Green but not much grass!
Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre, who farms just north of the Horowhenua township of Levin.
Federated Farmers believes quantitative easing now would be incredibly bad for New Zealand.
"Printing $5 notes would set off an inflationary bomb that risks returning New Zealand to the dark days of double-digit interest rates," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers president.
"Our dollar's strength has been based on an economy 'less bad' than many others plus high levels of government borrowing.
"Just look at the way our dollar dropped off the back of improved US jobs figures. Better news from other countries will help to drive our dollar lower.
"This is why quantitative easing is and remains a 'break glass in case of fire' policy option - a last desperate option only.
"New Zealand is nowhere near such desperate measures because our Official Cash Rate is 2.5% versus 0.5% in the United Kingdom, 0.25% in the United States and 0.10% in Japan.
"As an export-led economy we need to keep a strong lid on our inflation because we import a fair slice of it from those we trade with. Low global inflation won't last forever and if we stoke domestic inflation by printing dollars, we will be hammered by importing more from overseas.
"We are not alone with a strong dollar because the Canadian is up 60% against the greenback. An article I read on Canada could apply to New Zealand, 'the strength of the economy in Great White North, which has in abundance what the rest of the world needs more and more of: commodities such as oil, basic materials and agriculture'.
"As for direct intervention, does anyone seriously believe our Reserve Bank can set then defend an exchange rate against all comers?
"Our solution is to ask if each dollar being spent by Government is the best use for that dollar.
"The dollar is being kept artificially high because of borrowing 'to smooth the rough edges' of recession.
"We must undertake reforms to strengthen our productivity and competitiveness. If exporters can generate greater revenue this means more money for our schools and hospitals.
"As a country we just need to stop borrowing so much money, we need to reduce government spending and return to surplus. This will take upward pressure off both interest rates and the currency," Wills says.
The red meat sector is welcoming the start of trade negotiations between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Meat processor Alliance Group's cash-strapped farmer shareholders face a dilemma - either pour more money into the co-operative or risk losing 100% ownership and control.
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…