Editorial: Farm salaries get a boost
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
A Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) would transform New Zealand's agriculture and economy by involving five of our top ten export partners.
A TPP could boost our exports to the United States enormously and its only one partner, says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers President and economics and commerce spokesperson.
"The sky is the limit given HSBC Bank says our trade with the rest of the world could grow 83 percent in the next 15 years. That outperforms the global average and is vital for us to remain a first world nation and for public services to remain properly funded.
"A 2002 a report for the US-NZ Council found a true free trade deal between our two countries would boost New Zealand exports to the United States by 51 percent. New Zealand currently exports around $4 billion to the United States; our number three trading partner.
He says Japan joining TPP negotiations "supercharges the TPP's overall potential". Japan is the world's number three economy and our fourth largest export partner. The potential is "huge" because the TPP would involve half of our top ten export partners including three of the top four.
"The crucial thing for Federated Farmers is the removal of trade barriers for agriculture. That's a non-negotiable requirement for us as the world needs to eliminate tariffs and subsidies. Free trade also needs a wider genuine commitment to services, investment and intellectual property.
"While the free trade agreements we have with the likes of Australia and China are tremendous, multilateral trade agreements are the future, such as the one we have with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)."
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Females are dominating the veterinary profession worldwide and many farmers are welcoming this change in the composition of the profession, says Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Professor Christine Middlemiss.
A five-year randomised survey of herbicide resistance on New Zealand arable farms has found widespread high levels of resistance - with 71% of farms affected in the worst-hit region - South Canterbury.
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
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