TB slaughter levy for dairy jumps 75c/head
TB differential slaughter levy rates are changing with dairy animals paying $12.25/head, an increase of 75c from next month.
OPINION: After Jacinda Ardern and Labour were asked to form the government following the 2017 elections, Federated Farmers sent an email out to its executives asking if any of them had a working relationship with any Labour MPs. The answer was no one did.
For the next six years, an avalanche of regulations around water quality, environment, winter grazing and climate change was dumped on the farming sector. While industry body groups like DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb NZ tried to work with Labour on emissions pricing, the rural sector turned its back on Labour, stripping the party of almost all rural seats in the last election.
It’s inevitable that one day, six or even nine years from today, Labour will be returned as the government. And this time, Feds don’t want to be caught short. Hence, earlier this month, Feds leaders hosted Chris Hipkins, Carmel Sepuloni, Willow Jean Prime, Jo Luxton, Jan Tinetti, Rachel Brooking, Tangi Utikere, Glen Bennett and their senior staff for two days in the Waikato. The first day included meetings and presentations. Day two included three farm visits. DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb NZ, Groundswell and Rural Women NZ were also represented.
Feds president Wayne Langford explained that the last few years under a Labour government were incredibly challenging for rural communities, and farmer confidence hit record lows.
“There’s no denying that part of the problem was that we didn’t have strong relationships between Labour and farmers, and there wasn’t a lot of trust or understanding. That’s why we’ve really invested some time trying to establish relationships, grow their understanding of farming, and hopefully build some trust.”
To win back farmers’ trust, Labour will need to show that it’s willing to drop its arrogant attitude, on display during its last three years in power, and show some respect to the farming sector. Talkfests and farm visits alone won’t be enough to win back the rural vote.
A hundred primary schools across New Zealand are now better resourced to teach their students about food and farming after winning ‘George the Farmer’ book sets in a recent competition run by rural lender, Rabobank.
Kiwifruit growers are celebrating a trifecta of industry milestones next month.
TB differential slaughter levy rates are changing with dairy animals paying $12.25/head, an increase of 75c from next month.
Taranaki's Zero Possum project has entered a new phase, featuring a high-tech farmland barrier and a few squirts of mayo.
The recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) conference in Wellington was signalling cautious optimism on the back of rising milk and store cattle prices and drops in interest rates.
OPINION: Common sense has prevailed.
OPINION: A reader recently called out the Hound for not giving Federated Farmers enough credit for taking Otago Regional Council…
OPINION: Your old mate was shocked to learn that two pet projects of progressive dreamers have come a gutser in…