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Andrew Hoggard.
Fonterra’s lift in its payout to $6/kgMS puts a brighter note on the end of a tough week for farming.
Federated Farmers dairy chair Andrew Hoggard says this will be a huge boost to dairy farmers’ spirits after a difficult spring.
"The weather’s been kicking our guts over the last few months and that’s on top of what everyone knows has been a tough couple of years,” Hoggard says.
"This is going to boost everyone’s morale."
The announcement equates to about an extra 75 cents for the season.
"It’s good news. We are going to see dairy farmers feeling a lot more positive over the next couple of months, which is good news for the entire New Zealand economy," Hoggard says.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's announcement on changes to freshwater farm plans that come under the Natural Environment Bill, which is now set to replace the existing RMA.
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
Will a stronger, more coordinated voice help rebuild confidence and improve returns in the wool sector?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.
B+LNZ's Wormwise veterinarian Mary Bowron has won the Best Sheep and Beef Vet of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.
Researchers at Massey University are using a special piece of scientific equipment to improve the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from pasture soils.
More signs of a booming kiwifruit sector.
OPINION: David Seymour and James Meager's plan to make it easier for farmers and orchardists to operate drones can best be described a 'courageous' move.
New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
Opuha Dam's ability to protect South Canterbury communities from major flooding has taken a significant step forward, with Opuha Water Limited (OWL) successfully commissioning a new outlet valve capable of releasing record volumes of water from the dam ahead of a weather event.
