About
Guy Trafford
Latest articles
New Zealand's largest corporate farmer is Government-owned Pāmu who deliver a modest return, but trial many alternate land use options
2nd Sep 21, 7:30am
New Zealand's largest corporate farmer is Government-owned Pāmu who deliver a modest return, but trial many alternate land use options
The drive for local government centralisation and the pressure from Wellington to impose national 'solutions' to local issues, is disconnecting the 'public' from the 'service' they expect and are required to fund, observes Guy Trafford
27th Aug 21, 10:16am
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The drive for local government centralisation and the pressure from Wellington to impose national 'solutions' to local issues, is disconnecting the 'public' from the 'service' they expect and are required to fund, observes Guy Trafford
Different season, different experience: this L4 lockdown reprise will be different on the farm says Guy Trafford. And there are updated minimum and trigger prices for the next round of NZ Units to be auctioned in September
24th Aug 21, 9:53am
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Different season, different experience: this L4 lockdown reprise will be different on the farm says Guy Trafford. And there are updated minimum and trigger prices for the next round of NZ Units to be auctioned in September
Guy Trafford laments the ongoing decline of the NZ sheep industry, pressured by climate change and related regulations, alternative livestock systems, and forestry, all despite Article 2 of the Paris Agreement
20th Aug 21, 11:54am
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Guy Trafford laments the ongoing decline of the NZ sheep industry, pressured by climate change and related regulations, alternative livestock systems, and forestry, all despite Article 2 of the Paris Agreement
Guy Trafford reports on the latest dairy auction, and reviews some recent market research showing more of household budgets are being spent on delivered food and trying meat alternatives
19th Aug 21, 8:58am
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Guy Trafford reports on the latest dairy auction, and reviews some recent market research showing more of household budgets are being spent on delivered food and trying meat alternatives
Guy Trafford looks at what the latest IPCC report shows for New Zealand agriculture and the news isn't all bad at all - even if it is just a modelled prediction. But at least these simulations have proven accurate so far
13th Aug 21, 12:06pm
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Guy Trafford looks at what the latest IPCC report shows for New Zealand agriculture and the news isn't all bad at all - even if it is just a modelled prediction. But at least these simulations have proven accurate so far
Although the carbon emission risk from forest fires or windfall is currently low, Guy Trafford reckons it will rise faster as more forest conversions take hold. Investors may be underestimating the risk; farmers may have options for small blocks
11th Aug 21, 9:01am
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Although the carbon emission risk from forest fires or windfall is currently low, Guy Trafford reckons it will rise faster as more forest conversions take hold. Investors may be underestimating the risk; farmers may have options for small blocks
Guy Trafford notes that China's 'dual circulation' policy development may crimp their dairy imports as they push a Five Year Plan goal of more local supply. Rising Chinese production may already be suppressing GDT results
6th Aug 21, 9:27am
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Guy Trafford notes that China's 'dual circulation' policy development may crimp their dairy imports as they push a Five Year Plan goal of more local supply. Rising Chinese production may already be suppressing GDT results
Guy Trafford queries the point of a 'new' Radio NZ anti-dairying series based on 2017 data, and assesses what has happened since. It's a mixed picture with new monitoring suggesting a turnaround is underway. But is it enough?
5th Aug 21, 9:15am
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Guy Trafford queries the point of a 'new' Radio NZ anti-dairying series based on 2017 data, and assesses what has happened since. It's a mixed picture with new monitoring suggesting a turnaround is underway. But is it enough?
Guy Trafford explains how the New Zealand carbon pricing system works, how 'supply' influences the price, who has the big exemptions, and how it compares to the EU and China versions
2nd Aug 21, 8:45am
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Guy Trafford explains how the New Zealand carbon pricing system works, how 'supply' influences the price, who has the big exemptions, and how it compares to the EU and China versions
Guy Trafford compares the cost of red meat in our supermarkets with what it sells for in another offshore market, and contrasts that with what farmers are paid. Making meat more affordable won't be easy
27th Jul 21, 9:55am
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Guy Trafford compares the cost of red meat in our supermarkets with what it sells for in another offshore market, and contrasts that with what farmers are paid. Making meat more affordable won't be easy
With rural New Zealand sensing the public policy wheels are about to fall off, Guy Trafford wonders if another 'cuppa tea' is required to get some of the developing flaws sorted out
22nd Jul 21, 1:15pm
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With rural New Zealand sensing the public policy wheels are about to fall off, Guy Trafford wonders if another 'cuppa tea' is required to get some of the developing flaws sorted out
Fonterra turns its attention to its strategic limitations, some self-imposed, as it searches for a sustainable business with shareholders who seem determined to extract the most short-term gains they can
22nd Jul 21, 9:41am
Fonterra turns its attention to its strategic limitations, some self-imposed, as it searches for a sustainable business with shareholders who seem determined to extract the most short-term gains they can
Guy Trafford sees the farmer protests as a reaction to a hugely well-funded Government unable to meet its own standards, and expecting others to achieve Government's hard policy goals with little support. It's a two-faced approach that may backfire
17th Jul 21, 9:21am
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Guy Trafford sees the farmer protests as a reaction to a hugely well-funded Government unable to meet its own standards, and expecting others to achieve Government's hard policy goals with little support. It's a two-faced approach that may backfire
While New Zealand agriculture is in a global sweet spot, Guy Trafford says it is wise to keep the global food security risks well in mind as we work to adapt to the changing climate forces
16th Jul 21, 10:26am
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While New Zealand agriculture is in a global sweet spot, Guy Trafford says it is wise to keep the global food security risks well in mind as we work to adapt to the changing climate forces
Guy Trafford sizes up the trade exposures to China by the Five Eyes partners with an eye to how New Zealand tip-toes through these rising pressure minefields
9th Jul 21, 12:10pm
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Guy Trafford sizes up the trade exposures to China by the Five Eyes partners with an eye to how New Zealand tip-toes through these rising pressure minefields
Guy Trafford reads the LCANZI legal challenge to the Climate Change Commission decisions (so you don't have to) and finds they may have an arguable case
6th Jul 21, 1:33pm
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Guy Trafford reads the LCANZI legal challenge to the Climate Change Commission decisions (so you don't have to) and finds they may have an arguable case
Farm input cost pressure largely depends on fertilser, and that in tern depends on the crude oil price. Meanwhile the China-Australia political standoff distorts other trading patterns that affect us
3rd Jul 21, 10:36am
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Farm input cost pressure largely depends on fertilser, and that in tern depends on the crude oil price. Meanwhile the China-Australia political standoff distorts other trading patterns that affect us
Significant parts of the world are undergoing rapid demographic changes which will cap, even reduce, the global population. This will have big implications for food producers
30th Jun 21, 9:38am
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Significant parts of the world are undergoing rapid demographic changes which will cap, even reduce, the global population. This will have big implications for food producers
The Australian Government leadership is now dominated by two throwback climate change sceptics. Guy Trafford assesses where they are going, and why New Zealand may benefit
25th Jun 21, 10:52am
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The Australian Government leadership is now dominated by two throwback climate change sceptics. Guy Trafford assesses where they are going, and why New Zealand may benefit
Guy Trafford reviews KPMG’s Agribusiness Agenda 2021 document and isn't impressed by the attempt to be trendy and assume the rest of the world will adopt our politicised worldview
23rd Jun 21, 9:34am
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Guy Trafford reviews KPMG’s Agribusiness Agenda 2021 document and isn't impressed by the attempt to be trendy and assume the rest of the world will adopt our politicised worldview
Guy Trafford takes his livestock risk management for nitrate poisoning and wonders how these risks apply to humans - and finds salad eaters need to moderate their enthusiasm
17th Jun 21, 4:53pm
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Guy Trafford takes his livestock risk management for nitrate poisoning and wonders how these risks apply to humans - and finds salad eaters need to moderate their enthusiasm
Guy Trafford sees strong demand pressures from China for our redmeat products, threatening to upend the current balanced set of markets we supply
14th Jun 21, 8:16am
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Guy Trafford sees strong demand pressures from China for our redmeat products, threatening to upend the current balanced set of markets we supply
Guy Trafford reviews what the Climate Change Commission's final report recommends for the rural sector. He sees an opportunity to lead change and restoration
10th Jun 21, 11:05am
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Guy Trafford reviews what the Climate Change Commission's final report recommends for the rural sector. He sees an opportunity to lead change and restoration
Flood affected dairy farmers are not only facing years of reconstruction, but the region-wide loss of winter feed reserves. These are the farmers producing more milk with fewer cows and the world's lowest emissions
3rd Jun 21, 10:50am
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Flood affected dairy farmers are not only facing years of reconstruction, but the region-wide loss of winter feed reserves. These are the farmers producing more milk with fewer cows and the world's lowest emissions