Arable Farmers Shift to Dairy as Fuel and Fertiliser Costs Surge
Some arable farmers are getting out of arable and converting to dairy in the faced of soaring fuel and fertiliser prices on top of a very poor growing season.
OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons one of the few things you can guarantee in farming - a bit like rates and taxes - is that input prices will always go up!
The latest example is the rocketing price of fertiliser.
A mate of yours truly reckons that while he was not surprised by news of fertiliser price increases, he was somewhat stunned by the claim from his fertiliser company that it was 'giving him plenty of warning' about prices going up.
Apparently, he was sent a message from said company on June 25 saying prices for all its fertiliser range were going up - some by more than $100/tonne - effective from June 26!
Already reeling from this news, his jaw dropped when the same message unbelievably said: "We wanted to give you as much time to plan ahead for your fertiliser requirements..."
Wow, a whole 24-hours in advance, thanks - for nothing!
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says while it's still early days in terms of the kiwifruit harvest, things are looking pretty good.

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