Fonterra launches $1500 on-farm funding for eligible farmers
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
FARMERS’ PROBLEMS caused by the drop in Fonterra’s forecast milk solid payout are best tackled head-on with agribusiness management training, says Primary ITO, which offers courses in this discipline.
The need is urgent to review and revise budgets and monitor cashflow to ensure debt levels don’t rise unnecessarily. Spending cuts, increasing milk production and generally improving onfarm performance are among the options.
Primary ITO’s Diploma in Agribusiness Management supports farmers in honing their business management skills to manage risks like a volatile payout and take control of their business.
Key subjects include business and finance, where students learn to develop and monitor financial plans, monitor on-farm performance against objectives, and develop a budget to share with their bank manager or accountant, are all directly applicable to the farmer’s own business.
Cath Blake, manager of Dairy Training Ltd, says cashflow budget development and implementation are vital. “The skills farmers gain by completing the Diploma in Agribusiness assist in managing financial risk…. This financial capability helps farmers to look to the goals of the business and gives long term confidence in the dairy industry.”
Staff costs can also be a point of contention when budgets are tightened. Staff may be let go or professional development and training costs cut.
Mark Paine, DairyNZ strategy and investment leader (people and business) says recruiting the right staff and keeping staff motivated can mean staff turnover is reduced.
“The cost of staff turnover to the dairy industry is about $300 million per year. If we can hold onto our good staff, this can lead to better business performance.”
The Diploma in Agribusiness Management includes human resource management as a key subject, and supports farmers’ staff development. Farmers learn how better to recruit, select and induct staff, and build good working relationships and assess performance.
The Agribusiness Diploma is a collaborative project between Primary ITO, DairyNZ, Beef and Lamb New Zealand and HortNZ. Studies are open to farmers, growers and agribusiness operators.
www.primaryito.ac.nz/diploma
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…