End of war on farming, say farmers
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
FEDERATED FARMERS Dairy chairman Andrew Hoggard has described the lowest auction in five years as "a blow to the industry" as hopes of a lift or at least continued plateau in prices were dashed.
"We will wait with anticipation for Fonterra's board meeting in December when they will review the payout, but there'll be another GDT before then, so who knows."
Hoggard noted Prime Minister John Key's belief, voiced to Feds' National Council Wednesday morning despite the GDT news, that "GDT has bottomed out and we are likely to see things improve going forward."
But only a day later Finance Minister Bill English said falling dairy prices and low inflation would make returning to economic surplus challenging.
"It was clear from the G20 finance ministers' meeting in Brisbane [Nov 15-16] that growth remains elusive in Europe and more uncertainty in China is being reflected in some sharply lower commodity prices," he told an ASB business breakfast.
"Falls in global commodity prices such as oil, forestry and dairy, together with weak international consumer price inflation, are posing challenges for governments and central banks around the world... New Zealand is not immune to these global trends."
GDT price index fell 3.1% overall with powders plunging 5-6%.
Feds' West Coast provincial president, Katie Milne said Westland's payout forecast of $5.40-5.80/kgMS would be hard to hold with Westland selling more milk powder than anything else.
"Westland suppliers should be prepared that there may be a drop in the payout after the board meeting at the end of the month. However there's nothing wrong with living in hope, and if it does not drop we will all breathe a little easier."
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
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.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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