Big ag census coming to an end
Farmers, foresters and orchardists have just a few days left to complete the official agricultural production census, run by Statistics NZ in partnership with MPI.
In the September 2016 quarter, producer output prices rose 1%, and producer input prices rose 1.5%.
The prices received by dairy cattle farmers (up 28%) and paid by dairy product manufacturers (up 22%) were key influences to the increase
“Higher farm-gate milk prices contributed to the September 2016 quarter rises,’’ Statistics New Zealand business prices manager Sarah Williams says.
The forecasted farm-gate milk prices for milk solids rose to $5.25/kg in mid-September 2016, this compares to $4.25/kg in May 2016.
If farm-gate milk prices had remained constant during the September 2016 quarter, both producer output and input prices would have risen 0.3% in the quarter.
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.
Making things simpler, not harder, for deer farmers in farm planning and coping with regulations is Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) industry capability manager John Ladley’s current focus.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is launching an online business directory called The Country Women’s Collective to promote and support entrepreneurial rural women.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill has joined the Campaign for Wool NZ as an ambassador, lending his name and profile to educate and advocate for New Zealand strong wool.