NZ farmer confidence tumbles in January on regulatory, drought fears

NZ farmer confidence tumbles in January on regulatory, drought fears
Rebecca Howard
By Rebecca Howard Feb. 15 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand farmer confidence tumbled in January as a drought and uncertainty over new government policies take their toll.  A net 34 percent of those surveyed were pessimistic about general economic conditions over the next 12 months, a marked deterioration from 16 percent who were optimistic in July, according to the latest new season Federated Farmers' Farm Confidence January survey.  Within the different industry groups, 43 percent of dairy farmers said they now expect general economic con...