APRIL 15, 2025
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United States beef prices have hardly flinched since the imposition of a 10% tariff by US President Donald Trump, but a subsequent tumbling in the value of the US dollar has pushed up farmgate prices in New Zealand dollars by nearly 5%.
Meat companies said uncertainty over the impact of the tariffs has prompted some large US grinding beef customers to sit out of the market to assess what may happen. READ IT HERE
What’s leading theonconversation the front page of WeeklyFarmers this
Our father, Howard, left his home on the farm for the last time on April 2. He was married 71 years and with six children, the family tally, including grand- and great grand-children, has ballooned to 55.
His casket was magnificent. We built it in the workshop beside his house, using timber milled on the farm. Howard always led by example with hard work and an enterprising spirit.
He gave me a new handpiece on leaving school. Fast forward to 1998 and he financed our launch into rural media. Then in 2003 he backed us again with the challenging launch of the Farmers Weekly. Without his support we would have lost that battle, but giving up was not an option for either of us.
Teamwork, and his firm words – “You’ve made your decision, now make it work” – are values embedded in the business today.
Howard loved the paper and was an important part of the Farmers Weekly family, dropping in regularly for help with his typing and photocopying for whatever community service role that was on the go at the time.
He had been president of the Manawatū Rugby Union, president of Manawatū/Rangitīkei Federated Farmers, chairman of our school boards of trustees, president of the Collegiate School Old Boys Association, president of the Manawatū Farm Forestry Association before becoming national president (twice), and there were plenty more.
Howard believed deeply in respectful communication, and in ‘leaning in’ to the work of farming organisations, to help create long-lasting and positive change as a team.
A young farmer messaged us this week after hearing of Howard’s passing:
I have been thinking about Howard a bit this week and what a great run 97 years is, and how he represented the great old-school New Zealander to me - being tough and hard working, but also a real gentleman, and having time for anyone.
Farmers Weekly is a legacy to our father’s enduring spirit, with team values that are powered by enquiring minds, good communication frameworks and informed conversations.
It’s been said that family is a form of wealth that money can’t buy. Last week, as we built his casket and prepared his funeral, we decided that in his long life, Howard had become the wealthiest man in the world.
Support the work we do, contribute today
Dean Williamson. CEO and publisher 027 323 9407 | dean.williamson@agrihq.co.nz
What our audience are telling us this week
Do you support the government’s decision to free up some of the previously protected high-value LUC 3 land for urban development?
YES
“Farmers should be able to sell their land, especially small blocks to whoever they wish. Under that rule the New Plymouth District council wouldn’t let us subdivide 1½ acres off a 3 acre block to build another house because it was regarded as highly productive land. We were on the outskirts of the local town - a 5 minute drive.”
NO
Unless they factor in growing spaces for residents.
Click here to read the story
Given the volatile global economy, do you think export and farmgate returns for red meat will hold up at their high levels for the rest of this year?
Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll
Bryan sits down with five Lincoln University students to find out their views of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. Second-year students Cameron Brans, Crystal Jewell, Brooke Jewell and Georgia
Checkley, and fourth-year honours student Natasha Hastie discuss why they chose a career in agriculture and what they think the big issues the industry faces are.
On the Farmers Weekly podcast this week
Market Insight | Exporters on edge as Trump imposes tariffs
Feature | How future farmers view the food & fibre sector
Feds Focus | Call to strip Greenpeace’s charity status
At this stage, most farmers need to have some sort of diverse income to be able to continue farming, especially in the sheep and beef sector.
– Lincoln University students, Episode: How future farmers view the food & fibre sector, 11 April 2025
Who says that fashion and farming don’t mix?
There’s a new Barkers clothing collection now available at (and exclusive to) Farmlands stores called ‘1972’, named after the year Barkers was founded. They’ve decided to celebrate in style with some very stylish print advertising in Farmers Weekly.
The campaign’s fashion-forward imagery and layout is much different to what readers are used to seeing in the paper, and for that reason alone it stands out.
The clothing range has been designed with both style and function in mind for the hardworking rural sector.
Fun fact: Barkers was founded by Raymond Barker and was originally called “Raymond’s”!
I read it online. I drop the hard copy into the team here at the workshop. It’s great to be able to share the news with them as well.
Sandra Faulkner Federated Farmers National Board Member and Gisborne farmer – sheep, beef, annual cropping and horticulture
For the next two weeks Farmers Weekly will be profiling farm businesses up for the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy, the award for the best in Māori farming.
The first feature is in this week’s paper - you can read it here.
We know securing great media placements is all about planning. Get in touch with your Partnership Manager to secure one of these spots before they’re gone.
What’s hot, and what’s not in rural media here overseasand
Otago Daily Times have put the call out for nominations for their popular South Island Rural Champions Awards. If you know a southern farmer who deserves some recognition, nominate them!
Farmers Weekly also celebrates rural legends at the end of each year with our special Land Champions bumper edition of Farmers Weekly (15 December). It’s our summer bigread and our way of saying thank you to all the farmers who work so hard all year. Pop it in your media plan!
