‘Red letter day’ for ag sector
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
Federated Farmers says helping its members save money and easily and securely trade stock online is behind its decision to sign a partnership with StockX.
“The trend for business transactions to be done online is accelerating and it’s no different in farming,” Feds chief executive Graham Smith says.
“Farmers are up against adverse weather, roller-coaster financial and export market trading conditions, and waves of new regulations. Every dollar counts and StockX delivers a digital platform that gives farmers more flexibility,” he adds.
Smith says Federated Farmers is improving its own digital set-up and is pleased to partner with StockX.
Since StockX launched about a year ago at least 1500 farmers nationwide have registered to trade livestock. It’s free to register and list livestock for sale or purchase. The only cost is 2.5% commission on sales.
Its digital platform enables farmers to extend their sale or purchasing reach beyond their own district and pay lower commissions and fees.
North Canterbury farmer Dan Hodgen says he had heard StockX is “straightforward to use and provides a level of security without an over-the-top cost”.
Hodgen, Feds meat & fibre spokesman for North Canterbury, says he learned about this when drought forced him to look to the North Island to sell his lambs.
He was told there was no demand, but StockX enabled him to test that for himself.
“You’re chasing best value and the biggest thing is that it opens more doors. You’re accessing a wider market than perhaps your agent wants to deal with.”
StockX managing director Jason Roebuck says linking with Federated Farmers is fantastic.
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.
Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.
DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.

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