Corn makes Christmas hit
Gisborne's record hot dry summer weather has produced rewards for one of the country's largest commercial growers based in the region - Leaderbrand.
The roading network in NZ is going backwards, according to the head of one of the country's largest vegetable growing operations.
Gisborne-based Leaderbrand chief executive Richard Burke says while the country continues to just repair roads, it is failing to address the root cause of the problem, which is building resilient infrastructure. He claims this policy of repairing roads is not resolving the issue of having quality, nationwide infrastructure.
Burke adds that it's not only roads but also sorting out the problems with the Cook Strait ferries that affect Leaderbrand's operations.
"We are a business that needs to deliver every day, so we need infrastructure that can get us right across the country every day and especially in and out of Tairawhiti, which is a constant problem," he told Rural News. "Tairawhiti has many great attributes but for us to get the benefits of these and remain in business we require 100% access to our customers and we haven't had that for a long time."
Burke says not having reliable infrastructure challenges one's thinking about the business. He explains that his company does not operate on a cost plus basis, rather it is about getting the volume of product to buyers and consumers at the right time. He says passing on increased freight charges to the buyer is really hard to do.
Burke concedes that it's difficult to have discussions with government because its job is fundamentally to run the country. What he is looking for most is policies that will support productivity, of which he says infrastructure is one.
He believes there have been a number of policies in the past that haven't had this focus.
"I think as a country we have got really unproductive, so we've got to find a way to get our productive mojo back again. If we are not competitive we can't afford to live the lifestyle we are living as a country."
Burke says the Government has got to create policies that make it easier and cost effective to do business so we can get better productivity.
Australian dairy farmers supplying Fonterra are getting an opening weighted average milk price of A$8.60/kgMS for the new season or around NZ$9.26/kgMS - NZ74c less than New Zealand suppliers, based on the current exchange rate.
Taranaki veterinarian Dr Rob Mills is the new president of New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA).
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
Massey University is returning to the Fieldays with a future-focused, solution-driven theme, showcasing research that delivers practical advancements in agricultural efficiency, sustainability and longevity.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
OPINION: The Hound hears that tension was in the air at the recent Silver Fern Farms AGM, with the board…
OPINION: The ongoing saga of the quality of school lunches continues.