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 president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
Langford says he has noticed a real shift in the mood this year - helped by better commodity prices, lower interest rates, and some red tape being cut.
“It’ll be interesting to see if that’s translated into farmers opening their wallets and making some purchases this year,” he says.
Langford points out that says there some “really key announcements” during Fieldays.
This includes a new $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund.
“I’ve been fighting hard for this, alongside other rural advocacy groups, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see such a meaningful investment into rural mental health,” he says.
He notes that it was also a massive result for wool this week, with Kāinga Ora deciding to use wool carpet in its social housing.
“As our meat and wool chair Toby Williams said, our wool industry is in major freefall, and this move from Kainga Ora is the parachute we desperately need.
“It’ll slow the fall, but we still really need a big updraft to lift wool back up into being the number-one fibre globally.”
Another great win for farmers came when Energy Minister Simon Watts announced a package of measures designed to increase use of solar power on Kiwi farms.
Langford says its positive to see these moves to help farmers more easily access independent solar power and battery technology advice and finance.
“I’m very proud that Federated Farmers has been getting real change across the line that will make tangible improvements to our rural families.
“And let me be clear: this is only thanks to the awesome support of our loyal members, who power us to be the voice of farming in the country.
“It’s been a great week for farming – and rest assured that we won’t be backing off now. We’re committed to getting Kiwi ag into an even better place, one win at a time.”
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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