LIC ends year with $30.6m profit
Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.
Agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank has moved to reassure clients impacted by drought conditions in the North Island that it will work to support them.
Rabobank regional manager East Coast George Murdoch says the bank would work alongside its farming clients affected by the current severe dry conditions in many areas of the North Island.
"We're committed to supporting clients wherever we can through periods of difficulty, such as major weather events, and, as we have done in the past, we'll work on an individual case-by-case basis to assist them through problems resulting from these events," he says.
Murdoch says clients in applicable circumstances would be eligible for a range of support
measures, including:
• deferral of scheduled loan payments
• waiving of break costs on early redemption of deposits
• waiving of fees on loan increases necessary to assist in rebuilding operations and
• waiving of fees for equipment finance variations.
Rabobank's rural loans were also specifically designed for farmers and offered financial flexibility to help manage through times of difficulty. "Loan products, such as the interest-only Rabobank All in One facility, are designed to maximise cash flow availability during adverse circumstances, including drought," he says.
In addition, the bank was investigating other practical initiatives to assist farmers on the ground with hardships resulting from the drought.
Murdock says stock prices are falling rapidly and supplementary feed costs had risen sharply in recent weeks and, while the financial impact of the drought would be felt for some years to come, the immediate concern was for farmer wellbeing.
Rabobank employees had been contacting clients in drought-affected areas to offer the bank's assistance. He called for impacted clients who have concerns and had not yet spoken to the bank to contact their local rural manager or branch.
The bank's support measures would be extended to clients in all regions of New Zealand impacted by drought.
Murdoch says Rabobank was experienced in working with farmers around the world in drought conditions, including long-term droughts in Australia through the last decade, and more recently in the United States and parts of South America and Europe.
"We understand that as devastating as these conditions can be, they are a fact of life for agriculture," he said. "And these short-term challenges notwithstanding, the longer-term outlook for New Zealand agriculture is very sound."
New Zealand's red meat sector says the United States' decision to increase tariffs on New Zealand exports is disappointing.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
From nitrogen limits to ecosystem restoration –farmers and catchment groups are leading a new wave of environmental care, says DairyNZ.
OPINION: The Government's decision to stop local authorities going ahead with reviews of district and regional plans makes sense for several reasons.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…