Stress pockets in agricultural lending – Hugh Stringleman:
Agriculture has fared relatively well during the covid-19 pandemic but vulnerabilities in the sector remain, the Reserve Bank says.
In its Financial Stability Report for May it said lending to the agricultural sector is a key concentration of risk for the banking system, accounting for about 13% of loans, of which around two-thirds is to dairy farming.
“The industry is vulnerable to income shocks given its dependence on global commodity prices and pockets of dairy lending have yet to recover from the 2015 downturn. . .
The popular ‘New Zealand’ foods made overseas – Esther Taunton:
Think your favourite food is made or grown in New Zealand? Brace yourself for some bad news.
In the aftermath of the coronavirus lockdown, many Kiwis are making a conscious effort to support local businesses and brands.
There are Facebook groups connecting Kiwi shoppers with local makers, and a large-scale media campaign encouraging New Zealanders to back small and medium enterprises.
There’s even an online platform for potato lovers to pledge their support to local growers in the face of a potentially devastating influx of imported frozen chips. . .
Judge’s 50 years of close shaves – Sally Brooker:
The magnet on Colin Gibson’s fridge says “I thought growing old would take longer”.
It seems appropriate for the man who has been a shearing judge for 50 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
He was aware of his long history in the industry when he was involved with the world record attempt by Stacey Te Huia near Ranfurly in January. The attempt was abandoned at morning smoko when the total had slipped out of reach, but Mr Gibson featured in television coverage of it recently on the equally long-running Country Calendar
He was a mentor for trainee referees at the event, teaching them to officiate when records were being contested. . .
The wool industry has taken a significant blow in recent months. Prices have eased back by 25% on the first sales back since covid-19 lockdowns.
New Zealand is not alone as Australian wool prices have also decreased by 25% since March. Prices achieved in New Zealand have dropped to average $1.50-$1.70/kg greasy for good crossbred second shear fleece. This is a hard pill to swallow for many as crossbred wool returns are no longer covering the cost of the shearing. AgriHQ data shows current crossbred wool prices are $1.84/kg clean, back by about 31% on this time last year to what can only be described as dire. However, the industry is far from giving up. Those involved in the wool sector from the woolshed to the end market are working hard to ensure that wool will continue to have its place in the market and recover from the current downturn. . .
Eyes open to different ways of farm ownership :
Farmer Jane Smith was “blown away” by the group dynamic and drive when she and husband Blair hosted the North Otago-based Growth and Development in Farming Action Group at Newhaven Farms in Oamaru.
While the group members are all working in diverse farming operations, they all have a common purpose – aspiring to farm business ownership.
“It was inspiring to host a group of young people that are passionate about the industry and looking at ways, outside of the box, to get a step up into their own farming businesses,” Smith says. “They are very focused on what they are doing now and what it will take for them to get where they want to be.”
Wild about wilding pines – Rachael Kelly:
They’re considered an environmentalists’ nightmare.
Some groups work tirelessly to remove invasive wilding trees from the high country, but others now have resource consent to plant them.
The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust, which has spent thousands of hours clearing wilding pines from other sites, is dismayed that the Southland District Council has granted a non-notified consent, with conditions, to Mataura Valley Station, near Kingston, to be planted out mainly in Douglas fir.
The trust was now seeking advice from Government ministers. . .
Homepaddock 