NZ Farmgate Beef Prices Hit Record Highs in Early 2026
Farmgate beef prices remain at record levels and show no sign of easing.
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.
Rural contractors are getting guidance on how to deal with recent rising fuel prices.
An Ōpunake farmer with a poor effluent system has been fined $35,000 with a discount on the penalty discarded after he charged at a Taranaki Regional Council officer inspecting the ‘systematic problems’ on his farm.
The horticulture sector is under threat because of vulnerabilities of the country's transport infrastructure, according to a report commissioned by a collective representing a range of groups in the sector.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton says the meat processor wants to find ways of getting product destined for Middle East markets into those markets as opposed to try and place them elsewhere.
The current Middle East war could not have happened at a worse time for New Zealand.
This week, more than 100 farmers, policy makers, politicians and other industry influencers will gather at the annual Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) Forum to workshop positive environmental change for New Zealand dairy.

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