Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Farmers are being urged to get involved in the upcoming local authority elections.
Federated Farmers' spokeswoman on local government, Katie Milne, says local government elections are vitally important for farming on many levels, and she is encouraging farmers to make their voices heard.
"It is crucial that farmers get involved in holding their councils to account. This includes being engaged on the issues and when the time comes making an informed vote.
"It’s also important that we get good candidates, including farmers and other business-minded people, to stand for election," she says.
"It’s a challenging role but farmers can make a difference on councils, informing and educating [other councilors] about what happens on-farm, which is crucial for getting sensible, workable outcomes."
Milne says that the way local government is funded, by property value based rates, has a big impact on farms' financial viability.
"The average farm now pays well over $10,000 per year in rates and rates are often in the top half dozen farm expenses. As a fixed cost there is no way for farms to cut it back, short of selling up, during downturns like the current one."
Local Government NZ has published a guide for candidates, and has launched a campaign to boost flagging voter numbers.
Federated Farmers will produce a local elections manifesto on key issues farmers and candidates should think about.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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