Corporate narrative?
OPINION: Forget about the fabled 'rural-urban' divide, the real fault-line in farming might actually be the divide between grass-roots farmers and the industry corporates who claim to be 'speaking on behalf of farmers'.
Federated Farmers and Rabobank’s 2015 employee remuneration report shows farm employee salaries are increasing, despite tough industry conditions.
Salaries across the industry groups generally were equal at entry level, though some dairy-farming employees, such as dairy farm managers, had higher salaries compared with their sheep and beef counterparts.
Federated Farmers dairy industry group chair, Andrew Hoggard, says it has been a fairly unfavourable year for farming all round, especially in the dairy industry, with returns down 40%.
“That said the survey shows farm staff wages are increasing. Generally, employers are happy with their staff, with 77% saying they are very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their employees. That proves staff is valued and challenges the mainstream perception that farm workers are not rewarded,” says Hoggard.
The report also says there has been a decrease in working hours.
“This might be due to new survey questions this year, which mean we are now getting a truer indicator of actual hours worked.”
“People tend to concentrate on hours farm employees work in the busiest time of year and overlook the fact that hours fluctuate markedly from season to season. There are quiet times of the year as well.”
Hoggard says the report once again highlighted that package extras, such as food, vehicle use and electricity, are over and above the salary.
“More than 80% of employees are using farming houses. These benefits can reach several thousands of dollars.”
Hoggard welcomes the results showing farmers were now better at keeping employee data, with three quarters formally recording working hours.
“There is still a lot of work to do but this year’s results show we are heading in the right direction and it reminds all farmers that they are obliged to keep time records.”
“We would also encourage all payroll system providers to look into ways their products can assist farmers to record all this in a much more user friendly manner,” he says.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
Tighter beef and lamb production globally have worked to the advantage of NZ, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Groundswell is ramping up its 'Quit Paris' campaign with signs going up all over the country.
Some farmers in the Nelson region are facing up to five years of hard work to repair their damaged properties caused by the recent devastating floods.
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