Support for Farmers

Support for Farmers 

_{Farming is challenging and unpredictable. During the ups and downs, there are several ways you can access support - whether it's financial advice or dealing with stress. Talk to us about your business.}

The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme

Farmers under financial strain will have access to extra support and guidance from July 2020. The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme, which comes into play on 1 July, provides mediation services to help farmers and their creditors work through debt issues. This means farmers can expect a structured, confidential, and impartial negotiation process that leads to an agreement on how to proceed.

• Creditors who lend money to farmers will have to offer mediation before taking enforcement action if farmers default on payments. 
• Business owners in agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, apiculture and share milking can ask for mediation at any time.

Staying well

Unexpected challenges put pressure on your business and family, which is why it’s so important to do the little things that keep you sane. Check out www.farmstrong.co.nz for farmer-to-farmer tips and videos (backed by well-being science) on stress, burnout, sleeping, healthy eating, thinking and more.

Tax relief for Mycoplasma bovis farmers

The Government will be introducing legislation to help farmers whose herds were culled in response to the Mycoplasma eradication programme. It will allow you to spread additional income from the cull over the next six years, as long as: 

• The culling of your breeding livestock and your replacements were due to Mycoplasma bovis
• You've used, and continue to use, the national standard cost scheme or the self-assessed cost scheme for your breeding stock
• You've substantially replaced your culled livestock within 12 months.

Smarter Better Business Guides

• Guide
30 Jun '20

Step 1 of building a smarter better business

• Guide
26 Jun '20

Step 2 of building a smarter better business

• Guide
25 Jun '20

Step 3 of building a smarter better business