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Federated Farmers vice-chairperson grains, Brian Leadley.
Yields for the 2020 arable harvest are up 16% across the board when compared to 2019, according to a new survey.
The results were presented in the latest Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) survey.
Federated Farmers vice-chairperson grains, Brian Leadley says what is particularly encouraging in the survey is the fact fewer hectares were planted in total this season compared to last (98,090 ha vs 104,000), yet tonnes harvested were substantially up (873,080 vs 796,700).
"This is despite a severe early season hailstorm, flooding in some regions and some pretty variable weather. It just highlights that our arable farmers are world class," says Leadley.
"Some caution is needed when comparing the 2020 harvest with 2019 because last year was pretty poor.
“But when you get results such as a 17.7% increase in feed wheat despite a 6% decrease in hectares planted, and a 31% increase in harvested milled wheat from only a 13% increase in hectares planted, that’s really pleasing."
There is demand for locally produced milling wheat and growers have responded by planting more hectares.
"I think there is also a recognition from growers that many modern milling varieties are performing well in their rotation, and this is supported by the good lift in yields seen this season."
The survey results, released this week, also provide a broad indication of farmers’ autumn planting intentions.
As at 1 April, the survey indicated that feed wheat and feed barley plantings were going to be down on previous years. But milling wheat, milling oats and malting barley planting indications are in for an increase.
The feed shortage issues many livestock farmers are facing with the double hit of drought and COVID-19-related meat plant processing delays have been well publicised.
Federated Farmers says wheat/barley is a nutritious supplementary feed option heading into winter/spring, but it requires careful management to prevent acidosis.
The group encourages farmers to talk to their vets or advisors on the viability of feeding grain.
MPI and partner agencies DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, AgFirst and Federated Farmers, are offering free feed planning support to farmers and livestock owners in all parts of the country.
In New Zealand, every dairy farmer worth their salt knows just how important it is to look after the welfare of their animals. The health of the herd directly impacts profit margins, which, in turn, determines the viability and sustainability of the farm.
The dry weather in some parts of the North Island has received medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government.
Marlborough Federated Farmers has got some real concern about the mental wellbeing of farmers and their families in the region because of the drought and there’s a lot of pressure starting to build.
The Government has expanded the medium-scale adverse event classification to cover the Canterbury and Otago regions.
Federated Farmers Marlborough Province says it welcomes the announcement yesterday that current dry weather in the top of the South Island would be classified as a medium-scale adverse event.
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Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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