ANZ Warns of Milk Price Risks as New Dairy Season Begins
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.
ANZ says businesses are now realising the advantages of clean transport options and this is driving huge change.
"Customers are increasingly coming to us for support and guidance, asking us what they can do, and how they can invest to future proof their businesses," says Lorraine Mapu, ANZ managing director for business.
In response, the bank says it has expanded the scope of its Business Green Loan. This means business customers can now use the loan to replae their fossil-fuelled fleet with electric vehicles.
"An important part of our role as a bank is to support the shift to more sustainable practices by removing some of the cost barriers businesses face," Mapu says. "Investing in clean transportation can help reduce emissions and increase efficiency."
She says expanding its Business Green Loan to include electric vehicles and clean transport options is one important way the bank can help.
ANZ's Business Green Loan allows eligible customers to borrow up to $3 million at a special floating rate. This can be used for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable land and water us, and the building renovating, or purchasing of green buildings and clean transport.
"Farmers who have taken up the loan, have told us that the special rate meant that it made good sense from a business standpoint, and this helped justify their decision to make a change," Mapu claims.
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson says his party – NZ First - isn’t opposed to the “trade element” of a free trade deal with India.
The managing director of a company seeking to build a solar farm in Canterbury says receiving fast-track approval is a “really positive outcome”.
Retiring MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron is blasting the Green Party for proposing to ban the use of synthetic fertiliser and cutting cow numbers.
A huge reduction in ACC claims from on-farm accidents over the last five years is due to thousands of small, practical decisions being made in sheds, yards, paddocks and around kitchen tables across the country, says Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson.
Wayne and Ange Moxham of Horowhenua have just been named as Fonterra's top organic performer for milksolids. As well as providing organic milk to Fonterra, the couple also sell Udderly Organic milk to more than 100 outlets in the region and are embarking on another exciting venture producing organic gelato. Reporter Peter Burke went along to see their farming operation.
Certainty and a clear understanding of the needs of rural communities is a critical outcome in the series of government reforms that are taking place at present.