Editorial: Less red tape
OPINION: Farmers have always been wary of the Resource Management Act (RMA).
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The numbers speak for themselves: weighted average salaries rose by 11% for dairy sector roles, by 17% for sheep and beef roles, and by 14% for arable roles.
The increases have come even though the agricultural sector facing a raft of challenges in the past two years – farm owners have been facing higher input costs and interest rates. Despite this, farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
Since 2022, the average salary for a farm worker has increased by $7,480 to $71,411 and the weighted average annual salary across the 13 surveyed on-farm position categories has grown by 13%.
And for some more senior roles, the increases have been significantly higher: the average salary for a dairy herd manager is up 19% to $74,185. A sheep/beef farm manager is earning an average 22% more than two years ago ($88,381) and the average income for an arable farm manager is up 28% to $101,264.
As Federated Farmers points out, the increases are impressive, especially considering all the headwinds farmers have contended with over the past two years which have included Covid, severe weather events, production-suffocating red tape, inflation and roller-coaster commodity prices.
The report also highlights strong growth in Total Package Values (TPV) for farm employees. The average TPV for someone working in the sheep and beef sector rose to $76,296, nearly $3,700 more than the salary.
The average weekly hours worked on farms is below the International Labour Organisation’s recommended maximum standard weekly total of 48 hours. The average number of hours worked by a permanent dairy staff member was 46.3 hours. On a sheep and beef farm it was 44.4 hours and on an arable farm 46.3 hours.
These impressive statistics show that NZ agriculture remains an attractive workplace for both locals and migrants, and farm owners are dedicated and fair employers.
Finally, it means careers in NZ agriculture are not only satisfying, but also pay-competitive.
The real winner of this year’s FMG Young Farmer Region-off have been the regional communities.
As calving approaches, farmers need to get their teams ready for what lies ahead in the coming months.
Feeling sluggish this winter? Then try some seasonal fruit, renowned for lifting mood, energy and immunity levels just when we need it most.
The missing link in getting maximum weight gain in your calves may be as simple as keeping them warm, says the Christchurch manufacturer of a range of woollen covers for young livestock.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and Massey University are joining forces to help raise awareness and funds to combat leptospirosis.
Auckland-based supplement and nutritional company New Image International is celebrating 40 years of business in their home country.
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