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OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be, despite falling interest rates, and the report still paints a damning picture of rural lending.
The survey of more than 600 farmers conducted in November shows only 53% of respondents are currently satisfied with their banking relationship.
"That's a huge drop from 80% in 2017 and raises some serious questions about their behaviour," Feds' Richard McIntyre says.
Alarmingly, almost a quarter of farmers feel their bank doesn't allow them to structure their debt efficiently with 11% reporting being asked to use overdrafts for capital projects.
Forcing farmers to use their overdrafts for capital spending drives up interest costs for farmers and, surprising no one, it also drives up profit for the banks.
Federated Farmers is celebrating following the Government's announcement that young farmers will be able to use their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first home or farm.
OPINION: The euphoria over the Government’s two new bills to replace the broken Resource Management Act is over.
Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests delayed and some crops destroyed by violent hailstorms.
OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.
Sheep and beef farmers in Hawke's Bay are being urged to keep a close eye on the wells that supply water to their stock.
OPINION: For some of us the threat of a fuel crisis is something we have dealt with before and are still here to tell the tale.
New Zealanders are spontaneously joining in the 60th birthday celebrations of the nation’s iconic rural programme, Country Calendar.
Fonterra is rejecting New Zealand First's claim that outgoing chief executive Miles Hurrell is in line for a 'golden handshake'.
Strong wool is now being used as a pigment in screen printing for a new clothing range.
Halter has unveiled plans for a large-scale expansion of its virtual fencing and animal management system, following a major fundraising round.
“Pack your thinking caps. You need more than just farming knowledge for this one.”
