Avoid going dark when things get tough on farm – Ross Nolly :
A bad year can sap farmers of the will to continue, but it’s important to keep fire in the belly, says an agricultural economist.
Don’t “turn off the light” just because you are having a low profit year.
In doing so, farmers can end up losing interest in the farm business – and limiting losses is critical in a down cycle, agricultural economist Pita Alexander says.
“The bottom 25% group in agriculture turn the light off when they’re experiencing a low patch. They lose interest in the whole exercise,” he says. . .
Double whammy – Peter Burke :
A leading accountant and agribusiness advisor says the present downturn in the rural sector is like no other he’s seen in his nearly 60 years in the business.
Pita Alexander says there have been eleven financial downcycles since 1948, but this is the worst.
He says a feature of downturns is that either prices fall, or costs go up. But this time, it’s unique because both have happened at the same time and that’s a problem for the country – especially sheep farmers, with the present low prices for lamb.
“It’s effectively a scissors movement which has gripped the ag sector,” he told Rural News. . .
Diddly Squat Farm’s Jeremey Clarkson says he’s ‘screwed’ – Robert Folker :
Jeremy Clarkson has opened up on the financial strain of running Diddly Squat Farm admitting he is “screwed”, along with many farmers across Europe.
Speaking about the harsh reality of the farming industry, the former Top Gear host acknowledged the difficulty he has found in turning a profit at the Cotswold farm.
He opened the farm back in 2019 and has been transparent in confessing the struggles in making a profit.
Last year, Mr Clarkson said he was contemplating selling the farm after facing problems such as failed crops and adverse weather conditions. . .
New water policy direction – Vanessa Winning :
IrrigationNZ submitted a briefing last month to the new Government this week on how water capture, storage, and efficient use can grow economic prosperity, support New Zealand’s exports, and ensure long term regional resilience. Here’s part of what Vanessa Winning, chief executive of IrrigationNZ, said:
We congratulate the new Government Ministers and the spirit of working together we are seeing. We look forward to working with relevant Ministers to ensure irrigation and water storage is foundational to New Zealand’s primary sector and supports its sustainable growth.
The policy direction in the coalition agreements regarding water storage and irrigation is encouraging/
The strength of the Ministers involved in agriculture and trade is also very promising, with many having direct involvement in farming and growing, as well as in water for productive use. It is refreshing to hear Hon Todd McClay… talk about the importance of agriculture and water too. . .
What stokes the fire in Bryce McKenzie’s belly? – Gerhard Uys :
When Groundswell NZ founding member Bryce Mackenzie isn’t lobbying for better policies, caring for a Southland river is another lifelong passion keeping him busy.
‘I think I just saw a trout rise,” says Bryce McKenzie, looking down the bank of the Pomahaka River that runs about 3km of its course through his Southland dairy farm.
He grew up on this river, swam in it as a kid, and has for decades fished it with a fly rod.
As a founding member of the Pomahaka Watercare Group, he is also one of its guardians. . .
Farmers shun Coles, Woolworths amid grocery price anger as ACCC launches probe – Faith Tabalujan and Abbey Halter :
Ross Marsolino has been feeding Aussie families for more than 40 years with the eggplants, tomatoes, and zucchinis he grows in northern Victoria.
But the Toolamba producer said he was losing money when he sold his vegetables to supermarkets.
“We’re getting $2.40 a kilo for our zucchinis, which is 40 cents a kilo above what it costs us to grow them,” Mr Masolino said.
“But the supermarkets are retailing them at nearly $7 a kilo.” . .
Homepaddock 