HORT NEWS
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
AI removes weeds without moving soil, crops.
John Deere announces upgrades to combines, header equipment. PAGE 18
PAGE 13
AGRIBUSINESS Input efficiency can reduce costs PAGE 12
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS APRIL 7, 2026: ISSUE 848
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Rural economy boost SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
AVERAGE sheep and beef farm profit is forecast to double this year, and rural communities are set to reap the benefits. According to Beef+Lamb New Zealand’s Mid-Season Update report, average farm profit is forecast to climb to $287,600/farm in 2025-26. Red meat farmers are expected
to generate $8.5 billion on farm this year and spend $16 million every day on goods and services, largely in their local communities. Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins says a return to profit this financial year will be a welcome relief after some tough seasons. “The extra revenue will flow straight into rural communities,” Dawkins told Rural News.
“Farmers will spend on day-to-day running costs but also on catching up with delayed maintenance. “This will be on things like extra fencing, weed control, pasture renewal or fertiliser. That keeps the money circulating through our support industries and rural communities.” For many farmers, deferred repairs and maintenance are top of the list, alongside paying down debt. “We all know commodity prices
go up and down, so building a more resilient business is key,” adds Dawkins. B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says the report painted a positive picture for the sector with farmers cautiously optimistic. “Farmgate returns for 2025-26 have moved materially since our New Season Outlook in September, with stronger global red meat demand and tighter international supply underpinning
CELEBRATING RUBIES ABOUT 200 people joined Overseas Trade Minister Todd McClay (right) and Zespri chair Andrew Flowerday at Parliament last week to celebrate in style the success of the kiwifruit industry. The event showcased the early Ruby Red variety which has just been harvested and guests were given special packs to take home. Flowerday told the audience that so far it’s been a smooth harvest, but there are obvious concerns about the fuel crisis. This he stressed highlighted the importance of market diversification and he voiced his strong support for Parliament to ratify the NZ-India free trade deal. Guests included politicians from all sides of the aisle, diplomats, government officials and industry leaders. Story p4
LOOKING FOR OFF-FARM INVESTMENT OPTIONS? There is no better time to start planning your retirement than now, and Milford makes it easy. 0800 662 347
milfordasset.com
Wealth Management | Investment Funds | KiwiSaver | Advice
Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. Visit milfordasset. com/getting-advice to view Milford Private Wealth Limited’s Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investment involves risk and returns can be negative as well as positive.
livestock prices here at home. “This is a welcome lift for New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers.” Dawkins agrees that farmers are riding a real high. “Strong returns across sheep, beef, and wool, along with a favourable climate, sensible policies, and decent interest rates; this combination is rare, so there’s a lot of optimism out there.” But B+LNZ warns there’s still a high degree of uncertainty with geopolitical risks on many farmers’ minds, including the US tariffs situation and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “We are seeing volatility in key input costs because of the disruption to global supply chains,” says Acland. Dawkins says that while farmers are enjoying conditions right now, they are wary of fuel availability and rising costs. “On top of that, softer schedule prices are forecast, so global uncertainties have taken some shine off.” However, market fundamentals are sound with strong demand for beef into North America and for lamb into the European Union and the United Kingdom. Demand and pricing in China remain softer, but overall the global picture is far more positive than it has been in recent years, according to B+LNZ.