Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Fonterra's Edgecumbe factory remained closed last week and milk was redirected to nearby processing plants.
The co-op and its North Island farmer suppliers were also bracing for flooding; two weeks ago, flooding caused by Cyclone Debbie had left many farms under water in the Bay of Plenty.
Fonterra’s head of Farm Source Bay of Plenty, Lisa Payne, says access to some farms was still affected by the flooding.
“The co-op is supporting those farmers as much as possible. We’d like to thank the huge number of farmers who called in with offers of help and support.
“Milk collected from farms in the local area is still being redirected to our manufacturing sites in Waikato.”
While damage to Fonterra’s Edgecumbe site has been minimal, most workers live in the nearby town which was cordoned off after the floodbank breached and homes were flooded.
Payne says some Fonterra staff have returned to the site and made good progress with cleaning and recovery. However, last week’s flooding was expected to put them back.
“It will be some days before we consider returning the site to full operations,” Payne says. “Our local Farm Source store will remain closed due to the flooding.”
Federated Farmers says for many farmers the loss of electricity will be a concern. Given many farmers made provision for generators, it is not known how much demand there will be; other farmers are being urged to lend generators to affected colleagues.
Feds is urging farmers with damaged milking gear to contact their processors and immediate neighbours. Farmers with irrigation damage are advised to contact Irrigation NZ for advice.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
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