MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Fertiliser co-op Ravensdown says some of its stores have been affected by the series of earthquakes this morning.
It is also warning farmers that supply of fertiliser to some stores could be affected by road closures.
The co-op’s Marlborough store is being assessed by staff and will re-open at 7am tomorrow. The Cheviot store could not be contacted due to phone congestion and it is likely to be closed for the day due to road closures.
Some staff made it into the Culverden store, however access to the store may be limited by road closures; the store is open but running on limited resources.
Stores in Nelson and Amberley are open after visual inspections by staff.
Ravensdown’s quarries at Ngarua and Whiterock Lime are open but will not be producing lime until production buildings are inspected and passed safe by engineers.
“We will continue to despatch lime and should have sufficient quantity on hand to minimise any supply disruption,” it says.
“Our manufacturing plants are operational, have been assessed by staff, and look okay; engineering reports will be prepared as required. At this stage no North Island stores are affected.”
The co-op says several main roads remain closed.
“Until roads are more closely assessed today we will not know for how long they will be closed. There is likely to be some ongoing interruption to supply of fertiliser to these stores while roads are repaired.”
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.

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