Oz farmers' election wishlist
Australian farmers advocate NFF says this year’s Federal Election will be a defining moment for Australian agriculture.
Last year was officially Australia’s hottest and driest year on record, according to the country’s Bureau of Meteorology.
The weather bureau, in its climate statement for 2019, says annual rainfall was “very much below average” across the country last year, while the national mean temperature was 1.52 degrees Celsius above average.
The report comes as Australian farmers continue to manage a record-breaking drought, and battle bushfires which have devastated hundreds of farms.
National Farmers' Federation president Fiona Simson said there's been no escaping the challenges of the past 12 months.
"2019 was a horror year for so much of the industry, with an escalation in the long-running drought bookended by devastating floods and fires," said Simson.
"The bushfires of the past few weeks have laid bare just how hot and dry 2019 was."
Simson said the human impact of the past year has been significant.
"Whether it's the drought or the recent bushfires, dry conditions are pushing many of our farming communities to the brink.
"It's a situation that grows graver each day, and shows no signs of abating. We need an unprecedented response from government to help famers manage these unprecedented conditions.
"These farmers and their communities are tough, but they need all our support to weather this and rebuild from it.”
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
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