Ravensdown Returns to Profit, Approves $15/Tonne Shareholder Rebate
Ravensdown has reported a net profit before tax and rebate of $50.1 million for the year ended 31 May 2026.
WITH PRIME Minister John Key and President Barack Obama showing strong support for a comprehensive Trans Pacific Partnership, New Zealand farmers will support leaving countries behind that are not prepared to eliminate agricultural tariffs.
"The Trans Pacific Partnership was established to eliminate all tariffs and bring a new level of discipline to the use of non-tariff barriers," says Bruce Wills, the national president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.
"If we have a country that is not prepared to accept this reality, then they should not be allowed to slow down progress for all.
"It doesn't mean they won't enter in the future but a compromised TPP is no agreement at all. Federated Farmers does not wish to see the TPP drag-on like the stalled Doha talks either.
"We are genuinely enthused to see the keenness of President Obama's administration to have the TPP concluded this year. It's no wonder when 37% of American exports go to TPP countries supporting four million jobs and the United States will gain much more going forward.
"Federated Farmers TPP bottom line is the elimination, without exception, of all product tariffs. The TPP will set the benchmark for all future trade deals in the Asia-Pacific region so we cannot afford to get this wrong.
"If we set a high standard at the get-go then all future TPP entrants will have no opportunity to water it down. That includes those who may not immediately enter the TPP, but of course, we hope that they eventually will.
"According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade, a study by the East West Centre predicts the TPP could see New Zealand's annual exports boosted by almost $5 billion in 2025. The global effect is measured in the hundreds of billions.
"Encouragingly, our experience of Free Trade Agreements is that this figure is probably conservative.
"We only have to look at the free trade deal with Taiwan, which took effect late last year. In the year to April 2014 our exports there are up 15% over the year before while our exports to countries of the ASEAN region are up 17%.
Willa says at the recent filed days he earned that there were originally thousands of lines to be agreed on the TPP but encouragingly we seem down to the last 20%.
"I know there have been false dawns in the past but we believe a successful end is in sight," Wills says.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.

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