El Niño Warning: NZ Farmers Urged to Plan Fert Early
Plan ahead and be patient. That’s the message to farmers and horticulturalists from the chairman of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association, Kent Weir.
OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons one of the few things you can guarantee in farming - a bit like rates and taxes - is that input prices will always go up!
The latest example is the rocketing price of fertiliser.
A mate of yours truly reckons that while he was not surprised by news of fertiliser price increases, he was somewhat stunned by the claim from his fertiliser company that it was 'giving him plenty of warning' about prices going up.
Apparently, he was sent a message from said company on June 25 saying prices for all its fertiliser range were going up - some by more than $100/tonne - effective from June 26!
Already reeling from this news, his jaw dropped when the same message unbelievably said: "We wanted to give you as much time to plan ahead for your fertiliser requirements..."
Wow, a whole 24-hours in advance, thanks - for nothing!
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.

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