MARCH 11, 2025
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Sheep and beef farmers are forecast to have a profitable year with export values strengthening, but turmoil in the global trade system is being closely monitored.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand released its Mid-Season Update on Thursday, and the average farm profit for 2024-25 is forecast to be $106,500 – nearly double last season’s $56,400 – but still below the five-year average.
What’s leading theonconversation the front page of WeeklyFarmers this
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What our audience are telling us this week
YES
But at the same time as withdrawing, our Government and industry leaders should tell the environmentally world-leading food producing NZ farming story. But explain that being party to the Paris Accord undermines our ability to continue this journey.
NO
Short sighted policy from populist politicians will cost us in the long term.
Click here to read more about the Paris Agreement
VOTE IN THIS WEEK’S POLL
Are you confident your farm business will be profitable this year?
Things are looking up for sheep and beef farmers as the Beef + Lamb NZ midseason update is forecasting a strong return to profitability for the sector.
For this week’s feature interviews Bryan talks to B+LNZ chair Kate Acland and Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd MClay about the year ahead for meat exporters.
Feature | Things are looking up for sheep and beef farmers
Feature | McClay on reducing regulatory burdens, market access
News Wrap | Stakeholders collaborate in cyclone recovery efforts
Feds Focus | Unpacking the complexities of rural banking practices
It’s a great result for New Zealand because we know that when agriculture is doing well, New Zealand as a country is doing well.
– Kate Acland, Beef + Lamb NZ chair,
Episode: Things are looking up for sheep and beef farmers, 07 March 2025
Chorus has taken a potentially complicated problem for farmers - the retirement of copper phone and internet - and turned it into an elegant solution.
The simplicity of this ad’s design and messaging takes all of the stress out of the situation for farmers. They’re getting a clear message and they’re getting an easy place to go for support.
The risk with technology change is that it can become a little complicated. The One NZ full page advertisement a few weeks ago is an unfortunate example of that. Too wordy, and trying too hard to relate to farmers.
Chorus on the other hand have aced their advertising with far fewer words but far more impact.
I read it all the time and look forward to it every week. There’s a lot of good stuff in there and a really good cross section of opinions. Alan Emerson is very good – well researched. I think you have some great stories and the fact you’re also including Beef+LambNZ and the others too. It’s a good read.
Brent Mountford President of Bay of Plenty
Federated Farmers, sheep & beef farmer, Matata, Whakatane
MARCH 13 - 15, 2025
Managing editor Bryan Gibson will be at Manfield this week reporting on the sights, sounds and innovations on show at the Central Districts Field Days.
This is the second of three regional Field Days, each two weeks apart. MARCH
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
The Farmers Weekly podcast has been going for over a year and a half and this week is the first time that host Bryan Gibson has had a ‘please explain’ from his regular guests Federated Farmers. Feds banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre has taken exception to Bryan’s critique of the blanket use of the word ‘woke’ to vilify complex topics. It’s a frank but respectful conversation between the two. Something the farming world needs more of.
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has released a new report - What will New Zealand be known for in 2025? Among the 5 ecosystems it has identified as important to NZ Inc in the future are two with significant alignment to the primary sector: Agriculture 4.0 and Green tech. BCG believes New Zealand has strong ‘rights to win’ these industries and that cross industry collaboration and investment are the keys to success. You can read the report here.
