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Federated Farmers Southland sharemilker chair Jason Herrick.
A New Zealand Government directive for farmers to pay new overseas workers higher rates has been slammed.
While farmers welcome the Government's decision to issue border class exemptions for another 200 dairy workers, the increase in pay levels is causing anger.
Farmers employing these extra workers must pay them $92,000 per annum or 1.75 times the current median wage for an assistant dairy farm manager.
Those employed as herd manager must be paid $79,500/year, which is 1.5 times the current median wage for dairy herd manager roles.
Federated Farmers Southland sharemilker chair Jason Herrick told Rural News that increases in pay levels is his biggest issue.
"Setting those levels for junior staff and senior staff creates a whole new set of problems with current staff," Herrick says. "Now they will feel hard done by, so to make things smooth sailing we now have to increase the wages of our current staff to be seen to be dealing with pay equality."
Ngai Tahu's legal action seeking self-determination (rangatiratanga) over fresh water could have huge implications for the future of farming, the viability of farming businesses, and our wider rural communities, says Federated Farmers national vice president Colin Hurst.
A survey of contract milkers in the dairy sector has revealed some shocking statistics - 43% of respondents reported abusive behaviour from a farm owner and a whopping 72% suffered a mental and/or financial setback in the role.
OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.
There's been a positive response to the Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable.
Many contract milkers in badly drought affected regions around the country are coming under severe financial stress and farm owners are being urged to help them through a bad patch until the start of the new season.
Business Advisors and Accountants (BFA) and Craigs Investment Partners will be hosting an event later this month where they will take a deeper look at the practical and emotional side of succession planning.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says the Government needs to close loopholes in the guidance around limits on carbon forestry as news of further whole-farm sales emerges.
Sales of premium brand Envy apples are booming in Taiwan.
Sheep milk powder and products exporter Maui Milk is partnering with one of China’s biggest dairy players to boost its market presence.
Ngai Tahu's legal action seeking self-determination (rangatiratanga) over fresh water could have huge implications for the future of farming, the viability of farming businesses, and our wider rural communities, says Federated Farmers national vice president Colin Hurst.
A Māori-owned agribusiness helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sectors wants more industry support.
