PHOTO: ODT FILESFarmer confidence might be holding but the latest Federated Farmers farm confidence survey shows a deepening concern about the ability to plug workforce gaps. That was a further 13-point increase on the 35% of farmers who cited workforce shortage worries in January. In the survey, farmers listed climate change policy and the emissions trading scheme, followed by regulation and compliance costs, and freshwater policy as their three greatest concerns. It was completed a month ago and Mr Hoggard said farmers were possibly feeling buoyed by strong commodity prices. "Expect further policy change in this area as the Government tries to rebalance incentives," the report said.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 10, 2021 08:26 UTC