Category Archives: Rural Finance

Declining dairy assets, high debt and land-use change

In recent weeks I have been writing about dairy-farm debt and declining asset values. In this article I pose the question as to whether or not we can expect to see a significant number of dairy farms convert to other … Continue reading

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Meat Industry, Rural Finance | 8 Comments

Dairy debt and declining values create an equity pincer

Some weeks back I wrote how the market value of dairy land is declining substantially. The biggest factor is a change in bank-lending policies such that local buyers cannot get funding. The second key factor is that foreign buyers can … Continue reading

Posted in Dairy, Rural Finance | 1 Comment

Farming for cash and capital gain: the rules have changed

Regardless of whether or not a capital gains tax is introduced, the rules of farming have changed.  Cash is becoming a lot more important. I recall going to a conference in late 2000 or thereabouts, soon after my return to … Continue reading

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Rural Finance | 3 Comments

Dairy debt an outcome of wayward policy and land-banking

In a recent article, I wrote that high debt levels within the dairy industry will constrain the industry transformation that needs to occur.  Subsequently, I have been exploring how the industry got itself such a debt-laden pickle. Here is what … Continue reading

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Rural Finance | 3 Comments