DairyNZ Urges Farmers to Plan for Higher Costs in 2026/27 Season
Farmers should be cautiously optimistic as the 2026/27 season kicks off, says DairyNZ.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel has come out swinging, accusing Groundswell of "circulating incorrect information" and "not getting the best outcome for farmers".
In a note last week to levypayers, van der Poel lambasted the lobby group for causing confusion and concern in rural communities.
"I assure you the HWEN process is still on track," van der Poel told farmers.
"The proposal submitted to Government continues to have the unanimous support of all 11 primary sector partners.”
He added that DairyNZ and other HWEN partners continued to meet regularly with Government to discuss recommendations and “hear their views”.
Groundswell’s Steve Cranston claims that the Government will replace the He Waka Eke Noa with a “cap and trade” scheme for agriculture.
A cap and trade scheme – like the Emissions Trading Scheme — requires each emitter to purchase units to allow a specific quantity of greenhouse gases to be emitted. Emissions units can be traded.
In advance of the Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis put a clear damper on expectations and delivered accordingly.
Farmers should be cautiously optimistic as the 2026/27 season kicks off, says DairyNZ.
RaboResearch senior analyst Emma Higgins expects the 2026/27 dairy season to be another profitable one.
The new dairy season is kicking off with plenty of risks to the forecast farmgate price, both upside and downside, says ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly.
A potential showdown between the top two Federated Farmers leaders looms at the farmer lobby's annual meeting later this month.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.

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