Bulk wine exports surpass packaged wine volumes
Data from February 2025 shows volumes of bulk wine exports exceeded packaged wine.
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.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.