Returns lift, costs down - DairyNZ
The outlook for dairy farmers this season has improved, especially when compared to forecasts only six months ago, according to DairyNZ.
The Leader of the National Party is accusing Labour of painting farmers as villains and effectively the enemy, which he says is certainly not the case.
Christopher Luxon's comments came in the small Manawatū township of Rongotea at a dairy farmers' forum organised by DairyNZ.
About 100 people turned up for the event which was also used as a networking event. Luxon had earlier attended the Friday Feilding sale where he also met informally with farmers. His speech was not focused on specific farming issues so much as the lack of positive outcomes from government spending.
His time at the podium, to a largely sympathetic audience, was mainly spent trying to woo and assure the rural community that National always was, and still is, the farmers' party. It was unashamedly electionerring.
"We are back an dare serious about our commitment to the agricultural sector," he proclaimed.
Luxon then went on to say that NZ is an agricultural nation and this is something everyone should be proud of. He listed a series of statistics such as the fact that NZ feeds 40 million people, employs 350,000 people generates 80% of our exporter earning and for every man, woman and child generates $9,000 a year.
"That is a phenomenal record. We have seen tourists and education go backward post Covid; agriculture is more important to us than it's ever been and it should be celebrated."
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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