Editorial: Support, don't stifle farmers
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
MPI’S director of sector policy Jarred Mair says despite the short term downturn, the fundamentals for the New Zealand primary sector remain very strong.
In its latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI), MPI predicts export revenue from the primary sector will rise from their estimated low for 2015 of $35.2 billion to $41.3b by 2019.
Mair puts this confidence down to population growth in our key export markets in South East Asia and says it could also be helped when the TPP is finalised. He adds that NZ is in a strong position because of its largely grass-based production system and its reputation as producer of quality food.
While dairy accounts for 40% of primary exports, Mair says NZ is not overly dependent on it as the country has a strong mix of other primary products. Though the Chinese market is challenging, South East Asian markets are strongly resurgent and there are new opportunities in Africa.
“Where there are big impacts in a global sense we will be exposed because we are predominantly an export nation. We are in a transition period, moving from a commodity base to higher value product, be that through ingredients or consumer products.”
Mair says this is probably the biggest trend MPI has seen in the last two years and one that will continue for the next two three years.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
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.
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