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Farm Focus chief executive Auriga Martin.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
Martin, whose company provides financial management tool for farmers, believes many farmers will be concerned about the impact of the tariffs.
However, she points out that farmers who are aware of their margins can make the necessary adjustments to weather the storm.
“While it’s difficult to plan for an uncertain future farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions and this will be no different,” says Martin.
“Farmers are inherently good at adapting, running lean, managing costs or diversifying income on their farm. They know that building resilience as a business is important regardless of what the disruptors are.
“And with the US imposing significant tariffs globally, Kiwi farmers may find themselves well positioned to adapt to the changing export market.”
As part of his ‘Liberation Day’ announcements President Trump slapped baseline tariffs of about 10% on US imports.
He will also be imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries that have treated the US unfairly in terms of tariff and non-tariff barriers. 10% tariffs will be imposed on NZ and Australian goods exports to the US, whereas much higher US tariffs will be imposed on major export markets, including China, Japan, the European Union and much of the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region. The US is NZ’s 3rd largest goods export market ($9bn annually), being a key destination for NZ exports of meat, dairy and wine as well as selected non-commodity exports.
Two rural data organisations - DairyNZ’s DairyBase and Farm Focus - have formed a new partnership that aims to remove data duplication and help provide more timely, useful benchmarking insights for farmers.
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.
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact that, now more than ever, US farmers are being propped up by government welfare – a direct result of Trump’s hardline on its trading partners.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
"Unwelcome" is how the chief executive of the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA), Simon Hegarty, describes the 15% tariff that the US has imposed on primary exports to that country.
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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