Agri sector to lead economic recovery
OPINION: Over the past month, people up and down the country have been asking me what I think is in store for the Agri sector.
Westpac economists are forecasting global dairy and beef prices to rise on the back of drought in the US and elsewhere.
"After a bumper 2012 worldwide production season, the curse of drought has hit several major grain-producing areas, particularly the US," says Westpac senior economist Felix Delbruck. "This has pushed up feed costs for Northern Hemisphere cattle farmers and is likely to boost global dairy and beef prices."
Delbruck notes that world dairy prices have already risen from recent lows, with Global Dairy Trade auction prices up about 20% since late July. The impact on beef prices is likely to take longer as farmers off-load stock.
However, immediate gains to local farmers may be limited. "As is often the case, the dollar has followed dairy prices higher, tempering the gains at the farm gate," says Delbruck. Westpac continues to forecast a dairy payout of $5.70 for the 2012/13 season.
"In the 2013/14 season and beyond, prospects are firmer," says Delbruck. "With a recovery in global growth and ongoing income growth in emerging markets, particularly China, we expect increased demand to underpin prices."
Sam Carter, assistant manager for T&G's Pakowhai Sector, has been named the Hawke's Bay 2025 Young Grower of the Year.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
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