Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The main beneficiaries of the EU FTA will be kiwifruit, onions, honey, wine and seafood.
The horticultural sector will have $46 million in tariffs slashed from day one, while honey exporters will benefit from the phased removal of the 17% over three years, and for mānuka honey rights from day one.
NZ's two main exports - dairy and meat - have not gained the access they were hoping for. However, butter gets 36,000 tonnes of quota - phased in over seven years. While small in NZ terms, it equates to around 60% of the EU's total annual butter imports. Cheese will have improved access, growing from just over 6,000 tonnes to 31,000 tonnes over seven years.
Beef access again is small, but perhaps understandable given that the EU is a major beef producer. The quota will progressively go to 10,000 tonnes over seven years with a reduced tariff quota.
NZ sheep meat exporters will have access to an additional duty-free quota to the EU growing to 38,000 tonnes over 6 years. This is on top of existing duty-free WTO quota access to the EU of 125,769 tonnes.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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