Farmer confidence dips slightly, but positivity still dominates
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
The market downturn in dairy is among foremost concerns for Rabobank dairy research director Hayley Moynihan as she steps into the newly created role of the bank’s general manager Country Banking.
She is sure the bank has the right support systems in place for dairy farmers in its 33 branches, but a first priority will be to ensure the bank stay aligned to farmers needs in all sectors.
Moynihan told Rural News the new role of general manager Country Banking had been created in recognition of the size of the New Zealand business now.
She grew up on a dairy farm in Karamea on the West Coast and has spent her entire career in banking and agricultural markets, the last 10 years as an agricultural economist. She worked in the food and agribusiness research and advisory division, most recently as director of dairy research, New Zealand and Asia.
Moynihan, B.Appl.Ec., Massey University, and M.Sc (Agr.) University of London/Imperial College, worked in banking while studying extramurally.
Before joining Rabobank’s research team in New Zealand she led Rabobank’s London food and agribusiness corporate credit team. Her previous nine years were as a rural and retail banker at Westpac and Trustbank in New Zealand.
Moynihan says the new role is a return to banking and the finance side of the business which she looks forward to.
“The current challenges facing dairy notwithstanding, New Zealand has one of the world’s most dynamic and successful agricultural industries, with a positive and exciting long term outlook in the global markets,” she says.
Subject to regulatory approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Moynihan will start in the role from July 2.
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The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
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New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.