New Zealand farmer confidence and spending intentions jumped to record levels in the second quarter of this year, buoyed by improved commodity prices.

New Federated Farmers meat and fibre chair and board member Miles Anderson says he’d like to see the mainstream news media take a more balanced line on reporting farming issues.

Confidence in the New Zealand agricultural sector has lifted dramatically over the past quarter.

A rise in dairy, forestry and horticultural exports spearhead the way for a big rise in the value of primary exports through to 2021, says the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) latest Situation and Outlook report.

By 2021, New Zealand dairying will again be enjoying times like the halcyon days of 2014, says MPI’s latest SOPI report.

Higher dairy payouts have put dairy farmers in a good position to take advantage of new technologies, says ANZ’s managing director commercial & agri, Mark Hiddleston.

The New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays will have a greater focus on sustainability this year, says chief executive Peter Nation.

Markets for New Zealand lamb have performed strongly for the last six months, says Affco general manager Andy Leonard.

Some 200 people turned out recently to a field day at Omapere Rangihamama Trust farm, near Kaikohe in the Far North.

New Zealand’s three major export sectors- beef, lamb and dairy- may pass the $6/kg mark simultaneously at some stage this year, says ASB analyst Nathan Penny.