Category Archives: The Big Picture

Winter has arrived But the outlook is not gloomy as the season suggests with some positive news across the sector.  The property market is running hot with sales up and prices strong, and banks have responded accordingly with plenty of credit available for farm purchases.  Sheep and beef farmers have at last been rewarded with strong prices […]

Planning provides power Getting your business plan on paper now will provide a head start managing key activities next season. Information around pasture or herd management, staff management, on-going maintenance through to compliance requirements will provide a starting point to refer to so you can steer your business in the right direction. One thing I’ve learned […]

Testing times I try where possible to keep an open mind but can’t help feeling ….. in all my years in the farming community there have never been so many issues facing farmers, and a government so unwilling or unable to provide clear guidelines and direction for rural businesses to work towards. A high percentage […]

Putting you in the driving seat Planning is a vital part of running a business and being a weather dependent industry, farmers face an additional challenge when trying to predict and map how a season will run. Weather events so far this year provide a good example of how your plan can be thrown out of […]

And just like that… Feels like only a week or so ago we were headed towards Christmas with the possibility of a bit of down time with families and friends.  Here we are back for the next round! The country is looking remarkably green for this time of year.  Here in the Wairarapa there’s feed everywhere […]

Time for restful break The year is almost over and 2021 will certainly be remembered as a period of change. We’ve experienced a big change in the way we work, how we do business and interact within our various communities. In short nothing is normal anymore and I think this will be just how we […]

Here’s to the season ahead Christmas has quietly appeared on the horizon and, for those too busy to notice, local stores and suppliers are already upping the ante to get organized and plan ahead! Supply chains for farm inputs and exports remain under pressure and demand is likely to increase leading into Christmas. Inflation and […]

Innovative solutions get the job done! October 2021 Most of the country is now out of previous tight restrictions following the arrival of Delta, but many rural communities are continuing to feel the pinch with transport and shipping delays in getting goods in and produce out to overseas markets. Supplies of imported machinery and parts, […]

Spring and lockdown – a busy combination September 2021 Spring and lockdown have arrived in tandem this month and the combination could not have chosen a busier time for rural communities. With many businesses closed and in limbo I want to let you know Farm Focus Ltd is open and here to support all our customers during this testing time. Our office […]

A winter of contradictions August 2021 2021 has been a winter of contradictions with June temperatures being the warmest on record and then July started out really cold – suffice to say we all have our own opinions dependent on where we live across the country! There has been a drought recorded as agents report […]