KiwiBrothersTM make their China debut
Zespri has unveiled the award-winning KiwiBrothersTM mascots in China for the first time to market its large kiwifruit crop.
Orchard values are going through the roof compared even with pre-Psa levels, says Zespri chief operating officer Simon Limmer.
He says the vine killing disease Psa impacted growers' balance sheets significantly, but the banks were flexible in working through Psa issues with growers.
"Most growers were able to survive Psa and see their orchard values not only recover but increase significantly. Land values in kiwifruit country are through the roof, particularly the Gold but even the Green.
"The kiwifruit industry is attracting a lot of attention in the primary sector compared to what's going on with other primary industries."
Orchard gate returns are about $65,000/ha on average across the whole industry. That's compared to about $30,000 in the 2005-06 period.
Limmer adds that Gold3 has been a big driver of the shift, so has greater productivity overall, particularly in Green.
The Green on average is forecast to maintain on average $50,000/ha; the cost per hectare has risen significantly in the last few years from about $20,000 to $25,000 - $30,000/ha.
Psa forced growers to be more vigilant and more proactive in protecting their crops. But productivity has also grown.
Gold is delivering $100,000 - $130,000/ha in yield and market price. On-orchard costs are $30,000 - $35,000/ha and productivity is higher.
The value of a Gold orchard is said to be about $600,000/ha (from about $450,000/ha pre Psa) and Green is about $400,000/ha (from about $250,000/ha).
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has revised its operating earnings guidance, saying trading conditions have deteriorated since the last market update in February.