Ravensdown Returns to Profit, Approves $15/Tonne Shareholder Rebate
Ravensdown has reported a net profit before tax and rebate of $50.1 million for the year ended 31 May 2026.
WITH PRIME Minister John Key and President Barack Obama showing strong support for a comprehensive Trans Pacific Partnership, New Zealand farmers will support leaving countries behind that are not prepared to eliminate agricultural tariffs.
"The Trans Pacific Partnership was established to eliminate all tariffs and bring a new level of discipline to the use of non-tariff barriers," says Bruce Wills, the national president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.
"If we have a country that is not prepared to accept this reality, then they should not be allowed to slow down progress for all.
"It doesn't mean they won't enter in the future but a compromised TPP is no agreement at all. Federated Farmers does not wish to see the TPP drag-on like the stalled Doha talks either.
"We are genuinely enthused to see the keenness of President Obama's administration to have the TPP concluded this year. It's no wonder when 37% of American exports go to TPP countries supporting four million jobs and the United States will gain much more going forward.
"Federated Farmers TPP bottom line is the elimination, without exception, of all product tariffs. The TPP will set the benchmark for all future trade deals in the Asia-Pacific region so we cannot afford to get this wrong.
"If we set a high standard at the get-go then all future TPP entrants will have no opportunity to water it down. That includes those who may not immediately enter the TPP, but of course, we hope that they eventually will.
"According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade, a study by the East West Centre predicts the TPP could see New Zealand's annual exports boosted by almost $5 billion in 2025. The global effect is measured in the hundreds of billions.
"Encouragingly, our experience of Free Trade Agreements is that this figure is probably conservative.
"We only have to look at the free trade deal with Taiwan, which took effect late last year. In the year to April 2014 our exports there are up 15% over the year before while our exports to countries of the ASEAN region are up 17%.
Willa says at the recent filed days he earned that there were originally thousands of lines to be agreed on the TPP but encouragingly we seem down to the last 20%.
"I know there have been false dawns in the past but we believe a successful end is in sight," Wills says.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.