year.

When will they come?

The Meat Industry Association says the extra 500 overseas workers will help but there are about 2,000 vacancies currently in the meat industry around NZ.

An extra 500 workers will certainly help but only if they get here in time.

Migrant workers backbone of local meat works

SFF Pareora plant manager Bruce McNaught (centre) with Lio Vifale (L), and Asena Lala (R) - two of the plant's all-important 150-strong Pacific Island workforce.

Silver Fern Farms Pareora, near Timaru, heavily relies on its overseas workers - mainly from the Pacific Islands - to keep the meat processing plant operating.

Peter Andrew, director of AgFirst in Gisborne, says farmers are starting to put things back together following the recent storm that caused massive slips on hill country farms and damaged crops on the flats.