Cold spring will hit farming even harder

The news that farm incomes will take a $400 million hit because of a cold, late spring will heap even more burden on a sector already feeling the pressure, says National’s Agriculture spokesperson David Carter.

“Earlier this week a National Bank survey confirmed what all farmers know – farm income has peaked. But that’s only one side of the balance sheet.

“For 13 consecutive quarters now, farmers have been battling increased costs without any buffer to weather conditions like the current cold snap. For 13 consecutive quarters, Labour has been in power.

“Farmers have had to absorb a nearly 20 per cent jump in farm input prices over the last three years. This, coupled with the looming increases in ACC levies and fallout from the ratification of Kyoto, is leaving our farming sector increasingly vulnerable, says Mr Carter.

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