Tuesday, 19 July 2022 10:55

Big ag census coming to an end

Written by  Peter Burke
Time is running out for those wanting to complete the official agricultural production census. Time is running out for those wanting to complete the official agricultural production census.

Farmers, foresters and orchardists have just a few days left to complete the official agricultural production census, run by Statistics NZ in partnership with MPI.

This large-scale census is done every four years with the purpose of providing vital insights and the most up-to-date data about agriculture's contribution to New Zealand. It is compulsory for all large scale farming, foresty and horticultural businesses and is not a random survey.

The manager of the survey, Ana Krpo, says Stats NZ has a system that identifies all agricultural businesses in the above categories that meet the requirement for registering for GST, which is $60,000 turnover. Excluded from the survey are the likes of lifestyle farmers, beekeepers, worm farmers and others in minor agri-related operations.

Krpo says the agricultural statistics from the census benefit NZ by supporting evidence-based discussions and decision-making. She told Rural News this data is used by industry organisations, government, researchers, and the wider farming and growing community for industry forecasting, policy advice, planning and investment decisions, trade negotiations and national and international reporting.

All those required to participate in the census were posted out information packs in June. At that stage, they were given the option of doing the survey online or requesting a paper form.

The official deadline for completing the survey is July 19, although Stats NZ says it will accept some latecomers.

As the data is received by Stats NZ, it is collated and validated. The hope is that a provisional result focusing on major national issues will be released in December.

The final census results should be out in May 2023.

More like this

Eating more fruit and veg 'helps the economy'

A new international study serves as a stark warning for New Zealanders: our health and wellbeing are in our hands, and increasing our intake of fruit and vegetables is a key step to reducing the pressure on our healthcare system.

Farmers struggle with water and feed shortages

The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.

East Coast Expo delivers two action-packed days of events

The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Featured

Bremworth CEO departs

Three weeks on from Bremworth’s board overhaul, the carpet maker’s chief executive Greg Smith is stepping down.

Wool-shedding sheep key to remote farm operation

For Marlborough Sounds farmer Noel Moleta, farming hair sheep that need no shearing is one of the keys to running a low-input, low-intervention operation in a difficult and highly remote location.

Editorial: Getting the RMA overhaul right

OPINION: Making it easier to get things done while protecting the environment - that's the Government's promise when it comes to the overhaul of the problematic Resource Management Act (RMA).

DairyNZ board sets new levy rate

DairyNZ has set a new levy rate of 4.5c/kgMS from 1 June 2025 and aims to keep the levy at no more than this rate for a minimum of three years.

Positive first year for ZAG fund

As it enters its second year, Zespri says the first year of the Zespri Innovation Fund (ZAG), has been “really positive”.

National

Machinery & Products

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Risky business

OPINION: In the same way that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, economists sometimes get it right.

Should've waited

OPINION: The proposed RMA reforms took a while to drop but were well signaled after the election.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter