It's The Margins That Matter
OPINION: It appears to be difficult for people who haven’t tried to run a business to understand the difference between assets and cash.
Both major fertiliser co-operatives have dropped their prices as farmers start planning for spring.
Ballance came out last week, reducing the price of urea by $100/tonne to $795/t. It’s granular urea product SustaiN is $100/t cheaper, now priced at $844/t. Superphosphate drops $50/t to settle at $424/t.
Ravensdown has followed by dropping urea’s price by $100/t to $799/t. Superphosphate drops by $45/t to $429/t while Ravensdown’s coated urea product, N-Protect is now $100 cheaper and priced at $848/t.
Ballance sales manager Jason Minkhorst told Rural News that it was great to see prices start tracking to these levels.
“Driver is reduced demand globally on back of high prices and increased supply: watchout is global demand may bounce back and supply is still a risk. “However, we wanted to give our farmers confidence for spring accordingly we made some bold moves to help with on farm costs.”
Ravensdown chief customer officer Gary Bowick told farmers that while international commodity prices remain relatively volatile and some prices appear to be firming, they understand the need to meet the market and offer competitive prices for our customers.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
Opportunity says its land value tax (LVT) is unlikely to force farmers into a position where asset sales or increased debt are required.
Milk powder prices are keeping farmgate prices up, helping processors offset the dip in milk fat prices.
Climate, nature and animal wellbeing make up Fonterra's refreshed sustainability roadmap released last week.
The Government is introducing a new nationwide rural recycling scheme that will significantly increase the recovery of farm plastics from March next year, Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg announced today.

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