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OPINION: The Hound hears John Murphy, chair of Veg NZ, reckons greenhouse vege producers face severe challenges due to changes in the ETS.
Murphy warns, "You'll see a $10 cucumber in no time".
Greenhouse growers will be affected by changes to industrial allocation, where government gives free emission units to businesses, keeping them competitive against countries who aren't facing crippling ETS costs.
There will be fewer free permits than before; some growers will pay an extra $200k this year, which VNZ warns could force them out of business.
Those locked into gas contracts who cannot switch to alternatives will be hit with higher ETS fees for using that gas.
As Murph rightly says, "it's a triumph of bureaucracy".
OPINION: The Hound hears that tension was in the air at the recent Silver Fern Farms AGM, with the board reportedly dazed and confused at why their CEO would continue to hammer farmers to lower their emissions in perpetuity, without being able to state a dollar value for any of the touted premiums.
OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".
OPINION: It's good news that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has slashed $1.1 billion from new spending, citing "a seismic global economic event" - Donald Trump's trade tariffs - and unsustainable debt, but with the Government reportedly borrowing $500 million a week, interest costs now exceed the combined budgets of Police, Corrections, Justice and Defence.
OPINION: Greenpeace claims that the appointment of Dr John Roche as the PM's Chief Science Advisor is handing the powers to polluters.
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
Massey University is returning to the Fieldays with a future-focused, solution-driven theme, showcasing research that delivers practical advancements in agricultural efficiency, sustainability and longevity.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
