Dairy farmers welcome NZ’s revised 2050 methane target
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
The Government has announced its long awaited funding package for farmers and growers hit by cyclones and storms in the North Island.
It says the package has been put together with input from the major sector groups such as Beef+LambNZ, DairyNZ and HortNZ.
There are two major components – the first one is aimed at encouraging banks to become more actively involved in helping farmers and growers to get their businesses back on track. To do this, the Government will take 80% of the risk of a loan to a grower or farmer away from the banks. It claims this will allow the banks to offer reduced interest rates and more flexible terms.
However, there is a limit of $10 million and certain criteria apply, one of which is that the borrower meets the lenders’ credit criteria – meaning they are lendable and also viable long term.
In the second part of the package, the Government will lend up to $4 million to a grower or farmer if they cannot get a loan from a bank. However, to quality, the individual must be able to prove that they can get their business back on track and that they can then get a bank loan.
In essence, this is a helping hand to those who may already have a mortgage with a bank but may be deemed a credit risk.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the package is the result of working together with affected sectors to identify the most suitable schemes for viable businesses, particularly when dealing with their banks.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Nadine Tunley says hopefully the package will provide vital help to businesses across the areas affected by the weather.
LeaderBrand’s chief executive Richard Burke also welcomed the package.
“Businesses like ours provide hundreds-of-thousands of jobs for people in the regions. In our case, we also supply the whole country with healthy, fresh food. Being supported in this way to get on with the recovery is a win-win for everyone involved,” he says.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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