Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Farmers in Canterbury have until next Friday to submit on a plan that has potential to severely limit their freedom to farm.
Submissions on the region's Land and Water Regional Plan close Friday (October 5) and several representative bodies are raising concerns about the complex proposals.
"We will be submitting on the land use change percentage in particular," says Federated Farmers' Willy Leferink. "If your nutrient losses change by 10%, that will require a consent. That means a sheep farmer losing 4kg of N/year going to 4.5kg would require a consent. That's unacceptable."
Much of the implementation will come down to limits set by zone committees from 2017.
"We've told farmers get involved with those committees and make sure they have the best possible information to make the best possible decisions."
Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Andrew Curtiss is particularly concerned at the "arbitrary" numbers applied to water transfers which will see 25% or 50% of consent volumes lost in over-allocated zones.
He's also concerned the plan is too focussed on nitrogen, and the reliance on the Overseer nutrient management model. "We'll be advocating for farm plans and audited self management: targets and best practice rather than allocations of N."
Submissions close October 5. See www.ecan.govt.nz
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.