News
Reserve Bank must go further on capital rules: English
3+ hour, 30+ min ago (415+ words) A former prime minister says the recent backdown by the Reserve Bank on bank capital rules doesn't go far enough to unleash the full potential of the primary sector. Bill English told Farmers Weekly that ready access to credit is…...
The reason meat co-operatives have failed
1+ day, 50+ min ago (776+ words) The ownership of New Zealand meat companies has changed dramatically over the past quarter-century. The previous 25 years also experienced substantial change, but that period was characterised more by a series of company collapses due to the massive change in farming,…...
Interest rate cuts help to flatten on-farm inflation
1+ week, 40+ min ago (324+ words) Annual on-farm inflation to the end of March was flat on sheep and beef farms for a second successive year." The Beef + Lamb New Zealand's latest Sheep and Beef On-farm Inflation report shows the on-farm inflation rate was -0. 9% in the…...
Lean beef the path to profit on hill country farms
2+ week, 5+ day ago (761+ words) Visiting overseas markets where New Zealand beef is sold led Dani Darke to an epiphany of how red meat can be more profitable on hill country farms. The solution, she says, is leveraging lean, low-carbon dairy beef and virtual fencing....
Years of debt repayment paying off for farmers
3+ week, 6+ day ago (584+ words) A decade's fiscal discipline and solid debt repayments have put farmers in a good position to seek out new technologies and energy options at this year's Mystery Creek Fieldays. Balance sheets are in better shape than a decade ago thanks…...
NZ premiums hold line through Aus volume shifts
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (351+ words) No matter how different the New Zealand and Australian red meat sectors become, keeping a close eye on changes in Australia is one of our best bets to avoid risk and capitalise on opportunities presented to us in the market....
Fuel prices surge as rural households face growing cost burden
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (291+ words) Petrol and diesel prices continued to climb in April, with Stats NZ on Friday reporting petrol prices rose 12. 6% and diesel prices increased 36. 6% between March and April 2026. The increases follow rises in March, meaning petrol prices have jumped 33. 6% and diesel prices…...
US tariff-go-round keeps exporters guessing
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (451+ words) Meat exporters are working to decipher confusing trade signals coming out of the United States. This request from the American Sheep Industry has been hanging over NZ exporters since last November. The US emerged last year as New Zealand's largest…...
Tariff ride may be about to pick up speed again
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (452+ words) A top trade official expects New Zealand exports entering the United States will face a further hike in tariffs in the next six to eight weeks. The official warning comes as NZ Winegrowers also told its members to prepare for…...
NZD/USD crutch still supporting rural incomes
1+ mon, 4+ week ago (862+ words) The New Zealand dollar/United States dollar remains an important economic crutch for New Zealand, remaining in an export-friendly zone and supporting rural incomes. In previous articles I've been in the low NZD/USD camp and I remain so. Just…...