How farmers make spring count
OPINION: Spring is a critical season for farmers – a time when the right decisions can set the tone for productivity and profitability throughout the year.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has confirmed a farmer rebate of $45 per tonne for the year ending 31 May 2020.
The farmer-owned fertiliser co-op has reported a profit before rebate and tax of $68.9 million.
In total, it will be returning $54 million to its farmer-shareholders.
Total sales volume for the 2020 financial year, including nutrient products, animal feeds and industrial ingredients, were 1.6 million tonnes.
Ballance says it is well positioned to support the primary sector to drive the prosperity of NZ. It says that in 2019, NZ export revenue attributable to the primary sector was over $45 billion, with about $19.8 billion of this revenue dependent on access to nitrogen fertilisers.
The co-op says that the employment of almost 74,000 people in NZ is dependent on nitrogen fertiliser.
“The 2020 financial year has been like no other, with COVID-19 and extreme weather events from floods in the south to drought in the east and north,” says Ballance chairman, David Peacocke.
“We’re entering a new era, and one thing is for sure, we can look forward to a renewed understanding of the value of the primary sector to NZ global economic future and reputation,” he says.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.