Tuesday, 08 October 2024 15:55

Maize grain imports loom next year

Written by  Peter Burke
Federated Farmers Arable group chair David Birkett. Federated Farmers Arable group chair David Birkett.

The country may have to import maize grain next season unless the issue of having enough gas to dry the local product is resolved.

This is the view of Federated Farmers Arable group chair David Birkett, who says such an option would not be good for farmers or the country.

The issue revolves around the fact that maize grain grown in the North Island and used mainly in the dairy industry must be dried to a moisture level of 14%. All the North Island grain is dried at large special facilities off farm and to do this they use gas which is now in short supply. This is unlike the South Island where growers have their own drying facilities and diesel is used in the drying process.

With uncertainty around the availability of gas and if there is gas its cost, companies who ultimately buy the grain are unwilling to give contracts to farmers to grow the crop because the price is a virtual unknown at this stage.

Birkett says growers are still trying to get contracts, but this is proving difficult.

"North Island growers are particularly apprehensive because last season the grain price collapsed and a lot of growers lost money, so they are nervous about going into a season without a signed contract in front of them. We are not seeing those contracts coming through because of the gas situation so there is a lot of apprehension out there," he says.

Maize grain is used as a supplement in the dairy industry and concerns have been raised that if this is not available what would be the alternatives and at what cost? The issue is seen as big in the dairy industry, but could be a problem for pig and poultry farmers.


 Read More


Birkett says Federated Farmers has taken a leading role on the issue and has been talking to gas suppliers and grain companies to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. He says they have also been talking to government ministers to make them aware of the serious implicatins of the situation and there is a suggestion that the government may import gas.

"There is a small window to get the seed in the ground and time is running out. If the problem can't be resolved it has serious implications for the farmers and country," he says.

 

 

More like this

Editorial: Long overdue!

OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.

Contract milkers hit hard by drought crisis

Many contract milkers in badly drought affected regions around the country are coming under severe financial stress and farm owners are being urged to help them through a bad patch until the start of the new season.

Milking longer with maize silage

This season's dry conditions have made one thing clear: not having enough feed on hand can bring your season to an early close.

Greenpeace a charity?

OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.

Featured

Being a rural vet is ‘fantastic’

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.

Editorial: Long overdue!

OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.

National

Helping protect sheep from parasites

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter