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Federated Farmers and Rabobank’s 2015 employee remuneration report shows farm employee salaries are increasing, despite tough industry conditions.
Salaries across the industry groups generally were equal at entry level, though some dairy-farming employees, such as dairy farm managers, had higher salaries compared with their sheep and beef counterparts.
Federated Farmers dairy industry group chair, Andrew Hoggard, says it has been a fairly unfavourable year for farming all round, especially in the dairy industry, with returns down 40%.
“That said the survey shows farm staff wages are increasing. Generally, employers are happy with their staff, with 77% saying they are very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their employees. That proves staff is valued and challenges the mainstream perception that farm workers are not rewarded,” says Hoggard.
The report also says there has been a decrease in working hours.
“This might be due to new survey questions this year, which mean we are now getting a truer indicator of actual hours worked.”
“People tend to concentrate on hours farm employees work in the busiest time of year and overlook the fact that hours fluctuate markedly from season to season. There are quiet times of the year as well.”
Hoggard says the report once again highlighted that package extras, such as food, vehicle use and electricity, are over and above the salary.
“More than 80% of employees are using farming houses. These benefits can reach several thousands of dollars.”
Hoggard welcomes the results showing farmers were now better at keeping employee data, with three quarters formally recording working hours.
“There is still a lot of work to do but this year’s results show we are heading in the right direction and it reminds all farmers that they are obliged to keep time records.”
“We would also encourage all payroll system providers to look into ways their products can assist farmers to record all this in a much more user friendly manner,” he says.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
Farmers have been airing their concerns to the Government over changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
Southland farmers are welcoming moves by the Government to repeal intensive winter grazing rules.
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
