Pāmu FY26 Report: Profit More Than Doubles to $113m
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
"We already have low-emission climate-friendly farming practices – it's called organic farming," says Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health.
At the climate talks in Paris, Prime Minister John Key said that cost-effective technologies for reducing New Zealand's agricultural emissions were not yet available.
The Soil & Health Association (SHA) says not only do we already have the technology and the know-how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, but using this technology will also have multiple other benefits for our economy, our environment, our soils and waterways, and our health.
Nearly 50% of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions come from farming, by moving towards organic and biological farming, carbon, methane and nitrous oxide emissions will all be reduced, says SHA.
"Soil & Health is calling on the government to reinvest the taxpayer money going to the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, and instead use it to help farmers transition to organic practices," says Thomson.
"The $20 million Mr Key just promised to the Alliance would be infinitely more effectively invested in growing the organic farming sector. Helping farmers transition to eco-friendly, climate-friendly organic farming will be good for our health, wealth and environment. What's not to like about that?"
SHA says by farming organically, farmers can reduce stock numbers and still get the same income, because global markets are demanding clean, green, pasture-fed, GE-free and organic food — and are prepared to pay a premium for it.
Lower stock numbers mean lower greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reducing the impacts on soils and waterways.
SHA says, in addition, organic farms have better soil structures and better soil moisture-holding capacity, which will help farmers cope with the effects of climate change that we are seeing already. SHA claims organic farms are also more resilient in the face of floods and droughts.
The association also says non-organic farms generally use pesticides that are either known or suspected carcinogens, so going organic will also reduce the nation's health bill by reducing or eliminating the use of harmful chemicals.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.
A seasoned horticulturist has been appointed to deliver the Apple Action Plan, a key initiative of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
New Zealand's citrus growers have been told to compete on the value built into their fruit rather than the volume they grow.
Hawke's Bay fruit growers are being reminded of the need to prepare for whatever the El Niño weather system may bring in the coming months.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.