Why Now Is the Time to Plan Farm Succession, Findex Says
OPINION: Succession and long-term planning are perennial topics because it is perpetually sidelined on busy farms.
Meat and dairy products drove the fall in manufacturing sales for the June 2013 quarter, Statistics New Zealand says. The drought earlier this year appears to have contributed to the fall.
After adjusting for seasonal effects the volume of total manufacturing sales fell 3.4%. This fall was led by a 10% decrease in meat and dairy product manufacturing.
"The volume decrease in meat and dairy product manufacturing is reflected in the fall of export volumes for dairy and meat products," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno says.
Overseas Trade Indexes (Volumes): June 2013 quarter (provisional) reported decreases of 18% in dairy exports and 7.1% in meat exports.
"Without the meat and dairy contribution, the volume of manufacturing sales was flat in the June 2013 quarter," Cardno says.
The trend for the total manufacturing sales volume, which gives a longer-term picture of movements, also reflects the impact of meat and dairy product manufacturing.
"Both the total manufacturing trend and the meat and dairy trend, which were rising during 2012, have fallen this year," Cardno says.
Nine of the other 12 manufacturing industries recorded falls in the June quarter. The other main movements were:
• chemical, polymer, and rubber product manufacturing, up 6%
• petroleum and coal product manufacturing, down 5.2%
In current prices, the total manufacturing sales value fell 2% ($455 million) to a seasonally adjusted $22.3 billion.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.

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