Issuu

13 Ravensdown back in the black Vol 24 No 31 | August 10, 2026

View online at farmersweekly.co.nz

$5.25 Incl GST

Feds take dim view of surge in solar farms Neal Wallace

TECHNOLOGY

Solar

HE impact of solar farms on rural communities is being likened by farming leaders to the expansion of forestry. Gareth Williams, the chief operating officer with the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand, said there are currently about 350 hectares of solar farms with an estimated 2000ha of additional land consented for expansion. He estimates a further 10,000ha of solar farms are being considered by solar companies, though not all may be built. Williams said this was in addition to expanding rooftop solar, currently on more than 3% of homes. Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper said that, as with the forestry expansion, many rural people have been surprised by the size of the solar farms, and feel their impact on communities and quality of life is being ignored. “What we have got essentially is a new version of carbon forestry taking place, except it is on Class 1 and 2 land,” said Hooper. The government has streamlined consenting and planning processes for solar and wind to help achieve its goal of doubling renewable energy generation by 2050. A report by the Ministry

NEW FOR6 202

for Business, Industry and Employment says that solar farms currently contribute 1%-2% of energy generation, which will increase to 6%-12% by 2035. The New Zealand Wind Energy Association said wind farms contribute about 6% of the country’s electricity, with that expected to grow to 20% by 2035. Richard Pearce, the chief operating officer of solar company Lodestone Energy, said it aims to supply 5% of New Zealand’s energy needs. “There has never been a more opportune time because, economically, solar is currently the [cheapest form of] electricity, which is why we have such a rapid uptake.” Lodestone has four farms generating electricity, two under construction, including on a former dairy farm at Clandeboye in south Canterbury, and four more planned. Pearce said the sites were chosen because they are flat and close to the electricity grid. Farmers are encouraged to graze sheep among the panels to control vegetation. He said reaction from communities towards solar farms has been positive, with solar offering a reliable source of renewable energy, but he said the structure must fit into the community. Hooper said while the area going into solar is comparatively small, Continued page 5

Ready, shed, go on calf-rearing drive

A new dairy-beef calf-rearing facility at Ngāi Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou Farm at Eyrewell, Canterbury, is expected to generate thousands of beef animals while addressing the industry-wide challenge to reduce bobby calves. The facility, named Te Kōhaka (the nest), was opened last week. Photo: Brett Walter

NEWS 6

Painting with strong wool, tuft by tuft Irish-born artist Leah Creaven says wool is her ‘paint’ and she is using it to create images of the landscapes and places the fibre has come from.

PEOPLE 10 Bird flu threat turns egg operation into biosecurity fortress.

Farmers want pest control to be a priority for Molesworth lease.

Halting PC1 risks unravelling years of work, writes Stu Kneebone.

NEWS 5

NEWS 7

OPINION 19

YOUR GO-TO PLANNING TOOL FOR THE SPRING LL SALES SEASO SEASON BULL SEE INSIDE

2026 SPRING BULL SALES SHOWCASE INSERTED INTO THIS WEEK’S FARMERS WEEKLY • • • •

News articles and market intel Breeder proﬁles Breeder advertising directory Bull sales calendar

AUGUST SAVERS COUNTRY MILE INSULATED CALF COVER RANGE

FONTERRA FARMER EXCLUSIVE

FONTERRA EXCLUSIVE*

STANDARD RETAIL

4999 $4599

ORAL CAL 4.8L OR 20L 212672 212460

FONTERRA FARMER EXCLUSIVE

SAVE

599

FONTERRA EXCLUSIVE*

212176

SKELLERUP THRIVER TEATS

SKELLERUP QUATRO LIGHT KNEE GUMBOOTS

549

STANDARD RETAIL

599

424

SILVAN BACKPACK SPRAYER 15L KN15D-2

247585

263299

NOW

COUNTRY MILE CALF MILK RAIL FEEDER 10 PLACE 55L

FONTERRA EXCLUSIVE*

14999

FIL STOCK IODINE 2.5% 5L

FONTERRA FARMER EXCLUSIVE

266260 48 266348

206688 208191

265807 265806 265805

STANDARD RETAIL

MILK BAR BLACK OR COLOSTRUM TEAT

FONTERRA FARMER EXCLUSIVE

12499

GALLAGHER SOLAR ENERGIZER LITHIUM S120 266858

251505

NOW

NOW W

10999

12099

91999

Terms and conditions apply. All ofers valid until 31.08.2026 unless otherwise stated or while stocks last. Any saving is based off the current retail price. Prices include GST and are subject to change. For full T&Cs visit nzfarmsource.co.nz/tcs. *FONTERRA EXCLUSIVE PRICING excludes online orders and is only available to Fonterra Suppliers.

100

360 360 MERINO MERINO RANGE RANGE 262961 262961 262962 262962 262959 262959 262958 262958 262964 262964

SUPERIOR SUPERIOR CHUNKY CHUNKY DOG DOG ROLL ROLL RANGE RANGE

264905 264905 264903 264903 264906 264906 264904 264904

NOW NOW

1079

COUNTRY COUNTRY MILE MILE CALVING CALVING CHAIN CHAIN 150CM 150CM

00 262770 262770

261674 261674

NOW NOW

COPRICE COPRICE FAMILY FAMILY DOG DOG CHICKEN CHICKEN VEGE VEGE BROWN BROWN RICE RICE 20KG 20KG

9499

EA EA

COUNTRY COUNTRY MILE MILE CALVING CALVING CHAIN CHAIN HANDLES HANDLES 22 PACK PACK

ON ON SELECTED SELECTED BRANDS BRANDS OF OF CALF CALF MEAL MEAL PURCHASED PURCHASED^^

262761 262761

FONTERRA FONTERRA FARMER FARMER EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE

BONUS

PER PERTONNE TONNE

NOW NOW

2999

ON ON EVERY EVERY 20KG 20KG BAG BAG OF OF ANCALF™ ANCALF™ CALF CALF MILK MILK REPLACER REPLACER ** PURCHASED PURCHASED**

PAY

LATER

2499

FONTERRA FONTERRA FARMER FARMER EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE

BONUS

ON ON SELECTED SELECTED DEOSAN DEOSAN HYGIENE HYGIENE AND AND TEAT TEAT CARE CARE PRODUCTS PRODUCTS**

FONTERRA FONTERRA FARMER FARMER EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE

BONUS

PER PERBAG BAG

ON ON SELECTED SELECTED FIL FIL AND AND ECOLAB ECOLAB HYGIENE HYGIENE AND AND TEAT TEAT CARE CARE PRODUCTS PRODUCTS**

PER PER$500 $500 SPENT SPENT

Fonterra Fonterra Farmer Farmer Exclusive Exclusive Deferred Deferred Terms Terms When When you you spend spend $500 $500 or or more more with with us us between between 11 June June and and 30 30 November November 2026, 2026, you you have have the the option option to to spread spread your your payments payments across across 4, 4, 55 or or 66 months. months. Or Or defer defer your your payments payments ^^ ^^ for for 66 months months -- interest interest free. free. Ask Ask instore instore today today for for more more information. information.

The The Fonterra Fonterra Farmer Farmer Exclusive Exclusive F$ F$ Bonus Bonus Offer Offer and and the the Pay Pay Later Later Deferred Deferred Terms Terms Offer Offer are are exclusive exclusive to to Fonterra Fonterra farmers farmers and and available available from: from: *FIL, *FIL, Ecolab Ecolab and and Deosan, Deosan, available available from from 11 June June to to 31 31 October October 2026. 2026. **Calf **Calf Milk Milk Replacer Replacer Ancalf, Ancalf, available available from from 11 July July to to 31 31 October October 2026. 2026. ^Calf ^Calf Meal, Meal, available available from from 11 August August to to 30 30 November November 2026. 2026. ^^Pay ^^Pay Later Later Terms Terms Exclusions, Exclusions, lending lending criteria criteria and and terms terms and and conditions conditions apply. apply. For For full full details details visit visit NZFARMSOURCE.CO.NZ/TCS. NZFARMSOURCE.CO.NZ/TCS.

FONTERRA FONTERRA FARMER FARMER EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE

BONUS

PER PER$500 $500 SPENT SPENT

New Zealand’s most trusted source of agricultural news and information

Get in touch

Advertise

EDITORIAL

SALES CONTACTS

Bryan Gibson | 06 323 1519 Managing Editor bryan.gibson@agrihq.co.nz

Andy Whitson | 027 626 2269 Sales & Marketing Manager andy.whitson@agrihq.co.nz

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

Janine Aish | 027 300 5990 Auckland/Northland Partnership Manager janine.aish@agrihq.co.nz

Sector Focus . . . . . . . 20-22

Craig Page | 03 470 2469 Editor craig.page@agrihq.co.nz Claire Robertson Sub-Editor claire.robertson@agrihq.co.nz Neal Wallace | 03 474 9240 Journalist neal.wallace@agrihq.co.nz

Jody Anderson | 027 474 6094 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Partnership Manager jody.anderson@agrihq.co.nz

Gerald Piddock | 027 486 8346 Journalist gerald.piddock@agrihq.co.nz

Charlie Williamson | 027 510 0430 Lower North Island Partnership Manager charlie.williamson@agrihq.co.nz

Annette Scott | 021 908 400 Journalist annette.scott@agrihq.co.nz

Andy Whitson | 027 626 2269 South Island Partnership Manager andy.whitson@agrihq.co.nz

Hugh Stringleman | 027 474 4003 Journalist stringleman@outlook.co.nz Richard Rennie | 027 475 4256 Journalist richard.rennie@agrihq.co.nz Gerhard Uys | 027 239 4388 Journalist gerhard.uys@agrihq.co.nz Rebecca Greaves | 027 320 9111 Journalist rebecca.greaves@agrihq.co.nz Nigel Stirling | 021 136 5570 Journalist nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com Isabella Beale | 027 299 0596 Multimedia Journalist isabella.beale@agrihq.co.nz

PRODUCTION Lana Kieselbach | 027 739 4295 production@agrihq.co.nz

ADVERTISING MATERIAL

Supply to: adcopy@agrihq.co.nz

SUBSCRIPTIONS & DELIVERY 0800 85 25 80 subs@agrihq.co.nz

PRINTER Printed by NZME Delivered by Reach Media Ltd

Julie Hill | 027 705 7181 Marketplace Partnership Manager classifieds@agrihq.co.nz

Contents Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Rural Women . . . . . . . . . . 23 Federated Farmers . 24-27 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Marketplace . . . . . . . 29-30 Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Markets . . . . . . . . . . . 32-35 Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Andrea Mansfield | 027 602 4925 National Livestock Manager livestock@agrihq.co.nz

News in brief Meat in demand Red meat exports hit a June record. According to the Meat Industry Association, New Zealand red meat exports were worth $1.37 billion in June, 50% higher than in June last year, and reached a record value for exports in that month. The United States remained New Zealand’s largest overall market, with exports worth $3.8bn, up 21%. China was the secondlargest market at $2.7bn, up 7%.

Business sale Horticulture company T&G Global has confirmed the sale of its fresh produce and Fijian and Pacific Islands export business. The sale involves three transactions. Bidfood subsidiary Bidfood Pacific Islands will acquire T&G’s Fijian and Pacific Islands export businesses; Pukekawa Holdings Limited and Ashsadeep Company Limited will acquire T&G’s 51% shareholding in UPL; and J & P Turner, through its subsidiary Turners & Growers Limited, will acquire T&G’s New Zealand fresh produce business.

Ag to the fore Strong agricultural sales helped propel a 8.6% year-on-year increase among small New Zealand businesses in June, according to new data from Xero. It is the strongest result in almost four years and the first quarter since December 2022 when sales growth has outpaced the historical average of 6.2% year on year. Xero Small Business Insights data for June shows that agriculture sales rose 16.3% year on year, consistent with recent government reporting on strong agricultural exports and was the single biggest driver of the national sales result.

Real Estate | 0800 85 25 80 realestate@agrihq.co.nz Word Only Advertising | 0800 85 25 80 Marketplace wordads@agrihq.co.nz

PUBLISHERS Dean and Cushla Williamson Phone: 027 323 9407 dean.williamson@agrihq.co.nz cushla.williamson@agrihq.co.nz

New faces needed

Farmers Weekly is Published by AgriHQ PO Box 529, Feilding 4740, New Zealand Phone: 0800 85 25 80 Website: www.farmersweekly.co.nz

OPTIONS: ANZ agri-economist Matt Dilly says lower interest rates have allowed farmers to increase spending, catch up on repairs and maintenance, and meet their fertiliser needs.

ISSN 2463-6002 (Print) ISSN 2463-6010 (Online)

STORY P9

Nominations have opened for one farmerelected director position and two roles on the directors’ remuneration committee at DairyNZ. Incumbent director Cameron Henderson is seeking re-election to the DairyNZ board, and Johanna Burton is seeking re-election to the directors’ remuneration committee. Pukeatua farmer and board member Chris Lewis said it is vital to have farmer voices around the governance table.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Egg farms pull up drawbridge against flu Gerald Piddock

NEWS

Biosecurity

EEPING H5N1 bird flu at bay has turned a largescale egg producer’s operation into a biosecurity fortress. At Better Eggs’ four sites, in Lichfield, Whakamaru, Masterton and Kawerau, multiple protocols are now in place to protect the birds from the disease, after it was discovered in a sick seabird in Wellington and a hawk in Carterton last month. All of the chickens from the company’s free-range farm near Whakamaru have been shifted inside for their welfare and measures are in place to keep wild birds out of the sheds across all of the company’s sites. On entering one of the farms, the vehicles of both visitors and staff are put through a disinfecting unit. Before entering a shed where the chickens are housed, people go through a red-lined transition zone, following similar protocols to visiting a high food safety area in a dairy factory. That zone has a dirty and a clean side, equipped with foot baths and disinfecting units for staff moving Continued from page 1 much of it was Class 1 and 2 land. He said the growth of solar creates winners and losers among landowners, allowing some to sell or lease their land while those on the edge lose amenity values, food-producing land is lost and communities are impacted. “That’s the sense we’re getting from rural communities.” Hooper said Federated Farmers supports renewable energy, but in the form of small to mediumsized units to supply farms or

from one side to the other. CEO Gareth van der Heyden said for their 77 farm staff, this is the new reality if they want to keep producing eggs. Staff take the view that H5N1 is outside and they must stop it entering the shed. “We use this analogy with staff: just think of it like covid.” Every measure of biosecurity is a barrier between the birds and the virus because it will be multiple rather than single actions that keep it out and protocols are followed at all times – no exceptions. Van der Heyden said he is grateful for the support and cooperation shown by feed suppliers and other supply partners in following these protocols. The company employs 200 people and operates colony, barn and free-range systems, producing eggs that are sold under the Better Eggs, Henergy and Rise ’n Shine brands in supermarkets across the country. The farms are also running simulation exercises to identify any gaps in their response plan, with a big emphasis on prevention. Van der Heyden takes the approach that the virus will get into at least one of the company’s sites sooner or later. This ensures homes, or sited on land of little value. The federation’s Taranaki chair, Nick Brown, said a dairy farm adjacent to the Stratford Power Station will next year be

What we have got essentially is a new version of carbon forestry taking place, except it is on Class 1 and 2 land. Mark Hooper Federated Farmers

PROTOCOLS: Better Eggs farm staff don protective clothing and vehicles are disinfected as part of the strengthened biosecurity protocols that have been introduced to prevent H5N1 bird flu from getting into the sheds. the response plan is as good as it can possibly be. “When it hits a site, we’ll be in response mode. At the moment, we’re in prevention mode. “We’ve increased our biosecurity but we’re also working on a response plan.” That plan incorporates wider industry guidelines based on the three D’s: depopulation, disposal and decontamination. The approach also helps deal with the huge mental toll that will be taken once that response plan has to be used. “You have to prepare yourself for

that ... when it hits, it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be hard. “The financial impact of H5N1 is significant on the farmer – we’re talking millions of dollars because the government will not compensate. That’s the reality. At least we know and it means we can get on and plan. “But the mental side is something we keep talking about internally because when it hits its going to take its toll.” Poultry farmers are working closely together and are united in their response, he said. “New Zealand farmers are

very good at working together. We’re fierce competitors at the supermarket shelf with eggs but [inside] the farm gate, we’re approaching this from an industry perspective.” Also front of mind is protecting the domestic egg supply chain and reiterating to consumers that eggs and poultry are still safe to eat. The latest update from the MPI has two confirmed cases of H5N1 in New Zealand with no further detections since July 17. There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife. There has been no detection in poultry.

converted into a 450ha solar farm. The farm is being built on highclass soils and neighbours are upset about the visual impact and fire risk. Brown said it highlights the need for rural organisations and communities to better understand the implications of solar farms and to have input. Hooper said there are similar concerns about poor consultation and locals feeling ignored when it comes to the expansion of wind farms. Improved wind turbine technology means the tip height,

the maximum vertical reach from the ground to the tip of a fully upright blade, was increasing from a current maximum of 145m, to 180m or more, according to the NZ Wind Energy Association Of 16 renewable energy schemes on the government’s fast-track approvals process, seven are for solar farms in Canterbury, Waikato, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki and Auckland, covering about 1400ha. There are six new wind farms proposed, two in Waikato, one in Otago and three in Manawatū-Whanganui.

Should there be restrictions on the type of land solar farms can be built on?

EXPERIENCE NEXT LEVEL WITH FENDT. When a great machine meets a greater offer, it’s worth making the move. Whether you’re se eeding, cutting or towing a chaser bin bin, there’s there s a Fendt tractor made for the task task. Discover a new sta standard and secure a Fendt today – you’re made for this.

This week’s poll question:

Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll

Starting from: 2.99% finance 30% deposit 36 month payment terms Offer ends 30 September 2026

Speak to your nearest Fendt dealer to find out more. *Offer ends 30 September 2026, while stocks last and applies to Fendt tractors only and excludes track tractor machines. Finance with an interest rate of 2.99% p.a. available over a 36-month term with monthly payments in arrears. Finance available on a Chattel Mortgage agreement based on a minimum 30% cash deposit and the GST component repaid in the fourth month. Fees and lending conditions apply to approved ABN number holders who use the equipment for business purposes. Finance is approved by AGCO Finance Limited, NZBN: 9429035304203, Company No: 1530800, GST No: 88-831-861. Contact your local Fendt dealer for full terms and conditions.

Leaders drive Fendt.

fendt.com/au fendt.com | Fendt Fendt ist is eine a worldwide weltweite brand Marke von of AGCO. AGCO.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Forestry wave slows but still hits farmland Neal Wallace

NEWS

While the restrictions introduced in 2025 are welcomed, we are concerned they do not go far enough.

Forestry

HE area of farmland converting to forestry has slowed but a study commissioned by Beef +Lamb NZ reveals almost 330,000 hectares have gone into trees since 2017. The Orme & Associates report calculates that 130,168ha of that land was converted into forestry by foreign-owned companies and a further 85,719ha went into carbon forestry. BLNZ chair Kate Acland said the analysis found there was still 30,000ha of sheep and beef farmland sold for forestry in the past year. While this showed conversions are slowing, she said, too much land of value for food production is going into forestry even with government policies restricting afforestation coming into force last October. “There is a major lag in land sales being confirmed, but anecdotally real estate agents are noting a fall in farm sales to forestry,” the report said. Acland said she is pleased, but too much land is still going into trees. “While we are pleased that total sales have slowed from the height of conversions to forestry in 2021 and 2022, when almost 64,000ha were sold each year, we remain concerned that too much is still going to occur,” she said. She noted 27,000ha a year of sheep and beef land could still be converted into forestry even under the new restrictions. The Orme & Associates analysis found

Kate Acland BLNZ

SCALE: The scale of whole-farm conversions to forestry has tapered off, but it is still occurring, says Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland. government regulations to control whole farm conversions “appear to have had a dampening effect on the scale and pace, but it is unclear what level they will settle at long term”. It revised up by 11,482ha the 2024 land sales for forestry, bringing the total area for that year to 41,966ha. The initial assessment of 2025 sales for forestry was 15,743ha, but that figure is expected to rise as applications to the Overseas Investment Office are confirmed. In the first quarter of 2026, 1304ha was

sold for forestry. Government regulations introduced last year restricts registration with the Emissions Trading Scheme for forestry on Land Use Capability (LUC) Classes 1-6. It allows farmers to plant up to 25% of

Ngāi Tahu does its bit for bobby calves Annette Scott

NEWS

Dairy

A NEW dairy-beef calf-rearing facility at Ngāi Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou Farm at Eyrewell, Canterbury, is set to generate thousands of beef animals while addressing an industry-wide need to reduce bobby calves. The centralised facility, named Te Kōhaka (the nest), was opened with a “small blessing” last Monday. Ngāi Tahu Farming business development manager Brett Walter said there’s dual significance to the facility in that it will reduce the number of bobby calves while also strengthening the internal supply chain from Ngāi Tahu’s dairy farms. “The Te Kōhaka initiative is part of Ngāi Tahu Farming’s long-term strategy to reduce bobby calf numbers through a more integrated dairy-beef system. “The facility will form part of a whole farm system; initially reducing bobby

Notice of change to the M. bovis cattle levy rate – milksolids Pursuant to Clause 12 of the Biosecurity (Mycoplasma Bovis—Cattle Levy) Order 2024 notice is hereby given that commencing 1 August 2026 the rate of the cattle levy for Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) will reduce to 0.0 cents per kilogram of milksolids. Background to this change The National Pest Management Plan for Mycoplasma bovis is funded by agreement between the Ministry for Primary Industries, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and the M. bovis Programme. Funds are generated through a combination of fixed contributions and levies charged on the production of milksolids or slaughter of cattle.

their land, and two annual ballots will be held to allow planting of up to 15,000ha on LUC 6. Forestry on LUC Classes 7 and 8 is unrestricted but must meet ETS criteria. The regions with the greatest sales activity in the past three years were north Auckland, south Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Otago and Southland. Nearly 60% of all land sold for forestry last year was LUC 6, down slightly on 2024 when it was nearly 71%. “While the restrictions introduced in 2025 are welcomed, we are concerned they do not go far enough and we will be keeping a close eye on ongoing levels of afforestation,” Acland said. She says BLNZ is not anti-forestry and there is a role for large-scale commercial forestry, but it should not be at the expense of rural communities or valuable, productive farmland.

calves while helping to generate beef animals for our grazing farms, allowing for more calves from the dairy farms to be reared through to finishing.” The name Te Kōhaka reflects its purpose as a place of nurturing and protection, where young calves are given a stronger start before moving into the wider farming system. It can house up to 1000 calves at a time and will rear calves from across nine dairy farms before they transition into the wider Ngāi Tahu Farming system. Walter said the Te Kōhaka project reflects Ngāi Tahu values of kaitiakitanga (stewardship), rangatiratanga (leadership), and tohungatanga (proficiency), while creating jobs and development opportunities in modern agriculture. “It demonstrates how Ngāi Tahu Farming is using investment, innovation and long-term planning to respond to complex challenges facing the dairy sector, including animal welfare, productivity and public expectations.”

The respective industry shares of this funding, including the milksolids levy, is outlined by a funders’ agreement and are subject to an annual reconciliation and adjustment - which includes a forecast of the costs to complete the Programme’s objective; eradication of M. bovis in New Zealand. While this levy will remain in place, and continues to be subject to change annually, currently we forecast that the Programme has sufficient funds to continue for the next period and therefore the reduction to a zero-rating. The M. bovis Programme is now in its final phase called ‘Confidence of Absence’, whereby testing continues to gather sufficient data to prove M. bovis is no longer present in the national herd. Dated this 29 July 2026

For further information on OSPRI’s M. bovis programme, please visit ospri.co.nz

LK0125049©

Sam McIvor, Chief Executive, OSPRI

NURSERY: Opened with a blessing a week ago, Ngāi Tahu’s new calf-rearing facility is set to generate thousands of beef animals. Photo: Brett Walter

News

7 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Stations seek assurance on Molesworth pests Richard Rennie

NEWS

Conservation

IGH country farmers are crossing their fingers that burgeoning populations of pests and disease will remain a control priority for Ngāi Tahu in the new Molesworth lease deal just announced with the Department of Conservation. DoC chose Ngāi Tahu out of five applicants to pick up the Molesworth lease, which came to an end with current leaseholder Pāmu in June. Ngāi Tahu will now be invited to apply for a concession or official permit to run the commercial operation on conservation land. Seen by some in the sector as a foregone conclusion, the deal has hit hard with the only other identified applicant, a charitable trust proposal by ex-Molesworth manager Jim Ward. Ward’s group proposed a “station for the nation” charitable trust operation funded through the station’s farm income and overseen by a skilled board group. Ward admitted to Farmers Weekly he was gutted by the announcement, coming after his 25-year tenure suddenly ended under Pāmu’s lease last year. “The bit that blew me away the most about the announcement was where DoC state Ngāi Tahu Farming had the strongest experience of farming high country land at scale, of all those who applied,” he said. “I don’t mind so much the fact Ngāi Tahu have got the lease rights, but to put that as a reason is just a kick in the guts.” Federated Farmers high country co-chair Matt Simpson said the entire Molesworth estate is at something of a tipping point when it comes to weed, pine and disease risks. His hope is DoC will continue to closely monitor the incursion of broom and wilding pines, while Ngāi Tahu Farming also keeps Tb infections out. “I was also surprised to hear Jim’s bid did not get accepted. The reasoning [for Ngāi Tahu] seems a bit weak. When you are talking about someone like Jim Ward and his experience, that’s taking the mickey.” He pointed to the significant efforts that had gone on later in Ward’s tenure to eliminate Tb from the station, with Molesworth getting its first Tb-free accreditation, a big win not only for the station but also its extensive neighbouring properties. “They did a magnificent job on Molesworth cleaning up the possums and getting the cattle free of it.” Steve Satterthwaite, owner of neighbouring 38,000 hectare Muller Station, echoed Simpson’s concerns. “Tb is a challenge. It will be very dependent upon OSPRI’s dedication to ensure there is not any return of it. “However, the probability will be they will go in and out of movement control for several years yet before being reliably Tb free.” Meantime while the foot may be on the throat of Tb, Satterthwaite said, control is not even close on wilding pines. “Without dealing with the Branch Leatham catchment seriously, the work done mitigating pines on Molesworth is unsustainable under the current spending model.” He said despite “significant” funds being made available over the next three years, they are still not enough to deal with the problem at its source. In announcing their selection, Ngāi Tahu make little reference to the commercial

operation that comprises 2500 breeding cows. CEO Ben Bateman confirmed iwi’s commitment to public access, biodiversity and ecological stewardship as being central to Molesworth’s management. “For us, Rangitahi [Molesworth] is not simply a farming opportunity. “It is an ancestral landscape woven into the whakapapa of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāti Māmoe and Waitaha. To be entrusted with its stewardship is a responsibility we approach with humility and determination.”

PESTS: A key concern for high country farmers and neighbours of Molesworth Station is that pest issues can continue to be dealt with once Ngāi Tahu Farming picks up the lease.

You want confidence backed by global scale.

Choose monitoring trusted on tens of thousands of farms worldwide. Make the proven choice. Nedap supports farmers managing 8 million cows globally, delivering consistent, reliable insights in real herd conditions every day. So you can be conﬁdent it’s built to perform through changing seasons, different management styles and varied pasture environments. Join the global leader at Nedap-livestockmanagement.co.nz

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Agribusiness results set to show buoyancy Hugh Stringleman

NEWS

Agribusiness

ISTED primary sector companies are about to report improved financial results from trading in buoyant rural industries over the past year, with a few notable exceptions. Over the reporting season, August to November, 18 companies on the NZX stock exchange will publish interim or final results for the 2026 financial year. They range from billion-dollar market leaders Fonterra and a2 Milk to loss-makers ArborGen Holdings, Rua Bioscience and Chatham Rock Phosphate, which have current share prices of 6.5c, 4c and 3.8c respectively. Horticultural companies are among those with hefty share price increases over the past 12 months, fuelled by higher export returns for kiwifruit, apples and honey. Refinanced Comvita leads the way with 70% share price increase, followed by Scales Corporation at 40% and Seeka at 30%. LIC’s share price has risen by 15% and that of dairy inputs

manufacturer Skellerup is up 40%. After a sell-down by cornerstone shareholder Ngāi Tahu, the share price for Sanford fishing company has risen 23% to $7 over the past year. Sanford will report in mid-November.

Confidence is high in most rural industries with a few exceptions, and input costs and inflation are broadly under control. Matt Dilly ANZ Yield-seeking investors will focus on the anticipated annual dividends from the biggest companies: Fonterra’s 50c-plus expectation, Scales’ 25c, Seeka’s 30c, Skellerup’s 25c, a2 Milk’s 20c and Delegat’s 20c. LIC has already reported a dividend of 12.26c, fully imputed. One of the first companies to report, rural retailer and agency PGG Wrightson, has a market guidance of $64 million earnings before tax from its first $1 billion revenue achievement and a dividend expectation approaching 10c.

Forsyth Barr equities analyst Will Twiss thinks that a2 Milk may distribute more of the company’s cash reserves with a possible 40c repeat special dividend. Synlait’s second half should be better than its first, but the aggregate results will be challenged. The balance sheet will improve after the sale of the North Island assets, Twiss said. Synlait’s share price has fallen 40% during the year to sit at around 40c, and it will report in late September, a few days after Fonterra. The bigger listed horticultural companies with strong balance sheets have done well compared with smaller, high-debt developers who have gone broke. Twiss said the primary sector is the brightest in the national and regional economies at present. Share prices that have remained steady over the past year are NZ Rural Land Company, a2 Milk, Fonterra Shareholders Fund, NZ King Salmon, PGG Wrightson and T&G Global. The S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index, which contains most of the listed primary sector companies already mentioned, has risen 23% since the beginning

OPTIONS: ANZ agri-economist Matt Dilly says lower interest rates have allowed farmers to increase spending, catch up on repairs and maintenance, and meet their fertiliser needs. of August 2025 in NZD terms and 17% in USD. Confidence is high in most rural industries with a few exceptions and input costs and inflation are broadly under control, ANZ agrieconomist Matt Dilly said. Lower interest rates have allowed farmers to increase spending, catch up on repairs and maintenance and obtain their fertiliser needs. Production has been good for dairy, kiwifruit and apples and

the outlook is good for those producers, although the El Niño weather pattern may boost meat volumes and reduce prices. Dilly said imported necessities like fuel, fertiliser and plastics have risen 30% or more in price but the level of concern has reduced somewhat as the Middle East conflict drags on. Dairy farmland prices have risen about 25% after a period of stagnation and land suitable for orchards has risen in value.

What works, works. Until it doesn’t. Every resistance management conversation makes spray calls smarter and resistance weaker.

The spray didn’t fail.

Right.

The weeds have just become more self-conﬁdent.

keepwhatworksworking.co.nz

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

News

Painting with strong wool, tuft by tuft Richard Rennie

PEOPLE

Wool

RISH-born artist Leah Creaven was shocked to learn some years back how far wool had fallen from being farmers’ most valued product, finding in some cases it had even been left to rot rather than incur even greater losses on leaving the farm. With a degree in textiles from Dublin, she has spent eight years in New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, honing her skills in the little-known craft of rug tufting – essentially using wool to create a rug or hanging image. Her creations decorate private

homes and corporate and hotel venues around the country. It was stories about the wool she wanted to use that drew her to tufting as much as the material. The farms it had come from, the people behind its harvesting, were tales that held appeal for Creaven. “So to learn it was often just being dumped because it was worthless seemed so sad after all that work to grow it, and such a waste of a material.” But NZ strong wool’s challenges did not stop with being dumped before even reaching the farm gate. Creaven soon learnt no processing facilities exist in NZ to scour and dye spinning wools, with the raw wool exported to India,

IMAGINED: Irish-born artist Leah Creaven says wool is her ‘paint’ to cast images of the landscapes and places the fibre has come from.

processed and dyed there, and reexported back here. “As someone who studied textile design, we always learnt NZ wool was the crème de la crème of textiles. It was a real surprise to get here and learn it must be processed and imported from India.” She had managed to build her inventory of spun wool from some NZ-made stock from a sinceclosed Onehunga woollen factory, but the bulk is now imported. Working out of an artist’s enclave at Tauranga Historic Village, Creaven is hoping a processor will emerge who can bring the product’s entire lifecycle home. “It costs more to ship the wool here than the wool itself.” Her requests to get wool spun up in NZ have been declined by the few remaining processors on the grounds she only needs relatively small runs of spinning yarn. “Unless I could go over 75kg per run, it was not possible.” Nevertheless, her bespoke commissions and exhibition pieces are weighty works, consuming at least 15kg of apiece. “The thing that bothers me most is not having that fully NZ-based transparency there, and I would like to do my best to support the NZ industry.”

HEAVY: Leah Craven’s commissions and exhibition pieces are weighty works, consuming at least 15kg of wool per piece.

Her tufted canvases form part of a growing mosaic of artisans working with wool as their key material. On Waiheke Island, Sophie Poelman, founder of Lof woollen lampshades, is gaining traction with her creations’ acoustic properties in high-end buildings. In Hunterville, Sam and Sophie Hurley of Honest Wolf have built a bag and fashion accessory business off their farm’s fleece. Wool is to Creaven’s work what paint is to a painter, where subtleties in colour and texture all have their part to play in the

Stronger seasons start with you.

Every season is a chance to build something stronger. Our role is to help you do it – with trusted relationships, greater certainty, strong demand and a commitment to keeping our promises. Plan your Spring with confidence. silverfernfarmer.co.nz

final image, whether it is golden light on the Remarkables in an expansive hotel reception piece, or the blues of a Tauranga seaside scene. Meantime the interest in rug tufting continues to grow. Burgeoning numbers of passionate fibre artists attend her classes, mastering the unique equipment the craft requires, working “back to front” as they insert the fibre from the rear of the cotton-based canvas with unique tufting tools. “People find it quite meditative, and it is a bit like painting, only with wool.”

News

ANZCO Foods produces tasty set of results

Kevin & Nicole Oppert Contract milking 750 cows Bay of Plenty

Gerhard Uys

NEWS

Food and fibre

AVOURABLE market conditions, strong operational performance and a continued focus on maximising value from every part of the animal has seen ANZCO Foods report strong financial results. ANZCO Foods CEO Peter Conley said for the 15-month period ending March 31 2026, it recorded turnover of $2.7 billion, EBITDA of $133.5m and net profit before tax of $71.8m. The extended reporting period reflects ANZCO Foods’ decision to align its financial year with that of its shareholder, Itoham Yonekyu Holdings, resulting in a one-off 15-month financial year covering January 1 2025 to March 31 2026. Conley said demand for New Zealand beef and lamb products remained strong throughout the period, while reduced global livestock supplies supported favourable market pricing. “Although the year presented challenges, including ongoing shipping disruption and the impact of the United States’ Liberation Day tariffs, our business remained resilient and focused on delivering value. “The geopolitical challenges experienced in the past year have been significant. These impacts look likely to continue in some form for the foreseeable future.” Conley said it was encouraging to see confidence return to the farming sector,

STRONG RESULTS: ANZCO Foods CEO Peter Conley says favourable market conditions, strong operational performance and a continued focus on maximising value from every part of the animal has seen ANZCO Foods report strong financial results. with farmer suppliers benefiting from record farmgate prices. “ANZCO Foods’ strategy centres on maximising the value of red meat products while continuing to improve the efficiency of its core processing operations and grow its value-add businesses.” The company continued investing in its assets, smart technology, operational efficiencies, inventory management and market development. He said the support of Itoham Yonekyu, a global top 10 meat company, is valuable. “During the past 15 months we invested more than $45m in capital and other projects to improve capability and productivity across the business, including automation projects at ANZCO Foods Rangitīkei and Waitara and upgrades at ANZCO Foods Canterbury and Marlborough.” ANZCO Foods’ in-market presence and growth in attribute-branded products has also been a strong feature during the past 15 months, Conley said. Close relationships with key customer partners have been vital.

Spring Sheep partners with China group Gerald Piddock

NEWS

Dairy

CHINA-based ShareJoy Group will acquire a minority 6.6% investment in Spring Sheep as well as securing distribution rights for the Hamilton-based company’s grass-fed sheep milk products in China’s adult and senior nutrition market. The new partnership is an important milestone for the company, building on the strong foundation established in the infant formula category, Spring Sheep CEO Thomas Macdonald said. “This is a strong outcome for Spring Sheep, our shareholders and our supplier farmers. “The partnership is well timed to support the next stage of growth for Spring Sheep and the New Zealand sheep milk industry.” ShareJoy Group brings direct customer access, extensive sales capability and clear demand for Spring Sheep’s milk in China’s rapidly growing senior nutrition market, he said. “That is the type of partnership we have

been pursuing as our business and the industry moves to its next phase.” ShareJoy Group is a large-scale consumer nutrition and wellness business based in Nanjing, China. Founded in 2007, the family-owned company is focused on China’s silver economy. Its 2000 employee sales team is well equipped to support sales focused on the nutritional and digestive benefits of sheep milk, Macdonald said. The partnership opened a key new market opportunity, with Spring Sheep developing an exclusive product line for ShareJoy, formulated and designed especially for this market. “China remains the largest market for New Zealand sheep milk. Infant formula continues to be an important part of Spring Sheep’s overall business, however the demographic shift in China means the adult and senior nutrition segment is growing quickly. “We see these healthy ageing consumers as highly aligned with the benefits of our grass-fed sheep milk,” he said.

See page 15

Partnering with farmers like the Opperts to build a dairy farming legacy. Kevin and Nicole Oppert are passionate about farming, family and creating opportunities for the future. As Bay of Plenty contract milkers, they’re focused on growing a profitable business while working towards their ultimate goal of farm ownership. By combining hard work, strong partnerships and FIL’s dairy hygiene and teat care solutions, they’ve achieved measurable improvements in herd health and shed efficiency. Now that’s what we call a successful partnership. Discover how FIL is supporting the Opperts on their journey. Scan the QR code to read more about their story or visit FIL.co.nz

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Slink skins a missed opportunity for sector Gerhard Uys

MARKETS

Sheep and beef HE lack of slink skin processors is a lost opportunity for New Zealand, say industry

experts. Southland slink skin operator Eddie Zhi from NZAGRI Development told Farmers Weekly there is a lot of demand for slink skins from China. Zhi said he will operate this season despite ongoing legal issues with Environment Southland and Southland District Council. Zhi exported 140,250 slink skins last year and said he has pre-orders for skins, with the season starting this month. In 2020 two slink skin operators, Slink Skins Limited and the Wallage Group, shut down. In 2023 Newton Slink Skins shut up shop. Zhi started NZAGRI Development with the help of Newton. Figures from the Ministry for Primary Industries showed that in 2022/23 New Zealand exported 11,160 raw lamb/sheep slink skins.

This is the most recent data available on slink skins. In 2025/26 23,841,321 raw hides and skins were exported. This did not include slink skins, MPI data shows. Roz Hunt, owner of Rozcraft, which sells, among other things, sheepskins into the tourist market, said there is huge demand in China. Rozcraft used to sell slink skins, but has not had supply since the shutdown of previous processors. Farmers spoken with by Farmers Weekly said since there are no more collectors and processors, lambs that don’t survive end up in the offal pit. One, who did not want to be named, said it’s a bad look having a truck full of dead lambs on the road. In the past many farmers did not get paid for slink skins. Zhi said he pays about 50c per lamb. Kierran Callaghan, general manager of Classic Sheep Skins, one of New Zealand’s last operating tanneries, said there is demand. However, with more than 120 million sheep of its own, China

News

OFFAL WASTE: Besides NZAGRI Development collecting in Southland, there are no more slink skin collectors left across New Zealand.

has enough supply and its quality is extremely good. He said Classic Sheep Skins receives queries about gloving leather, traditionally made from slink skins. “If you could get something started, you could create a market.” Startup costs are a barrier, and with supply being fickle, planning is a challenge.

Wool prices continue to plummet Annette Scott

NEWS

Wool

THE national wool market remained under significant pressure at the fortnightly sale on July 30, with prices plummeting further across most wool types and second shear crossbred being hardest hit, falling 20%. Wools of New Zealand reported the market opening at lower levels but with an excessive volume of second shears currently on the market as exporters continue to face difficult trading conditions with limited opportunities in overseas

TRACTOR: INSURED FOR $230,000.

markets placing further pressure on these types. Oddments struggled to attract much competition with buyer interest remaining subdued, resulting in a softer market overall with values falling 31%. There was, however, some encouragement with the finer wools continuing to receive support from both exporters and processors. “These categories provided a welcome boost to overall market confidence despite the weaker demand across the broader offering.” PGG Wrightson Wool national auction manager Dave Burridge said the subdued buyer demand

was driven by exporters struggling to secure new sales following the elevated buying levels seen at the end of June. “The largest declines were recorded in second shear fleece wool and oddments, while crossbred fleece types also experiencing significant falls as many overseas buyers are waiting for prices to stabilise before re-entering the market.” The National Strong Wool Indicator eased 95 cents on the sale, with 69% of the offering sold. “Although the market has eased considerably, the underlying fundamentals of reduced wool supply remain unchanged,” Burridge said.

News GDT pauses for outlook uncertainties

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Ravensdown, back in the black, pays rebate

Hugh Stringleman

Dairy

Agribusiness

MARKETS

A STEADY result from the latest Global Dairy Trade event shows balanced dairy market fundamentals, as the overall price index rose 0.1% and whole milk powder prices rose 0.2%. “Milk powders recorded modest gains while fats continued to soften, reflecting a market that remains finely balanced between ample near-term supply and uncertainty surrounding production and global logistics later in the year,” NZX head of dairy insights Cristina Alvarado said. Skim milk powder lifted 1.2%, mozzarella was up 1% and cheddar was up 3.8%. For the fat products, butter dropped 2.3% and anhydrous milk fat was down 0.8%. Alvarado said that although New Zealand seasonal milk production continues to increase, buyers remain cautious about product availability later in the year. This is because of weather-related production risks, ongoing geopolitical tensions and continued disruptions to global shipping. “These factors appear to have encouraged forward purchasing, particularly for October and November shipments,” she said.

NEWS

AVENSDOWN fertiliser co-operative has returned to profitability with $50.1 million before tax and rebate in the 2026 financial year to May 31, after three years of low to no earnings. It will pay a rebate of $15 a tonne on qualifying tonnes for the first time since FY2022 and this will take $14m of the net profit, the remainder being retained as provision for global volatility. Chief executive Garry Diack said that improving agricultural returns, particularly for sheep and beef farmers, sparked the recovery in nutrient applications and sales volumes. Overall fertiliser sales volumes were up 8% with over 1 million tonnes sold, compared to 962,000 tonnes in FY25 and over 1.2 million tonnes in FY21 and FY22. Revenue before rebate in FY26 was $917.2m, compared with $764m in the previous financial year.

FAMILY: INSURED FOR $0.

SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. Insuring key assets on your farm like vehicles, machinery and buildings g is a given. g But what about you y and your y family. y With FMG Life & Health cover, your family and your business can be looked after should the worst happen. To ﬁnd out how, go to fmg.co.nz/picture, or call us on 0800 366 466. We’re here for the good of the country.

Net profit after tax and rebate was $30m and the operating cashflow was $38m, compared with $103m in FY25, when an insurance payment was received for the Napier plant. Within the product sales mix, superphosphate rose a few percentage points to over 40% of the total whereas urea volumes were steady, Diack said. Fully paid shareholders will receive the rebate as a cash payment while partly paid shareholders will receive the rebate in the form of $1 shares. About one-third of transacting shareholders are partly paid, the co-operative said. The balance sheet remains strong at 79% equity ratio. Diack said the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt the shipping of fertiliser raw materials, especially urea from Saudi Arabia. Alternative sources are Brunei and China. “Strong financial discipline remains a priority as the industry faces the ongoing dynamic geopolitical environment and further supply chain challenges over the coming year. “Our focus remains on being a

DISRUPTION: Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack says the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt the shipping of fertiliser raw materials, especially urea from Saudi Arabia. trusted partner for shareholders by securing reliable supply at competitive pricing, providing expert advice, and delivering value through every part of the co-operative.” He said Ravensdown is a volume-driven business and when farming returns are good the farmers and orchardists re-invest in their soils and the co-operative’s sales lift. Fertiliser stocks in NZ will cover demand right through

spring and into autumn, depending on the product. Stock on hand at FY26 balance date was $148m versus $128m a year before. “Supply is not the biggest problem – pricing is more uncertain,” he said. “Ravensdown’s long-standing relationships with global suppliers are valuable strategic assets that have proven their worth to the business and shareholders over the last year.”

14 ADVERTISEMENT

Enter the Ballance Farm Environment Awards

When farming needed some good news When they first entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Mark and Susannah Guscott were looking for expert feedback. Two decades later in 2023, they entered again, simply just to help shine a positive light on farming – and walked away as Regional Supreme Winners.

By Alice Scott

hen Mark and Susannah Guscott first entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards more than 20 years ago they were at the beginning of their farming journey. Having not long taken over Mark’s family farm, they were busy raising young children, managing change and looking for honest feedback on how they could improve. “We were keen to get feedback on our operation and see what things we could do differently,” Mark said. While they didn’t take home the regional supreme award that year, they gained something just as valuable - insight. The judging process highlighted opportunities for improvement and helped shape future decisions on the farm. Over the years, the couple retired areas of native bush, diversified their income through agritourism and continued to develop and expand a business they were proud of. Although they were encouraged to enter the Awards again several times, they felt comfortable with the direction they were heading and didn’t feel the need for another expert assessment. That changed in 2024. At a time when farmer confidence was low, they saw an opportunity to share their passion for farming and hoped that Mark’s

More than 20 years after their first Awards entry, Mark and Susannah Guscott returned to the Ballance Farm Environment Awards and found just as much value in the experience the second time around. Photos: NZFET - Alan Gibson

relentless positivity would help others. “We were also proud of what we’d achieved on our farm, so saw it as a chance to share our story” recalls Susannah. That decision led to them winning the Regional Supreme Award last year, but the recognition wasn’t the biggest benefit. The Awards reaffirmed that they were on the right track and gave them confidence to keep pushing forward. It also expanded their professional networks and introduced them to passionate people from across the agricultural sector. “Being involved in the Awards just solidified that we were doing the right things,” Mark said. “We’ve also met some amazing people through the programme.” For farmers who think they might not be ready to enter, Mark believes that’s exactly why they should.

Growth starts outside your comfort zone. The Ballance Farm Environment Awards give you access to experienced judges who take a deep dive into your business. Fresh perspective. Honest feedback. New opportunities.

Our entrants say the insights alone make entering worthwhile.

ENTER NOW

ENTER your region’s Awards or NOMINATE someone who should. bfea.org.nz

“It’s a really good way to get a set of expert eyes to look over your business and offer feedback. “You also meet like-minded people who are passionate about the industry and you learn a lot, it broadens your thinking and pushes you outside your comfort zone,” he said. And there is another benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked. “It’s also just a bloody good excuse to get off the farm and have a night out,” he said, laughing.

Their message is simple: You don’t need to have the farm in perfect order to enter. Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or decades into it, the Ballance Farm Environment Awards provide an opportunity to reflect, learn, connect and celebrate the great work happening across New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.

Story supplied by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust. Bfea.org.nz

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Spring Sheep poised to build market stake Gerald Piddock

NEWS

Dairy

N A little over a decade, Spring Sheep has brought sheep dairy farming from niche to normal, creating a solid base for it to scale up both its ewe numbers and market presence. There is now a better understanding of sheep dairy systems and plenty of knowledge developed by its farmers, Spring Sheep CEO Thomas Macdonald said. “We’ve gone from emerging to an established industry now.” It has grown to 13 contracted suppliers in Waikato and a supplier in Taranaki. The farms range from owner-operators who have sheep dairy systems alongside a cow dairy farms, to iwi-run farms in Rotorua-Taupō. All of the farms are 100% grass fed to enable Spring Sheep to achieve the MPI Fernmark Certification. “We have just started our 12th

season. Last year Spring Sheep suppliers set a record as a group for milk production. They achieved 57kg MS a sheep with the top farms achieving 67kg MS.” It is a long way from a decade ago, when per-sheep milk production was half of that at around 35kg MS. There room for it to grow even further, he said. Macdonald ascribes that to the genetic gains made through Spring Sheep’s Zealandia breeding programmes. “The big focus on farm has really been on making the farm system repeatable and ensuring it is consistent in achieving those higher yields as a group.” The genomic breeding programme uses data collected from its suppliers to help guide decisions around ram breeding. “Zealandia is now the leading sheep globally for a pasture-based system. “Those kinds of yields are close to European sheep yields, noting in Europe they achieve that in a barn grain-fed system.” Spring Sheep is collecting more

ESTABLISHED: Now in its 12th season, Spring Sheep has gone from an emerging sheep dairy industry to an established one, Spring Sheep Milk Co CEO Thomas Macdonald says. Photo: Spring Sheep

Zealandia is now the leading sheep globally for a pasture-based system. Thomas Macdonald Spring Sheep Milk Co milk every year as the genetics and supplier farms improve and become more efficient. Supplier farms are now reaching peak stock numbers and, as a result, Spring Sheep is now taking the next step and are looking for more suppliers in Waikato and Taranaki. That extra supply also matches growing demand in the marketplace and extra processing space at its manufacturing site, Melody Dairies at the Waikato Innovation Park in Ruakura.

This season Spring Sheep is paying its farmers $15.50-$16/kg MS for its milk. In the marketplace, the company’s strategy has been to move into marketing its own branded products in China and southeast Asia, its main markets. It has launched a State Administration for Market Regulation-registered infant formula brand in China, entered the Vietnam market, and consolidated its place in Malaysia. The company has also just entered the seniors nutritional market in China with a seniors whole milk powder product, to capitalise on the “silver economy”, which consists of some 300 million people over 60 years old in that country. Launching into that market is

PROUDLY PARTNERING WITH

THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION for you and your livestock

Be prepared with this reversible, water resistant, hi-vis vest FREE* with qualifying ECLIPSE products. We’re proudly partnering with Farmstrong to ensure your wellbeing is a priority. Sign up to receive helpful fortnightly Toolbox tips. Do Farmstrong. Be Farmstrong. For more information visit

futureproducers.co.nz

PROUDLY AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL PARTICIPATING VETERINARY CLINIC See product labels for full claim details and directions for use. ACVM Registration Nos. A011151, A009270, A010640. ECLIPSE® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license. © Copyright 2026. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. All rights reserved. NZ-RUM-0056-2026. *Promo runs 1st Aug - 30th Sept 2026. While stocks last.

a demographic hedge for Spring Sheep, giving it a role in delivering nutrition to both infants and seniors, he said. “Across all of those products the majority of our milk is now going into brands we produce here in New Zealand. We control the price point and the brand, and the business has really shifted. “In the last 10 years it was about building talent and farming systems. People were focused on farm systems and supply chain – that’s business as usual now. Today we have more of the team based offshore than we do in New Zealand. We have a big sales and marketing push now,” Macdonald said. “The next phase of the business is around building markets and products.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Canada subsidies slip off US trade agenda Nigel Stirling

MARKETS

Dairy

OPES are fading that United States President Donald Trump will come to the rescue of New Zealand exporters concerned about the impact of Canadian milk subsidies on global dairy markets. In January last year the Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) and the peak dairy export lobbies in the US and Australia called on their respective governments to “use all available tools” to challenge Canada’s Milk Class 4 pricing policies. The exporters said they were being undercut in international dairy markets by subsidised Canadian competitors who were selling below their cost of production. Modelling by DCANZ estimates annual losses of $257 million for NZ exporters from lower margins on high-value milk protein

products alone if current trends continue. There were hopes the Trump administration might tackle the problem as part of its upcoming renegotiation of the US-MexicoCanada (USMCA) trade agreement, after it ordered an investigation by the International Trade Commission (ITC) in May last year.

What it does suggest to us is that we can’t rely on the US to address the Milk Class 4 issue on our behalf. Justine Arroll Fonterra The Washington DC-based ITC issued its findings in May this year, finding that Canadian dairy exporters were only competitive on international markets because of subsidies masking its high production costs.

So exporters here were disappointed when the administration last month announced it was considering a 50% tariff on imports of Canadian dairy products without even mentioning the milk pricing policies. Such a high tariff is likely to put a stop to subsidised Canadian dairy products flowing into the US but is unlikely to do much to prevent them from ending up in other markets where NZ exporters operate. DCANZ executive director Kimberly Crewther said the exclusion of any mention of Milk Class 4 from Trump’s executive order authorising the tariffs suggests Canada’s milk subsidies were not a priority for Trump in his renegotiation of USMCA. “The executive order sets out a justification for the tariffs which is linked to USMCA quota administration, rather than Milk Class 4, so I would assume

SUBSIDIES: The International Trade Commission found Canadian dairy exporters are only competitive on international markets because of subsidies masking their high production costs. quota administration would be a focus for negotiation,” Crewther said. “The tariffs do apply to many of the protein products that have been a concern to us but it’s far from clear that they will be a solution to our concern ... because they do not address the potential for these products to still cause disruption through their export to other countries.” Fonterra’s general manager of trade strategy, Justine Arroll, said the latest developments in the

US had implications for how the NZ government approached the problem. “What it does suggest to us is that we can’t rely on the US to address the Milk Class 4 issue on our behalf,” she said. Arroll said Fonterra wants the government to get on with a World Trade Organisation lawsuit against Canada’s Milk Class 4. When he last spoke on the matter in January, Trade Minister Todd McClay said he was still taking advice from officials.

Dairy cautions on Swiss miss in trade talks Nigel Stirling

MARKETS

Dairy

FONTERRA says leaving dairy out of trade talks with Switzerland would set an unwelcome precedent for New Zealand trade negotiators. Trade officials from the two countries begin preliminary talks next month, but lowering tariffs for NZ dairy exports has already been described as a “guaranteed sticking point” by the Swiss trade minister, speaking in Auckland last month Switzerland would be the first of nine potential new trade deals the National Party has pledged to

explore over the next five years if it is re-elected. Fonterra’s general manager of trade strategy Justine Arroll said the cooperative welcomes National’s ambitious trade agenda but said agreements should be comprehensive. “From our perspective if NZ does move forward with a closer economic partnership with Switzerland it should be on the basis that dairy is in scope,” she said. Switzerland’s average applied tariff on dairy products coming into the country is 98%, with out-of-quota tariffs on butter and milk powders over 300%. The country had only ever

committed to a “very limited set of ad hoc and partial openings” of its dairy markets in its previous trade agreements, Arroll said.

You can’t conclude an FTA negotiation when it hasn’t even begun. Nathan Guy Agricultural trade envoy She said leaving dairy market access out of talks with Switzerland would set an unwelcome precedent for NZ. “No other developed country has excluded dairy exports from

a trade agreement with NZ and that includes countries that have been very protectionist on dairy,” Arroll said. Labour Party trade spokesperson Damien O’Connor questioned any moves to exclude dairy in trade talks so soon after wrapping up talks with India, where improvements in access for NZ’s largest dairy exports were absent. “It is starting to become a bit of a habit for the National Party to negotiate FTAs and exclude dairy. “It is still our single biggest goods export and considering a comprehensive agreement without it is a stretch,” he said.

The government’s agricultural trade envoy, former National Party minister Nathan Guy, is more optimistic. He said it is “early days” with formal negotiations still to begin. “You can’t conclude an FTA negotiation when it hasn’t even begun.” Guy said there still could be gains made with dairy protectionists as the recent agreement with India showed. “When you start getting into dairy ingredients and adding value and further processing as we have seen [with] a small opportunity with India, it could grow into something that could be significant,” he said.

“If you’re ready to be a little uncomfortable and challenged, you will have a lifechanging experience.” Lisa Portas, 2025 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholar. Leaders shaped by insight and deﬁned by impact.

Apply for a 2027 Scholarship by 23 August 2026 at ruralleaders.co.nz/Nuffield

No news is bad news. Recent headlines point towards as many as eight journalist positions being cut at Stuff as it goes through a restructure. It’s yet another example of media businesses across the country losing more of their capacity to report on issues that matter. No matter your opinion on mainstream media, now more than ever – with harmful social media algorithms and AI-generated content filling news feeds – quality, trusted journalism is crucial. But the business model that has traditionally funded journalism is broken. Advertising alone can no longer keep good journalists employed. We’re committed to keeping this publication free, and we’re committed to keeping our editorial team strong. We believe Farmers Weekly is an important information channel for farmers, and we’d like to keep it that way. But to do that we need voluntary subscribers. So, if you haven’t already, consider signing up. $15 a month, $120 a year, or whatever value you put on this information channel.

I'm a er subscrib

SUBSCRIBER TARGET

8000

Support us with a voluntary annual subscription to Farmers Weekly.

6000

$120 for 12 months. This is a voluntary subscription for you, a rural letterbox-holder already receiving Farmers Weekly every week, free, and for those who read us online.

4000

1278

BECOME A VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIBER

2000

1. Scan the QR code or go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz/donate 2. Email your name, postal address and phone number to: voluntarysub@farmersweekly.co.nz and we’ll send you an invoice.

3. Call us on 0800 85 25 80 Note: A GST receipt will be provided for all voluntary subscriptions.

Scan here

LK0124810©

Charlie Williamson Community Manager

18 Editorial

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Letters of the week Real flood solutions Mike Davies Hororata EVERY time there is a rainfall event there is the same wringing of hands by the bureaucrats, pleading innocence as to why there is so much damage. Anybody with half a brain can see the problem. The river beds used to be grazed with both sheep and cattle. With the demise of sheep and the new “rules”, you can no longer graze cattle. The result of this is the rivers are blocked up with grasses, every weed you can think of and trees, mainly willows. It is almost impossible and is too costly and comes with big delays to get a consent that is half-pie workable. Next, more money is spent on the green fringe so they don’t risk the death of just one fish, skink or bird. It is time for some real solutions. Remove the whole tree stumps, the lot. Blade the vegetation off to clean shingle and above all remove shingle so the river has some room to carry at least half a decent flood in the river bed rather than in a paddock or through some poor people’s house.

An uplifting story

From the Editor Market nudges succession trends Neal Wallace

Senior reporter

HE issue of farm succession has been bearing down on the primary sector like a freight train. As we reported earlier this year, Stats NZ data shows the average age of farmers is inching towards 50, with the number of those aged 65 and over increasing 66% between 2013 and 2023. The data reveals the median age of all farmers in 2023 was 49.8, up one year from 2018. The figure was moderated by the median age of dairy farmers, which was 41. In comparison, the median age of sheep farmers was 55.8 and beef 62.2. Last year Rabobank calculated that a $150 billion intergenerational transfer of wealth is pending in the next decade as more than half of New Zealand’s farm and orchard owners – approximately 17,320 – reach 65

years old, after which many will seek to transfer ownership of their land. While dairy has a well-established succession process that has assisted young people onto the property ladder, a lack of consistent profitability has prevented a similar stepping stone for sheep and beef farming. However, in recent years economic conditions have improved markedly and, as Farmers Weekly has reported, the global decline in livestock numbers and continued demand for meat in particular should sustain short-term demand and prices above historic levels. Given these improved economic conditions, it is understandable, as we reported last week, that PGG Wrightson rural real estate Canterbury consultant Dan van der Salm has noticed larger numbers of young farmers entering the market, bringing with them a sharper commercial lens. While farming has traditionally been built on long-term thinking, he says, younger farm buyers are less anchored to historical land values and focused more on future return on investment and value determined by current and future markets. The story also reported that banks appear more receptive to lending to young farmers, whether they be dairy, sheep or beef.

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULT Almost 72% of those who took the vote believe New Zealand farmers should be cashing in on a global drop in farmed animals, boosting their own stock numbers. “Now is the time to capitalise on our strong NZ Inc brand and higher prices. Current returns mean a decent return on equity (for once) to the NZ red meat farmer. It’s needed and long overdue,” said one voter. Another said: “But only to the limit that their land can naturally farm them, given the soil and climatic challenges of different districts. We don’t want to see overstocking problems where animals are starved and ill-treated.” “As an ex-drystock farmer in my 70s I will be managing my little block a little better now,” said another. Of the 28.1% who voted no, many were concerned this could lead to overstocking and associated land issues. “Increasing stock numbers needs to be carefully assessed against profit margins. You may be able to produce more but what are the increased costs in terms of feed, labour, logistics required and is it worth the extra trouble and stress? Focus should be on producing a quality product that attracts top dollar.”

Banks are also lending for larger-scale operations than previously, as long as it provides a strong return on investment. This is a welcome shift by banks towards supporting the next generation of farmers. Given the ageing population, especially in the sheep and beef farmers, there could be an element of self-interest among banks, as a large number of properties will be changing hands in the coming years. There are also reports of more farm succession activity prompted by Fonterra’s capital payout and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restructure farm ownership. The flip side of those high confidence levels and record farmgate prices is that livestock valuations make it more expensive for buyers. This raises questions about how long this commodity cycle will last and what the size of any correction will be. As those farmers nearing the end of their careers will have seen on multiple occasions, what goes up will always come down. This time, there appears to be a fundamental shift in international meat and dairy prices and demand on the back of changes in diet and falling global livestock numbers. Farm buyers and banks will be hoping that translates into some long-term stability.

Bronwyn Dyer Hikutaia, Paeroa THANKS for the uplifting article about the family who bought the pine farm and are turning it back to a beef farm, “Winning one back from forestry”, (Federated Farmers, August 3). So encouraging to hear this story. So sad to hear so many farms being bought by overseas investors. This does not help our communities and takes money away from New Zealand. Well done to the people in the article. I’m hoping more people who can afford it will do the same.

Best letter WINS a quality hiking knife Send your letter to the Editor at Farmers Weekly P.0. Box 529, Feilding or email us at

farmers.weekly@agrihq.co.nz

Last week’s question:

Should NZ farmers increase stock numbers to take advantage of a global drop in eltfarmed iT trahC animals? This week’s poll question (see page 1):

Should there be restrictions on the type of land solar farms can be built on?

28.1%

Yes No 71.9%

Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll 3

Opinion

OpEd 19 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

More delays to PC1 risk unravelling years of work In my view

Stu Kneebone

Kneebone served as a Waikato regional councillor from 2010 to 2025 and is the co-chair of the Waikato River Authority

EDERATED Farmers’ call for the government to intervene in the Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1 has generated headlines and debate. Everyone is frustrated with the cost and the time it has taken to finally reach a point where there should be some certainty to move forward with the shared task of restoring the health and wellbeing of the Waikato and Waipā rivers. Halting PC1, however, risks unravelling years of work and further delaying the implementation of a regulatory framework shaped through collaboration, public submissions, hearings, mediation and Environment Court proceedings, with significant input from the farming community. It would also delay progress towards giving effect to Te Ture Whaimana – the vision and strategy for the Waikato and Waipā rivers. At its core, PC1 seeks to ensure that agriculture is held fairly and proportionately accountable for

its impacts on freshwater as part of the sector’s contribution to looking after our taiao. More importantly, it raises an important question: can communities have confidence that the outcome of a 14-year process, built on extensive stakeholder engagement, compromise and Treaty settlement commitments will be respected, or simply set aside when it becomes politically inconvenient. Te Ture Whaimana emerged from Treaty settlement negotiations between Waikato River iwi and the Crown in 2008. The settlement recognised that, following the Waikato land wars and the confiscation of 485,000 hectares of land, river iwi had been excluded from the care and management of their tūpuna awa (ancestral river) and prevented from exercising mana whakahaere in accordance with their tikanga. Fundamental to the purpose of Te Ture Whaimana is an overarching objective to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato and Waipā rivers for future generations. The Waikato River Authority (WRA) was established to oversee implementation of that vision and administer a $210 million restoration fund. Importantly, the restoration fund was negotiated by river iwi, not for direct tribal benefit, but with a focus on collaboration and to support restoration projects throughout the catchment based on their contribution to the health of the river, regardless of land ownership. Since 2012, more than $80m has been invested in over 500 restoration projects. Consistent with the intergenerational intent of Te Ture Whaimana, a portion of each annual Crown payment is

invested to ensure the WRA can continue to support restoration beyond the final settlement payment in 2037. The restoration fund alone, however, cannot achieve the objectives of Te Ture Whaimana. With around 4500 farms in the catchment, meaningful progress also requires regulatory bottom lines to manage contaminant loss from farming. When I joined WRC as a councillor in 2010, we were operating with Regional Plan rules that dated back to the 1990s. Faced with growing public concern over freshwater quality and the introduction of Te Ture Whaimana, it was clear that the existing regulatory framework needed to change. River iwi including Waikato, Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Raukawa and Maniapoto, played a key role as co-governance partners in the decision to initiate and develop PC1, as required under the settlement legislation. Recognising the scale of change ahead, the co-governance partners agreed that those most affected by PC1 needed to be directly involved in shaping its design. This principle gave rise to the Collaborative Stakeholder Group (CSG), with a mandate to develop a proposed plan change for the Waikato and Waipā river catchments. The 24-member CSG comprised representatives from iwi, dairy, drystock, horticulture, forestry, energy, tourism, environmental, community and local government interests. Those sectors most directly affected by the proposed changes selected their own representatives, including Waikato Federated Farmers. Supported by technical, scientific and mātauranga Māori expertise,

FUTURE: Stu Kneebone says the purpose of Te Ture Whaimana is to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato and Waipā rivers for future generations. Photo: Wikimedia Commons the CSG spent two and a half years developing the proposed plan. WRC publicly notified it on October 2016, commencing the formal statutory RMA process. A total of 1023 submissions were received and considered by an independent hearings panel, which released its decision in 2020. Numerous appeals followed to the Environment Court, resulting in a further four years of mediation and hearings. The Environment Court released its final substantive decision in July 2026.

Considerable expense has been incurred, reflecting the reality of a democratic planning process. PC1 is not perfect. Considerable expense has been incurred, reflecting the reality of a democratic planning process when addressing complex environmental, cultural, social and economic issues. Federated Farmers’ “PC1 practical information sheet for farmers” states that farmers will be required to prepare, implement and maintain a certified Farm Environment Plan (FEP). They must demonstrate that the

risk of diffuse contaminant loss is reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable. There are requirements relating to stock exclusion from waterways, fertiliser application, cultivation, soil erosion management and the management of critical source areas. Most of these requirements are practical measures aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of farming while providing a transparent and credible way for farmers to demonstrate to the wider community that the sector is taking its responsibilities seriously. Waiting for the Resource Management Act’s replacement will not make these responsibilities go away. Waikato and Waipā river iwi support for an intergenerational 80-year timeframe to achieve the objectives of Te Ture Whaimana reflects a pragmatic willingness to balance environmental aspirations with the practical realities of achieving change. No one relishes additional regulation but given the rural sector’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, it is hard to see how any further delay serves the best interests of Waikato farmers. It will only narrow our options and make the eventual transition more difficult.

Less can be more in alignment agriculture

In my view Alison Dewes

Dr Dewes is a contributor to the MPI’s Living Soil Project

EW Zealand agriculture has spent much of the past decade arguing over a single word: regenerative. Some embrace it enthusiastically, while others switch off the moment they hear it. But the issue is bigger than branding. It is about where farming is headed. The debate sparked recently by Farmers Weekly, in “Regen needs a rebrand” (July 6), is timely. Regenerative agriculture has largely focused on soil health, and rightly so. Healthy soils underpin water infiltration, nutrient cycling, pasture growth and resilience. But farms are more than soil

systems. They are living systems where people, land, animals and businesses interact every day. When one part is pushed beyond its limits, the whole system suffers. Perhaps we have been asking the wrong question. Rather than asking whether a farm is conventional or regenerative, we should ask whether the whole system is in alignment – and whether it is aligned with the markets we serve. Over decades, New Zealand farming became exceptionally good at producing more: more stock, more fertiliser, more supplementary feed and more output per hectare. Those gains created enormous value, but they also increased pressure on soils, waterways, livestock, people and balance sheets. Eventually every biological system reaches a point where pushing harder delivers diminishing returns through

higher costs, lower resilience and greater business risk. The answer is not abandoning productivity or replacing one ideology with another. It is reducing unnecessary pressure so the system can function at its best. The farms many of us admire are rarely those chasing the highest stocking rates.

Farms are more than soil systems. They are living systems where people, land, animals and businesses interact every day. They are the farms where animals are healthy, pastures recover quickly, staff stay, waterways improve and the books balance. That is not coincidence. It is alignment. Alignment means matching land

capability with land use. It means retiring erosion-prone hillsides, protecting wetlands, avoiding soil compaction, breeding fewer but better animals, and treating livestock as valuable biological assets rather than production units. It also means recognising that lower stocking rates do not necessarily reduce profit. Better-fed animals perform more efficiently, health costs are lower, nutrient losses fall and margins often improve. Less can become more. The same principle applies to people. High-performing teams are not built by continually asking them to do more. They thrive when systems reduce stress, improve decision-making and create purpose. When pressure comes off, people flourish. The same is true of soils, rivers, animals and businesses. Perhaps agriculture can learn

from the world’s Blue Zones, where longevity comes not from maximising one variable but from balance, moderation and connection. Farming systems are no different. Long-term success comes when productivity, profitability and natural capital reinforce one another. The future is not a choice between conventional and regenerative agriculture. It is a shift towards systems agriculture – or what we might call alignment agriculture – where people, land, animals and business each strengthen the other. The next revolution in farming will not come from pushing harder. It will come from finding the point where every part of the system performs at its best – together. More of your favourite opinion pieces now online farmersweekly.co.nz/opinion

20 Grain & Seed

Sector Focus

Seed & Grain

Science of growing yields, cutting costs Gerhard Uys

TECHNOLOGY

Arable

OUR years ago Bay of Plenty contractor Japie Jordaan, from Jordaan Contracting, had hit a ceiling of 22 tonnes of dry matter per hectare when producing maize silage. Why, he wanted to know, could he not break through it? Jordaan, who hails from Paengaroa, had been growing maize silage on leased land in the Bay of Plenty for nearly 20 years. Profitability had become increasingly difficult, with yields plateauing and input costs increasing. Blanket fertiliser applications weren’t delivering yield increases anymore, and variable rate fertiliser applications and yield monitoring was the next step. Then he roped in ReviveAg to help, and they devised a strategy. They started with measuring, because you can’t manage what you can’t measure. Jordaan, who grows 150ha of maize, said the first step was understanding soil variability. In the first year they took soil fertility samples from every hectare, but after seeing how much the soils varied, they increased sampling intensity to every half-hectare. They did a full baseline soil study using grid sampling on a half-hectare grid. Significant fertiliser was applied to low-fertility areas to correct

the soil, while high fertility areas received no nutrients at all. This meant less fertiliser was used per hectare from year one. By the third season, fertiliser use had fallen, crop performance was more consistent and previously low-fertility areas were producing better. This season they plan to reduce fertiliser applications further, using variable rate spreading based on soil test results across the whole 150ha. Savings from reduced fertiliser use more than covered the cost of soil sampling. Jordaan said ReviveAg’s software made it easy to visualise soil fertility data, load application recommendations into the tractor and spreader, and verify where fertiliser had been applied. Over four years, fertiliser cost per hectare dropped significantly, while soil nutrient levels become more uniform across paddocks. During the season plant sap analysis was done so they could keep nutrient levels optimised in real time. Jordaan also shifted from crop removal to maximising photosynthesis. Instead of simply replacing nutrients removed by the crop he focused on keeping the maize plant green and actively photosynthesising for as long as possible. The plant’s phenological stages were studied and he tailored nutrient applications accordingly, timing nitrogen,

sulphur, potassium, and key micronutrients, molybdenum, boron, cobalt, to match plant needs. Jordaan said the priority was correcting soil macronutrient deficiencies through precision fertiliser applications before focusing on trace elements. Sap testing helped identify those deficiencies. Once soil fertility and trace elements are balanced, he said, more nutrients become plant available, reducing the amount of fertiliser needed. Alongside soil sampling, crop manager Norman Higgins monitors soil microbial life. They apply custom-made compost rich in fungi and protozoa to increase biological activity.

While there aren’t many levers left to pull, greater efficiency through precision agriculture and better biological management offers real hope. Willem Engelbrecht ReviveAg They also use untreated seed, saying conventional seed treatments kill microbes that help unlock soil nutrients. Instead, they apply a biological treatment to protect the seed and use strip tillage. The result? Average maize silage

BETTER MAIZE: Alongside soil sampling, crop manager Norman Higgins monitors soil microbial life. yield increased from a 22t DM/ha ceiling to 26t DM/ha, with analysis showing 42% DM, 38.5% starch and 12 MJ/kg ME. Fertiliser costs per hectare decreased while soil fertility levels moved into optimum ranges, backed by three years of grid soil tests. Silage quality in terms of nutritional value improved markedly and plants stayed green right through to harvest. Willem Engelbrecht from ReviveAg, who advised Jordaan through the process, said arable farming in New Zealand is at a crossroads, with high input costs, low commodity prices, and unpredictable weather. “While there aren’t many levers left to pull, greater efficiency through precision agriculture and better biological management offers real hope.”

A manifesto for NZ’s foundational sector Annette Scott

NEWS

Arable

SEED and Grain New Zealand is calling for stronger support for a sector it says underpins NZ agriculture. Speaking at the recent release of SGNZ’s manifesto, industry president Ed Luisetti said the seed and grain sector sits at the foundation of NZ’s food and fibre economy. He urged political parties to recognise its strategic importance. The industry generates around $340 million in annual seed and grain export earnings and underpins many of NZ’s largest export industries. “The sector supplies the seed, grain, feed and genetics that support dairy, sheep, beef and horticultural production across NZ. “While often overlooked, our sector helps make much of NZ agriculture possible,” Luisetti said. “Our success isn’t measured solely by what we export. The sector also provides the essential inputs that support the productivity,

resilience and competitiveness of the wider agricultural economy.” SGNZ’s manifesto identifies four priority areas for government action: • Building a resilient and sustainable arable sector • Creating more value with investment in innovation and genetics • Ensuring a competitive and connected seed trade system • Investing in the freight and infrastructure that enable growth. Luisetti said growers and seed businesses are facing increasing pressure from rising costs, regulatory complexity, climaterelated disruption and infrastructure constraints. “If NZ wants to remain a worldleading food producer, we need policy settings that support the industries that sit at the beginning of the value chain. “That means encouraging innovation, reducing unnecessary barriers to growth and ensuring businesses have access to the tools and infrastructure they need to compete.”

PRESSURE: Ed Luisetti says growers and seed businesses are facing increasing pressure from rising costs, regulatory complexity, climaterelated disruption and infrastructure constraints. SGNZ is calling for sciencebased and internationally aligned regulation, improved trade settings, support for innovation and research including enhanced research and development incentives and funding mechanisms, and investment in resilient transport and freight networks. “As an island nation that depends on primary production and international trade, we

cannot afford to take our productive capability for granted. “The seed and grain industry plays a vital role in supporting food security, export performance and regional economies. With the right policy settings, our industry can deliver even greater value to NZ. “We want to work alongside government and industry partners to ensure NZ remains productive, competitive and resilient.”

Animal and Plant Health appoints president Gerhard Uys

NEWS

Governance ANIMAL and Plant Health New Zealand has appointed Nicola Smith president and made several board changes at its 2026 Annual General Meeting. “Smith brings more than 25 years of experience across New Zealand’s agricultural sector, spanning crop protection, animal health, commercial management, manufacturing, portfolio strategy, and senior leadership,” APHANZ said. She is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and is country manager for Syngenta New Zealand. Smith follows in the footsteps of outgoing president Gavin Kerr. Kerr’s tenure included oversight of the merger of the Agricultural Chemical and Animal Remedy Manufacturers and the Animal Remedies and Plant Protectant Association into APHANZ in 2022 and the establishment of the Emerging Leaders Forum. Additional board changes include Milton Munro’s reappointment to a distributor director role. As national technical manager at PGG Wrightson, Munro brings scientific credibility and practical commercial insight to governance. He has worked with industry, researchers, regulators and commercial partners to bridge the gap between research, product development and practical adoption.

Watching over your arable crops so you don’t have to. Delivering a complete suite of crop protection solutions for today’s arable growers.

Samuel Whitelock – Plant Science Graduate, Lincoln University.

Our portfolio of powerful, proven products has helped farmers from one end of the country to the other create and maintain thriving businesses, and has earned us a reputation as New Zealand’s arable protection specialists. Our suite of innovative crop protection solutions provide local farmers with everything they need to win the war on weeds, pests and diseases.

Visit corteva.co.nz to view our range of online arable resources.

Visit us at corteva.co.nz

Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and their affiliated companies. CTAN0102

CTAN0102 Arable_Farmers Weekly_FP ad.indd 1

13/07/2026 11:19 AM

FAR Strategy 2026-2031 Vision for the arable sector

A confident, resilient and profitable arable sector, producing trusted foods, feeds and seeds

Purpose of FAR

Connecting growers with science and information to support successful arable farms and a valued arable sector

Trusted research, development and innovation Goal - Contribute to arable farm success

Extension with impact Goal - Deliver value to arable growers We will…

We will… • Engage growers to identify research that matters • Prioritise research for maximum impact from available resources • Partner with growers, research providers and industry in New Zealand and globally

• Deliver results promptly • Provide trusted and timely information • Translate research results to support practical on-farm decisions • Deliver to growers through multiple channels and partners

Principles

Focused on growers Enhancing arable community

Building arable sector understanding Goal - A visible and valued arable sector

An eﬃcient and eﬀective FAR Goal - A focused and agile organisation We will…

We will… • Champion arable’s contributions to New Zealand farmers and society • Build a robust evidence base to promote the value of our industry

• Be sound stewards of grower investment • Monitor, evaluate and evolve delivery to arable growers • Build a connected and capable FAR team

• Strengthen and align relationships with government, commercial providers and other primary sectors

• Support and develop our staﬀ and grower and industry volunteers • Invest in systems to improve eﬃciency and performance

Values

Trusted • Independent • Curious Collaborative • Engaged

If you would like to discuss FAR’s strategy, please email far@far.org.nz

Rural Women 23

Platform helping promote rural communities India Grigson

FTER years of giving back to rural communities both in New Zealand and afar, Philippa Cameron has claimed the Rural Champion category of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards. Philippa’s iconic business, What’s for Smoko, began eight years ago when she started sharing her cooking online. “I’m a station cook on a highcountry property in the Waitaki Valley where I work alongside my father-in-law and husband. So, I sort of took on the role of cooking when my girls were little. “The social media account was pretty much to communicate with other people who were possibly doing the same role and sharing what that role means to me,” she said. “You’re not just a woman stuck in a kitchen, you’re actually part of the team. You know, coming into a warm house with a cuppa or out on a hill and arriving with a smile and something to feed everybody – it is quite essential.” Philippa’s business now extends beyond social media. “I do a lot of public speaking now. The last time I spoke was in a little town called Uruti up near New Plymouth. I was invited as a draw card, they filled the hall and raised enough money to pay for their kitchen,” she said. When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Philippa joked “probably not to call it What’s for Smoko”.

“I’ve been places and people will say, ‘oh, you’re the smoko girl’ and a lot of people don’t know my name.” Philippa’s success hasn’t come without challenges. “The income of the non-farmer sometimes gets construed as not as important. Sometimes their businesses are downplayed as the side hustle, whereas actually, it’s quite an integral part of the household and also quite wise to have a second income. “Truth be told, my income is what allows our family to be able to do the kids’ activities, the holidays, the little bits and extra pieces,” she said. During a joint work trip to Australia last year, a comment was made to Philippa and her husband Joe, implying that the farm had paid for their trip. “Joe was very quick to say, ‘No, actually, Philippa’s business paid for the trip’”. New Zealand’s tall poppy syndrome has also been a barrier. “When somebody is doing something really well, our peers find it hard to say so, and I have found that as the business has got more successful that it’s become lonelier. “If somebody is doing really good, give eye contact and actually say, ‘hey, I love what you’re doing’ because we’ve just got to break the cycle.” What’s for Smoko has grown far beyond Philippa’s expectations. “I’ve been invited to talk at Rural Woman’s Day in Australia twice which has been pretty incredible,” she said.

To ﬁnd out what works for you and ‘lock it in’, visit farmstrong.co.nz

When somebody is doing something really well, our peers find it hard to say so, and I have found that as the business has got more successful that it’s become lonelier. Philippa Cameron What’s for Smoko

BEGINNING: Philippa Cameron’s business, What’s for Smoko, began eight years ago when she started sharing her cooking online. Photo: Supplied Philippa’s also met some wonderful businesswomen along her journey. “There’re seven of us in a foodie blog community,” she explained, “we’re able to knock ideas off each other, and share our highs and our lows with people that understand the business and the industry that we’re in.” Her biggest supporter, however, has been her husband, Joe. “We’re very much equals and if I need to head away for work, he picks up the pieces at home and vice versa. We make a great team.” Philippa draws inspiration from friend and fellow chef VJ Cooks. “She is the most generous person with her time and her knowledge and as much as she is a very big fish, she’s become a very good

friend,” Philippa explains. Having previously completed RWNZ’s Activator programme, Philippa was encouraged by a fellow member to enter the awards, and she’d urge other rural women to do the same. “I think back yourself, and if it’s that whole tall poppy thing that’s stopping you from doing it, because you’re afraid that you won’t have the support from people around you - do it anyway.” Philippa values the support she has received through RWNZ. “I first got involved with RWNZ when I was campaigning for seatbelts on rural school busses. About 10 years ago they, alongside Federated Farmers, stood with me on the steps of Parliament when we handed over our petition and

it’s been great support ever since. “Rural people don’t realise just how much RWNZ does for local communities and if my membership can help support, then I’m all for it.” Rebecca Drummond, head of advisory at JBWere NZ, said they were proud to sponsor the Rural Champion category. “In our work with rural clients, we see first-hand the importance of strong leadership, succession planning and building lasting legacies for future generations, both on and off the farm. Women like Philippa are making a meaningful difference in their communities, and it’s wonderful to see her contribution recognised.” RWNZ National President, Heather Sorensen, said Philippa has built more than just a successful business. “Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for strengthening rural communities,” she said. “Through What’s for Smoko, Philippa has created a platform that tells authentic rural stories, connects communities, and encourages others to back themselves. Her willingness to champion rural life and lift others up makes her a deserving recipient of the Rural Champion Award.”

For more information on this year’s winners, and to see photos from the Gala Dinner, head to www.ruralwomennz.nz

Look after yourselves and check on your mates during calving. Sam Whitelock Farmstrong Ambassador

FEDERATED 24 Feds

FARMERS Vol 4 No 31, August 10, 2026

fedfarm.org.nz

Pest cull ‘barely touching the sides’

ore than 100 deer and 500 goats shot in just five days sounds like a major dent in a pest

problem. For Central Otago farmer Andrew Paterson, it hardly made a difference. “Honestly, that’s barely touching the sides. The number of feral animals is so much higher than people realise. “If we don’t get on top of them, they’re just going to explode again and cause even bigger problems.” The Federated Farmers Otago high country chair says deer and goats have reached alarming numbers on his family’s Matakanui Station, a 8700-hectare property climbing to 5000 feet on the Dunstan Mountains. “I estimate they’re consuming feed equivalent to around 3000 stock units on our station alone.” The scale of the problem has forced Paterson to take matters into his own hands. “I’m paying a young hunter to come in and do a real session on them. “He recently spent five days shooting on the property, taking out more than 100 deer and over 500 goats, but that’s nothing. “He’s coming back later this month for another 10-day cull with a second shooter.” Paterson says recreational hunters also visit the property regularly. “We have hunters in here every day of every weekend. “Some of them take quite reasonable numbers each trip – at least two a person – and we’re still not getting on top of them.

“

“I don’t see how recreational hunters alone will get on top of it unless there’s a full-blown, concentrated cull.” Paterson says employing skilled hunters has become the most practical option after commercial deer recovery operators concluded the station wasn’t economically viable. “They’ll take the easy ones, but because they’re mainly fallow deer there’s just not enough meat yield for helicopter recovery to stack up. “We’d have to pay for the helicopter ourselves.” Goats are an even bigger issue than deer, he says. “We’re in the middle of the Dunstan Mountain range where the Central Otago District Council has been battling goats around the Cromwell Gorge.” Several years ago, a helicopter cull removed 530 goats and 130 deer on Matakanui in a single day, highlighting just how large the populations had already become. Paterson isn’t looking to blame anyone. He says favourable breeding conditions, particularly for fallow deer, have simply allowed numbers to build over time. “I can’t really point the finger at anyone. It’s just an issue we’ve got to deal with.” The biggest challenge is that efforts on one property achieve little if neighbouring landowners are not doing the same. “I might spend $5000 paying this young fella, or get a helicopter in, but if the neighbours don’t do it, the

LOSS: Central Otago farmers Andrew and Tracey Paterson estimate feral goats and deer consume the feed equivalent of around 3000 stock units on Matakanui Station.

I don’t see how recreational hunters alone will get on top of it unless there’s a full-blown, concentrated cull. Andrew Paterson Federated Farmers Otago high country chair animals we don’t get are just pushed onto neighbouring farms. “The more cunning ones simply move around between properties. “If we only deal with them piecemeal, all we’re doing is shifting them around.”

I’m a member of Federated Farmers because the work they do today means I can keep farming tomorrow.

JIMMY CLEAVER NORTH WAIKATO DAIRY FARM OWNER Help protect the future of farming. Join Federated Farmers today.

0800 327 646

fedfarm.org.nz/join

During dry years the impact becomes impossible to ignore, he says. “It’s not until they’re eating your crops, twisting your electric fences and making a mess that they become a real problem. “Everyone tends to react once they’re short of feed.” Paterson believes coordinated pest management is becoming more important than ever. Rather than farmers, recreational hunters and government agencies working independently, he wants coordinated local programmes backed by government funding for administration. He believes local groups such as catchment groups could

potentially lead pest control if they were properly resourced, although he stresses they should not simply inherit another volunteer responsibility. “I’d rather see local people coordinating it, but they’d need administration funding to make it work.” Paterson also has concerns about ACT’s proposal to give the Game Animal Council greater responsibility for managing game animal populations on public conservation land. While he supports recreational and commercial hunters playing an important role, he says handing greater control to hunting interests risks making the problem worse. “If we let that conservation area go back to the Game Council, we’ll end up with even more of a deer problem. “A surprisingly big proportion of hunters stick to shooting the easy animals. “They’ll drive up the gully, walk 50 or 100 metres and shoot a deer. “The easy deer get taken, but the harder-to-reach animals don’t, and that’s where populations keep building.” Paterson says hunters remain an important part of the solution, but only as part of a coordinated programme focused on reducing overall numbers. “We need recreational hunters and commercial hunters getting into those deer, but the reality is they’re still not taking enough animals to keep numbers under control, and that’s the fundamental problem.”

Federated Farmers

fedfarm.org.nz – August 10, 2026

Reserve Bank plan is on the money

ederated Farmers is backing a Reserve Bank plan that would ensure rural Kiwis can access cash without having to travel long distances. Mark Hooper, Federated Farmers banking spokesperson, says the proposal is a practical response to a problem that’s been growing for years. “Rural communities have watched their bank branches close, ATMs disappear, and other essential services like postal delivery gradually pulled back. “That access to cash has been eroded bit by bit, making life harder for farmers, rural businesses and small communities. “We 100% endorse the Reserve Bank’s plan to address that problem.” The Reserve Bank is proposing a cash services standard, requiring banks to maintain a minimum

number and location of places where people can reliably withdraw, deposit and swap cash for free across the country.

If your nearest banking service disappears, you can easily be adding an hour or more to your day just to deposit takings or withdraw cash. Mark Hooper Federated Farmers banking spokesperson While electronic payments are becoming more common, Hooper says cash remains an important part of everyday life in many rural areas. “Cash is still widely used by rural businesses, community clubs,

country pubs, schools, fundraising events and local organisations. “It’s also an important backup when electronic payment systems go down or communications are disrupted.” Federated Farmers strongly supports the Reserve Bank’s proposed minimum travel distances for rural communities. It means most people living in rural areas should only have to travel up to 15km to access cash services, and those in remote areas no more than 30km. “Distance matters far more in rural New Zealand than it does in the cities,” Hooper says. “If your nearest banking service disappears, you can easily be adding an hour or more to your day just to deposit takings or withdraw cash.” He says the proposal strikes

CASH IN HAND: Under the Reserve Bank’s proposal, most rural people should only have to travel up to 15km to get cash out or deposit it. a sensible balance between recognising changing banking habits while ensuring cash remains accessible for those who rely on it. “It’s about making sure cash remains a genuine option for New Zealanders, regardless of where they live.” Federated Farmers is also encouraging the Reserve Bank to retain flexibility within the standard so communities with unique

circumstances, such as isolated rural towns or areas with large seasonal populations, can receive additional cash services where needed. “This is about making sure rural New Zealand isn’t left behind as banking services continue to evolve,” Hooper says. “We welcome the Reserve Bank recognising that where you live shouldn’t determine whether you can easily access your own money.”

Feds welcome Molesworth Station clarity Federated Farmers is welcoming clarity from the Department of Conservation on the next steps to determine the future of New

Zealand’s iconic Molesworth Station. “The Department of Conversation (DOC) has run a really robust, competitive and fair process to get

to this point,” Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst says. “We congratulate Ngāi Tahu Farming on putting forward a strong

ICONIC: Spanning 180,787ha, Molesworth is New Zealand’s largest farm and supports the country’s biggest herd of cattle.

business case and being selected as the preferred operator to negotiate for the lease. “Molesworth is an incredibly special property for all New Zealanders, owned by all New Zealanders, so it’s important whoever takes on the lease is well set up to succeed.” Hurst says Ngāi Tahu Farming is a credible South Island farming operation with the scale, experience and financial resilience needed to farm a property like Molesworth. “Ngai Tahu Farming has a strong balance sheet that would allow them to keep farming through tough years with drought or poor commodity prices,” Hurst says. “It’s also well placed to run an integrated system with existing finishing farms around North Canterbury – so the decision makes sense from that perspective.”

Hurst says it’s important Molesworth’s core focus remains maintaining a viable pastoral livestock farming operation, as it has been for the last 175 years.

Molesworth is an incredibly special property for all New Zealanders, owned by all New Zealanders, so it’s important whoever takes on the lease is well set up to succeed. Colin Hurst Federated Farmers president “There also need to be clear expectations set that public access to Molesworth is protected and that there is a commitment to active weed and pest management.”

August 10, 2026 – fedfarm.org.nz

Federated Farmers

Red tape killing off pest control efforts

ed tape and excessive costs are turning willing farmers and volunteers away from vital pest control work, Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Brent Mountfort says. Mountfort, a committed environmentalist, warns that heavy compliance around the use of some chemicals could end up making pest problems even worse. “We absolutely need to be careful about the use of chemicals, but what we’re being put through is way over the top,” he says. “I worry it’s going to end up costing us even more because volunteers will just step back and say, ‘To hell with this – there’s too many rules’. “I’ve had feedback that’s happening even now. “Without volunteers, we just won’t be able to keep up.” Mountfort points to Feratox, designed to target possums and wallabies, as one example. To purchase and use it, people have to gain a Certified Handler

PROTECTION: Brent Mountfort and his wife Antonia farm near Matatā, with two areas of their land protected under QEII Trust covenant.

Compliance Certificate through a private compliance certifier, then apply to WorkSafe for a Controlled Substance Licence (CSL). Costs vary but start at about $1200 and can go as high as $1800. “On top of that, because there aren’t many certifiers, people often have to pay the cost of travel to another centre to do the course,” Mountfort says. Both the certificate and licence must be renewed every five years. Volunteers may only assist with Feratox use under the immediate supervision of a licence holder. That means catchment groups and similar organisations often need multiple people to maintain these qualifications if they want to operate efficiently. Mountfort and his wife Antonia farm near Matatā, with two areas of their land protected under QEII Trust covenant, and other gullies and slopes planted out in natives. “Lots of farmers, like us, get help from volunteers with planting and

environment protection work. “If you don’t keep on top of pests, it can be quickly ruined. “Trapping and shooting are part of it, but using chemicals such as Feratox, Pindone, and in the right circumstances Brodifacoum, are important tools too.” Mountfort says biodiversity protection is expensive enough without extra hurdles and costs getting in the way. “These volunteers put their time and effort into controlling pests, and it’s making a big difference. But as usual, bureaucracy comes in and makes it even harder. “If we keep going like this, the only ones those working on environmental protection are going to have left are those who say, ‘Sure, we’ll step in, but you have to pay us’.” Feratox contains encapsulated potassium cyanide but possums and wallabies have to bite hard enough to crack the capsule. It’s placed in bait stations or bags that most often are stapled to trees.

CONTROL CONSTRAINT: Rules and costs around use and licensing of chemicals to deal with pests such as possums and wallabies are over the top, Brent Mountfort says. Pellets that get knocked to the ground by rats will break down in the soil once wet. “Of course, care is needed. Cyanide is deadly but I think anyone who handles these pellets understands that very well,” Mountfort says. “There’s far greater risk of harm from driving a car or owning a firearm, but those licences don’t have to be renewed every five years.” No reminder notices are sent when a Controlled Substance Licence – for pest chemicals, or for chemicals farmers use to control crop diseases – is about to expire. There’s a three-month grace period, otherwise the full initial training course has to be done again from scratch. Federated Farmers High Country co-chair Matt Simpson agrees the requirements are too onerous. “A lot of people are being put off chemical use for pest control because of it. “Five years sounds like a long period but it rolls around pretty quick and it’s easy to forget renewal. “The whole controlled substances process has been an absolute mess, and deserves review.” Another person unhappy with licensing costs and paperwork is Juliet Gray, who chairs South Canterbury’s Hakataramea Sustainability Collective. Landowners and other volunteers involved run projects aimed at improving biodiversity, tackling

I worry it’s going to end up costing us even more because volunteers will just step back and say, ‘To hell with this – there’s too many rules’. Brent Mountfort Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president wilding pines and other weeds and supporting farmers to meet their Farm Environment Plans. Feratox is effective for wallaby control, Gray says. The collective brought in a certifier to run a day-long controlled substances course last year for farmers and volunteers and it cost $14,000. “I don’t know whether the certifier has to pay fees to someone else but we felt the cost was quite astronomical. “It didn’t matter whether we had two people or a dozen – there was only one presenter but no discount for a big group.” Mountfort says when money is tight for the huge amount of biodiversity enhancement work that’s happening, unnecessary cost and bureaucracy needs to be cut. “It’s clear there are concerns, and I think the system deserves review.”

Federated Farmers

fedfarm.org.nz – August 10, 2026

Hunting policy misses the mark

CT’s plan to transfer responsibility for managing game animals on conservation land to the Game Animal Council needs a major rethink, Federated Farmers says. Richard Dawkins, Federated Farmers pest management spokesperson, says allowing the Game Animal Council to set game population targets is extremely concerning. “ACT has fired a shot with this policy, but they’ve completely missed the mark,” he says. “Hunters generally see deer as a valuable resource. They want healthy herd numbers, plenty of hunting opportunities and, in some places, quality trophy animals. “On the other hand, many farmers view those same deer as pests that cause huge problems when they damage pasture, crops, fences, forestry and native vegetation.” That conflict is evident in ACT’s description of Himalayan tahr as a ‘treasured herd’, Dawkins says. “They may be treasured by hunters, but they’re also an introduced pest that can cause significant damage to vulnerable high-country vegetation. “Under ACT’s plan, the people who

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Federated Farmers says hunters make a valuable contribution to conservation and back country maintenance, but giving them control of population targets crosses a line.

value the animals would be setting the limits, while neighbouring farmers could carry the consequences and the costs. “That is an obvious conflict of interest.” The ACT Party released its ‘Backing Hunters’ policy at the Hunting & Wildlife Expo in late July. Dawkins says there is plenty in the announcement worth discussing. “Hunters make a valuable contribution to conservation and

SUCCESS: Richard Dawkins says the Wapiti Foundation demonstrates that carefully designed partnerships between hunters and government can work in specific circumstances.

back country maintenance, and we support better access and more secure funding for community groups. “But giving hunters control of population targets crosses a line. “ACT has made a significant mistake by assuming the interests of hunters and neighbouring farmers are automatically aligned – they are not. “Farmers should not be expected to carry the cost of maintaining game animal populations for someone else’s recreational benefit.” Federated Farmers says the practicalities are also far more complex than ACT’s announcement suggests. Game animal management sits alongside the Wild Animal Control Act, the Conservation Act, Treaty obligations, public access, visitor safety and communications with people using conservation land. It must also work alongside OSPRI, regional pest management plans, 1080 operations and control programmes for goats, pigs and other species. “These animals are often managed across the same landscape,” Dawkins says. “Having one organisation managing deer while another manages goats, biodiversity and disease

control risks duplication, conflicting objectives and more bureaucracy.” Dawkins says the Wapiti Foundation demonstrates that carefully designed partnerships between hunters and government can work in specific circumstances.

Farmers should not be expected to carry the cost of maintaining game animal populations for someone else’s recreational benefit. Richard Dawkins Federated Farmers pest management spokesperson “That success reflects a unique arrangement with clearly defined objectives and does not justify transferring responsibility for setting deer population targets nationwide. “Good local partnerships should be expanded where they work, not used as the basis for a wholesale transfer of responsibility.” Dawkins says the answer is clear targets, better coordination and targeted investment. “Federated Farmers agrees the current system is not delivering the level of feral browser control New Zealand needs, but simply

transferring responsibility from DOC to the Game Animal Council is not the answer. “What we need is a properly funded national feral browser strategy that brings hunters, farmers, DOC, OSPRI, councils, iwi, foresters and conservation groups around the same table, with clear targets, responsibilities and accountability. “Similar to the coordinated approaches used for wilding conifers and wallabies, hunters should have a strong seat at the table and an important role in delivery, but they should not set population targets alone.” Population targets should be informed by independent ecological monitoring, animal health risks and the effects on neighbouring landowners. Dawkins says more International Visitor Levy funding could significantly increase pest control, monitoring and community partnerships. “Hunters are an important part of the solution, but they cannot be the sole judge of how many pest animals should remain on the landscape. “Good policy must balance hunting values with the rights of neighbouring landowners and the protection of New Zealand’s environment.”

Thousands of Kiwi farmers are members. Are you one of them? Become a member today! 0800 327 646 FFNZ-Farmers Weekly Ads_Jan 2026.indd 3

fedfarm.org.nz 14/01/2026 9:56 AM

28 Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Real Estate

NEW LISTING

Boundary lines are indicative only

Te Kauwhata 50 Swan Road

Hastings 1303 Tomoana Road

A place where family life takes centre stage

5,010 sqm

Discover a lifestyle property in Te Kauwhata offering generous proportions, contemporary comfort, and convenience. Designed for family living, this 312sqm (more or less) home features four well-appointed bedrooms, including a spacious master suite with ensuite, two substantial living areas, and a family bathroom. Across the road, Waikare Golf Club adds to the appeal, with Lake Waikare and the Waikato River nearby. Schools, cafés, shops, sporting facilities, and New World are close by. Pukekohe is 30 minutes away, Bombay 27 minutes, Hamilton 40 minutes, and Auckland's area around an hour's drive.

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 10 Sep 2026 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton Phone for viewing times Karl Davis 0508 83 83 83 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz Brendon Pulman 022 530 0902 brendon.pulman@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2630266

NZ Post new build, 12 year lease • NZ Post’s (SOE) brand new regional courier and sorting facility • 12 year + 4 x 4 year lease (final expiry 2054) • Significant taxation benefits under NZ Government’s Investment Boost tax incentive A substantial, solid looking, brand new industrial steel and concrete building, strategically located for NZ Post's requirements with excellent access to transport routes. The state-owned enterprise’s (NZ Government 100% shareholder) long term lease provides future rental growth with annual CPI (min 1%, max 3%) and market rent reviews on the initial $750,000 p.a. rental. This is a stand-out investment proposition.

8,288 sqm

4,271 sqm

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (unless sold prior)

4pm, Wed 9 Sep 2026 15 Havelock Road, Havelock North Mike Houlker 021 945 927 mike.houlker@bayleys.co.nz Rollo Vavasour 021 650 210 rollo.vavasour@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, AUCKLAND CENTRAL, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2853974

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES SPECIALIST BEEF FINISHING AND CROPPING FARMLAND

NEW LISTING

A unique opportunity for a wholesale investor to invest in a proven Beef Finishing operation and quality land asset alongside skilled individuals, with a clear proposition for further operational growth and on-farm development. Investment sought of up to $4m with 15-35% shareholding available depending on the level of investment achieved. The investment is underpinned by a flat, high-quality irrigated landholding of over 200 hectares located 992 Wards Road, Kirwee, strategically integrated by growing feed crops to support the beef finishing operation utilising established barn infrastructure. The vendor invites expressions of interest from parties to acquire this interest in the farmland and trading operation.

The Vendor is offering the property to the open market via public advertising. Ray Fraser of NZAB is acting in an advisory capacity only and is not a licensed real estate agent.

Ashburton 671 Hinds Lismore Road Prime irrigated dairy support

157.39 ha

After 53 years our Vendors present their farm to the market offering to the new owner a property that has the ability to secure grazing for cows and young stock, silage, cereals and straw for supplements using the diverse Lismore soils and the desirable Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Scheme water which is applied by two centre pivot irrigators.

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 3 Sep 2026 3 Deans Avenue, Chch View by appointment Mike Preston 027 430 7041 mike.preston@bayleys.co.nz

Irrigation water is stored in an on-farm pond and pumped under pressure for efficient use and cost management capable of running both pivots simultaneously.

bayleys.co.nz/5531031

WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

SELLING YOUR FARM? Your agent may suggest you advertise in their brand publication. We suggest you remind them that this is the publication you, and every other farmer you know, reads.

Call 0800 85 25 80 realestate@agrihq.co.nz

LK0124767©

For further information on this opportunity, please contact: Ray Fraser – Phone: 027 243 0025 Email: ray.fraser@nzab.co.nz

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

National Sales Manager

Key Account Manager

About Alltech New Zealand

Alltech New Zealand

Alltech is a global leader in animal nutrition and health, providing innovative, science-based solutions that improve animal performance, profitability and sustainability. In New Zealand, Alltech partners with monogastric, dairy, beef and sheep producers, feed manufacturers, rural merchants and industry stakeholders to deliver nutritional technologies and technical expertise that support world-class livestock production.

Alltech New Zealand is a leader in animal nutrition and agricultural innovation, delivering science-based solutions that help producers improve animal health, performance and profitability. Backed by the global strength of Alltech and supported by a strong local team, we work alongside farmers, feed manufacturers, rural merchants and industry partners across New Zealand to create sustainable solutions for the future of agriculture.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a commercially focused and relationship-driven Key Account Manager to join the Alltech New Zealand team. In this role, you will take ownership of strategic customer accounts across New Zealand, developing long-term partnerships that drive sustainable business growth and customer success.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sales leader to take ownership of Alltech New Zealand’s commercial growth strategy and lead a high-performing national sales team. As National Sales Manager, you will be responsible for driving revenue growth, developing strategic customer relationships and identifying opportunities to expand Alltech’s presence across the wider livestock sectors.

As a Key Account Manager, you will work closely with rural merchants, feed manufacturers, on farm enterprises, nutrition consultants and industry influencers to identify opportunities, deliver value-added solutions and expand Alltech’s presence within the New Zealand livestock sector.

Reporting to senior leadership, this role offers significant autonomy, strategic influence and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future growth of the New Zealand business. The position can be based in a flexible New Zealand location, with regular travel throughout the country and occasional international travel.

This role offers flexibility in location for the right candidate, along with regular travel throughout New Zealand and opportunities to collaborate with the broader Alltech global network.

In this role, you will:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the New Zealand sales team through effective performance management, mentoring and clear commercial direction.

In this role, you will: • Develop and execute strategic account plans aligned with business objectives and growth targets.

• Develop and execute national sales strategies aligned with business objectives and longterm growth plans.

• Build, manage and strengthen relationships with key customers, distributors, rural reseller groups and industry stakeholders.

• Build and strengthen relationships with key producers, rural merchant groups, feed manufacturers, consultants and industry stakeholders.

• Identify new business opportunities and develop tailored solutions that deliver value to customers and support their production goals.

• Identify new business opportunities and drive profitable growth across Alltech’s portfolio of nutritional and management solutions.

• Collaborate with technical, marketing and commercial teams to maximise customer engagement and account performance.

• Establish sales targets, manage budgets and contribute to forecasting and business planning activities.

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer needs to identify growth opportunities.

• Collaborate with technical, marketing and operations teams to deliver customer-focused solutions and support market development initiatives.

• Manage sales forecasts, budgets and performance metrics within your account portfolio.

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer needs to inform strategic decision-making and product positioning.

• Deliver sales growth across Alltech’s nutrition, feed additive and animal health product portfolio. • Represent Alltech at industry events, conferences, field days and customer meetings throughout New Zealand.

About You You are a commercially driven and people-focused leader who is passionate about agriculture and building long-term customer partnerships. You enjoy developing teams, creating growth opportunities and influencing outcomes in a dynamic market environment.

• Support product launches, customer education initiatives and business development programs.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will bring: • Proven experience in agribusiness, animal nutrition, livestock production or a related agricultural sector.

You are a highly motivated sales professional with exceptional relationship management skills and a passion for agriculture. You thrive in a customer-focused environment, enjoy building strategic partnerships and have a proven ability to deliver commercial results.

• Demonstrated success in sales leadership, business development or key account management roles.

To succeed in this role, you will bring: • Experience in animal nutrition, livestock production, agribusiness or a related agricultural industry.

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify growth opportunities and deliver profitable outcomes.

• Demonstrated success in key account management, business development or sales.

• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management abilities.

• A results-oriented mindset with experience managing sales budgets, targets and performance metrics.

• Commercial acumen with the ability to identify opportunities and deliver profitable growth.

• A willingness to travel regularly throughout New Zealand and occasionally internationally.

• Self-motivation, excellent organisation skills and the ability to work independently.

• A tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Animal Science, Agribusiness or a related discipline will be highly regarded, though not essential.

• A tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Animal Science, Agribusiness or a related discipline will be highly regarded but is not essential.

• A willingness to travel regularly throughout New Zealand.

• A current New Zealand driver‘s licence.

What We Offer At Alltech New Zealand, you will join a collaborative and innovative organisation committed to advancing agriculture through science, technology and partnership. We value diverse perspectives and provide an inclusive workplace where our people can thrive and grow.

What We Offer

We offer:

Benefits include:

At Alltech New Zealand, you will join a collaborative and innovative team committed to helping farmers and agribusinesses achieve sustainable success.

• Competitive salary package

• Competitive salary package and performance incentives.

• Fully maintained company vehicle

• Fully maintained company vehicle.

• Laptop and mobile phone

• Laptop and mobile phone.

• Flexible location within New Zealand for the right candidate

• Flexible work location arrangements.

• Professional development and career growth opportunities

• Ongoing professional development and career growth opportunities.

• The opportunity to lead a national team and drive strategic business growth

• Access to Alltech’s global resources, expertise and innovation network. • The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the continued growth of Alltech in New Zealand.

• A supportive and collaborative team culture

Apply Now

Ready to Apply?

If you are a motivated sales leader looking to make a significant impact within one of the world‘s leading agricultural companies, we would love to hear from you.

Application close 21st August

LK0125075©

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role to Damien Kelly at Damien.Kelly@alltech.com.

If you are passionate about agriculture, customer success and building long-term partnerships, we‘d love to hear from you. Submit your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role to Damien Kelly at Damien.Kelly@alltech.com Application close 21st August

LK0125074©

Marketplace

Marketplace 29

Marketplace

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

CLASSIFIEDS

FELTCRAFT NEEDLE FELTING MACHINE FOR SALE Spaces available on tours in 2027

$12,000 + GST Fibre farmers have always struggled to find a technique fast enough to carry fibre into finished goods. FeltCraft is the solution – a user-friendly machine processing virtually any animal fibre, giving you full control from shearing to finished product.

For a cost effective portable steel solution to your stock handling needs.

Liz Mitchell MNZM info@lizmitchell.co.nz • Ph 022 043 2281 Wool Revolution Studio www.woolrevolutionstudio.org/

www.nzadventures.co.nz

GET YOUR POTHOLES, RUTS & CORRUGATIONS SORTED

30% O

FOR M O OF AU NTH GUST

CORK OAK TRUFFLE TREES

fredsfencing.co.nz Ph: 027 22 88 190

HIGH COUNTRY JOURNEYS

Great stock shade and shelter with 0% loss of grazing land.

FAST, EFFICIENT & RELIABLE

For tree availability Call 021 327 637

• Self drive your own 4WD from Blenheim to Cardrona in Central Otago including Molesworth through a network of high country tracks with a 7 day 8 night tour • Stay in comfortable farmstays, lodges & historic hotels • Travel at a quieter pace with smaller, fully guided tour groups NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2027

www.highcountryjourneys.co.nz

Contact today - Stu Carey 022 522 7887 Info@countryruts.nz

Or contact John Mulholland Mobile 027 228 8152 lnfo@highcountryjourneys.co.nz

Heavy duty, long lasting incinerators Three sizes available

CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance. Unbeatable pricing. Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

WE BUY MILK! Got rejected milk or surplus milk? Call us today on 027 871 5075. We collect within 1.5 hours drive from Te Awamutu. Farrelly Calves Limited. 80¢ BALES / 70¢ FADGES per kg for dags. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 027 458 2727.

For a delivered price call ....

0800 436 566 DOGS WANTED OLDER HUNTAWAY needing an easier lifestyle. Smaller property, working cattle occasionally. Prefer voice command. Guaranteed good home. Phone Iain 027 498 0895. MAINSTAY HUNTAWAY. Young, hill country, yards, noise and power. Phone 027 568 5656.

GOATS WANTED FERAL GOATS WANTED. Pick-up within 24 hours. Prices based on works schedule. Phone Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916 or 027 363 2932. GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds. Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten. Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

HORTICULTURE LK0125109©

SH124770©

Deliveries Nationwide!

Servicing Greater Manawatu and Taranaki

LK0125053©

Add value far into the future.

ARVIDSON WILTSHIRES Annual ram auction Taupo Saleyards 24th November. On-farm sales available. Phone David 027 277 1556.

NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser

Drive from station to station and experience the majestic South Island High Country

Extremely resilient.

FLY OR LICE problem? Electrodip – the magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides. Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness. Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t ro d i p. c o m

DOLOMITE

than traditional methods

Fantastic stock feed which is low tannin and high in carbohydrates.

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

ATTENTION FARMERS

Up to 90% cheaper

Trees produce truffles at around year 7, producing up to 1kg a year by year 15.

or visit 021garden.co.nz/truffles.nz

LK0124775©

Contact Fred today

LK0124844©

Increase Farm Diversification

Easy to use. Online and onsite training available. Technical details and information are available from: LK0125101©

info@nzadventures.co.nz Ph: 027 550 6727 or 027 435 4267

LK0125089©

• 1.5m needle bed width • Mounted on a metal table made in USA, 2023 • Excellent condition

ANIMAL HANDLING

Phone 021 047 9299 irontreeproducts.co.nz

Leading Provider of Generator Sets Nationwide Sincro 16 to 93 kVA Inmesol 40 to 360 kVA

Contact Dean Shaw CALL 027 403 3960 marineindustrial.abequipment.co.nz

jobs

List your job with us Call Julie Hill 027 705 7181 classifieds@agrihq.co.nz farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

CONNECTING RURAL EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS

NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp. The world’s richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz

BOOK AN AD. For only $3.30 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email wordads@agrihq. co.nz

PUMPS HIGH PRESSURE WATER PUMPS, suitable on high headlifts. Low energy usage for single/3-phase motors, waterwheel and turbine drives. Low maintenance costs and easy to service. Enquiries phone 04 526 4415, email sales@hydra-cell.co.nz

SALE TALK A YOUNG MAN was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, “If you kiss me, I’ll turn into a beautiful princess”. The man bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog cried out, “If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I’ll stay with you for one week and do ANYTHING you want.” Again the young man took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Next the frog yells, “Okay okay, If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I’ll stay with you FOREVER and do ANYTHING you want.” Again the young man took the frog out, then he chuckled at it and put it back in his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, “What is the matter? I’ve told you I’m a beautiful princess, that I’ll stay with you forever, and do anything you want. Why won’t you kiss me?” The young man said, “Look, princesses are a dime a dozen, but a talking frog? Now that’s cool.”

WANTED TO BUY SAWN SHED TIMBER including Black Maire, Matai, Totara, Rimu, Mac, Redwood, Western Red Cedar etc. Also buying salvaged native logs. Phone Richard Uren. NZ Native Timber Supplies. Phone 027 688 2954. WHAT’S SITTING IN your barn? Ford, Ferguson, Hitachi, Komatsu, JD. Be it an excavator, loader or tractor, wherever it is in NZ. Don’t let it rust. We may trade in and return you a brand new bucket for your digger or cash for your pocket. Email admin@loaderparts.co.nz or phone Colin 0274 426 936.

Advertise with us Call 0800 85 25 80 wordads@agrihq.co.nz

Livestock 31

DAIRY STOCK

WANTED!

ACTIVE BUYERS SEEKING DAIRY STOCK NATIONWIDE! The Carrfields team has active buyers in the market now seeking quality recorded dairy stock with strong production and animal health records for South Island conversion and expansion programmes, including: Herds and In-Calf Heifers for May/June 2027 delivery R2 Heifers (unmated) for September 2026 delivery 2026-born Heifer Calves (100kg+)

www.carrfields.co.nz

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Contact your local Carrfields agent today or speak with one of our Dairy Coordinators:

STOCK REQUIRED

3 IN-MILK HERDS FOR DELIVERY OCT/NOV 2026

FOR SALE

250 ELITE JERS & XBRED G3 COWS BW 299 PW 354

Call to discuss options

375 A2 JERS & XBRED G3 COWS BW 201 PW 211

Store lambs 35-44kg R1YR Fries Bulls 170-230kg Dairy beef x R2YR Hfrs & Steers (cheaper end types) 340-400kg R2YR Steers & Bulls 400-450kg Friesian bull Calf Contracts >105kg Nov or 150kg in Dec/Jan info@dyerlivestock.co.nz www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

A Financing Solution For Your Farm www.rdlfinance.co.nz

HERD 1 HERD 2 HERD 3

275 JERS & XBRED 40% G3 COWS BW 152 PW 189 Our vendor is looking to exit the dairy industry and offers the above with delivery (Oct/Nov) 2026 or by negotiation. Herd history dates back to early 1980’s, the past three seasons they have genomically screened all their in-calf heifers and changed their selection policy for entry into their herds.

National Paul Kane - 027 286 9279 South Island Richard Andrews - 027 536 8693 Waikato/BOP Matt Hancock - 027 601 3787

The last decade they have also carried out Embryo transfers on their elite cows as a result up to 20 elite heifers are being introduced into the elite herd each year.

Taranaki Daniel Hornby - 027 636 2090 Manawatu/Wairarapa Hamish Manthel - 027 432 0298

These cows are milked on steep hill country and will shift extremely well.

Northland Craig Couling - 027 292 6828

Expressions of Interest please phone Bill Sweeney 027 451 5310

NEW FOR 2026

RAM SALES SHOWCASE

INTRODUCING THE FARMERS WEEKLY RAM SALES SHOWCASE REACHING 73,000 SHEEP, BEEF & DAIRY FARMERS NATIONWIDE • Presented in a lift-out format and inserted into Farmers Weekly • Packed with a season preview, industry news, insightful breeder editorials, and promotional content from breeders and industry partners • Premium placement meets national reach in print and online

E SECURAD YOURCE! SPA

RAM SALES SHOWCASE Publishing October 5th Advertising deadline Friday September 4th

To see an example of the Farmers Weekly Livestock Showcases visit farmersweekly.co.nz/bull-sales

To ensure that your marketing is reaching your target audience contact me today! Andrea Mansﬁeld National Livestock Manager, Farmers Weekly p. 027 602 4925 e. livestock@agrihq.co.nz

By investing in the Farmers Weekly Livestock Showcases you are leveraging a medium that fosters deep engagement, builds trust, and provides lasting visibility for your brand.

LK0125094©

Livestock

32 Markets

Markets Cautious outlook for lamb prices

Proudly sponsored by

Global demand is still strong, but producers might want to temper expectations of further significant price gains. Mel Croad

MARKETS

Livestock

ARMGATE lamb prices remain at record highs, and, based on tightening supplies, further upside is expected. However, for those higher farmgate prices to be sustainable, they ultimately need to be supported by stronger export returns. Without that lift in export values, further gains will be driven by procurement competition rather than market fundamentals. The consequence is a much sharper correction in farmgate prices once slaughter rates increase into the new season. Average lamb export values did edge up to a fresh high in June, although much of that reflected the benefit of a softer NZD rather than overseas buyers paying more in their currency of choice. That highlights the headwinds currently in play across several key markets. Average export values tend to soften through July as demand seasonally eases in the northern hemisphere. Should the July trade data, due later this month, confirm that trend, it will further expose the growing

disconnect between farmgate prices and export returns. That disconnect is largely the result of intense procurement pressure. Meat companies have been competing aggressively to secure limited numbers of lambs with little success. Slaughter figures for the four weeks ending July 11 show the New Zealand lamb kill was 159,000 head lower than during the same period in 2025. The lure of stronger farmgate lamb prices in September has been a catalyst for the slowdown in slaughter rates, alongside the need to take lambs to heavier weights to recover more of their purchase price. Both factors have further limited processing numbers. Although farmgate prices have continued to strengthen in August, export markets are not fully keeping pace. Feedback from exporters suggests there is increasing caution around pricing, with early signs of softer export prices emerging. In theory, export values should improve over the next two months as New Zealand export volumes decline, combined with less competition from reduced Australian lamb exports. However,

FALL: Some meat companies have indicated lamb schedules could fall to around $9-$10/kg through late spring and into summer, implying a correction of $2-$3/kg from current levels.

The lure of stronger farmgate lamb prices in September has been a catalyst for the slowdown in slaughter rates. that needs to be balanced against the likelihood of more old-season lambs available for processing through September and October. An emerging El Niño forecast also has the potential to reshape supply dynamics into the new season. Strong store lamb demand over the past two springs reduced the flow of early new-season lambs to processors, helping underpin strong farmgate prices. This spring, however, on-farm decisions may shift as farmers look to reduce exposure to the risk of a dry summer. There also appears to be less scope for the export pricing gains that have underpinned farmgate returns over the past

two years. That export momentum allowed lamb prices to continue climbing through spring to peak in November before easing only gradually to Christmas. A repeat of that pattern this year appears increasingly unlikely. Resistance is already emerging in export markets, while procurement competition is having a greater influence on pricing. At the same time, meat companies are beginning to signal impending downside at levels that indicate a solid correction – something the industry has been trying to avoid. Some meat companies have verbally indicated lamb schedules could fall to around $9-$10/ kg through late spring and into summer, implying a correction of $2-$3/kg from current levels. This is far more than we have seen before. While those prices are still above the long-term average, that is unlikely to provide much reassurance for farmers. AgriHQ

data suggests such forecasts may be optimistic. Before spring 2024, farmgate lamb prices typically eased by around 70c/kg between October and December, extending to an average decline of $1.15/kg by January. The key message is that while global demand for NZ lamb remains fundamentally strong, expectations of further significant price gains may prove difficult to achieve. While that doesn’t immediately equate to a significant correction, it does imply a shifting outlook for lamb prices that we didn’t have to contend with through late 2024 and 2025. Unless export returns improve materially to counter current procurement levels, farmgate prices are unlikely to reach the peaks finishers had anticipated earlier in the year. AgriHQ is forecasting the seasonal pricing decline to Christmas will return this year but not to the extent that is currently being mentioned.

Support when you need it most. Rural Support is here to help with the unique challenges of rural life. Our local teams have ﬁrst-hand experience and knowledge to understand what you’re going through, and are here to listen to whatever’s on your mind.

Give us a free, conﬁdential call today.

0800 787 254 | rural-support.org.nz

Tautoko Taiwhenua

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Cattle

Sheep

Deer

Beef

Sheep Meat

Venison

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Last week

Last year

North Island P2 steer (300kg)

9.95

8.55

North Island M2 bull (300kg)

9.95

8.30

North Island M cow (190kg)

8.05

7.05

South Island P2 steer (300kg)

9.80

8.20

South Island M2 bull (300kg)

9.65

7.65

South Island M cow (190kg)

8.05

7.05

Last week

Last year

North Island AP stag (60kg)

11.10

9.70

5.15

South Island AP stag (60kg)

11.10

10.10

11.95

9.85

8.05

5.05

Fertiliser Last week

Last year

DAP

1874

1407

Potash (MoP)

947

902

Super

622

489

1427

985

June

Last year

China

1,447,867

1,476,564

Rest of world

332,852

196,846

Carbon price (NZ$/tonne)

Last week

Last year

55.8

57.0

Last week

Last year

North Island lamb (18kg)

11.95

9.80

North Island mutton (25kg)

8.00

South Island lamb (18kg) South Island mutton (25kg)

China lamb flaps

12.94

10.54

Wool

US imported 95CL bull

13.79

12.27

US domestic 90CL cow

17.18

15.55

NOTE: Slaughter values are weighted average gross operating prices including premiums but excluding breed premiums for cattle.

Steer slaughter price ($/kgCW)

30-Jul

Last year

Crossbred fleece

6.24

3.59

Urea (Coated)

Crossbred lamb

6.35

3.53

Forestry

Courtesy of www.fusca.co.nz

Exports NZ Log Exports (m3)

13.0

10.0

11.0

9.0 8.0

NZU

9.0

7.0 Jul

Sep Nov North Isla nd

Jan Mar South Island

May

Jul

7.0

Source: AgriHQ

Jul

Sep Nov North Isla nd

Jan Mar South Island

May

Jul

Source: AgriHQ

100

9.0

400

12.0

10.0

600

Stag Slaughter price ($/kgCW)

11.0

NZ lamb & mutton slaughter (thous. head)

NZ cattle slaughter (thous. head)

NZ average (NZ$/tonne)

(NZ$/kg clean)

Lamb slaughter price ($/kgCW)

11.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Fertiliser

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

6.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

8.0

200

20 0 25-Apr

25-May 25-Jun 25-Jul 5-yr ave This year

25-Aug 25-Sep Last yea r

0 25-Apr

25-May 25-Jun 25-Jul 5-yr Ave This year

Jul

Sep Nov North Isla nd

25-Aug 25-Sep Last yea r

Jan Mar South Island

May

Jul

Source: AgriHQ

Data provided by For more visit www.agrihq.co.nz

Disclaimer: Data published on these pages is licensed and may not be redistributed, republished, or used for commercial purposes without the written permission of the data owners.

Dairy

Data provided by

Milk price futures ($/kgMS)

Listed Agri shares

Canterbury feed wheat & feed barley ($/tonne)

Company

YTD High YTD Low

ArborGen Holdings Limited

0.064

0.132

0.062

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.29

11.9

6.25

Comvita Limited

0.75

0.77

0.505

Delegat Group Limited

4.23

4.73

3.6

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

7.05

8.539

6.138

Foley Wines Limited

0.5

0.63

0.43

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

1.14

1.22

1.0

NZ King Salmon Investments Limited

0.23

0.255

0.189

PGG Wrightson Limited

2.25

2.4

2.0

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.04

0.042

0.028

600

10.5 10.0

550

9.5

500

9.0

450

8.5 8.0

Grain

Jul

Sep

Nov

Sep-2026

Jan

Mar

Sep-2027

May

Jul

Source: NZX

Jul

Sep Nov Feed Wheat

Jan

Mar May Jul Feed Barley Source: NZX

Waikato palm kernel & maize ($/tonne)

Dairy Futures (US$/t) Nearest contract Last price*

400

Prior week

4 weeks prior

600

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.14

8.17

6.75

WMP

3485

3460

3530

550

Scales Corporation Limited

6.65

6.84

5.59

SMP

3205

3175

3210

500

Seeka Limited

4.92

5.55

4.4

AMF

6350

6090

5900

450

Synlait Milk Limited

0.375

0.66

0.35

Butter

5140

5120

5250

400

T&G Global Limited

2.24

2.79

2.17

Milk Price

9.79

9.78

350

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

16676

16821

15511

S&P/NZX 50 Index

13997

12702

S&P/NZX 10 Index

13786

12194

* price as at close of business on Wednesday

300

Jul

Sep

Nov PKE

Jan

Mar Maize

May

Jul

Source: NZX

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Markets

Weekly saleyard results These weekly saleyard results are collated by the AgriHQ LivestockEye team. Cattle weights and prices are averages and sheep prices are ranges. For more detailed results and analysis subscribe to your selection of LivestockEye reports. Scan the QR code or visit www.agrihq.co.nz/livestock-reports Kaikohe | August 5 | 384 cattle

Frankton | August 4 | 506 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

R1 traditional steers, 245kg

6.42

$/kg or $/hd

R1 exotic-beef steers, 245kg

5.50

Mixed-age cows, 499kg

3.91

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 370kg

4.76

R1 traditional bulls, 310kg

5.36

R2 steers, 448kg

4.98

R1 dairy-beef steers, 260kg

6.73

R1 traditional heifers, 235kg

4.90

R2 heifers, 369kg

4.90

R1 dairy-beef heifers, 195kg

6.23

Taranaki | August 5 | 566 cattle

R1 steers, 288kg

5.40

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef heifers, 120kg

770

Prime dairy-beef steers, 570kg

5.13

Boner Friesian cows, 535kg

3.81

Wellsford | August 3 | 410 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Frankton | August 5 | 286 cattle

R2 dairy-beef steers, 485kg

5.02

R1 dairy-beef steers, 255kg

5.80

R1 dairy-beef heifers, 250kg

5.40

R2 dairy-beef steers, 475kg

5.08

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef bulls, 125kg

1115

Prime dairy-beef steers, 630kg

5.17

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 540kg

5.08

Boner Jersey cows, 435kg

3.58

Tuakau | July 30 | 380 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

$/kg or $/hd R2 dairy-beef steers, 440kg

5.33

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 440kg

4.78

R1 dairy-beef steers, 215kg

6.89

R1 dairy-beef heifers, 205kg

5.48

Prime dairy-beef steers, 635kg

5.14

Stortford Lodge | August 3 | 447 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

Rangiuru | August 4 | 286 cattle, 4 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

Prime ewes, all

140-262

R2 exotic-beef steers, 437kg

5.37

R2 dairy-beef steers, 465kg

4.92

Prime cryptorchid lambs, all

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 475kg

5.14

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 425kg

4.84

Prime male lambs, all

239-314

R1 dairy-beef steers, 220kg

6.07

R1 dairy-beef heifers, 210kg

4.99

Prime mixed-sex lambs, all

185-293

R1 dairy-beef heifers, 227kg

5.93

Prime dairy-beef steers, 600kg

5.04

Stortford Lodge | August 5 | 497 cattle, 4965 sheep

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef steers, 147kg

1310

Boner Friesian cows, 490kg

3.92

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef heifers, 103kg

910

Boner crossbred cows, 495kg

4.05

Tuakau | August 3 | 980 sheep

Te Kuiti | July 31 | 154 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Store lambs, most

146-172

Mixed-age traditional cows, VIC, 515kg

Prime ewes, most

155-220

Matawhero | July 31 | 1189 sheep

Prime lambs, most

240-292

Tuakau | August 5 | 442 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

4.14

$/kg or $/hd Store male lambs, all

164-170

Store ewe lambs, all

100-248

281

$/kg or $/hd Mixed-age Friesian cows, 530kg

4.00

R2 dairy-beef steers, 500kg

4.97

R2 traditional heifers, 400kg

4.81

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 450kg

4.87

R1 traditional steers, 290kg

6.75

R1 Hereford bulls, 235kg

5.75

Store Romney cryptorchid lambs, shorn, all

278-315

Store wether lambs, all

201-244

Store ewe lambs, all

145-250

Prime traditional cows, 535kg

4.23

Store mixed-sex lambs, all

120-168

Prime traditional steers, 615kg

5.25

Prime ewes, most

110-260

Prime dairy-beef steers, 635kg

5.13

Matawhero | August 4 | 1481 cattle

Prime traditional heifers, 540kg

5.12

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 505kg

5.06

Mixed-age traditional cows, VIC, 620kg

4.35

Store lambs, all

170-220

Boner Friesian cows, 515kg

3.64

R2 traditional steers, 430kg

5.69

Prime ewes, all

180-270

Boner crossbred cows, 525kg

3.70

R2 traditional heifers, VIC, 420kg

5.06

Prime lambs, all

171-301

Dannevirke | July 30

$/kg or $/hd

For you, the right information changes everything. AgriHQ livestock reports keep you across store, slaughter, and export markets, including forecasts and widespread saleyard coverage. Make every decision count, visit agrihq.co.nz

LIVESTOCK REPORTS

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Feilding | July 31 | 1010 cattle, 8157 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

Store mixed-sex lambs, most

200-247

Hereford-Friesian (black) bulls, all

200-505

Prime ewes, most

220-280

Charolais-dairy bulls, all

115-550

220-280

Angus-dairy bulls, all

120-355

Hereford-Friesian (black) heifers, all

50-300

Charolais-dairy heifers, all

40-265

Angus-dairy heifers, all

40-320

R2 traditional steers, 505kg

5.80

Prime mixed-sex lambs, most

R2 Friesian bulls, 435kg

5.28

Balclutha | August 5

Aut-born yearling Friesian bulls, 460kg

5.36

R1 traditional steers, 275kg

6.92

Store lambs, all

100-204

R1 dairy-beef steers, 255kg

6.40

Prime ewes, all

140-300

R1 Friesian bulls, 265kg

5.40

Prime lambs, all

180-320

R1 traditional heifers, 220kg

6.24

Charlton | July 30

R1 dairy-beef heifers, 220kg

5.37

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef steers, 120kg

1075

Prime ewes, all

175-240

Mixed-age Romney ewes, SIL, most

280-306

Prime lambs, most

230-350

Store male lambs, most

189-267

Lorneville | August 4

Store ewe lambs, most

161-259

Feilding | August 3 | 55 cattle, 2991 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

$/kg or $/hd R2 dairy-beef steers, 487kg

5.24

R1 dairy-beef bulls, 323kg

1740

Cambridge | August 4 | 1128 cattle

$/kg or $/hd Friesian bulls, all

50-350

Hereford-Friesian (black) bulls, all

130-480

Charolais-dairy bulls, all

145-530

Hereford-Friesian (black) heifers, all

120-220

Charolais-dairy heifers, all

80-240

Tirau | August 5 | 1164 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Prime ewes, all

80-268

R1 exotic-dairy heifers, 254kg

1400

Friesian bulls, all

15-270

Prime 2-tooth ewes, all

200-260

Store lambs, most

130-180

Hereford-Friesian (black) bulls, all

45-480

Prime male lambs, all

261-351

Prime ewes, most

190-300

Charolais-dairy bulls, most

100-390

Prime ewe lambs, most

231-322

Prime mixed-sex lambs, most

230-290

Hereford-Friesian (black) heifers, all

30-330

Prime mixed-sex lambs, all

151-356

Feeder Calf Sales

Hereford-Friesian (red) heifers, all

15-230

Tuakau | August 4 | 660 cattle

Charolais-dairy heifers, all

50-270

Angus-dairy heifers, all

10-180

Coalgate | July 30 | 116 cattle, 1962 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Prime traditional heifers, 510kg

5.44

$/kg or $/hd Friesian bulls, all

20-230

Store ewe lambs, most

210-216

Hereford-Friesian (black) bulls, all

230-520

Store mixed-sex lambs, most

150-215

Hereford-Friesian (red) bulls, all

170-270

Prime ewes, most

162-279

Hereford-dairy bulls, all

100-250

Prime lambs, most

180-330

Charolais-dairy bulls, all

140-350

Angus-dairy bulls, all

70-260

Hereford-Friesian (black) heifers, all

165-285

Canterbury Park | August 4 | 186 cattle, 2529 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Prime traditional steers, 555kg

5.44

Hereford-dairy heifers, all

80-140

Prime dairy-beef steers, 580kg

5.26

Charolais-dairy heifers, all

140-220

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 495kg

5.22

Angus-dairy heifers, all

85-180

Paeroa | August 3 | 451 cattle

Mixed-age Romdale ewes, SIL, most

250-262

Store mixed-sex lambs, most

173-228

Store ewe lambs, most

162-211

Friesian bulls, all

45-240

Prime ewes, most

140-284

Hereford-Friesian (black) bulls, most

220-480

Prime lambs, all

150-404

Hereford-dairy bulls, all Hereford-Friesian (black) heifers, all

Temuka | August 3 | 275 cattle, 2630 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Prime traditional steers, 600kg

5.23

Boner Friesian cows, 585kg

5.15

$/kg or $/hd

$/kg or $/hd Friesian bulls, all

20-290

Hereford-Friesian (black) bulls, all

230-420

Charolais-dairy bulls, all

190-420

Angus-dairy bulls, all

210-220

Hereford-Friesian (black) heifers, all

150-250

Charolais-dairy heifers, all

100-210

Angus-dairy heifers, all

95-150

Feilding | July 30, August 3 | 689 cattle

$/kg or $/hd Friesian bulls, all

40-300

Hereford-Friesian bulls, all

200-500

100-160

Charolais-dairy bulls, all

150-480

100-270

Angus-dairy bulls, all

80-400

Hereford-Friesian heifers, all

100-400

$/kg or $/hd

Charolais-dairy heifers, all

100-300

20-295

Angus-dairy heifers, all

50-260

Frankton | August 4, 5 | 2439 cattle Friesian bulls, all

Reporoa | July 30, August 3 | 1080 cattle

Subscribe from $35/month**

agrihq.co.nz/livestock-reports *PRICES *PRICES ARE ARE GST GST EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE

Weather

In partnership with ruralweather.co.nz

Negative SAM brings the winter cold Philip Duncan

NEWS

Weather

HE Southern Annual Mode, known as SAM, has switched to negative mode. SAM is the measurement of windy westerlies and polar air south of New Zealand and Australia. When it goes to negative it means either the colder air or windy westerlies (or both) lift northwards and bring a shift in weather pattern to NZ and southern Australia. We’ve had a classic oldschool winter in recent weeks, with parts of northern NZ seeing frequent frosts for the first time in years, while the South Island has had severe frosts with overnight lows dipping down to -6degC to -10degC inland. Polar air has not only been felt across New Zealand, it has been launched northwards into the subtropics, even affecting Tonga and Fiji temperatures and humidity.

However, over this past weekend the same highpressure zone that helped dredge up the polar airflow as it moved in, dragged down tropical airflows as it departed, lifting temperatures back up for most regions. Over the weekend Australia had a significant cold and windy blast move from Western Australia to eastern Australia and that westerly flow reaches NZ this week around Tuesday, August 11, with northerlies and westerlies. The westerly pulse of energy is thanks to the negative SAM. The last 15 days of rainfall (measured up to August 4) shows what looks like the “El Niño Lean” going on. By that I mean western areas are wettest, northern and eastern areas the driest. Conditions are drying out slowly in parts of Hawke’s Bay, and the drier weather is also being noticed further northwards into Waikato and Auckland and Bay of Plenty too, although it’s worth noting soil moisture

levels are still good for most regions. Heaviest rain, with over 100mm in those previous 15 days, were along the West Coast (over 200mm, even 300mm in some mountainous parts of the Coast) and Taranaki to about King Country. So where does SAM go next? Well, unlike other climate drivers, such as ENSO (where we get our El Niño and La Niña forecasts from) or the IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole), SAM is wildly unpredictable beyond just a couple of weeks of forecasting – but we have confidence in El Niño for several months out. This is because the weather pattern around Antarctica and over the Southern Ocean is wildly chaotic and changeable. One thing adding to the instability of tracking the weather around NZ and southwards this winter is due to the odd placement of some high-pressure zones. Whatever weather we’re getting in NZ, it is often high pressure dictating it – and

this winter we’ve had the odd high-pressure zone form well south of NZ over the Southern Ocean itself, then the next week we might have a high-pressure zone in the subtropics well north of NZ. These wildly differently placements bring very different bursts of weather/ temperatures and makes for a more chaotic outlook. On top of that, the storms over the Southern Ocean can be fierce, rapidly forming into major low-pressure zones but then a few days later falling apart. The lack of long-term tracking with SAM will come as little surprise to most of you – because as we all know, New Zealand has tricky weather to forecast due to the chaos factor and it’s always changeable here. It’s all about pattern and chaos – and the one pattern showing up this week is a return to westerly-driven weather (northerlies in the mix) and maybe a low after that to bring some northern rain, followed by another high for next week.

Rainfall Anomaly 9am 20/07/2026 to 9am 04/08/2026 UNUSUAL: The 15 days rainfall to August 4 shows northern and eastern parts of both main islands leaning drier than usual. Image: Earth Sciences NZ

RETIREMENT LIVING, DONE DIFFERENTLY OPEN DAYS

10AM – 2PM 22-23 AUG

Lincoln Plains is already home to its first residents, with a new retirement community taking shape in Lincoln. Choose from a range of thoughtfully designed villas, set among open green spaces with views to the Port Hills and Southern Alps. Our Show Villas are now open, so you can step inside and see what feels right. Stage 1 is nearly fully spoken for, with limited homes remaining. If you’ve been thinking about retirement living, now is the time to take a look.

Join us at our Open Days

Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 August, 10am – 2pm. 1506 Springs Road, Lincoln.

Can’t make it? Book a private tour instead. Call Lorraine on 03 662 9109. Scan to learn more.

Special edition August 10, 2026

View online at farmersweekly.co.nz/bull-sales

2026 SPRING BULL SALES SHOWCASE LIVING BREAT HIN

G LIVEST OCK

INSIDE: NEWS • BREEDER PROFILES • BREEDER ADVERTISING • BULL SALES CALENDAR

CONNECTING BREEDERS, BUYERS S & PROVEN GENETICS S Scan here to visit our Genetics Hub

PGG Wrightson goes beyond just buying and selling stock, we’re the only livestock company in New Zealand with a dedicated team of genetics specialists.

2026 Spring Bull Sales Preview

farmersweekly.co.nz/bull-sales

Lively market awaits yearling beef bulls Hugh Stringleman

MARKETS

Livestock

EMAND for yearling beef bulls from dairy farmers and beef farmers should lift average prices and ensure nearcomplete clearances in spring auctions. Around 30 spring auctions scheduled for Hereford breeders and a similar number by Angus breeders will be supplemented by 20 auctions for other breeds through the month of September. Buyers will have to reach deep into their pockets before raising their hands to auctioneers, in a market buoyed by high beef schedule prices and record saleyard values. Paddock sales of service bulls will also return higher prices this year, as a trend towards beef-on-dairy mating of nonreplacement dairy cows gathers momentum. Yearling bull prices last spring rose $800-$1600 compared to 2024 and vendors will be pleased to see that confirmed or improved upon this year. Koanui Polled Herefords principal and NZ Herefords councillor Chris Chesterman said high calving ease and modest birth weight are crucial breeding values in yearling bulls. “We are offering around 35 yearling bulls at auction aimed at heifer mating in both the dairy and beef farming industries. “Calving ease and modest birth

weight calves are the most vital attributes of yearling bulls versus two-year bulls. “The trend towards beef-ondairy in the non-replacement dairy heifers and cows is adding more value to the beef industry, identified by marking or tagging as calves that will carry on and grow.” Koanui also sells semen straws at $20 and makes paddock sales of bulls to dairy farmers in the lower North Island. Koanui topped the spring sale season last year with $29,500 and a sale average of $6347.

Calving ease and modest birth weight calves are the most vital attributes of yearling bulls versus two-year bulls. Chris Chesterman NZ Herefords “If we could achieve a similar result we would be delighted,” Chesterman said. PGG Wrightson national genetics manager Callum McDonald is sure that the lift in autumn sale prices for bulls will continue into the spring offerings. “There will be a big lift in heifer mating as beef cattle farmers seek to expand their herds.” PGG Wrightson auctioneer Neville Clark said more dairy farmers will buy yearling bulls to put them out for a 30-day cycle. He welcomed the increased focus on beef-on-dairy matings for higher-value calves that

will be finished for prime beef production. NZ Herefords general manager Trudy Hobson welcomed the Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms push towards fewer bobby calves from the dairy industry. “Demand for the white-faced calves in the whole package is definitely increasing. “Farmers want to know where their genetics come from and that ensures margins and profits for our members.” NZ Herefords vice-president Andrew Russo said the increased clearances and average prices for two-year-old bulls in autumn should flow on to yearling bulls. “The demand for four-day feeder calves is up already and this year’s spring bull sales should work out better than last year.” Russo, who is a large animal veterinarian, said his dairy clients are using more sexed semen for herd replacement dairy heifers and beef-on-dairy semen in the early weeks of artificial insemination. The market needs to find the balance between more beef AI and use of beef bulls, whether through auctions, paddock sales or service bull sales. Longtime Waikato agent Bill Sweeney said four-day calf prices are up $50-$100 over this time last year and the yearling bull market should follow suit. The spring sales season of the recently merged Rural Livestock and NZ Farmers Livestock is a time for renewing agency agreements while beef market signals stay strong.

WESTWARD HO: Hallmark Rob Ri V149 went from Hawke’s Bay to Taranaki late last year with a $29,000 price tag. Photo: Alex Roke

Welcome to the Farmers Weekly 2026 Spring Bull Sales Showcase WITH spring bull sales fast approaching, it is our pleasure to bring to you our second Livestock Showcase of 2026. Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all involved in the autumn sale season. The season certainly brought its fair share of memorable moments, with positivity in the sector setting us up for what looks like an exciting spring. Proving to be a valued resource for the industry, this season’s Showcase will again provide a comprehensive guide to assist buyers in the season ahead. Breeders will continue to share updates on their open days and sale dates via our weekly livestock section in the newspaper, online at farmersweekly.co.nz, and in our bull sales eNewsletters.

Thank you once again to all who have contributed. And to our readers, thank you for taking the time to engage with our Showcases – we trust that spring will prove to be as valuable and as informative as the autumn edition. I wish you all the very best for the season ahead and look forward to bringing our Bull Sales eNewsletter to you soon.

Andrea Mansfield National Livestock Manager 027 602 4925

News

Beef cattle collars catch up with dairy management Staff reporter

TECHNOLOGY

Livestock

ALTER users of the new Beef Pro product have reported production gains and more pasture growth, while beef operations can now also connect directly to satellites, the company says. The product combines feed demand and grazing planning tools, satellite forage signals, grazing intensity heat maps, behaviour monitoring, and automated grazing records. “The same system that moves

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

cattle also helps farmers plan, measure and improve,” Halter NZ country director Josh Townsend said. “Beef farmers are rapidly moving beyond virtual fencing to take full advantage of pasture and animal management tools that dairy farms have leveraged for years.” In the two months since the launch of Beef Pro, 500 beef farmers have joined Halter’s satellite solution and 185 have bought the new product. Beef Pro user Matt Wyeth, Spring Valley beef farm, Masterton, said beef farmers are catching up with dairy

UPGRADING: Greenhill Farming co-owner Katie Waters in the yards with cattle at Kaingaroa, in the Far North. Photo: Danielle Collings, Daily Creative farmers in pasture management. “We are getting more efficient with the amount of pasture needed to produce a kilo of carcase weight. “We are on track to reduce from a ratio of 24kg of dry matter per kilogram of carcase weight, down to only 21kg; that’s a

12.5% efficiency gain in feed conversion. “We are now tracking rumination by the minute, constantly looking at every mob, and doing a quick health dashboard check every morning to check they are on a good nutritional plane.”

Greenhill Farming in Kaingaroa, Northland, has collars on more than 600 Friesian bulls. Co-owner Katie Waters sees Beef Pro as a way to double down on notable production gains she is already on track towards, since getting Halter. “Cattle are now shifted daily, rather than every second or third day. We are running more mobs of smaller sizes, which is reducing social pressure in the herd and improving pasture utilisation,” Waters said. The target is now 360kg of carcase weight per hectare this season compared with the threeyear average of 280kg. Further out Waters expects to be producing in the mid-to-high 400s. “For our bull operation, Halter’s land management tool has enabled us to run our property as 25 individual farmlets. “Each farmlet has its own pasture metrics and targets in the app. “This has given full flexibility to adjust each block’s round length, rather than a blanket approach across the whole farm, which historically has led to compromises and wastage.”

New agriculture finance Pāmu open days to showcase operations player joins the market

Staff reporter

NEWS

Agriculture PĀMU will be opening its farm gates to the rural sector in summer to showcase its largescale, multi-system farming systems. From September to February its Open Farm Days will span four regions and a mix of systems from dairy beef and organics through to red meat and mixed finishing. “We’re running commercial farms, so everything we do has to deliver,” said Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie. “Open Farm Days is about showing, in real terms, how on-farm system decisions translate into productivity and profitability on the ground. “That means lifting value from calves, getting more out of pasture, and building systems that can handle pressure, whether that’s climate or cost,” he said. The intention was to showcase what he called a disciplined, data-driven farming model, with a clear focus on profitability and resilience. Leslie said sharing with neighbours, local communities and the wider industry what works and what doesn’t is part of the role Pāmu plays as a state-owned enterprise. “We’ve got scale, a mix of regions and a mix of systems. Our job is to be profitable and

test ideas properly and then be open about it, so others can take what’s useful and apply it.” Key focus areas are dairy beef and reinvestment in nature. It is working towards rearing all non-replacement calves by 2030, turning what was once a low-value outcome into a valueadding part of the business, supported by genetics as well as improved calf rearing and finishing systems. The business is also exploring new ways to unlock value from native forests and other natural assets already present on farms. The four showcases will be at Exeter in the central North Island, which focuses on dairy beef and calf rearing; Cheltenham Downs, Manawatū, which combines dairy beef with organic production;, Valetta, Maranon, and Mayfield farms in Mid Canterbury, which bring together dairy, technology and environmental work, including Halter and eco-pond systems; and Dawson Downs in south Otago, a mixed arable, sheep and beef finishing system. The community engagement programme also includes a biodiversity and planting day at Eyrewell in North Canterbury. Further events are being planned, including field days on the LIFT programme, a Primary Sector Growth Fund led by Pāmu to support New Zealand sheep and beef farmers to lift profitability, resilience and environmental performance.

Richard Rennie

NEWS

Finance HIGH livestock values and high farmer confidence for this season and next have set the stage for Oxbury, the newest arrival to New Zealand’s agri-finance sector in over a decade. The company has its founding roots in the United Kingdom and has taken a soft launch approach to its presence in NZ, opening for business back in December but only now ramping up its profile. Oxbury’s focus initially is on offering livestock finance for funding finishing cattle and sheep and providing funding to farmers wanting to invest in additional capital stock. Rupert Thomson, Oxbury’s senior relationship manager, said the entry into New Zealand’s $60 billion-plus agri finance market comes at a time when livestock prices form a significantly greater part of a farm’s purchase, or farm expansion. “That value is higher than it has ever been, reflecting in the demand for protein but also supply of livestock itself. “For us the time to come to market feels about right. If you happen to be paying, say, $2400 a head for bulls or steers for sixto-12-month trade, the capital required is significant, and if not done correctly it is very easy to make not a lot, by spending a lot.” He sees the company providing a more bespoke financing opportunity to farmers who

themselves are becoming more specialised and sophisticated in their trading operations. “You do not see farmers flipping between different classes of stock to try to make $20 here or there.” He said the NZ business is led by a team with extensive agricultural finance experience in NZ, Australia and the United Kingdom. Oxbury’s executive and board has bankers with a history in agri-finance, including its director Marcus Kight, who founded StockCo back in 1995 and oversaw the sale of its Australian division to Heartland Bank in 2022.

You do not see farmers flipping between different classes of stock to try to make $20 here or there. Rupert Thomson Oxbury Executive chair Symon BrewisWeston was chair of StockCo Australia’s board until 2022 and spent over a decade in senior leadership at Commonwealth Bank Australia. Brewis-Weston said Oxbury intends to do one area well before moving into other areas of agri-financing. “We are aiming to ensure a positive customer experience and have spent the last few months just quietly testing out processes and procedures, knowing that we can deliver on that.”

He said Oxbury staff are cognisant of the shift that has happened in commercial bankfarmer relations in recent years, with more farmer clients seeing less of their bank manager. “Our business model is deliberately straightforward. It is built around farmers and what they need. “We have 400 staff in the UK, most with some form of agricultural background, and have the old-fashioned approach of going up the farm driveway.” He said the individuality of each farmers’ financing needs is vastly underrated, sometimes lost by larger banks’ “macro” approach to rural financing. In the UK, Oxbury claims to be lending one in five of each new pound borrowed by farms. The company has also been ranked as the UK’s third fastest growing company, with the Chester-based bank lending over £1.5 billion and attracting £2.5bn in savings since 2021. While ultimately intending to be agnostic about what stock class it lends on, Thomson said sheep and beef are the initial focus, with a move to dairy capital stock to come. He does not see supply increasing significantly any time soon. “Cash flow will still be king, we can see some granular increases in supply, but not wholesale. “Meantime significant farm cost increases mean it is probably fortunate we are getting the protein prices we are right now.”

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

News

Lean beef the path to profit on hill country Gerhard Uys

MARKETS

Sheep and beef

ISITING overseas markets where New Zealand beef is sold led Dani Darke to an epiphany of how red meat can be more profitable on hill country farms. The solution, she says, is leveraging lean, low-carbon dairy beef and virtual fencing. Darke, a sheep and beef farmer and 2025 Nuffield Scholar, said when she was overseas on her Nuffield trip she was excited to see New Zealand beef in the marketplace, believing Kiwis held the premium position with their prime chilled beef. But, visiting Singapore, she saw New Zealand beef selling for $50/ kg less than Australian grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef from the United States. In the US she visited a feedlot, and saw big fat cattle.

Animals were grown out to massive sizes because feedlots were struggling to find animals. Then, at a JBS meat-processing plant that processes 6000 cattle a day, she saw fat carcases with trim dumped into huge boxes. That trim, she said, is mixed with lean beef from New Zealand, because 60% of US consumption is grinding beef.

We’re kind of giving away that low-carbon benefit for free at the moment because we’re not validating it. Dani Darke 2025 Nuffield Scholar The NZ system is complementary to the US system, Darke said. “They are producing amazing grain-fed, marbled, chilled beef, and have good genetics and a consistent feeding programme, but need Kiwi farmers to add lean

EXPENSIVE BEEF: When Dani Darke visited Singapore she saw New Zealand beef selling for $50/kg less than Australian grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef from the US.

meat to the quantity of grinding beef they eat.” Despite many in the US being up in arms around meat imports, she said, a rancher told her their National Cattlemen’s Association showed that for the US to bring in lean beef from New Zealand, Brazil and Australia adds US$400 back to the American rancher per carcase. “There’s not many countries that can do lean beef, because you need grass – they don’t get lean on grain. New Zealand is uniquely positioned.” She said she has seen firsthand through the Friesian bulls they raise on farm, and from Farmax data, that bull beef finishing remains one of the most financially rewarding farm enterprises. What NZ does wins on the farm and in the market. It also wins in processing because such beef can be hotboned, doesn’t have to be chilled first, and ends up as boxed beef. It’s a very efficient way to process beef into just a few stockkeeping units, or cuts, and could be much more easily automated, she said. “In the market it’s a really important, consistent, highprotein nutrient-dense ingredient that is exactly what’s in demand.” The Bioeconomy Science Institute has shown that dairy beef has a carbon footprint that is up to 46% lower than beef produced from a beef cow, because when that calf is born its emissions are attributed to the milk from the dam, Darke said. “What are we best in the world at, it’s producing lean beef.” She said this presents a partial

EPIPHANY: A 2025 Nuffield Scholar and sheep and beef farmer, Dani Darke, says the combination of virtual fencing, selling lean beef and changing how we think of our strengths could mean more profitable hill country farms.

solution to the bobby calf dilemma. Darke said we need to think how those calves can be absorbed. She said the winner of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Jon and Fiona Sherlock, demonstrated how running young 200kg dairy beef bulls on Class 6 hill country, supported by virtual fencing, doubled production compared with a lambing ewe system, while also excluding waterways and environmentally sensitive areas She said virtual fencing allows precision rotational grazing, and a higher stocking rate. With virtual fencing you can farm bulls in small mobs, which can mitigate a lot of behavioural issues. If animals can be processed at lighter weights of 350kg to 450kg live weight, this allows a highly profitable, one-winter system. Meat companies have indicated to her there is overcapacity in the

industry, and the opportunity is there for a plant to set itself up to process smaller animals for lean beef, likely using automation. This means farmers can drop numbers in a dry summer, and it widens the window to operate for the meat processor. “We’ve got customers like McDonald’s that are trying to decarbonise their supply chain, we’re already selling them dairy beef, we’re kind of giving away that low-carbon benefit for free at the moment because we’re not validating it. “Verification from calf to plate is required as a part of this new system to be able to sell the benefits of a low-emissions product, and to start capturing that benefit.” She said this is the way to more profitable hill country farms – doing something we are already good at and supplying what the market demands, while leveraging the dairy-beef opportunity.

Farming? Not us. us Great Travel? Absolutely Absolutely. Whether you’re dreaming of a short break to the Islands, a longer adventure through Europe, or anything in between, we’re here to make it simple and stress-free.

Get in touch today to start planning a well-earned break that works around your season and depart knowing that if the unexpected happens, we’re here to sort it.

Helloworld Travel Strandon 06 757 5666

487b Devon Street East, Strandon, New Plymouth

strandon@travel.helloworld.co.nz

AgriHQ Market Intel

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Winter weaner market ahead of spring Alex Coddington

MARKETS Beef

INTER climatic conditions are typically the primary driver of cattle markets through July and August. Throughput of R1 steers is generally light over this period, with quality often tapering off toward the end of winter. Even so, buying behaviour remains highly responsive to feed availability. On a five-year average, traditional R1 steer prices typically trade between 60% and 63% of the farmgate beef schedule through winter. This year, favourable feed conditions and strong market confidence have enabled demand to comfortably absorb available supply, lifting values to around 67-68% of schedule. This is well above both the long-term average and the 63-64% benchmark recorded at the same time last year. At an average of $6.40/kg, traditional R1 steers are currently the cheapest they have been on a cents-per-kilogram basis this

SCHEDULE: On a five-year average, traditional R1 steer prices typically trade between 60% and 63% of the farmgate beef schedule through winter. year, sitting around 30c/kg below March’s weaner levels. Despite the recent easing, current values remain exceptionally expensive in a historical context. R1 steers are trading approximately $1.18/ kg above this time last year and $2.52/kg higher than the five-year average. Last season, favourable conditions and strong confidence saw prices lift a further 34c/

kg between winter and spring. Whether the market follows a similar trajectory this year is far less certain. An El Niño outlook, softening export market returns and continued inflation throughout the store cattle market all have the potential to disrupt typical seasonal patterns. The 2025 beef season was extraordinary. Record farmgate

returns established a new benchmark, with the effects flowing through every age class of cattle. However, those record prices have now become the starting point rather than the upside, and early indications suggest the momentum that has carried markets to this point is starting to slow. Strong farmgate beef returns continue to leave cattle traders well positioned to re-enter the market with confidence. At the same time, a wet finish to summer followed by a mild autumn supported feed supplies well into winter. Underpinning this was sustained demand from key export markets, which reinforced confidence throughout the beef sector. However, some of these fundamentals may begin to shift in spring. Farmgate beef schedules have shown little sign of easing despite export market prices softening in recent months. National farmgate beef returns currently sit around $1.50/kg above the same period last year, yet export values are no longer following the same upward

trajectory that supported last season’s record schedules. Historically, farmgate schedules strengthen into September before easing in October as spring cattle supplies increase. That seasonal pattern failed to materialise last year. Instead of peaking around $9.10/kg in September, schedules continued climbing to reach approximately $9.75/kg today. Farmgate schedules remain the primary benchmark underpinning store cattle values, but if export market returns continue to soften, processors may eventually look to rebuild margins by reducing schedules. With R1 steer prices already trading at historically elevated levels, around 66-68% of the beef schedule, any correction in farmgate returns would quickly expose buyers who have paid inflated prices to secure stock. Maintaining purchasing decisions based on realistic farmgate and export market expectations, rather than recent price momentum alone, will be critical to managing risk in what remains an historically expensive store cattle market.

Subtle changes to short-term beef outlook Mel Croad

MARKETS Beef

CONFIDENCE in the beef sector has naturally strengthened over the past two years, underpinned by consistently high returns driven by much stronger export demand. There is little doubt that the longer-term outlook for global beef demand remains positive. However, over the

coming months, farmers are likely to face a more challenging operating environment, with softer export returns expected to place some downward pressure on farmgate prices, alongside the prospect of an El Niño weather pattern. This marks a notable shift from this time last year, when export demand and pricing continued to strengthen. The immediate challenge is a softening in our largest

beef market, combined with increasingly complex global trade dynamics that continue to reshape the flow of beef into key export destinations. Heading into 2026, global production was expected to ease as major beef-producing nations such as Brazil and Australia reduced cattle slaughter following several years of elevated processing rates. The United States was also anticipated to begin transitioning towards herd

Vaccinating your bulls with Hiprabovis 3 aids in the control of

BVD, IBR & PI3

Vaccinate before mating. Talk to your vet about timing.

rebuilding, tightening global beef supplies. Instead, the first half of 2026 has delivered a surge in beef production. As seasonal consumer demand has eased, this additional supply has weighed on international beef prices. For New Zealand, the most immediate impact has been softer imported beef prices in the US. To date, this has had little material effect on farmgate

returns, largely because domestic production remains seasonally low. However, AgriHQ expects current market conditions to result in some easing of farmgate prices through spring. Unlike recent years, where export prices continued to strengthen through to December, there is growing confidence that seasonal price patterns will return, with the market reaching its peak earlier than it has over the past two years.

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Hill country cattle work on many levels Rebecca Greaves

PEOPLE

I think people sometimes don’t look closely enough at the commercial operation of their bull breeders.

Livestock

TRUCTURALLY sound, fertile and proven under commercial farming conditions, Komako Angus have built a reputation for yearling bulls that thrive in commercial farming environments. Located in the Pohangina Valley, Manawatū, Komako Angus was established by Dave and Nicole Stuart in 2014. Driven by a passion for farming, the couple set out with a clear goal: to breed Angus cattle that perform for commercial farmers. After initially selling bulls through private treaty, Komako Angus transitioned to an annual on-farm auction, giving buyers equal opportunity to secure the genetics that best suit their herds. The move has been well supported, they say, consistently achieving strong sale clearances and growing demand for its bulls. Recent sales have demonstrated the increasing confidence farmers have in the Komako breeding programme, with sale

Dave Stuart Komako Angus

GOAL: Komako Angus was established by Dave and Nicole Stuart in 2014. Driven by a passion for farming, the couple set out with a clear goal: to breed Angus cattle that perform for commercial farmers. averages and prices continuing to strengthen. Komako Angus is a familyrun operation, supported by a dedicated team. Alongside Dave and Nicole are staff members Lochie Wood and Brett George, who play an important role in the day-to-day running of the farm and stud. The couple’s three children – Jake, 14, Ted, 10, and Brooke, 9 – are also actively

involved in farm life. “I really enjoy the challenge of breeding functional cattle that perform on hill country and identifying the genetics that work best for both us and our clients,” Dave said. The 800 hectare property stretches to the foothills of the Ruahine Range and is predominantly hill country. The operation has a 70:30 sheep-to-cattle ratio.

Around 200 cows are calved annually, including replacements. With 3350 Romney ewes mated each year, lambing percentages average about 150%. The Stuarts retain about 1000 replacement ewe lambs and adjust their sheep policy to suit seasonal conditions and market opportunities. “We don’t have a large area of flat, cultivable land. During summer much of that country is sown in chicory for finishing lambs, then into annual grasses for winter grazing of the bulls. “For us, the major advantage is selling all of our best bulls into the yearling market. Nothing is taken through to a two-year-old sale. “Our cows are genuinely tested under a commercial system and, with a high sheep-to-cattle ratio,

every animal has to earn its place within the system.” Continual improvement remains central to the operation, with detailed performance recording, careful sire selection and a commitment to breeding cattle that work in commercial conditions. Good docility is nonnegotiable, and feedback from clients and stock agents consistently highlights the quiet nature of Komako genetics. For Dave, the foundation of any successful stud is the cow herd. “The bulls are simply a byproduct of the cows; the cows are the real workhorses. I think people sometimes don’t look closely enough at the commercial operation of their bull breeders. The engine room is out on the farm, well beyond the front paddock.” For the couple, success is measured not only by sale results, but by the performance of Komako genetics in their clients’ operations. Their aim is simple: to breed honest, hardworking cattle that help commercial farmers improve productivity, profitability and sustainability for future generations to come.

YEARLING BULL SALE BREEDING STRUCTURALLY SOUND, FERTILE ANGUS CATTLE THAT PERFORM IN COMMERICAL FARMING ENVIRONMENTS

OPEN DAY

WEDNESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2026 1PM - 3PM

ON FARM SALE FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2026 2PM

1912 POHANGINA VALLEY EAST RD ASHHURST, MANAWATU

TEMPERAMENT Quiet, easy to handle bulls that are a pleasure to work with

AGENTS DAVE & NICOLE STUART 027 422 7239

CALVING EASE Designed to get calves off to the best start every season

MATERNAL FOCUS Strong maternal traits for fertile cows and thriving herds

CAM WAUGH 027 480 0898

MARK ANDERSON 027 469 1004

CHRIS HAY 027 632 7177

ALEX STEWART 027 461 1215

BEN WRIGHT 027 241 4570

STEVEN HARRIS 027 442 3546

SIMON SMITH 027 444 0733

TOM SUTTOR 027 446 9967

FERTILITY Fertility tested for confidence in every purchase

AVAILABLE ON SALE DAY

LK0124602©

VIEWING FROM 12:30PM

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Proud peninsula heritage at Kaipara Herefords Hugh Stringleman

PEOPLE

Livestock

AIPARA Herefords is an all-cattle farming business for the Biddles family on the Pouto Peninsula, south of Dargaville in Northland, coming up to its second on-farm auction of 15- to 16-month bulls. A planned 80 catalogue entries will be auctioned on the farm on September 22, making use of the old shearing shed and yards reconfigured as a sale ring, rostrum and benches. Prior to last year’s inaugural auction, third-generation farmer Sam Biddles continued his father Kim’s private treaty sales of bulls, which had been in place since 1985. The property of 470 hectares, plus a 30ha support block, has a long Hereford heritage, going back to grandfather Hugh Biddles’ first cows in the late 1940s, followed by his move to Pouto in 1966.

Now Sam has 425 in-calf Hereford cows, 35 of them registered, with the balance of the herd being highly productive commercial cows run under stud conditions. All sale bulls are DNA tested with scores generated by Igenity through Performance Beef Breeders, Feilding.

White-faced calves by our bulls always sell well around Northland and we have many long-term clients who buy bulls every year. Sam Biddles Kaipara Herefords Reports are generated on seven maternal traits, five performance traits and five carcase traits, making up three indexes: maternal, production and terminal. The breeding objectives of Kaipara Herefords target calving ease, temperament and 400-

day weights, along with sound structure and conformation. Cattle are bred with moderate birth weights. The Kaipara Herefords are renowned for their good nature and are farmed in a way that enhances their natural docility. A high 400-day weight ensures the 15-month-old bulls are at their peak for servicing cows in spring and ensuring a fast growth rate for their progeny. Sam said his business objective is to provide what the predominantly dairy farming clients want in service bulls, with the auction setting prices rather than private treaty values. “The Igenity data provides a wide range of figures to enhance buying decisions. “White-faced calves by our bulls always sell well around Northland and we have many long-term clients who buy bulls every year,” he said. “Temperament has been a strong focus for 15 years as our dairy clients want safety for them, family members and employees

RENOWN: Kaipara Herefords have good nature and are farmed in a way which enhances their natural docility. as well as bulls that adapt quickly to routine.” Kaipara pastures are Kikuyudominant during the dry summer and the 80ha that can be worked are sown with annual ryegrass for supplementary feed cultivation. Calving begins in late June and all calves are weighed at birth before the cows that have calved are shed off for the best grass. The early calving programme is to ensure more mature bulls for the sale and subsequent mating season.

All sires bought by Kaipara are registered and recorded, with 13 to 14 working bulls needed, plus two spares. Therefore, two or three new bulls are bought each year. This year Sam bought twoyear-old Koanui Boss 240494 for $17,000, A former professional rugby player, Sam came back to the family farm in 2011 and is married to Kate from South Africa and they have three children, Brock, Cressida and Conor.

2nd Annual Sale | 12pm Tuesday 22nd September | Viewing from 10am

80 Well Grown 15-month bulls On farm at 170 Schick Rd, Pouto Peninsula Live online bidding via Bidr More Information or to visit

www.kaiparaherefords.co.nz

Sam Biddles 0275 666 558 Haydn Evans | Carrfields | 021 985 863 Chris Fife | Wrightsons | 0274 951 552

LK0124678©

@Kaipara Herefords

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

An efficient route from grass to meat Gerald Piddock

PEOPLE

Livestock

AHUTA Polled Hereford stud has a history of over 40 years of careful breeding resulting in a fertile, productive and docile cow herd. Two-year-old heifers have been mated over all of this time and any not in-calf culled. The aim has been to produce cattle that are medium-framed with good growth rates, carcase weights and intramuscular fat. The stud is at Glen Murray in North Waikato and owned by John and Mary Allen, with Paul Meredith as the manager and Shane Butler as his assistant. The property consists of 400 hectares in two blocks (around 350ha effective) with a mixture of easy contour with some steep hill country. The herd consists of 250 registered cows with 800 breeding ewes. The best bulls are sold as yearlings at an on-

farm sale in September and the remainder are culled. Surplus heifers are sold prime at 15-18 months. Sheep are mostly shedding (Wiltshires) and all nonreplacement lambs are finished by February. Calves are born in August, weaned in March, and are fed on grass alone, including the sale bulls. They are drenched in March, June and August. Cows clean up the pasture for priority stock, John said. “This has the effect of eating grass potentially contaminated by worms before young stock or lambs graze it, thus reducing worm burdens. Cows are mobstocked with ewes over winter and calve behind a wire.” Efficiency is a key driver of the Allens’ breeding programme. The aim is to produce moderatesized cattle with high calving ease, early growth and a heavy, meaty carcase with adequate subcutaneous fat and intramuscular fat, he said. “There is a heavy emphasis on structural soundness and athlet-

There is a heavy emphasis on structural soundness and athleticism. John Allen Mahuta Polled Hereford icism, and animals are culled for infertility, unsoundness, or lower-end productivity. “Efficiency sums up a lot of the goals which the programme aims for. The Hereford breed is renowned for efficient conversion of grass to meat and Mahuta cattle maximise this.” In addition, high calving ease means more live calves and early growth. Early maturity with adequate fat enables early finishing. This means less time on farm, less feed consumption, lower cow maintenance costs, and less greenhouse gas, he said. The stud aims to breed bulls for heifers with enough size for cows. The Allens use the New Zealand Performance Beef Breeder’s Beef

MEATY: John and Mary Allen, owners of Mahuta Polled Herefords, aim to produce medium-sized cattle with high calving ease, early growth and a heavy, meaty carcase. Heifer Index when evaluating the usefulness of cattle in the stud. This figure is an amalgamation of EBVs (estimated breeding values) with weighting on traits relevant to the production system – in this case beef heifers. The aim is to calculate a dollar profit value for a beef heifer mating farming system. It plays an important part in cattle profit evaluation.

John believes that similar logic can be applied to bulls for dairy cows since they have similar requirements of high calving ease, early growth and early finishing. “All the herd sires have Beef Heifer Indexes in the top 5% and this helps to reassure us that the breeding programme will produce bulls which will increase profit for their clients.”

HEIFER MATING HEREFORDS Mahuta Hereford Stud

Annual Yearling Bull Sale on farm Glen Murray, Waikato

Friday 11th September 2026 Open Day – 28th August

Offering specialist bulls

for heifer mating – beef and dairy

Calving ease

Matariki Performer P24

Mahuta Sale bull average Tans Tasman breed average

17 5.5

600-day growth

Carcase weight

1.5 3.6

+87 +83

65 57

Auctioneer: Cam Heggie 027 501 8182 | Local Agent: Stephen Hickey 027 444 3570 Enquiries contact: John Allen 027 440 7504 or jvmeallen@xtra.co.nz Manager: Paul 027 306 3792

LK0124688©

Mahuta Sale bull performance compared to breed average

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Sixty-five years of Herefords Gerhard Uys

PEOPLE

Livestock

ET on the fertile flats and surrounding hill country near Marton, Morrison Farming has grown into a diverse livestock business where Hereford bulls are king. But William and Erica Morrison farm more than just bulls. A 1500 hectare farming business spans the original 400ha Fern Flats property and the 1100ha Mangara Station about 10km north. Alongside breeding 650 registered Hereford cows and heifers each year, they lamb 4000 ewes and 1000 ewe hoggets, finish more than 5000 lambs annually and run a prime beef operation. With eight full-time staff and four major revenue streams, the business relies heavily on technology, innovation and efficient systems to manage its scale. William said the family’s Hereford story stretches back 65 years. His grandfather, Max, established the stud in 1960 after years of finishing Hereford-cross

cattle and using Hereford bulls over the family’s dairy herd. His father, John, further improved and consolidated the genetics before William expanded the operation into one of New Zealand’s leading performancerecorded Hereford studs. “Today they calve 650 registered females annually and it is one of only two Hereford studs in the country to achieve the highest five-star performance recording standard,” he said. The stud has also contributed

more than 20 bulls to Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics progeny tests and has built a reputation for consistently producing commercially focused cattle. For William and Erica, the appeal of Herefords has remained remarkably consistent despite changing industry trends. The breed’s quiet temperament, strong growth and quality carcase traits were the reasons Max Morrison chose Herefords more than six decades ago, and they remain the foundation of

BULLS: Ardo Trust 3207. The stud has contributed more than 20 bulls to Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics progeny tests.

the breeding programme today, William said. Morrison Ezicalve bulls are bred to be safe to handle, fertile and capable of producing fastgrowing, efficient progeny whether joined with Hereford, Angus or Kiwi-cross cows. That versatility has made them increasingly popular with large farming businesses that integrate dairy and beef operations. Many long-standing clients who once bought one or two bulls each year now purchase six to 10 annually, using yearling bulls that provide top genetics at a lower purchase price while delivering an extra season of work. For these objective commercial farmers, William said, performance, reliability and service matter far more than industry labels, with the focus always on cattle that improve the profitability of the whole farming business. A key for their customers is Ezicalve, a breeding programme developed with long-time partners Riverton Herefords that gives commercial farmers confidence they are buying bulls bred to strict standards. Ezicalve is far more than a marketing name. Every bull must

PROUD BREEDER: William Morrison says the family’s Hereford story stretches back 65 years. meet demanding specifications for calving ease, low birth weight, growth, carcase performance, temperament, health testing, vaccinations and management. William has spent three decades selecting bulls capable of successfully mating yearling heifers, resulting in highly fertile sires that are widely used in both dairy and beef systems. The stud is also a major supplier of commercial semen through GENEZ and has exported semen from leading sires around the world for more than 20 years.

BULL SALE

Tuesday September 22, 12 noon On-Farm Auction and Live on 608 Fern Flats Road, Marton. 100 Yearling Bulls • 30 2-Yr-Old Bulls Guaranteed Quiet. Support and bull back-up assured.

Ardo Trust 3207

• Ezicalve assured – NZ’s best beef bulls for heifer mating. • Leading growth and carcass traits – 5-Star performance recording. Ardo Trust 468 & Ardo Ajax 396

William Morrison 027 640 1166 • ardofarm@xtra.co.nz Morrison Farming Ezicalve • www.morrisonfarming.co.nz

LK0124694©

• Industry Proven – 65 years recorded breeding. The most bulls selected into B+LNZ progeny tests.

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Sire selection at the heart of stud’s success Gerhard Uys

PEOPLE

Livestock

RENT and Anna Fisher from Silverstream Charolais and Herefords welcomed clients to a brand-new sale venue for their 2026 bull sale, marking the next chapter for the Canterbury stud. “We have loved building our new sale barn and making adjustments and a system that worked better than the last one. “We started with a blank canvas and we carted 700 loads of dirt, built pens, yards, sheds, a sales barn, lanes and tracks, relocated a house and did a lot of planting. “We had an awesome team around us with SFM Fencing doing all the pens and outer yards, Glassey Contracting carting soil and gravel, rolling and grading – and Nick Smith and his team of four from NS Builders

Careful sire selection, uncompromising culling and the strategic introduction of genetics from Australia, Canada and France have shaped the modern Silverstream herd.

managed to put it all together in 43 days.” Anna said the new complex reflects the stud’s focus on continual improvement and providing a better experience for clients. That commitment to progress has underpinned Silverstream since 1968, when Bruce and Maureen Fisher established the Charolais stud after developing a passion for beef cattle while dairy farming in Lincoln. They recognised the potential of the Charolais breed in New Zealand and steadily refined their herd over the following decades. A major milestone came in 1983 with the acquisition of the Brookfield herd, which became the foundation of today’s stud. “Careful sire selection, uncompromising culling and the strategic introduction of genetics from Australia, Canada and France have shaped the modern

Anna Fisher Silverstream Charolais and Herefords

CHAROLAIS: Brent and Anna Fisher from Silverstream Charolais and Herefords recognised the potential of the Charolais breed in New Zealand and steadily refined their herd over the following decades. Silverstream herd,” Anna said. In 2012, the business expanded into horned Herefords using foundation females from Anna’s family stud, Na Puteputi, which had built a reputation for producing tough, commercially focused hill country cattle in Hawke’s Bay. Anna said today the farming business is built around several complementary enterprises, with the Charolais stud remaining its largest. Charolais account for most of the business, with around 380 registered cows producing about

120 bulls each year alongside international genetic sales. The Hereford stud comprises about 90 registered cows and sells around 30 bulls annually. Beyond stud breeding, the family run breeding ewes and finish all their own lambs and finish trading lambs throughout the year. Both stud herds are bred under commercial farming conditions, with cows wintering on hill country for much of the year without supplementary feeding, Anna said. For the past four years Silver-

stream has run a straight online spring bull sale with a mix of autumn-born 18-month bulls and spring-born yearlings on offer. This year for the first time it is going to make this a hybrid (online and on farm) sale, making the most of the new facility on Thursday October 8. This year Silverstream will offer 50 bulls made up of 14 18-month bulls along with 36 spring-born yearlings. The autumn-born bulls are all sired by Silverstream Rocco and Silverstream Padra, who have been the mainstay bulls at Silverstream for the past few years. Silverstream Sonic, who has proven to be a consistent performer in the expanding dairy beef market, is well represented.

SILVERSTREAM

CHAROLAIS HEREFORDS

5TH ANNUAL SPRING BULL SALE THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER 2026 3.30pm

Brent & Anna Fisher B:027 251 4791 A:027 231 4499 silverstreamcharolais@gmail.com www.silverstreamcharolais.co.nz

65 LOTS

14 18-Month Charolais Bulls 36 Yearling Charolais Bulls 15 Registered Charolais Heifers

OUR FIRST ON FARM SPRING BULL SALE! NEW VENUE:

100 GAMMACKS RD MOTUKARARA ALSO ONLINE WITH BIDR

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

The home of reliable heifer-mating bulls Gerhard Uys

PEOPLE

IVERTON Ezicalve Herefords understands that easy calving is the highest priority for their dairy and beef heifercalving clients. Owner Mike Cranstone said having a healthy and fit heifer after calving is the most important outcome. A live beef cross calf has value only if there is no impact on the heifer’s introduction to the milking herd. Riverton Ezicalve Herefords has been breeding bulls specifically for mating heifers for over 40 years, and has not wavered from the discipline of keeping calving ease and low birthweights as its No 1 priority. “It’s non-negotiable,” Mike said. Around the consistent low birthweights and calving ease, the bulls have a package of short gestation length, strong 400-day growth rates, and are homozygous polled. “We take the responsibility of breeding reliable heifer mating bulls seriously; our clients are

FAMILY AFFAIR: Mike and Cath Cranstone say it’s exciting having their children getting involved in the farm’s future. From left; Sam, Hamish, Sophie, Cath and Mike.

Our clients are trusting their valuable heifer replacements with our bulls. Mike Cranstone Riverton Ezicalve Herefords with both sheep and cattle managed in large mobs. “This gives us high accuracy

in our performance data and good selection pressure, with the added benefit of our genetics being challenged in a competitive environment.” Building on the strong base of previous generations has been rewarding, and Mike and Cath say it’s exciting having their children getting involved in the farm’s future. The eldest, Sam, is heading to Colorado State University

in the United States for a 12-month exchange as part of his Agriculture Science degree at Lincoln University. “It will be great to be exposed to the scale of their industry and their latest research,” Mike said. “Sam is sure that he will see opportunities especially in genomics that will continue the progress of the Riverton Ezicalve stud as well as the wider NZ beef industry.”

Breeding specialist heifer mating bulls for 40 years

35th Annual Sale Semen available Riverton Celtic 22 159 Short gestation -7 days Top 5% Herefords Dairy Beef index

Thursday 17th September, 12 noon Fordell, Whanganui 100 yearling bulls • 40 two-year bulls • Calves which are born Ezi and then grow fast • Bulls genomic tested for high accuracy breeding values • Homozygous polled bulls – no dehorning of calves required • Guaranteed quiet with top service and bull back up

RIVERTON HEREFORDS

Mike Cranstone • 027 218 0123 crannyandcath@outlook.com

rivertonezicalve.nz

LK0124695©

Livestock

trusting their valuable heifer replacements with our bulls.” Mike and wife Cath said they have a very loyal client base, many spanning generations, with some clients being with them since their first annual sale 35 years ago. “We value these long relationships and pride ourselves on our back-up service; we stand by our bulls.” At the on- farm sale on September 17, the yearling bulls average 400kg/lw and almost all are purchased for heifer mating, with many then being used to tail up the herd. Additional bulls of both ages are available on farm after sale day. Mike returned to the farm in 1997 and expanded it from the original 470 hectares that his great-grandfather purchased in 1904 when he established the Riverton Hereford stud. The farm now spans 2400ha. The 600-strong cow herd has been instrumental in knocking the hill country pastures into shape, underpinning stock performance, including a 8500-head breeding ewe flock. “We run a high stocking rate

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Producing real bulls for real hills the focus PEOPLE

Livestock

ATTLE that deliver longevity for hill country, blending performance genetics while staying true to the traditional visual appeal of the Angus breed, is the name of the game at Hillcroft Angus. The Crawford family have farmed up the steep hills of Matahuru Valley in north Waikato since 1967, when the Angus stud was started by Fraser Crawford’s father and grandfather. Fraser and wife Liz, along with their five children, are the third generation to call the farm home, with a focus on producing real bulls for real hills. The farm is 670 hectares, with less than 10% of the country considered easy or flat, so cattle work hard from the day they are born. “It’s mostly hill country, hence why we like the Angus cattle. They do well on the hills. There’s

not a lot of calving country, but we get it done,” Fraser said. The Hillcroft mob comprises up to 350 performance-recorded Angus cows, including heifers, and they mate at least 80 heifers annually. For Fraser, it’s all about balancing the right type, visually, with the numbers in terms of estimated breeding values (EBVs).

They do well on the hills. There’s not a lot of calving country, but we get it done. Fraser Crawford Hillcroft Angus “When selecting our heifers, it’s got to be the right type, she has to have visual appeal with the right head and jaw. We have gone into genetics to improve things like calving ease and birthweight but the trick is to maintain the type of animal we like as we delve into higher performance genetics.” Fraser is always considering

that an animal must be fit for a lifetime on the hills. “They have to come out of winter and look like something you want to go on with.” The cattle are complemented by 1500 breeding ewes (including hogget lambs) and Fraser has moved to shedding sheep, which has significantly cut down on labour inputs. “The breed is based on a Wiltshire but I’m infusing other genetics. They seem to perform and are scanning 180% in the mixed-age ewes, and it’s a hang of a lot less work.” Hillcroft holds an annual on-farm sale. This year it will be on September 21, when 65 rising two-year-old bulls and 80 yearling bulls, which are bred and selected specifically for heifer mating, will be offered up. “I think buyers can find a good type of bull with a strong head, as they should be, but with added performance figures across the board, at a very reasonable price.” They have targeted aboveaverage figures for calving ease

REAL DEAL: Liz and Fraser Crawford, along with their five children, are the third generation to call the farm home. and birthweight, growth rates and carcase traits. “Provided their EBVs are suitable for heifer mating, they go in, so buyers get a good type

of bull in spring – we are not holding anything back. The twoyear-old bulls are maybe a bit stronger, but still offer calving ease.”

angus GENUINE BULLS FROM GENUINE HILLS

SAVE THE DATE ON FARM SALE

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST FROM 11.30AM Great constitution with added calving ease and performance

50 top 2-year-olds 80 yearlings selected for heifer mating

Fraser Crawford 07 828 5755 • 0272 85 95 87

LK0124485©

Rebecca Greaves

Breeder Profile

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Proven bloodlines at historic Angus stud Fiona Terry

PEOPLE

Livestock

UNNING the oldest Angus stud in Australasia gives the Williams family an advantage of proven bloodlines and quality genetics – but they’ll never take those assets for granted, say Paul and Sarah Williams, the fourth generation managing Turihaua Angus in Gisborne. “Our philosophy around the type of cattle we produce is evolving, but the breeding programme hasn’t changed,” said studmaster Paul, who runs the operations day to day, and whose great-grandfather founded the stud in 1906. “The fundamentals are still fertility first and foremost, good temperament, and sound structural integrity. The bulls need a good constitution with the ability to recover quickly after being out with the cows, or after experiencing a tough winter or dry summer.” The upcoming spring bull sale on September 22 will feature 30 yearlings and 10 rising two-year-

olds. Paul said the selection process is rigorous. “To make the cut, they have to stand out within the mob and show excellent growth leading up to the sale,” he said. “Because they are chosen specifically for mating, our primary focus is on calving ease and birth weight, without compromising on the strong growth and fertility traits we are known for.” Yearling bulls are covered by a three-year guarantee. Having taken full ownership of the station and stud five years ago and recently purchased neighbouring Puanga Station, Paul and Sarah are excited about expansion of the business. Across the now 1300 hectare property, total stock units are currently 10,000 – 70% of which are stud cattle, 20% sheep, and 10% commercial cattle. “The expansion’s an exciting opportunity, and gives us more selection pressure, because we’ve got greater numbers to select from for our sales. A bigger cow herd means there’s more depth in the breeding programme allowing us to move faster on genetic gains.” Currently Turihaua Angus

REFINED: The Turihaua Angus herd’s genetics have been refined with the help of natural selection on hard hill country without supplementary feed. calves down around 400 stud cows, including 120 yearling heifers and roughly 50 embryo transfer cows. While the herd’s genetics have been refined with the help of natural selection on hard hill country without supplementary feed, the Williamses are just as eager to embrace the role technologies present to further improve their animals. For example, tags are currently being trialled to identify puberty in heifers.

Paul’s background in zoology brings him a wealth of additional knowledge in animal physiology, behaviour, reproduction and genetics, which is applied to the day-to-day running of the stud’s genetic programme. The couple, who have three sons, aged seven, 10 and 12, make a great team, with Sarah – whose background is in hydrology – focusing on the stud administration, accounting and marketing aspects. Both are passionate about

environmental stewardship, with an ongoing focus on pest control and restoring the Turihaua stream, wetlands and bush blocks across the property. Ultimately, the true measure of success for Turihaua Angus is how their bulls perform for the commercial buyers who purchase them. “The most rewarding part of our job is hearing excellent pregnancy scanning results, which means the bulls are working and the cows are fertile.”

Turihaua

yearling bulls

are your heifer mating specialists.

SPRING SALE

1pm, Tuesday 22 September 2026

28 yearling and 10 2-year old bulls on offer PAUL & SARAH WILLIAMS

 021 189 4114 � paul@turihaua.co.nz

� www.turihaua.co.nz

NINTH ANNUAL YEARLING BULL SALE

Friday F id 11th S September t b 2026 att 11pm Open Day 26th August

McFadzean Cruizy Calve 4017 Sire - McFadzean Cruizy Calve 2002| Calving Ease +6.1 Gestation Length -7.2 | Birth Weight -2.5 Birth Weight 33kg | Weaning Weight 380kg | Yearling Weight 482kg

ALL BULLS HAVE PASSED SEMEN TESTING

HILL COUNTRY CATTLE BRED TO LIFT YOUR CATTLE PERFORMANCE AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE

“WE WEIGHED OUR SPRING WEANERS IN FEBRUARY AND THE STEERS AVERAGED 329KG AND HEIFERS 308KG AND WE’VE BASICALLY JUMPED 100KG PER ANIMAL SINCE USING MCFADZEAN GENETICS”. WENDY & DEAN LUPTON

MCFADZEAN CRUIZY CALVE 100% Registered Angus Positive for calving ease Short gestation Positive fats & good growth Suited for heifer mating

MCFADZEAN SUPER ANGUS

At least 7/8's Angus Moderate framed hill country cattle Excellent growth rates and superior muscling Positive fats & high IMF % Strong milking & maternal traits

MCFADZEAN MEAT MAKER Superior weaning weight % Instant impact on calf size, growth & muscling Higher carcass yields High EMA scores Strong milking & maternal traits

216 Wiltons Road, Carterton www.mcfadzeancattlecompany.co.nz Johnie McFadzean 0274295777 Andrew Jennings PGG Wrightsons 0275946820

Breeder Directory

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

KAIRAUMATI POLLED HEREFORD

Annual Yearling Sale 28th September

27TH ANNUAL BULL SALE

One sale. Our best Bulls. Take your pick

10TH SEPTEMBER 2026 – 12.30pm

68 NGATAIPUA RD, TURUA, THAMES

Gentle in the Paddock. Powerful in the Data.

• 30 x 20-month Bulls • 18 x Yearling Bulls

Easy Calving. Strong Mothering. Generation after Generation.

also

Contact James and Nicole Ward 021 511 626 or Roy and Kaye Ward 021 128 7174 Dave Stuart 027 224 1049 Cam Heggie 027 501 8182

Bulls born and bred on the top of the Coromandel

Contact Alan - 021 162 3177 - rotowaifarmsltd@outlook.co.nz Cam Heggie - PGG Wrightsons - 027 501 8182 Sam Brooks - NZ Farmers - 027 454 5336

LK0123355©

Sale will be live on

30th Annual On Farm Bull Sale

Specialising in Ease of Calving and Heifer mating

THE TE ATARANGI ADVANTAGE Specialising in ease of calving and heifer mating All our best bulls offered at our annual yearling sale

LK0124675©

Thursday September 17th 2026, 12 noon 183 Mangaotea Road, Tariki, Taranaki • Registered Angus Yearling Bulls, bred specifically for heifer mating • Resgistered Angus & Hereford 2 Year Old Bulls • Jersey 1 and 2 Year Old Bulls

Contact Richard or Zarrah 022 050 7119 or

Mangaotea Farm

AngusGS 72K SNP tested Our complete program (all 300 cows) is focused on ease of calving and heifer mating FERTILITY Only 43 days mating - cows Only 28 days mating - heifers Chris & Karren Biddles, RD1, Te Kopuru, Northland P: 09 439 1589 m: 021 795 929 e: chris@teatarangi.co.nz w: teatarangi.co.nz

120 Yearling Angus bulls at our Annual On Farm Sale and Hybrid bidr Auction

1st Sept 2026, 12pm

CHAROLAIS Yearling Bulls

Well Grown & Well Bred Polled & Priced @ $4.5K-$6K

Annual Yearling Bull Sale Friday 4th September 1PM 39 Williams Road, Glenbrook

Easy Calving - Low-Moderate Birth Weight - High Fertility - Fast Growth

60 bulls available including Grandsons of Beechwood Irish Eyes, Injemira Robert Redford and Colraine Tyson

Waimaire Irish Eyes 35

Hoobees Elysium 2311

Okawa Holyfield 220015

Pictured: 2025 Sale Bulls - av 530kg @ 14 months

Animal Health and Biosecurity are a priority at Willowhaugh. Sale Bulls are Semen Tested; BVD and TB Tested Negative. All stock including sale bulls are Vaccinated and Boosted with Bovilis BVD, Lepto 4 Way and Covexin 10.

Kate & Paula Jordan 0273059577

Viewings always welcome Phil Jackson 021 178 3053 hello@bluffherefords.co.nz

bluffherefords.co.nz

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

Breeder Directory Herepuru Station Herefords 57 years of breeding

ANNUAL ON FARM SALE

40 two-year-old bulls for sale

ANNUAL BULL SALE

8th September 2026 at 12pm on farm

Wednesday 23 Sept at 11.30am

Cnr Manawahe & Herepuru Rds, Manawahe, RD4, Whakatane

85 Yearling Bulls For Sale

LK0124916©

Enquiries & Inspection Welcome in the Bay of Islands:

John : 027 474 3185 | Phil : 027 426 3072 waitangiangus.co.nz

craigmore

Contact: Priscilla & Bill Paki: 07 322 2632 Shannon Paki: 027 449 9095 | Cheyne Richards: 027 948 5345 Email: herepurustation.ltd@outlook.com

LK0124909©

Bred for calving ease and quiet temperament. T.B and BVD clear and vaccinated. Enquiries and visitors welcome.

AllAll bulls are ready bulls are readytotoperform! perform!

polled herefords

We’ve done done the forfor you! We’ve thework work you! • Polled gene tested • Polled gene tested • BVD tested • BVD tested • Semen tested SPECIAL

FER

OF sed the y bull,purcha er ev For Craigmore has been breeding Hereford s bo ceive a nu On farm bull salebull plussale online at bidr buyer will re On farm plussale online sale at bidr s w cattle for over 50 years! Craigmore has been breeding Hereford cattle for over 50 years! ra st en m se package of 10 250 for use Sign upSign at www.bidr.co.nz up at www.bidr.co.nz 23 We have bulls that will suit beef and dairy farmers We have bulls that will suit beef and dairy farmers e or of Craigm Monday 14th September 2026, at 2023, 12.30pm Monday 11th September at 12.30pm in commercial and www.craigmoreherefords.co.nz www.craigmoreherefords.co.nz LuncheonLuncheon available available dairy herds. For further information inspection, please contact: For further information or or inspection, please contact: On A/C D.BOn & A/C S.E Henderson D.B & S.E Henderson Vendors: David 021 166 1389 and Daniel 027 753 6669 selling agents: Vendors: David 021 166 1389 and Daniel 027 753 6669 or or thethe selling agents: At the studAtproperty: Rukuhia RD 2, Ohaupo the stud429 property: 429Road, Rukuhia Road, RD 2, Ohaupo PGG Wrightson: Vaughn Larsen 4599, Cam Heggie 8182 PGG Wrightson: Vaughn Larsen 027027 801801 4599, Cam Heggie 027027 501501 8182 100+ registered well grownwell bulls 100+ registered grown bulls

YEARLING BULL SALE YEARLING BULL SALE

THURSDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2026 12 NOON ON-FARM & ONLINE

YEARLINGS LOVE YEARLINGS A MATERNAL MATCH MADE

It's proven. Early conceiving yearling heifers that calve easily and are quick to rebreed, establish long-lived productive cow herds.

50 YEARLING BULLS ~ FRIDAY - 2ND OCTOBER ~ ON-FARM - TUTIRA

NEW LOCATION 633 Waterworks Road, Rd 1, Morrinsville (Te Miro end) (opp. Te Miro woolshed wedding venue)

25 SPECKLE PARK & 15 MURRAY GREY BULLS WILL SELL! Derek Hayward ✆ 027 226 6686 *derek.premier@farmside.co.nz www.premiercattleco.co.nz

SCAN TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR THE LATEST SALE INFORMATION

Kelly Higgins ✆ 027 600 2374

All bulls are: All bulls are: • Performance recorded for 55 years • Performance recorded • Craigmore has genomic tested • Genomics tested to improve >200 cattle per year since 2018 accuracy of EBVs

Breeder Directory

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

HEREFORDS & ANGUS ANNUAL ON-FARM BULL SALE Thursday 3rd September 2026 @12.30pm

3rd generation Lindsay Johnstone

282 Trig Road North, Waihi 3681 and online with

SEPT

24 12pm

ENQUIRIES: GRAEME & RACHEL BROWN P: 021 037 2350 • E: maranui.stud@xtra.co.nz

YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE SCAN FOR MORE INFO WWW.RANUIANGUS.CO.NZ

Twin Oaks Tank

Maranui Fireball

28 Hereford & 15 Angus Performance & Pedigree Recorded Yearling Bulls

Koanui Lips T147

35LS

B UL

YEARLING BULL SALE

12pm, Friday 25 September

Maximise your heifer mating returns with Koanui genetics. Calving over 250 two-year heifers and 400 mixed aged cows means we have unmatched depth of high-performing yearling bulls. Our yearlings are ready to exceed expectations and get the job done.

CHARWELL POLLED HEREFORD STUD 26TH ANNUAL SPRING SALE Wednesday 9th September at 11.30am at 659 Matahi Road, Manawahe Near Lake Rotoma, SH 30

Representing 107 years of pure bred genetics We welcome clients, friends and visitors to our sale which will comprise 2-year old, 18-month old, and well-grown yearling bulls

These animals are from a CLOSED herd and have never left the property or been leased out.

For more information Contact Peter or Penny Davies - “Taharoto” 716 Matahi Road, RD 4, Whakatane 3194 Phone 027 244 9816 or email: peterpennydavies@gmail.com

LK0124959©

All TB & BVD clear & vaccinated

Phone: 027 4888 635 facebook.com/KoanuiPH info@koanuiherefords.co.nz

www.koanuiherefords.co.nz

Breeder Directory

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

ESTB. 1907

M AUNGAHINA STUD

YEARLING BULL SALE 2026

Spring Bull Sale Featuring progeny by $81,000

FRIdAY 18 SEptEmBER - 1pm 45 mAUNGAhINA RoAd, oFF CAStLEpoINt Rd, mAStErtoN – StREAmEd LIvE FoR oNLINE BIddERS ANd vIEwS

Kincardine Rainstorme Well proven calving-ease sire with 450 progeny recorded.

Fairlie, Canterbury

Commercial Beef & Dairy Beef Semen

FOR SALE

62nd Annual Hereford Bull Sale Wednesday 23 September 2026, 12noon rd

Black Baldy

ON FARM - LUNCHEON PROVIDED 660 Ngaroma Rd, 26km off SH3, Sth East of Te Awamutu.

√ Extra growth √ Calving ease √ Homo black √ Quiet temperament

Also available online on

50 TOP YEARLING BULLS & 62 2-YEAR OLD BULLS Full EBV details in catalogue. Bulls ideal for Beef & Dairy. Sound bulls with exceptional temperament. Selection of Short Gestation & Low Birth Weights. Free local delivery - OR - Grazing till 1st Nov Payment 20th October 2026

√ Calving ease √ Black with white face √ Quiet temperament √ Food efficient

25 hEREFoRd YEARLINGS 25 SpECkLE pARk YEARLINGS Follow us on Facebook FACEBOOK.COM/MAUNGAHINA

GetintouchwithBillorJosh toorder

MAUNGAHINA.CO.NZ

Bill Lott 027 685 8814 Josh Lott 027 200 0169 Sunnyvale Genetics

YEARLING BULL SALE FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2026

Come be part of our annual Bull Sale & enjoy a cuppa or beverage with some good old fashioned home baking

ALL WEATHER SALE BARN AT:

679 Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua

Viewing from 11am with Auction commencing at 1pm. Light luncheon provided

Viewings most welcome Contact Alister today

Ph 027 262 1052 “Rosehill’ 116 McLennans Bush Road RD 12, Rakaia 7782

LK0124772©

• Low birth weight • High growth rate • Naturally docile

CONTACTS: Kevin & Janette Davenport 027 245 4106 PGG Wrightson: Finn Kamphorst 027 493 4484 Cam Heggie 027 501 8182 ANGUS NZ REGISTERED TB STATUS - C10 LEPTO VACCINATED BVD TESTED AND VACCINATED FREEZE BRANDED FOR ID VET CHECKED FOR SOUNDNESS

2026 SPRING BULL AUCTIONS

FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST Waimaire & Otengi Hereford Bull Sale, Kaeo SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST Hoobees Hereford Bull Sale, Coroglen FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER Bluff Hereford Bull Sale, Glenbrook Matapouri Hereford Bull Sale, Whangarei MONDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER Kaingaroa Angus Bull Sale, Online via BIDR TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER K Flower Hereford Bull Sale, Dargaville WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER Riverina Jersey Bull Sale, Te Awamutu FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER Hairy Spot Hereford Bull Sale, Taranaki TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER Fowler Farms M/B Service Bulls, Taranaki FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER Waiokura Friesian Service Bull Sale, Taranaki MONDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER Riverlee Downs Hereford Bull Sale, Rangiwahia Hillcroft Angus & Hereford Bull Sale, Te Kauwhata TUESDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER Kaipara Hereford Bull Sale, Dargaville WEDNESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER Bushy Downs Hereford Bull Sale, Te Awamutu THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER Premier Cattle Co. Speckle Park & Murray Grey Bull Sale, Cambridge FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER Bexley Station Hereford, Speckle Park, & Angus Bull Sale, Awakino

www.carrfields.co.nz

KELVIN & CYNTHIA PORT M: 022 648 2417 E: kelvin@bushydowns.co.nz Web: www.bushydowns.co.nz

RIVERINA JERSEYS 3RD ANNUAL RECORDED JERSEY BULL SALE A/C Riverina Jerseys Ltd Warren, Louise, Jordan and Liam Berry Wednesday 9th September 2026, 12pm 873 Owairaka Valley Road, Te Awamutu or online via Looking for quality, well-grown, high-index yearling bulls this mating? Don’t miss this outstanding line-up of 52 fully recorded J16 Jersey bulls going to auction this September. Riverina Jerseys is a well-established stud delivering top-performing genetics nationwide. Their proven success includes Riverina Castro ET, ranked 1st on the Jersey RAS list in October 2025 and currently sitting 3rd, with a BW of 519 (19/06/26). Marketed through ST Genetics, his daughters are already making an impact across the country. Sale bulls average 329 BW (up to 421) and include a mix of mainstream, overseas, polled, and unproven sires, offering options to suit all breeding goals. Herd Averages: 227BW, 252PW, RA99% Scan the QR code to view the full sale catalogue ENQUIRIES CONTACT: Mike McKenzie – 027 674 1149 Luke Gilbert – 027 849 2112

LK0124974©

Black Hereford

Breeder Directory

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 10, 2026

MMM Charolais

Friday 28th August 2026 @12 noon - ON FARM Quiet High calving ease bulls with growth, carcase & fertility

Yearling Bulls

PHILIP SHEPHERD

ON-FARM BULL SALE TUESDAY 6TH OCTOBER 11AM

Otengi Polled Herefords M:021 526 009 E: philip@otengiherefords.co.nz

PAUL SHEPHERD

YEARLING & 2 YEAR BULLS FERNSIDE-CANTERBURY

LK0124921©

PRIVATE TREATY

Ph: Brian 027 349 5111

Waimaire Polled Herefords P: 09 405 0294 M:021 893 644 E: paul@waimairehereford.co.nz Sale at: 800 WAINUI RD, KAEO 0478

Red Poll on Facebook

Medium size and docile Fertile – Polled – Free calving High yielding tender carcass

TIMPERLEA ANGUS STUD

ANNUAL YEARLING BULL SALE

Thursday 1st October 2026 Sale Starts at 1pm

32 Purpose bred heifer mating bulls

viewing from 11am

DEAN & TERESA SHERSON 675 Taringamotu Road, RD 4,TAUMARUNUI 3994 p: 07 896 7211 m: 027 690 2033 e: blackridgeangus@outlook.com LK0124476©

Been in NZ since 1898 Proven as a pure breed Proven as dairy beef sires Premium beef at its best Breeders New Zealand wide www.redpollcattle.co.nz

Livestock Agent: Anthony Cox m 027 208 3071 Vendor: Marie FitzPatrick m 027 338 1658 1710 Carleton Road, Oxford 7495

Like and Find us on Facebook

NEW FOR 2026

RAM SALES SHOWCASE

E SECURAD YOURCE! SPA

RAM SALES SHOWCASE Publishing October 5th Advertising deadline Friday September 4th

To see an example of the Farmers Weekly Livestock Showcases visit farmersweekly.co.nz/bull-sales

To ensure that your marketing is reaching your target audience contact me today! Andrea Mansﬁeld National Livestock Manager, Farmers Weekly p. 027 602 4925 e. livestock@agrihq.co.nz

By investing in the Farmers Weekly Livestock Showcases you are leveraging a medium that fosters deep engagement, builds trust, and provides lasting visibility for your brand.

BVD TESTING JUST GOT EASIER

(and more cost-eﬀective too)

Cattle farmers now have access to a local BVD testing service which is cost effective and easier than going through their veterinarian. Performance Beef Breeders (PBB), New Zealand’s dedicated beef performance, registry and DNA testing management company, in partnership with Weatherbys Scientific, a world-renowned genomic laboratory, now offers in-country BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) screening as a convenient standalone test, using ear notch (TSU) samples farmers can collect themselves.

For seedstock breeders, BVD testing is also available as an add-on to Weatherbys’ genomic testing, providing valuable information from a single TSU sample to reduce animal handling. Early identiﬁcation of persistently infected (PI) animals strengthens herd biosecurity, protects productivity, and gives buyers greater conﬁdence.

Farmers can submit samples directly to PBB, removing the need to arrange their veterinarian, making it simple and economical to test purchased animals, replacement youngstock, or the existing herd.

Whether you're checking the herd, purchasing heifer mating bulls, or preparing bulls for sale, PBB makes BVD testing simple, practical, and accessible. To ﬁnd out how easy BVD testing can be, talk to the PBB team today.

2026 Spring Bull Sale Dates STUD NAME

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 10, 2026

LOCATION

REGION

SALE DATE

SALE TIME

J Swap Contractors

Richmond Downs

Waikato

September 10

Fowler Farms

Hurleyville

Taranaki

September 15

HJ & JK Megaw

Tikorangi

Taranaki

September 21

Argyle Angus

Kaikohe

Northland

August 25

12.00pm

Te Atarangi angus

Te Kōpuru

Northland

September 1

12.00pm

Kaingaroa Angus

Kaitaia

Northland

September 7

7.00pm bidr

Waitangi Angus

Bay of Islands

Northland

September 8

12.00pm

Matai Mara Angus

Cambridge

Waikato

September 2

12.00pm

Maranui Angus

Waihī

Waikato

September 3

12.30pm

Piquet Hill Farms

Wharepūhunga, Te Awamutu

Waikato

September 9

12.30pm

Hillcroft Angus

Ōhinewai

Waikato

September 21

11.30am

Twin Oaks Angus

Te Ākau

Waikato

September 24

1.00pm

Bexley Herefords, Speckle Park and Angus

Awakino Gorge

Waikato

September 25

12.00pm

Heather Dell Angus

Rotorua

Bay of Plenty

September 9

Private Treaty

Stokman Angus

Waikite Valley, Rotorua

Bay of Plenty

September 16

1.00pm

Black Bear Angus

Rotorua

Bay of Plenty

September 18

1.00pm

Turihaua Angus

Gisborne

September 22

Kiwikawa Angus

Pukehamoamoa

Hawke's Bay

Rissington Cattle Company

Rissington

Hawke's Bay

September 17

1.30pm

Hallmark Angus

Tūtira

Hawke's Bay

October 2

12.00pm

Hollowtop Angus

Havelock North

Hawke's Bay

October 13

12.00pm

Hingaia Angus

Te Awamutu

King Country

September 23

Private Treaty

Puke-Nui Angus

Taumarunui

King Country

September 23

12.00pm

Rotowai Angus

Te Kūiti

King Country

September 28

TBC

Black Ridge Angus

Taumarunui

King Country

October 6

11.00am

Pennylane Hereford Stud

Midhurst

Taranaki

September 3

12.00pm

Mangaotea Farm

Tariki

Taranaki

September 17

12.00pm

Taranui Angus

Urutī

Taranaki

September 18

1.00pm

Blue Duck Angus

Pongaroa

Manawatū-Whanganui

September 7

Totaranui Angus

Pahiatua

Manawatū-Whanganui

September 15

12.00pm

Ranui Angus

Kai Iwi

Manawatū-Whanganui

September 24

12.00pm

Glanworth Angus

Pahiatua

Manawatū-Whanganui

October 1

12.00pm

Komako Angus

Ashhurst

Manawatū-Whanganui

October 2

2.00pm

KayJay Angus

Masterton

Wairarapa

September 10

2.00pm

McFadzean Cattle Company

Carterton

Wairarapa

September 11

1.00pm

Leefield Station

Waihōpai Valley

Marlborough

Kahurangi Angus

Murchison

Tasman - West Coast

October

Private Treaty

Johalz Angus

Dunsandel

Canterbury

September 10

12.00pm

Glen R Angus

Sheffield

Canterbury

September 30

1.30pm

Timperlea Angus

Oxford

Canterbury

October 1

1.00pm

Meadowslea Angus & Sheep Genetics

Fairlie

Canterbury

October 2

1.00pm

Vermont Angus

Alford Forest

Canterbury

October 6

1.00pm

Stern Angus

Tōtara Valley

Canterbury

October 7

1.00pm

Sudeley Angus

Irwell

Canterbury

October 8

1.00pm

Woodbank Angus

Clarence Bridge

Canterbury

October 13

2.00pm

Te Mania Angus

Conway Flat

Canterbury

October 14

1.00pm

Kakahu Angus

Geraldine

Canterbury

October 15

The Sisters

Cheviot

Canterbury

October 15

7.00pm

Kane Farms

Tapanui

Otago

October 8

12.00pm

Kowai Angus

Wendon Valley

Southland

September 29

Private Treaty

Benatrade Angus

Taramoa

Southland

October 6

1.30pm

Rockley Angus

Balfour

Southland

October 9

1.00pm

Mount Linton Angus

Ohai

Southland

October 16

1.00pm

Fairlie

Canterbury

Semen Sales

ALL BREEDS 11.00am

ANGUS

1.00pm Private Treaty

Private Treaty

BLACK HEREFORD Sunnyvale Genetics CHAROLAIS Longhill Farms Charolais

Kawakawa

Northland

Private Treaty

Tawa Ridge Charolais

Te Puke

Bay of Plenty - Waikato

Private Treaty

Topaki Charolais

Kererū

Hawke's Bay

Private Treaty

Rockland Charolais Taranaki

New Plymouth

Taranaki

September 15

Rosemount Charolais

Hāwera

Taranaki

September 29

Willowhaugh Charolais

Blenheim

Marlborough

Silverstream Charolais.Herefords

Christchurch

Canterbury

Hemingford Charolais.Romtex.Suftex.Texel

Culverden

Canterbury

Private Treaty

MMM Charolais

Fernside

Canterbury

Private Treaty

Nevana Charolais

Ashburton

Canterbury

Private Treaty

Rissington Cattle Company

Rissington

Hawke's Bay

Sunnyvale Genetics

Fairlie

Canterbury

Private Treaty October 8

3.30pm

COMPOSITE September 17

1.30pm Semen Sales

2026 Spring Bull Sale Dates

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 10, 2026

STUD NAME

LOCATION

REGION

SALE DATE

SALE TIME

Hāwera

Taranaki

September 18

11.30am

FRIESIAN Waiokura Holsteins Friesian Service Bull Sale HEREFORD Waimaire & Otengi Polled Herefords

Kāeo

Northland

August 28

12.00pm

Matapouri Polled Herefords

Hikurangi

Northland

September 4

12.30pm

K Flower Herefords

Dargaville

Northland

September 8

12.30pm

Kaipara Herefords

Pouto

Northland

September 22

12.00pm

Bluff Hereford Stud

Glenbrook

Auckland

September 4

1.00pm

Hoobees Herefords

Coroglen

Waikato

August 29

1.00pm

Willowspring Hereford Stud

Ōtorohanga

Waikato

September 1

Private Treaty

Maranui Hereford Stud

Waihī

Waikato

September 3

12.30pm

Arabica Herefords, Colraine Hereford Stud, Kanuka Polled Herefords

Ōhaupō

Waikato

September 8

Kairaumati Polled Hereford

Turua

Waikato

September 10

Mahuta Hereford Stud

Glen Murray

Waikato

September 11

Craigmore Polled Herefords

Ōhaupō

Waikato

September 14

12.30pm

Valda Rose Herefords

Matamata

Waikato

September 15

12.00pm

Bushy Downs Hereford Stud

Te Awamutu

Waikato

September 23

12.00pm

Bexley Herefords, Speckle Park and Angus

Awakino Gorge

Waikato

September 25

12.00pm

Charwell Polled Hereford Stud

Manawahē

Bay of Plenty

September 9

11.30am

Red Hill Hereford Stud

Ōhope

Bay of Plenty

September 11 September 23

Herepuru Station Herefords

Whakatāne

Bay of Plenty

Hoko Herefords

Rotorua

Bay of Plenty

Koanui Polled Herefords

Havelock North

Hawke's Bay

September 25

Waiohine Hereford

Havelock North

Hawke's Bay

October 13

12.30pm

11.30am Private Treaty 12.00pm

Pennylane Hereford Stud

Midhurst

Taranaki

September 3

12.00pm

Hairy Spot Herefords

Taranaki

September 11

12.00pm

Horizon Hereford Stud

New Plymouth

Taranaki

Shadow Downs Polled Hereford Stud

Waverley

Taranaki

September 16

Private Treaty

Mangaotea Farm

Tariki

Taranaki

September 17

12.00pm

Riverton Herefords Ezicalve

Fordell

Manawatū-Whanganui

September 17

12.00pm

Riverlee Hereford and Angus

Kimbolton

Manawatū-Whanganui

September 21

11.00am

Morrison Farming Ezicalve

Marton

Manawatū-Whanganui

September 22

12.00pm

Maungahina Stud

Masterton

Wairarapa

September 18

1.00pm

Te Taumata Poll Herefords

Masterton

Wairarapa

Bluestone Hereford Stud

Cave

Canterbury

September 30

Orari Gorge Herefords

Geraldine

Canterbury

October 12

Matariki Herefords

Clarence Bridge

Canterbury

October 13

Kane Farms

Tapanui

Otago

October 8

Pyramid Downs Polled Herefords

Gore

Southland

October 14

Riverina Jersey Bull Sale

Te Awamutu

Waikato

September 9

12.00pm

Pennylane Hereford Stud

Midhurst

Taranaki

September 3

12.00pm

Mangaotea Farm

Tariki

Taranaki

September 17

12.00pm

Private Treaty

12.00pm

JERSEY

LIMOUSIN Limax

Dargaville

Northland

Private Treaty

Saidia

Kaikohe

Northland

Private Treaty

Grayleen Limousins

Patumāhoe

Auckland

Private Treaty

Kivlean Limousins

Pukemoremore

Waikato

Private Treaty

PROFIT STARTS HERE • • • •

Calving ease Short gestation Registered bulls, backed by certification Powerful growth rates

Registered Hereford bulls, backed by generations of recording and genomics because profit starts with the right bull.

Start here. Visit www.herefords.co.nz to purchase a registered Hereford bull.

2026 Spring Bull Sale Dates

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 10, 2026

STUD NAME

LOCATION

REGION

SALE DATE

SALE TIME

Twin Ridge Ben More Limousin Piwakawaka Limousin Braebrook Limousins Fernhill Limousins Stud Loch Head Limousins MURRAY GREY Premier Cattle Company Paradise Valley Murray Greys Stonybrook Waimak Murray Greys Torrisdale Murray Grey Stud Silver Fern Murray Greys RED POLL Athbey Farm Whiskey Creek SHORTHORN Carnegie Shorthorns Browns Shorthorns Kilmanagh Shorthorns Roscliff Stoneford Shorthorns Raupuha Shorthorns Hiwiroa Shorthorns Bullock Creek Shorthorns Mangaotuku Shorthorns Mill Valley Shorthorns & Wiltshires Mount Ronga Carriganes Cattle Glenbrook Station Shorthorns Te Kohanui Shorthorns Turiwhate Shorthorn Stud Glendhu Shorthorns Westwood Shorthorns SIMMENTAL Blackbridge Simmentals Cornwall Park Simmentals Gilead Simmentals Stud Highpeak Simmentals Brookland and Hillview Simmentals McFazdzean Cattle Company SOUTH DEVON Manuiti South Devon Rosehill South Devons SPECKLE PARK Matakana Speckle Park Premier Cattle Company Bexley Herefords, Speckle Park and Angus Maungahina Hereford Stud Blue Sky Speckle Park

Te Awamutu Malvern Hills Malvern Hills Kaiwera Tūātapere Park Hill

Waikato Canterbury Canterbury Southland Southland Southland

Cambridge Ōtorohanga Leeston Kaiapoi Ōreti Tūātapere

Waikato King Country Canterbury Canterbury Southland Southland

Woodville Palmerston North

Manawatū-Whanganui Manawatū-Whanganui

Private Treaty Private Treaty

Waiuku Ōhinewai Te Awamutu Te Awamutu Matamata Māhoenui Waipukurau Waitara Stratford Stratford Rai Valley Dunsandel Omarama Darfield Kūmara Tapanui Tūātapere

Auckland Waikato Waikato Waikato Waikato King Country Hawke's Bay Taranaki Taranaki Taranaki Marlborough Canterbury Canterbury Canterbury West Coast Otago Southland

Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty

Kaikohe Saleyards One Tree Hill, Auckland Cambridge Urutī Dannevirke Carterton

Northland Auckland Waikato Taranaki Manawatū-Whanganui Wairarapa

Mangaweka Rakaia

Manawatu-Whanganui Canterbury

Matakana Cambridge Awakino Gorge Masterton Nelson

Auckland Waikato Waikato Wairarapa Nelson

Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty September 24

12.00pm Private Treaty Private Treaty Private Treaty

October 7 October 12

October 7 September 2 September 18 September 11

11.30am 12.00pm Private Treaty 1.00pm Private Treaty 1.00pm Private Treaty Private Treaty

September 24 September 25 September 18

Private Treaty 12.00pm 12.00pm 1.00pm Private Treaty

Sale details are subject to change. Please contact the stud or your livestock agent for up to date sale information.

CREATE VALUE TO PURCHASE THE BULLS YOUR FARM DESERVES THIS SPRING? FOR FARMERS INTERESTED IN USING ONESTOCK

BUY NOW & PAY LATER FOR NO UP-FRONT COSTS WITH

ONESTOCK FINANCE ALL TRADING, BUYING, & SELLING OF LIVESTOCK ALL FINISHING & BREEDING OF LIVESTOCK

CONTACT:

James McRae North Island 027 202 3922

Hannah Ward South Island 027 205 4050

WE CREATE VALUE FOR FARMERS CARRFIELDSLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ

FARMING TOURS 2027 Join like-minded travellers and discover the world’s great farming regions, new cultures and unforgettable experiences.

CHOOSE YOUR 2027 ADVENTURE

SOUTH AMERICA

JAPAN

CANADA & ALASKA

AUSTRALIA

June/July 2027 Best of England, Wales & Scotland plus Ireland extension. Includes Royal Highland Show.

May 2027 Chile, Argentina & Brazil. Farming, food and wine with Latin flair and charm!

May/June 2027 Unique farming and food culture, ancient traditions and vibrant modern life.

EUROPE

SOUTHERN AFRICA

UNITED STATES

May/June/July 2027 Delightful options in Europe! France, Switzerland & Italy Norway, Denmark & Sweden.

May/June 2027 Incredible wildlife, scenery and diverse farming. Victoria Falls & Hwange Safari options.

June/July 2027 Best of the West and the exciting Calgary Stampede! Alaska Cruise options.

June/July 2027 Best of the West & Midwest. Experience the amazing diversity and scale for yourself!

June/Sept/Nov 2027 Northern Territory (June) Western Australia (Sept) Tasmania (November)

Global Tours for Farmers Around the country, around the globe. Scan to learn more

0800 38 38 747

www.farmtofarm.co.nz

BOOK NOW for 2027!

LK0124938©

UK & IRELAND