Now, everyone wants as little interference in their business as possible and to be left alone to do the best they can. That’s human nature.
But to a certain extent, the industry groups have delivered that to levy payers.
Farmers have been left to steer their own course, for now, on greenhouse gas emissions. They’ve also been given a short reprieve from the winter grazing regulations.
A look around the world shows most other developed farming nations are moving on environmental reform really quickly.
In NZ, the issue isn’t just about holding onto the social licence to farm. It’s also about making sure our trading partners don’t slap on sustainability tariffs. It’s about making sure our brand endures.
Change is hard, and often costly, but it’s unavoidable.
Bryan Gibson
FEPs not something to fear
Every sheep and beef farmer will be required to have a farm environment plan (FEP) by 2025, but officials stress it is not as onerous as it sounds.
WMP prices remain strong
Whole milk powder (WMP) prices took a step backwards and dragged down the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) market by 3.8% at the second March auction.
New farm planning course under way
The inaugural intake of a new farm environment planning course got stuck into their studies last week with farm visits.
Foodservice leads covid recovery
Fonterra's foodservice sales in China have bounced back from the covid-19 shutdowns of last year to deliver what chief executive Miles Hurrell called a phenomenal 64% increase in earnings.
Watch out for velvetleaf
Perfect growing conditions over the past season has been blamed on an increase in velvetleaf over the past two years.
