increase font size
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford.
A recent survey by Federated Farmers of 1000 dairy, sheep, beef and arable farmers has found that confidence is at historic lows.
Feds president Wayne Langford says farmers are dealing with a lot at the moment with high interest rates, huge inflation and a steep decline in both meat and milk prices they receive for their products.
“We’re also facing an unprecedented level of regulatory change that is heaping on costs, undermining profitability and creating huge uncertainty for farmers.
“Unfortunately, all these challenges have arrived at the same time, which just compounds the pressure farmers are feeling – it’s just not sustainable.
“We have real concerns about farmer wellbeing and what this might mean for farming families, rural communities, and the wider New Zealand economy.
“When farmers aren’t profitable or feeling confident, they stop spending money and try to cut any costs they can from their business. The implications of that flow right through the economy,” Langford added.
The Farmer Confidence survey was conducted in July 2023 – prior to Fonterra’s announcement that it was slashing $1 from their 2023/24 forecast milk price.
The four biggest concerns for farmers were debt, interest and banks, regulation and compliance costs, and climate change and ETS policy.
“This is the second successive farmer confidence survey to set a new record low with a steep decline over the last six months – so we’re sounding the alarm,” Langford says.
“This should serve as a wake-up call for all political parties, banks and processors that something needs to urgently change.
“There needs to be a real focus on reducing the costs and uncertainty farmers are facing.”
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.
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to highlight the most troublesome farm pests – a serious issue that needs some urgent attention from the Beehive.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
According to Ravensdown's most recent Market Outlook report, a combination of geopolitical movements and volatile market responses are impacting the global fertiliser landscape.
Environment Canterbury, alongside industry partners and a group of farmers, is encouraging farmers to consider composting as an environmentally friendly alternative to offal pits.
A New Zealand dairy industry leader believes the free trade deal announced with India delivers wins for the sector.
The Coalition Government will need the support of at least one opposition party to ratify the free trade deal with India.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
At Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.
OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…
