Waikato farmers tackle debt as interest rates fall, says Zonderop
Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says two consecutive years of a $10 milk price is fantastic for New Zealand agriculture.
Now local council elections have come to a close, with the last of the successful candidates announced late last week, Federated Farmers is urging councils up and down the country to focus on rates bills this term.
Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says there are many issues facing local government this term, but the newly elected councillors need to keep residents’ concerns top of mind.
“Federated Farmers congratulates all successful candidates, and thanks all of those who stood. It takes courage to put your name forward for an election,” says Faulkner.
In 2022, as in previous years, Federated Farmers published a 2022 ‘platform’ of hot button council issues, outlining the farming sector’s concerns and suggested changes on everything from three waters and RMA reforms to rural road maintenance, climate change and environmental regulation.
“Right up the front of that platform was the bald and unpalatable fact that in the decade to 2022, local authority rates and feeds have gone up an average 56%, against a consumer price index rise of 20%,” Faulkner says.
“For farmers, and many other businesses and households too, the rates bill is a major – and climbing cost.”
Federated Farmers wants councillors to remember the difference between ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’, and to ask questions around value for money.
“Core infrastructure should be the priority,” says Faulkner.
During the Annual Plan/budget rounds, there should also be robust debate around the place for targeted rates and uniform charges "which are often a much fairer way than general rates of apportioning costs according to benefit derived," she says.
For the first time, all the big names in agricultural drone technology are being brought together under one marquee at the National Fieldays.
Fonterra has announced an improved third quarter performance – with a profit after tax of $1.15 billion, up $119 million on the same period last year.
The Fieldays Innovation Awards competition has attracted a diverse and impressive array of innovations from across the primary industries, highlighting the growing importance of technology shaping the future of farming.
Coming to the fore following the carnage of Cyclone Gabrielle, Starlink became well known for providing internet access even in NZ's most inaccessible places.
From this winter farmers will have a greater choice of feed types and blend options than ever before, thanks to Farmlands' purchase of animal nutrition company SealesWinslow.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
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