Growing Future Farmers needs 31 more King Country and western Waikato sheep and farmers to help train the next generation.
The charity already has eight experienced trainers across the region willing to mentor students and had received applications for a record 39 students.
Nationally, the charity, which offers an employer-led career pathway, has received a record 150 student applications for 87 existing placements.
Students learn livestock and agribusiness skills through hands-on farm experience, mentoring, and structured support four days a week, supported by formal learning one day a week.
Growing Future Farmers chief executive Wendy Paul said the King Country and western Waikato region had strong student interest but limited training placements.
“Every farm trainer we can add in these areas means another young person gets the opportunity to build a career in agriculture,” she said.
“With strong demand from motivated students aged 16–21, many of whom are making farming their first choice, the call for more trainers is urgent. If you’ve ever thought about your legacy and how your knowledge and experience could benefit the next generation, this is your moment.”
Paul said farm trainers contributed to the sustainability of the industry by passing on
knowledge, building capability in the sector.
Growing Future Farmers offers support to its trainers, including dedicated Student Success Advisors and help with admin and training coordination.
“The young people applying to our programme are ready to work and eager to learn –they’re choosing agriculture as their first career choice, not as a fallback,” said Paul.
“If you’ve ever wanted to make a real impact in agriculture, this is your chance. We have a proven programme that works. We have support systems in place. What we need now is you.”
The charity is also seeking trainers in Canterbury and Otago.
Six science scholarship on offer
Applications are open for six on farm science scholarships offered by the Ministry for Primary Industries. The scholarships, worth a total of $30,000, are on offer for the 2026 academic year to tertiary students enrolled in agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture degrees. Applicants must have completed their first year of study,
MPI director of on farm support Vanessa Winning said there was strong demand for on-farm advice backed by science and analysis to support producers to adapt and improve business performance.
“MPI is backing initiatives that support farmers and growers to sustainably boost productivity and profitability, helping to achieve the Government’s goal
of doubling the value of exports by 2034.”
Applications for the scholarships close in midSeptember.
Manawatū-Whanganui Ballance Agri-Nutrients intern Ffion White was one of the inaugural recipients of the On Farm Support Science Scholarship.
“I’m getting to work on-farm alongside Ballance’s nutrient specialists. My role is about helping farmers improve their soil, grow better quality pasture and crops, and become more productive and profitable,”
White said.
“The scholarship was hugely beneficial. I had a mentor from MPI’s On Farm Support team who invited me to industry field days and events. It helped me meet people in the sector which came in handy when I started looking for a job.”
White completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University and is one of four scholarship recipients who have secured primary industry advisory roles.
Feilding-based KS Agri farm consultant Nerissa Edwards was
another recipient.
“Every day is different. I find it hugely rewarding working with farmers to create individual plans to drive improvements in on-farm efficiency, profitability, and sustainability,” Edwards said.
“The scholarship enabled me to build connections within the advisory sector. That led to a six-month internship with KS Agri and eventually a role as a consultant.”
Ministry for Primary Industries director of on farm support Vanessa Winning.
Nerissa Edwards Ffion White
Feds want reinforcements
By Chris Gardner
Federated Farmers is urging the Environmental Protection Authority to fast track the assessment of new treatments to fight New Zealand’s biggest agricultural pest.
Native scarab beetle costelytra giveni, commonly known as native grass grub, costs the agricultural sector $585 million a year as larvae chew through pasture roots causing turf to lift like carpet.
Federated Farmers biosecurity spokesman David Birkett is worried that cost, comprising $380 million on dairy farms and $205 million on sheep and beef farms and probably much more, will blow out.
The EPA has banned the use of the two most effective treatments. Farmers must stop using Chlorpyrifos by January 2027 and Diazanon by July 2028.
Birkett urged the authority to take urgent action to help plug the looming gap.
“This is our biggest agricultural pest by a country mile, yet there’s a real risk farmers’ arsenal to fight it will soon be empty,” Canterbury cropping farmer Birkett said.
“It’s pleasing that manufacturers have work developing new chemicals underway.”
AgResearch is leading the charge to replace Chlorpyrifos and Diazanon with a bacterium called Serratia proteamaculans proven to infect and kill larvae of both native grass grub and mānuka beetle.
“We also need the Environmental Protection Authority to prioritise and fast-track their assessment of any new options,” Birkett said.
“Stocks of Chlorpyrifos are already very limited and in the face of bans, manufacturers are taking it out of production.”
“We’d really like to see them accelerate that development work,” Birkett said.
“It would be disastrous for food production and our agricultural exports if our farmers are left high and dry for any period without an effective control method.”
Birkett said the EPA also needs to play its role swiftly.
“Federated Farmers has been critical of the EPA’s failure to get on top of a backlog of assessment applications for agri-chemicals and animal health treatments.
“We’ve welcomed Government announcements on new measures aimed at streamlining assessment processes, particularly in cases where chemicals are already being used safety in other countries.
“But the EPA also needs to adjust its priorities and not focus on assessing generic chemicals that are already available,” he said.
“Their work stream needs to take better account of how far off approvals are for effective replacement products, including biosecurity and pest increase issues, and how much delays would cost the country.
“The new chemicals that offer the greatest economic benefits should get priority in the queueand I would put any new treatment for grass grub in that category,” Birkett said.
Te Pahu dairy farmer John Bluett agreed farmers needed an alternative to Chlorpyrifos and Diazanon.
“Over the years we have seen a little bit of native grass grub, but black beetle and cut worm have done more damage in the Waikato.”
Both of the treatments being phased can also be used on other insects.
Higher stocked dairy farms saw less of a problem, he said.
“The higher the stocking rate, the more likely native grass grub gets squashed in the soil,” he said.
Foundation for Arable Research arable and biosecurity and industry
relationships officer Ash Mills said grass grub tended to be a pest that would be more noticeably impactful every four or five years in a paddock.
“I can appreciate the production losses adding up over time on properties,” Mills said.
“I agree with the Federated Farmers stance. Without a reliable product to replace Chlorpyrifos and Diazinon, then yes, we should be worried and expect to face even more significant losses in the future.”
Environmental Protection Authority acting manager of hazardous substances applications Shaun Presow said reducing the queue of hazardous substance applications was a top priority.
“We typically treat applications on a first come first serve basis, though it is possible to advance applications where a pressing need is identified,” he said.
“Before doing so however, we need to be sure that taking this action is necessary as it will mean other applications in the queue might have to wait longer.’
“The EPA has several other improvements underway to reduce the queue of hazardous substance applications, including boosting frontline staff and working
towards streamlining processes for lower-risk substances. The changes support greater efficiency so that farmers have safer and more effective tools while also protecting people and the environment.”
DISHER CONTRACTING
Federated Farmers biosecurity spokesman David Birkett is worried farmers could be left with no way of fighting native grass grub.David Birkett
Grass grub larvae.
Photo: AgResearch. The grass grub beetle.
Photo: Phil Bendle
Shaun Presow
Being part of the change
Jayden Corbett was motivated after hearing and reading about whole-farm conversions to carbon forestry.
“It didn’t sit right with me,” he said. “I’m a young guy starting out a career in sheep and beef and heading for the hills but they’re planting out so many of the hills in pine trees.
So Corbett, 22, joined the Waikato Federated Farmers executive at May’s annual meeting.
“I reasoned there was no point just sitting at the dinner table every night and complaining about it.”
At that meeting Corbett found fellow farmers who encouraged him to join in, listen, learn and have a say.
“Federated Farmers took me under their wings, and then president Keith Holmes was keen to see me grow my Feds’ involvement.”
The Waikato branch sponsored Corbett on a one-day leadership workshop that covered topics such as the difference between governance and operational matters, conflict resolution, how to run an effective meeting, and setting values and a
strong culture.
“It was excellent,” he said. “I’d got myself into a couple of positions helping at the golf course and the local hall, so it was also quite useful to take those skills back to those smaller community groups.”
Corbett was invited to Wellington to attend a Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Council meeting and, with the value of succession planning in mind, Waikato Meat and Wool chair Reon Verry suggested he might consider becoming his vice chair. And that’s exactly what came about at the province’s annual meeting in May.
Corbett grew up on a small dairy farm at Waerenga, about 20 minutes out of Te Kauwhata.
His granddad was the father figure in the household and while Corbett helped in the cowshed and fed out hay from a young age, his gaze was to the hill country of neighbours’ farms.
“I cottoned on pretty quickly I didn’t want to be a dairy farmer; the early starts weren’t my cup of tea,” Corbett said. “I wanted to be a sheep and beef guy and get off the flats and into the hills.”
At age 14, he knocked at the door of one of those neighbour’s farms and asked about work.
From then his high school holidays and some weekends were taken up with helping in the shearing shed and other farm tasks.
A little bit older and with more experience, he approached another neighbouring farm in the Matahuru Valley.
“That whole summer I was rolling up fences down in the gullies.”
Seven years later, he’s still on the same property and he’s worked his way up the ranks to be manager.
It’s a 1000-hectare dry stock operation raising beef cattle across multiple properties on LUC 6 and 7 land, some of it pretty steep.
Corbett has two shepherds and a general hand under him.
“My bosses are young. I’m young. We get along and when I’d shown I was up to the tasks, they didn’t let my age get in the way.”
The ultimate aim is owning his own place, so he’s very supportive of the work Federated Farmers has put in to try to secure more competition in the banking
sector, and to persuade the Government to allow young farmers access to their KiwiSaver funds to buy a first farm or herd.
As a step up the ownership ladder, he’s leased the family dairy farm and is taking it to beef for the first time.
“It’s about 100 hectares and me and granddad are working closely together to put it into intensive beef on the flat country.”
Corbett says better KiwiSaver access and a fairer deal from banks could make a big difference to young farmers – and the succession plans of the older generation. He recalled having his own struggles with banks to secure the lease and stock when he told them he was 21 going on 22.
His own experience is that Federated Farmers welcomes younger members and will find a fulfilling role for them.
“We need a stronger farming voice now more than ever, especially with our district and regional councils.
“Building up some better communications with younger farmers is important and I also think we can reach out more to other groups to see where our interests align.
“I’m keen to be a part of that.”
Sheep and beef farmer Jayden Corbett joined Waikato Federated Farmers’ executive at 22.
Liz Stolwyk
for Regional Council
Who am I?
Liz Stolwyk.
– Grounded. Bold. Connected.
• I’m an Event Manager, a Farmer, and a straight-talker who answers the phone when you call. I’m proud of my strong community networks and I stay connected so I can advocate effectively for the people I serve.
• Co-ordinator & Committee Member –Ballance Farm Environment Awards – 7 years
• Former roles with Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, National Fieldays and Waikato Rugby Union
• My husband Andrew Reymer (Chair of Te Awamutu Federated Farmers), and I are proud dairy farmers raising three nearly grown boys. (And yes, we raise three beef calves a year just to keep them fed!).
What’s important to me?
• A strong economy and healthy environment aren’t mutually exclusive – we can achieve both.
• Our large towns deserve better internal public transport options to stay connected.
• Freshwater quality matters: Lakes Te Koo Utu, Ngaroto, and Parangi need urgent action.
• Plan Change 1 – fighting for practical solutions that don’t drain millions from our farmers.
• Rates control – standing for smart, sensible spending that respects ratepayers.
Phone: 027 571 6206
“Now is not the time for inexperience... I’m ready to hit the ground running — with energy, experience, and a deep understanding of how our
A stickler for efficiency
By Chris Gardner
Andy Barker says he is breaking even at less than half the cost of an average farmer.
Barker’s farm, nearly eight kilometres north of Ōtorohanga, is breaking even at $4.20 a kilogram - $4.48 less than DairyNZ’s predicted average of $8.68 against a payout of $10.21.
“We do everything in house,” the incoming Ōtorohanga district councillor said. “I believe in value for money. We generally don’t buy feed in, but in the drought, we bought a little bit of palm kernel in.”
He prides himself on his analytical approach. Barker, who will be elected unposed to Ōtorohanga District Council’s Kio Kio – Korakonui Ward seat on October 11, plans to bring the same level of scrutiny to council finances when he takes his seat around the council table.
“I don’t think the council is performing properly, I think it can perform a hell of a lot better,” he said.
“I believe in efficiency. If one person can do what three people do, I would go with one.”
Barker stood for election after complaining about a council decision he disagreed with, although he would not be drawn on the details of that decision.
“Two or three people came to me and asked if I would be interested in standing, so I thought about it for two or three months,” he said.
He was surprised and disappointed at the lack of competition.
“I think apathy is a real problem in New Zealand, people are not interested in their community anymore,” he said.
“It’s all very well sitting here, but until you get in and see the inner workings you can’t push for change. We will see how it goes.”
Barker, born in Beattie Home and Hospital in Ōtorohanga, was raised on the family farm at Maihiihi.
“My mother’s family came here in 1850, my father’s in 1851. I’m tangata whenua,” he said.
He attended Korakonui School, Waikeria, Southwell School in Hamilton for intermediate education and St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton for high school.
Barker began farming on his 370-hectare Ouruwhero Road farm about 35 years ago and quickly converted it to dairy. His 950-cow jersey cross herd produces about 300,000kg of milk solids a year on 300 effective hectares. He also runs a 150-hectare dairy grazing block at Waitomo.
“We try and keep all business internal,” he said.
He lives in a house transported onto the farm from afar with his accountant partner Lea de Rooy and is the father of three adult children who had flown the nest.
Rachel is a computer-generated image rendered for visual effects company Wētā FX in Wellington, Emma is a brand marketing manager for Fonterra and Jimmy is a Canterbury based arborist.
Barker is fiercely parochial about the King Country – in his mind it’s distinct from the Waikato region. He is not keen on the idea of Ōtorohanga amalgamating with other councils.
“I have got friends in Auckland, and they say Auckland’s amalgamation has not worked well,” he said.
When not farming Barker collects and restores vintage motorbikes.
He also enjoys hunting.
“We don’t realise how good we have got it here,” he said.
“It’s one of the best countries in the world to raise a family. There’s opportunity here. It’s a great place to live.”
GRASS HARVESTING
• Kuhn Combi Round Baler / Wrappers - Net / Film on Film option
• Case Big Square Baler & Wrapper
• Forage Harvester with Trucks or Tractors / Trailers • Full Mowing Services • Bale Stacking
Ōtorohanga dairy farmer Andy Barker believes the district council he is joining could do better.
Photos: Chris Gardner
Chris set for shield challenge
By Jon Rawlinson
There are plenty of shaggy dog tales in sport, but when it comes to sheepdog trials’ Bayley’s Shield, the narrative couldn’t be more straightforward – King Country has the silverware all locked up.
Having lifted the sport’s equivalent of rugby’s Ranfurly Shield from Waikato in June, the King Country team must now defend it against Northland at the upcoming King Country Charity Trials.
“I’m confident we can defend it even though they’ll be sending a pretty good side,” King Country team captain Chris Baker said. “I think the current Tux Open Yard champion, Shaun Haynes, will be on the Northland team, competing in the open, and they’ll be pretty handy at the intermediate and maiden levels too.”
The open class is open to all, while entry into the intermediate and maiden classes is based on experience.
Born and raised in Cambridge, Baker is the Piopio Station Trust’s farm manager – he enjoys his job, but that’s not the only reason he whistles while he works.
“Can I whistle? A lot of people whistle through their mouths, and some only use voice commands, but I use a shepherd’s whistle just because I find it easier,” Baker said.
The right whistle, the right team and some dogged companions should ensure the shield is safe, but that’s not all that’s on the line at the Taumarunui tournament running from September 12 to 14.
The King Country Charity Trials also provide the next step towards national honours in the Tux Yarding Challenge and Handy Dog event series.
Classic hill trials run from January through to June, while yarding and handy dog events fill in the offseason. Yarding involves moving sheep through a course and into a pen, while handy dog events feature a mixture of paddock work and yarding.
Both provide a more level playing field, taking place on flat ground. In some cases, competitions are held indoors but they still test the same essential skills as hill trials, Baker said.
“Horse arenas are pretty big, so the size of the courses is about the same. Dogs need to be confident enough to go indoors and work – sometimes it can take them a little while to adjust, but a good dog should be able to handle it no trouble.”
Whether a yard dog or a handy hound is required depends on the event.
“Our dogs have been refined a lot, but they’re either heading dogs or huntaways. You get a bit of variation amongst them but, basically, they originated as border collies and we’ve refined them and bred them for traits that we like,” Baker said.
“Yarding has heading dogs,
which work quietly and just eye the sheep, while handy dog events are for huntaways – they work quite differently and bark at the sheep.”
Heading dogs use their heads, working in front of the sheep and employing guile to get the job done, whereas huntaways are more boisterous and aggressive, pushing flocks along.
“In both, a dog needs a certain amount of breeding and ability, but the best have a bit of an X factor about them.”
Every good dog also needs a best friend and that’s where Baker and his two-legged teammates step in.
“You need patience and working stock well comes with experience, so you have to be committed and put the time in. It’s also really important to bond with your dog,” said Baker.
“A good trainer can take an average dog and make it functional, but he’s probably not going to win trials; a very good trainer can make an average dog good and good dogs great.”
While some rural sports are no country for old men, age is no barrier in dog trials – it’s experience that really separates
the men from the boys.
At a mere 53, Baker has plenty of competition ahead of him.
“That’s the beauty of dog trials – it’s based on skill more than age, so we’ve had guys competing into their eighties. I started when I was about 30, although I’ve always had an interest in dogs and I was working on the farm and shepherding for years before that.”
Some country sports may struggle to replace old stock, but yarding and handy dog trials are helping ensure young blood joins the fold. A new brood of lifestyle farmers is also throwing their hats, and themselves, into the show ring.
“There aren’t as many people working on farms as there used to be, not as many sheep and fewer people with dogs to work them, but young ones are still getting involved,” said Baker.
“These events seem to appeal to people with small blocks who might have one or two dogs, and then there’s dog obedience people looking for a new challenge. We’ve had a few people like this have a go at sheepdog trials, which has to be good for the future of the sport.”
Chris Baker with his dog, Rain, at June’s Bayley’s Shield Challenge in Taupō. Photo - Take the Moment Photography
Chris Baker with his dog, Neg, competing in Taupō.
Photo - Take the Moment Photograph
Pasture focus keeps costs down
Chris Gardner visited the Hahn farms near Te Kūiti and files two stories about a family which is putting a cap on costs.
King Country dairy farmers Sofus and Jacqui Hahn are expecting to operate below DairyNZ’s predicted breakeven milk price this season.
Rising expenses prompted DairyNZ to increase its predicted breakeven milk price for 2025/26 from $8.41 per kilogram of milk solids to $8.68 against a predicted average milk payout of $10.21.
The Hahns did well last season, operating at 16 cents below the new figures despite the drought, and they expect the trend to continue this season.
Between them, the Hanh farms east of Te Kūiti and at Benneydale cover 1350 hectares, 980 effective Their calculations for last season included interest on loans, which DairyNZ does not include in its figures since every farm is different.
“However, we are paying considerably more for staff now,” Jacqui Hahn said.
“Some standing charges such as rates have gone up considerably in some regions.”
Waitomo District Council set a 2.93 per cent increase in rates in the 2025/26 financial year.
“Fertiliser continues to climb with truck driver telling me that some farmers are leaving a large co-op because they are pricing too high.”
The Hahns saw it coming and ordered their fertiliser earlier at a lower price.
It’s this approach, coupled with a desire to keep things simple, that has helped them.
“We are hugely focussed on pasture, and no frill cow sheds,” she said.
“We think things out and focus on doing a lot of the work ourselves. We have people that know things.”
Sharing the farming burden between the couple’s adult children and partners is keeping them below the forecast breakeven price.
“Why pay someone to do something if you can do it better
yourself?” Hahn said.
“We are always developing the farm.”
The Hahns are expecting a very high tax bill this year.
“I have set aside this money. From profit and paying off some loans that we should benefit from in years going forward. Like anything in either direction you get a snowball effect. You go down the gurgler quick and when you start to get on top of your debt it gets easier every year. In our early 50s it’s going the right way thank goodness.”
Sharefarming Consultants co-founder Louise Gibson said pasture supplemented by palm kernel was hard to beat.
“Farmers who came into last season and again this season knowing their numbers are able to manage well with the higher expenses and have been able to
invest in infrastructure strategically.
This has been enhanced where farmers have been focused on “little and often” investment in their properties through the tougher payouts,” she said.
“High cow prices and animal health costs means more cows at really high stocking rates is no longer looking more profitable - more feed being utilised per cow and improving genetics is proving to be more favourable in controlling costs and maximising profit.”
Fertiliser prices have increased sharply due to global supply constraints, export restrictions from China, and increased natural gas prices. Compared to May last year, phosphate prices are up 34 per cent and urea up 40 per cent. Crude oil prices have surged by 17 per cent, due to instability in the Middle East. While prices may
ease, the recent spike underscores ongoing energy market volatility.
“Given New Zealand’s reliance on imported fuel, dairy farmers should allow for potential cost spikes, especially during peak operational periods,” DairyNZ head of economics Mark Storey said.
“Feed costs have additionally climbed, with most commodities increasing between six per cent and 37 per cent per tonne over the past year. Palm kernel is the exception, with prices slightly down on last year.”
DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown said farmers were following global events closely.
“With continued uncertainty in global markets and pressure on some key expenses, it’s important farmers plan ahead and build flexibility into their budgets where possible,” Brown said.
Jacqui Hahn, pictured with farm worker Anthony Thomas, says she is highly focussed on pasture on her King Country farm.
Photo: Chris Gardner
In anticipation of price rises, the Hahns ordered fertiliser early – and both they and the cows have benefitted. Photo: Chirs Gardner.
Nursing the cows and sheep
By Chris Gardner
Emylee Eyears gave up a nursing career in Australia to join the Hahn family dairy farming at Rangitoto.
Eyears, 24, emigrated last December when she followed her fiancé Finn Hahn, 22, back from her home country where she was working as oncological nurse.
The pair met while Finn was working as a builder.
“From the moment I met him his end goal was farming,” she said. With understaffing, and pay disputes in New Zealand nursing, Eyears made a deliberate decision to learn all she could about dairy farming and support her new family which runs four dairy farms and one grazing block around Rangitoto and Benneydale.
“I have just been giving farming a go since I have been here,” Eyears said.
“I am really loving it, especially the young animal side of it.”
“I am using quite a lot of transferable nursing skills on the farm, which is very nice,”
As well as working alongside her fiancé, Eyears is assisting her soon to be brother and sister in laws Troy and April Mills.
“I have been helping April and Troy inject their calves too. At the moment I am in charge of the beef calves.”
The King Country is a far cry
from Townsville, the largest city in North Queensland, where Eyears grew up.
She took last summer’s drought, her first summer in New Zealand, in her stride.
“I did not have the least stress about it,” she said.
So, is she enjoying the change of pace?
“One hundred and ten per cent,” she said. “It’s a really big change of pace, with early starts and long days and late nights.
“It’s brilliant how hard working
Just go for it...
By Chris Gardner
The supreme winner of the Waikato Farm Environment Awards, Tor Pedersen, is urging others to enter next year’s awards.
“Just go for it,” said Pedersen, of Broomore Farm near Raglan.
His family has run a 300-hectare dairy farm on Waitetuna Valley Road since 1967.
“You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. What you can learn from the awards and networking with different people – it’s invaluable.”
the Hanh family is. It’s a really good thing to be involved with. They are super hard-working people, always ready to give a hand and help each other out.
“Everyone is best friends around here. It’s a really great community to be in.”
Eyears will marry on the farm in January.
Eyears brother-in-law to be Troy, 26, married into the family in 2022. Mills, from Ōkato in Taranaki, gave up a career as a diesel mechanic to join the family farming business four years ago.
In the thick of calving, early this month, Mills couldn’t remember his last day off, although he recently enjoyed a sleep in when Eyears completed his morning duties for him.
“We just work hard to make it work,” said Mills. “This time of the year I don’t get any days off. I just have to keep going.”
The secret of farm success, Mills said, was simplicity.
“We’re mainly grass based, and depending on the year we add palm kernel.”
Such as the end of last season, when grass was scarce.
“It’s hard, but it’s what we like doing,” he said. “We like the challenge.”
The awards, facilitated by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, celebrate excellence in sustainable farming and growing.
“The awards are about celebrating progress, not perfection, and sharing ideas across sectors and regions, farmers learning from farmers,” said trust general manager Sarah Harris.
“They are also a great opportunity to reflect on what you’ve achieved, gain feedback for future growth, and connect with like-minded farmers and growers who are passionate about looking after the land for future generations.”
Entries for the next year’s awards are already open and close in October.
RMA changes ‘common sense’
Federated Farmers says changes to resource management laws announced his month will spare thousands of farmers from needing an unnecessary resource consent just to keep farming.
“I’d love to say this is a practical and pragmatic change from the government - but it’s actually just common sense,” Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper said.
“Without these urgent changes to the discharge rules under section 70 of the RMA, we would have been facing a ridiculous, expensive and totally unworkable situation.
“Thousands of farmers would have needed to go through the process of applying for a
new resource consent, and ticking boxes, for absolutely no environmental gain.
“A flood of consent applications would have landed with local councils all at once, creating a bureaucratic backlog and stalling the engine room of the economy at the same time.”
Hooper said councils will still be able to require consent for genuinely high-risk activities but won’t be forced to do so when something such as a farm plan is a better option.
“Taking a risk-based approach is much more sensible - particularly when many farmers already have farm plans in place that will drive real environmental improvements.”
Tor Pedersen says networking with other farmers through the Farm Environment Awards is invaluable.
Emylee Eyears with calves on the Hahn farm. Photo Chris Gardner
Troy Mills takes a break on the farm.
Photo Chris Gardner
Tractor pull draws crowd
By Jon Rawlinson
Ōhaupō’s Reymer family was revved and riding high at the Ōtorohanga Tractor Pull this month.
Dan Reymer won the 10-12 tonne class and secured overall honours, and his uncles, Andrew and Bill Reymer balanced out the podium, placing second and third in the pre-1990s class.
Dan’s father, Stephen Reymer, is also well known in the sport.
Competition organiser Ōtorohanga’s Ben Ferguson said conditions were near perfect on the day.
“The night before, it was terrible. It was raining, so I was worried that we might have to cancel or postpone the event. Although there was a bit of a cold chill on the Saturday, it
turned out to be beautiful.”
Some spectators might prefer to see such mighty machines flex their muscles by dragging heavy sleds in the muck, but dry ground is usually preferred by competitors. Conditions also influence which tractors – size and type – will have the right amount of pulling power.
“You don’t want it to be too muddy because it becomes a headache as the sleds pack up with mud. A nice, hard track is what we’re after,” Ferguson said.
“The drivers have to control their tractors, but every day’s different, every hour’s different, so you never know who’ll come out on top.”
The clear skies also attracted plenty of spectators.
“I’m not sure of the numbers, but we definitely had a
massive turnout this time, the best we’ve had,” said Ferguson. Entrants competed in classes mostly based on weight, with tractors ranging from up-to-seven tonnes to 14-16 tonne titans.
The tractors on show at the private farmland venue on Otewa Road included such makes as New Holland, John Deere, Fendt, Massey Ferguson and more.
Ferguson placed third in the 14-16 tonne class, driving a Case IH.
This year’s class winners were: 0-7 tonnes Brae Metcalfe, 7-8.5 tonnes Shawn Luxton, 8.5-10 tonnes Calvin Smith, 1012 tonnes Daniel Reymer, 12-14 tonnes Simon Swan, 14-16 tonnes Michael Ritch, Diesel modified Neil Timmins, Petrol modified Wally Sinton, Pre 1990s Jordon Sinton.
Fed critical of the carbon response
Federated Farmers says a report back to Parliament on the so-called ‘ban on carbon forestry’ doesn’t do enough to stop the march of pines across New Zealand’s productive farmland.
The feds’ forestry spokesperson Richard Dawkins call the report “an incredibly disappointing result” and said many farmers would feel a total sense of betrayal.
“Despite widespread feedback during consultation, and clear cross-party support for action, massive loopholes remain in the Environment Select Committee’s recommendations.
“Their report sends a clear message to rural New Zealand that the march of permanent carbon farms across productive farmland won’t be stopping any time soon.”
Dawkins said one silver lining is that the committee has listened to Federated Farmers’ concerns about the need to tighten rules around the ‘intent to plant’ test.
“We made a very strong case that simply purchasing seedlings before 4 December 2024, with no land to plant them on, should not count as a clear intent to plant.
“The committee has recommended the bill be
redrafted to make it crystal clear to carbon foresters that if they had seedlings but no land, they won’t be able to enter the ETS.”
Federated Farmers has been collecting information on those who have purchased land after December 4 with the intention of entering it into the ETS. This has been presented to the Minister.
“If the select committee’s recommendations are accepted, those carbon farmers who have been trying to skirt around the rules will need to make other plans,” Dawkins said.
He said other aspects of the select committee report
missed the mark.
“It’s extremely disappointing that what’s proposed continues to ban whole-farm conversions only on Land Use Capability classes 1-5 land.
“That might sound good in a press release, but in reality only 12 per cent of farm conversions were happening on that land anyway. Our productive hill country - the engine room of the agricultural industry - is still at risk of becoming a giant pollution-driven carbon farm.”
Dawkins said two-thirds of sheep and beef farms are on classes 6 and 7 land.
“Those classes of land are still exempt from the 25 per cent carbon credit restrictions, so the vast majority of our sheep and beef farms will still be at risk of full conversion to carbon forestry.
“Once those farms are gone, they’re gone for good.”
Federated Farmers would continue to call on the Government to strengthen the law, Dawkins said.
“We support the Labour Party minority view from the select committee hearings that a thorough review of the ETS and carbon forestry should be undertaken. This was one of our 12 key asks for
rebuilding farmer confidence leading into the 2023 election.”
Richard Dawkins says the report misses the mark.
The overall winner was Daniel Reymer.
Photo - Allan Hay Photography Wally Sinton won the petrol modified section.
Photo - Allan Hay Photography
Knutson rewarded
By Viv Posselt
Founding member of the Waipā Holstein Friesian Club, Brian Knutson, is tickled pink with the honorary life membership award bestowed on him at the club’s recent 50th jubilee celebrations.
The retired farmer, who became the then youngest president of the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association (NZHFA) in 1987-8 and later received honorary life membership to that association, has placed his new certificate among a slew of other awards displayed in his Ōtorohanga home.
extensive work as a classifier, which saw him travel the length and breadth of the country.
He became NZHFA’s second patron after Canterbury’s John Grigg - the first person to import and breed Holstein Friesian cattle into New Zealand. One of his first jobs in that capacity was to declare the Holstein Friesian New Zealand 2010 centenary open. He represented the national association twice on visits to the United States.
Knutson also spent time as chairman of the NZ Dairy Breeds Federation, sitting on the Dairy Breeds Advisory
Friesians. Brian’s father Cedric followed his own father’s tracks and went on to establish the highlyregarded Turepo stud, first in the Wairarapa and then at Kio Kio. Brian and his brother Ross purchased their father’s 80ha farm in the 1960s, milking 160-180 cows, but following rapid growth, Brian and his wife Val struck out on their own and Ranui Stud on Old Te Kuiti Rd in the early ‘70s was founded on bloodlines from his father’s Turepo herd. At its peak, and after Brian had purchased two neighbouring properties, Ranui had around 260 Friesians.
The long line of Knutson men started early, showing calves in local show rings as youngsters, learning from the best, and going on to breed a string of champions. All of them were deeply involved in the administration side of
Ten years ago, and with none of his three sons eager to go farming, Brian gave up the farm and retired fully. Over 100 guests from around the country attended the Waipā Holstein Friesian Club’s 50th jubilee and Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger and NZHFA president Owen Copinga delivered
Longstanding member Sue Blackler presented Brian Knutson with his award, outlining his ‘dedication and untiring work promoting Holstein Friesians, both within the club and
Club patron Colleen Craig said: “A half-century is a long time in anyone’s language, and Waipā Holstein Friesian Club’s achievement of this auspicious milestone called for a worthy celebration.”
Your Will & Probate
When you pass away, your will comes into effect for the administration and distribution of your estate.
Presently, if you own more than $15,000 worth of assets (including but not limited to property, funds in a bank account, investments or superannuation savings like Kiwisaver) the executor(s) named under your will would need to apply to the High Court to obtain a grant of probate.
What is Probate?
“Probate” means “to prove”, derived from the Latin verb “probare” – which is to test or examine. Probate is a document issued by the Court and is the Court’s confirmation that a will is genuine and that the named executor(s) have the authority to distribute assets in accordance with the terms of a will. It provides certainty that an estate is being administered as per the deceased’s wishes. The application for Probate is the first step in an executor’s duties.
New Threshold
From 24 September 2025, the thresholds under sections 65(2) and (5) of the Administration Act 1969 will increase from $15,000 to $40,000. Practically, the effect of the increase to the threshold amounts means that there will be less estates being reduced as a result of court costs and legal fees. If you have any questions regarding an estate or estate administration, please contact your solicitor to discuss further.
Brian Knutson with the lifetime membership award presented to him at the recent 50th jubilee of the Waipā Holstein Friesian Club. Photo: Viv Posselt
