MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Both major fertiliser co-operatives have dropped their prices as farmers start planning for spring.
Ballance came out last week, reducing the price of urea by $100/tonne to $795/t. It’s granular urea product SustaiN is $100/t cheaper, now priced at $844/t. Superphosphate drops $50/t to settle at $424/t.
Ravensdown has followed by dropping urea’s price by $100/t to $799/t. Superphosphate drops by $45/t to $429/t while Ravensdown’s coated urea product, N-Protect is now $100 cheaper and priced at $848/t.
Ballance sales manager Jason Minkhorst told Rural News that it was great to see prices start tracking to these levels.
“Driver is reduced demand globally on back of high prices and increased supply: watchout is global demand may bounce back and supply is still a risk. “However, we wanted to give our farmers confidence for spring accordingly we made some bold moves to help with on farm costs.”
Ravensdown chief customer officer Gary Bowick told farmers that while international commodity prices remain relatively volatile and some prices appear to be firming, they understand the need to meet the market and offer competitive prices for our customers.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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