The medium term outlook for deer farming is bright. Arable Canterbury Dry weather in Mid and North Canterbury and wet weather in South Canterbury resulted in only average yields and crop quality. Other Areas Cedenco has announced a contraction of the area to be grown in tomatoes for processing in Gisborne as it shifts more of the tomato operation to Australia. North Otago has an increasing number of sharecropping arrangements whereby sheep and beef farmers have arranged income sharing agreements with cropping farmers. Kiwifruit Productivity in terms of yield per hectare has improved markedly recently, which greatly assists individual orchard profitability.
Growers feel more financially secure than they have in previous years.
However, most growers still have, and need, off farm income. Growers voted to adopt industry restructuring proposals recommended in stage III of the industry review. A statutory Board plus separate marketing company will be established and more onshore operations will be directly organised by growers or their agents. Apples Reduced domestic apple stocks in the Northern Hemisphere raises expectations of better market returns in 1996. Packing delays and coolstore shortages caused some delayed payouts, adversely affecting growers cash flow.