The pork industry also remains concerned over the lack of viable alternatives following a High Court decision in November that left pig farmers facing an uncertain future about the use of farrowing crates.
NZ Pork’s chief executive David Baines explains why the consumer wants accurate information about the origin of their foods so they can make informed purchasing decisions, and finding a practical farming solution for New Zealand pork producers.
Surge in commodity prices unlikely to change in 2021
A recent Rabobank report illustrates that global food prices are surging ahead and showing no sign of slowing in 2021.
Agricultural commodity prices have surged almost 50% since mid-2020, causing concerns over food price inflation around the world, sometimes resulting in increased export taxes and quotas by producers at a time when importing countries want to import more.
Rabobank senior commodity analyst Charles Clack will discuss the broad implications of the global commodity price surge for NZ Agri producers.
Latest in RuralWeather
Text: Dry for most of New Zealand, but some rain or showers is expected in the North Island. A ridge of high pressure lies over the South Island, while the North Island can expect a south to southeasterly airflow.
What will next week bring? RuralWeather’s Phil Duncan joins Sarah for a detailed weather forecast.
Contact sarah@sarahscountry.com for a personalised weather forecast.
Read more: www.ruralweather.co.nz
Kiwifruit pay rates lift, but is automation the way forward?
Burgeoning crop volumes have prompted the horticultural sector to lift pay rates as it competes in a tight labour market. The shortage and the cost increases put automation and robotics under the spotlight to help ease labour pressures.
The kiwifruit sector recently announced they would be paying a living wage of $22.10 an hour for packhouse work, with the sector hoping higher wages will help fill the labour shortage this year. NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive Nikki Johnson says the industry has been called on by the Government for some time to lift pay rates and while they hope this proves to help alleviate labour issues, will automation of horticulture harvests become the new normal?
