Editorial: Live animal exports fight
OPINION: A public battle is playing out between supporters and opponents of live animal experts.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says he would like to seem more emphasis on sustainable growth of the value -- rather than volume – of New Zealand exports.
His comments follow the release of MPI’s latest Situation and Outlook report for Primary Industries (SOPI), which points to overall continuing growth in most primary sectors, but a shortfall on earlier predictions due to climate issues and a flattening of dairy prices.
O’Connor says in future reports he would want to see success as trends that show a lower volume of exports but higher returns. He says for too long the focus has been on the wrong numbers.
“This has been the focus of all sectors,” he told Rural News. “For example, forestry: we are increasingly exporting more and more logs.
“All the sectors have potential to extract greater value from what they do now and I want to work with them to clarify and identify [potential for] increasing value from what may be flat production levels.”
O’Connor says the dairy sector has reduced cow numbers yet retained production and profit; this has proven an option for some farmers. He also points to progress in the horticulture sector.
“By its nature [hort] is focused on the consumer and that discipline has better enabled them to respond to international trends and consumer preferences. All other sectors can learn more from that and we have to ensure the structure within NZ facilitates that focus and growth,” he says.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
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.