Editorial: Sensible move
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Federated Farmers is arranging support for a small group of dairy sheep farmers in the North Island, who were told this week to stop milking by processor, Maui Milk.
About 15 farmers in Waikato were told to end their 2023-24 season via an email from the company.
Feds Rotorua/Taupo president Colin Guyton told Rural News that he had spoken briefly to one Maui Milk supplier, who had spent a few days looking for an alternative processor and then decided to dry off her flock.
Guyton says he believes other Maui suppliers will be in a similar position. Drying off earlier means loss of income for the farmer suppliers.
He says Feds representatives are trying to get in touch with these farmers and offering them support through the Rural Support Trust.
Guyton says while he doesn’t know the reason behind Maui Milk’s decision to stop collecting milk, the move will cause anxiety and financial hardship for farmer suppliers.
“These farmers won’t have a lot of faith in Maui Milk going forward,” he says.
“I don’t know whether Maui is in financial difficulty but their decision is causing a lot of concern and anxiety for farmers.
“I have asked Feds officials to arrange support for these farmers through the Rural Support Trust for things like mental health.”
Maui Milk, established in 2014, and made sheep milk powder and infant milk formula for export.
Since 2015, Maui’s genetic programme created the Southern Cross breed, now registered as a new breed by the NZ Sheep Breeders Association. Maui says it’s suppliers have easy access to new Southern Cross rams every season which assures them of genetic gain and genetic diversity.
In 2021, Maui Milk became part of the Maui Group to align the genetics programme, milk production, processing and marketing businesses.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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