New farming models coming
Our immediate outlook is still clouded by international uncertainty.
Depending on which economic commentators you want to listen to things are going to improve or worsen of the next year, but not by a lot.
Dairy, a pig of a job
Hold onto your hats folks it could be a wild ride in the dairy industry but without all the fun of the fair.
There are so many things going on here and abroad that will influence not just farmgate milk prices but also input and compliance costs and thus, most importantly profits.
BUDGET 2019: $370 million for rural sector
New money totalling $370 million has been allocated in the Budget to help rural people meet environment challenges.
Fonterra cuts this season’s milk price
Fonterra's third quarter update shows things are looking up but it’s leaders have shied away from giving any firm outlook on next season, setting a farmgate milk price range of $6.25-$7.25 a kilo of milksolids.
Bank makes money moves
On the surface things look pretty good in the dairy sector but it’s what’s going on in the background that’s likely to have bigger, longer-term effects on farming.
Reserve Bank greening economy
Work to make the economy green must speed up, a group the Reserve Banks has joined says.
It has identified issues including a need to rapidly boost finance for greening of economies and says asset valuations do not reflect the risks posed by climate change.
We’re too slow, cautious
New Zealand’s overly cautious primary industries are hampered by being too slow to adapt and a lack of research, which is sometimes blocked by vested interests, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says.
Changing the face of farming
Alternative proteins and genomics could change the face of New Zealand agriculture, a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment report suggests.
But they come up against the brick wall of the country’s attitude to genetic engineering and editing.
Future still murky
So, dairy prices seem to be stable with a steady rise and an outlook for next season putting the farmgate milk price upwards of $7/kg MS.
There are even indications this season’s price still has room to get closer to $7 than to $6.
Meat exports drive records
Record lamb exports in February pushed up overall meat exports to a new monthly high with China, particularly, a bigger buyer.
Lamb exports made $391 million in February, a new record for any month. The previous high of $367m was in May last year, Statistics New Zealand figures show.