Farmer confidence dips slightly, but positivity still dominates
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Rabobank has appointed Ben Picton to the newly-created role of senior strategist, global economics & markets.
Based in Sydney, Picton, will provide strategic macro-economic research and engagement – including interest rates and economic projections – for the specialist global agribusiness bank in New Zealand and Australia.
Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris says it was the first time Rabobank’s global economics & markets research team would have a representative based in the region, with the role specifically covering macroeconomics for New Zealand and Australia.
Charteris says Picton would “hit the ground running” having more than seven years of experience with Rabobank’s global financial markets team, where he held a number of positions in derivatives sales and trading, working with the bank’s wholesale agribusiness and farming clients.
His most recent role with Rabobank was director, corporate risk & treasury management.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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