M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
More than 50 farmers around New Zealand registered to bid in the auction with more than 80 attending in person.
A first on-farm clearing sale using a hybrid auction platform delivered a “fantastic result” for Galatea farmers Shaun and Kelly Bicknell.
In a successful first, NZ Farmers Livestock (NZFL) ran the on-farm hybrid auction supported by both on-line and on-farm bidding capability.
The sale saw a 100% clearance at prices reflecting the quality herd with much online bidding particularly for the top end of the herd.
More than 50 farmers around New Zealand registered to bid in the auction with more than 80 attending in person. Around 30% of bids were made on-line and 20% of the lots (mainly top end) were purchased by on-line buyers.
Top prices achieved were – Cow $9,600, heifer $6,600 and yearling $6,100. The average cow price was $1,975.
Shaun Bicknell said the prices were bang on with he had hoped for and the online bidding fuelled the sale – adding a degree of competition.
“We’re very happy, the sale couldn’t have gone better under the circumstances. NZ Farmers Livestock were fantastic – now it’s just a matter of getting the stock (whose origins go back to Shaun’s grandfather) off the farm and on to their new homes,” Bicknell said.
NZFL general manager, Bill Sweeney said the hybrid auction platform was developed to meet urgent farmer need under COVID-19.
“But it is clear that it will change the game for the whole range of on-farm livestock selling and I am confident more farmers will take it up. On-line adds buying power to livestock auctions and will suit a growing number of buyers. This is a powerful clearance sale tool, but it is also going to add demand to stud sales, and I am keen to take it there too.”
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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