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Vol 23 No 21 | June 2, 2025

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4 Dare to disrupt, KPMG urges industry Vol 23 No 21 | June 2, 2025

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Fonterra sets record with milk forecast Gerald Piddock

NEWS

Dairy

T’S all tens for Fonterra after it announced a $10/kg milk solids forecast for the new dairy season and $10/kg MS for the 2024-2025 season. The opening forecast for the 2025-2026 season is driven by stable near-term market demand and sits within a wide forecast range of $8.00-$11/kg MS. Fonterra left its forecast for the current season unchanged at $9.70-$10.30/kg MS with a midpoint of $10/kg MS. CEO Miles Hurrell said it was a record opening forecast with $10/kg MS viewed as the price the co-operative is basing its advanced rates off rather than a midpoint. “We don’t have a symmetrical spread on the range this year. We have $11/kg MS at the top end and $8/kg MS at the bottom, which signals there’s probably more downside risk than upside on that $10 – just because of some of the geo-political issues we are seeing. “It’s not a midpoint but we do still feel confident with $10/kg MS.” For the current season, the $10/kg MS milk price equated to around $15 billion into the New Zealand economy. The majority of this flows into regional New Zealand where it plays a strong role helping to

sustain local communities, Hurrell said. Demand for dairy is still outstripping supply and the global surge in milk production that historically has followed high dairy prices has yet to occur. “We are not seeing that supply turn on. The environmental pressures in the northern hemisphere – Europe in particular – we are not seeing the milk supply out of Europe as we may have seen historically.” Producers can no longer simply turn on supply like they could have in the past because of the environmental constraints they are under. Any milk supply growth in the United States market is being consumed domestically and herd numbers are still recovering from the effects of bird flu, he said. “Both of those things we don’t see changing in the near term. Hence the reason we feel confident in that $10 opening [forecast].” The downside risk is the geopolitical environment, he said. “They are the things we need to watch.” All three of Fonterra’s business channels – ingredients, consumer and foodservice – are performing above expectation, he said. There has been some reemergence in the Chinese market although it is not quite at demand Continued page 3

There’s sheep in them thar hills Sam Jamieson and Gary, from Mackenzie, prepare for their run in the NZ zig-zag championship at the NZ Sheep Dog Trials Championships hosted by Lochiel Station, North Canterbury, last week. Three hundred competitors from across the country took part in 1050 runs over the four courses, including both Huntaway and Heading dogs, with 4500 sheep used over the week-long championships. Photo: Gavin Martin Photography

Doc O’Duffy honoured as rural health champ A visit to the small rural town of Methven while on her honeymoon in New Zealand in 1977 led to a lifetime of rural community health care for Dr Gayle O’Duffy.

PEOPLE 15 Tariffs on NZ lamb not a trade priority for Trump.

Collaboration key to unlocking export opportunities.

Psychometric testing improves on-farm interactions.

NEWS 3

NEWS 5

OPINION 21

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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

Craig Page | 03 470 2469 Deputy Editor craig.page@agrihq.co.nz

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

Claire Robertson Sub-Editor claire.robertson@agrihq.co.nz

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

Neal Wallace | 03 474 9240 Journalist neal.wallace@agrihq.co.nz

Palak Arora | 027 474 6095 Lower North Island Partnership Manager palak.arora@agrihq.co.nz

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

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

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

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

Hugh Stringleman | 027 474 4003 Journalist hugh.stringleman@agrihq.co.nz

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

Richard Rennie | 027 475 4256 Journalist richard.rennie@agrihq.co.nz

Real Estate | 0800 85 25 80 realestate@agrihq.co.nz

Contents News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21 Sector Focus . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Federated Farmers . 24-27 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 28-29 Marketplace . . . . . . . 30-31 Livestock . . . . . . . . . . 31-33 Markets . . . . . . . . . . . 34-37 Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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

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

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Dog health The first genetic study of working farm dogs in New Zealand has uncovered five significant inherited health conditions across the selected Huntaway and Heading dog populations. The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs. It has pinpointed 27 variants present in New Zealand’s farm dogs – five of which could lead to serious health issues.

Wilding pines

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SUBSCRIPTIONS & DELIVERY

Forecast meat prices for winter indicate a continuation of elevated values. Silver Fern Farms’ forecasts from late May through until August for bull is $7.20-$7.80/ kg, cow $5.20-$6.60, lamb $8.40-$9.50, mutton $4.20-$4.70, and venison (frozen) $9.30-$9.65. According to AgriHQ market prices for the same period last year, those forecast beef prices are about $1.50 to $2/ kg higher, for lamb about $2 higher, mutton about $1.50/kg better and frozen venison about $1/kg above last year.

Growing Future Farmers is on the lookout for students and trainers as it hosts awareness open days across the country. The upcoming GFF open days will be held in the South Island at Mosgiel on June 4; Waikato and upper North Island at Te Kuiti on June 23; and lower and central North Island at Dannevirke, June 26. An online information session is on July 10 at 7pm.

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PRODUCTION

Meat prices up

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Nigel Stirling | 021 136 5570 Journalist nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com

News in brief

SWAMPY: Nuffield scholar Jenna Smith says peat has often been overdrained in NZ, with the expectation it will somehow become a higher quality soil as a result. STORY P19

The government has announced a 20% increase in funding to combat the spread of wilding pines, lifting total funding to $12 million. More than 2 million hectares are affected by wilding infestations, with untreated areas expanding by an estimated 5% each year. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said wilding pines threaten farmland, water catchments and native biodiversity, and increase the risk of wildfires.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Lamb tariffs slip down the agenda in US beef and the impacts on cropping farmers. “The same goes with countries ... They are negotiating with the larger ones first.

Nigel Stirling

MARKETS

Sheep and beef

HE small size of the sheep industry in the United States means calls for higher tariffs on Australian and New Zealand lamb imports are not among President Donald Trump’s most pressing trade priorities. That’s according to Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland, following meetings in Washington DC. “What was clear is that the sheep industry [in the US] is really small and [the US government] is prioritising the issues that impact sectors like beef and cotton and soy,” Acland said. Earlier this year the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), which touts itself as representing the US’s 100,000 sheep farmers, said it planned to flag with Trump a “staggering” 38% surge in Australian and NZ lamb exports to the US last year. More recently the lobby applauded the 10% tariff on NZ and Australian lamb resulting from Trump’s Liberation Day tariff announcements as a “good first step” to curb imports. It said it would monitor their Continued from page 1 levels seen previously for core products. “But there’s still strong demand for foodservice in particular in China and we’re seeing more growth from that market from a volume perspective.” The US market is also performing well, and that economy is in good shape despite the uncertainty created by US President Donald Trump’s tariff war, he said. While it is difficult to put a number on it, the grass-fed, low carbon footprint of New Zealand dairy has also influenced the strong milk price. “There are customers now that

We are not dumping large volumes of stock in there or undercutting them. Kate Acland Beef + Lamb NZ

via fortnightly meetings of the Global Sheep Producers Forum. They had worked together on the Next Generation Sheep Farmer Programme, an information exchange between young farmers in the United Kingdom, US, Canada, Australia and NZ, and a priority for the US sheep industry. “Things are difficult at the moment but it is about building those long-term relationships.” Acland said she reiterated the complementary role of NZ red meat imports. “On lamb it is about telling the story of helping keep it on the shelves and consumers’ tables all year round and growing that consumption so that Americans eat more than two lamb meals a year. “Those other groups really see the value of NZ imports,” she said. One big exporter told Farmers Weekly the “heat had come out” of the US sheep farmer groups’ rhetoric since Trump’s April tariff announcements. “But who knows where they are going to be in a week’s time, let alone three months. “I wouldn’t say the risk has gone away,” the exporter said.

impact but continue to gather information for a possible formal request for even higher tariffs. Previously the ASI suggested tariffs of 21% on imports, for US producers just to maintain their current market share. On her trip Acland met representatives of the meat packing and export industries, the National

Beef Cattlemen’s Association, and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. She said they were more concerned with large trading partners responding to Trump’s tariffs with trade barriers of their own than they were with Australian and NZ sheep farmers. “They are really worried about

“It is a prioritisation thing.” Acland said she emphasised the NZ lamb industry’s record as a “consistent trading partner”. “NZ sheep numbers have declined at the same rate as US sheep numbers over the time they are quoting and we also know that NZ has consistently been about 22% of American sheep imports. “We are not dumping large volumes of stock in there or undercutting them. “It is a really high value market for us and we would love the opportunity to work with the US sheep industry to grow that market.” Acland had not met the ASI but said Beef + Lamb had regular contact with US lamb producers

are specifically paying for our carbon efficiency and we’re paying farmers back for that.” Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair and Fonterra supplier Matthew Zonderop called the forecast “bloody marvellous”. While many will use the high income to focus on debt reduction, he said, he would not be surprised if some used the extra income to take advantage of the government’s new 20% tax deduction announced in the Budget. “There could be a strong Fieldays for tractors and machinery. We’re getting a good incentive now to replace some of that machinery instead of battling with some of the old stuff.”

The new advanced payment rates also pleased him, with the July retro payment lifting from $8.50 to $9 and the retro payments through spring staying high at a time when farmers allocate much of their expenditure for the season. “It improves everybody’s cashflow across the whole agricultural economy, which as we know flows into town.” It is also a good silver lining after many North Island farmers endured a tough, drought-stricken summer. “We’ve got grass in front of us, the cows are in good condition, we’re going to hit the ground running.”

GOOD NEWS: Fonterra’s record $10/kg MS opening milk price forecast for the new 2025-2026 season comes as great news for many farmers after a tough drought-stricken summer, says Matthew Zonderop.

ISSUES: Kate Acland says US meat representatives are more concerned with large trading partners responding to Donald Trump’s tariffs with trade barriers of their own than they are with Australian and NZ sheep farmers.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

News

Dare to disrupt, KPMG urges industry flu and fruit fly incursions that occurred over the past year. Yet the year contained biosecurity successes also, like the progress made with tuberculosis and Mycoplasma bovis. Current plant importation rules and waiting times are incentivising frustrated importers to look to smuggle in plant matter, one industry leader warned. People and workforce issues dominate the top 10 priorities, including immigration settings and career opportunities. The Agenda highlights the urgent need to attract, retain, and support talent across the value chain, from on-farm roles to hitech innovation, with a key focus on ensuring that we retain a fit for purpose on-the-job training system. The disruption in global markets has underscored the need for high quality trade agreements and resilient, diversified supply chains. Leaders say that innovation is essential but adoption is patchy. They cite poor data quality, integration challenges of technologies into farming systems,

Hugh Stringleman

NEWS

Agriculture

RIMARY sector and farming leaders need to be brave and act by turning talk into tasks, the 16th annual KPMG Agribusiness Agenda says. Lead author Ian Proudfoot said this year’s Agenda is designed to be provocative in getting the sector to imagine what its potential could be. “We are asking leaders to be brave, to be curious, and to act. “The challenges we face are complex, but complex challenges unlock significant opportunities. “If we lean in together, we can shape a future that’s not just resilient but thriving.” In past Agendas the emphasis has been on trials facing the sector, but this year KPMG challenged contributors to think about opportunities that come with disruption. “The world has served up unprecedented complexity over the last year,” he said.

THREAT: Biosecurity remains the top concern of all respondents, with avian flu and fruit fly incursions over the past year. “It has got to the point where anything that has previously been assumed in relation to customers, markets, and technology needs to be constantly monitored and challenged as change accelerates.” The results of the annual survey of nearly 200 industry leaders

were released at the E Tipu Food and Fibre Summit in Palmerston North, two weeks ahead of the usual National Fieldays release. Biosecurity remains the top concern of all respondents, as it has been for the 15 previous surveys, considering the avian

Fonterra churns out impressive FY25 third quarter numbers Hugh Stringleman

NEWS

Fonterra FONTERRA has declared earnings and profits for the third quarter of the 2025 financial year that are 1113% higher than this time last year and foreshadow record year-end payouts to farmers and investors. FY2025 Q3 profit after tax was 11% higher than FY2024 and Fonterra is forecasting full-year earnings in a narrowed band of 6575c a share. Normalised net profit, excluding costs in the divestment process, was $1158 million, up $119m on

the same time last year. Earnings per share for Q3 were 70c, up 13% from FY2024 and assume flat earnings in Q4 due to the seasonality of milk collections. Fonterra’s balance date is July 31. Operating profit in the ingredients division was up 34% to $1017m, due to higher margins in New Zealand and Australia. Foodservice operating profit was up 52% and consumer operating profit was up 29%. Year-to-date sales volumes have increased by 9% in foodservice and 6% in consumer products, now the intended divestment businesses grouped under Mainland.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said the financial results show Fonterra is an impressive global business-to-business dairy player powered by NZ milk and operations. “After divestment we will still be a co-operative with global reach and scale and customers in more than 100 countries. “By focusing on our core strengths and sales channels that deliver the highest returns, we have the confidence to target average return on capital of 1012%, above our five-year average.” The rolling 12-months return on capital is currently 11%, well

POWER: Chief executive Miles Hurrell says the financial results show Fonterra is an impressive global businessto-business dairy player powered by NZ milk and operations.

within the long-term target range. Current capital employed is $12.4 billion. Sales revenue in the nine months to April 30 was $19.7bn, 16% higher than last year. The dividend policy is 60-80%

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and unclear returns on investment as key barriers. The Agenda calls for a national food and fibre data exchange to unlock value and accelerate innovation. Climate concerns have risen up the list of priorities, having slipped down in recent years. “There is a clear message that now is not the time to pull back on our climate commitments as they are important to our most important customers around the world,” KPMG said. Food security is rising as a concern but still under-prioritised. The Agenda urges the sector to take a more proactive stance, particularly in light of climate disruption, geopolitical instability, and shifting consumer demands, recognising that a food-resilient Aotearoa New Zealand is not only the right thing to strive for but can become an attribute for our products in global markets. Māori agribusiness opportunities abound to unlock innovation, resilience and long-term value creation, by using underdeveloped land.

Drench wise. Farm smart

of net profit, which indicates a full-year dividend range of 42-56c, including the 22c interim paid in April. In FY24 Fonterra paid a dividend of 55c from earnings of 70c a share, which was a payout of 78%.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Collaboration key to meeting challenges Neal Wallace

MARKETS

Export

ORE collaboration among companies would unlock opportunities for New Zealand’s export sectors to confront looming and existing challenges. That is a key message from E Tipu: The NZ Future Food and Fibre summit in Palmerston North, where the other key challenge identified was the need to innovate rapidly. Speakers talked about how increasingly complex market requirements are beyond most individual companies, but achievable if they collaborate. Nuffield scholar Lucie Douma reminded the 280 attendees that NZ feeds only 40 million people and noted an earlier comment made at the conference that if we stopped producing meat and dairy, the world would not notice. We need to innovate to

INNOVATING: Fonterra’s chief innovation and brand manager, Komal MistryMehta. Photo: Ben Pryor Photography

add value and meet customer requirements. Hamish Renton, the chief executive of strategic and market insights company HRA Global, said NZ exporters appeared to be coasting. NZ has an enviable reputation for the quality of its food and being sustainable, but there are challenges in ensuring products meet these clean and green claims, secure brand recognition, tell our story and a bridge fragmented strategies. The cocoa industry and various food producers in Italy, Canada and Ecuador are collaborating in what Renton called the precompetitive space. He said NZ red meat companies are generally positioning themselves on price rather than brand, yet there is an opportunity beyond grass-fed and clean and green claims – but strategies are fragmented and businesses siloed. NZ dairy has opted for a “winning at scale” strategy with the focus on bulk products

meaning ground is lost on differentiation and innovation. Similarly, the NZ wine industry has an over reliance on sauvignon blanc. Renton said there was opportunity for collaboration but that means breaking down siloes to create a unified strategy and leverage cross-industry innovation. He said there would be opportunities to diversify products beyond commodities to premium, high-value consumer goods. It would also enable investment in sustainable farming systems and highlight innovation, craftsmanship and quality differentiation while also leveraging country-of-origin marketing strategies. Fonterra’s chief innovation and brand manager, Komal MistryMehta, said the world faces significant challenges and for the co-operative it is a matter of deciding which one to pursue. That process requires a laser focus on where it needs to play, how it plays to win and to use

its power to leverage industry ecosystems. It also needs a deep understanding of customers and an insight into where technology is headed. Nutrition is already an issue and will only increase as the world’s population heads towards 10 billion by 2050, both from malnutrition and obesity. Fonterra has chosen three areas of research and innovation. The first target is to find the next generation of dairy solutions, in a similar vein to previous developments such as spreadable butter and whey protein.

Export is a secondary consideration for them, but in NZ, “it’s the heart of our beating lives”. “We have to be successful in export markets, and it’s a huge advantage. But a lot of the advantages that we’ve been talking about are rapidly closing.” Getting out into the world and understanding markets firsthand is vital, as the consumer experience here is vastly different to that in those markets. “Our supermarket experiences in New Zealand are some of the worst in the world, in my experience, for quality and consistency.

“So if you want to get an idea of what consumers are experiencing, don’t go into a New Zealand supermarket.” Successful brand building is achievable only if a few key boxes are ticked. Having a good story to tell in terms of taste, wellbeing and quality is important, but so too is ensuring constant supply and quality control. Beard said this might mean producing our food in other parts of the world and gaining value through selling intellectual property rather than from the actual product itself.

“We don’t have to develop and grow everything here. What we can do is develop IP and sell IP. We can grow it in the world and capture value from the world.” This will become even more important as transport and supply chains came under more scrutiny. One area where NZ struggles is in attracting investment, which Beard said is also vital to building a brand. “If you don’t have enough financial support and a strong enough business case to actually put money behind it, don’t do it until you have.”

Mistry-Mehta said the population is also aging, and by 2050, 25% of the world population will be aged over 60, which requires new ways of delivering nutrition, making aging and wellbeing another target. Its third target is value chain transformation. Mistry-Mehta said Fonterra is collaborating with overseas dairy companies and related companies such as BioLumic. UHT cream was developed with the assistance of the government, industry and Fonterra.

See page 8, 9

When the world is your main market Bryan Gibson

MARKETS

Exports

NEW Zealand can and should lead the world in market insights, given its massive focus on food exports. Forward Insight and Strategy founder Louise Beard told E Tipu: The New Zealand Food and Fibre Forum that NZ is unique because so much of the food produced is exported. “A lot of [other food producing nations] will always serve the local market first,” she said. Australia, for instance, has a hugely different mindset.

This week’s poll question:

Do you think we have a good understanding of what our customers and consumers want from NZ food products? Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll

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Proﬁtability is an increasing concern for arable farmers and that’s why it’s the theme of the Foundation for Arable Research’s 2025 Conference, “Show me the money”. The conference, which is being held at Lincoln University, will run from 8.30am on 30 June to 3.00pm on 1 July. It will comprise four sessions and a conference dinner.

Meet the speakers

Olly “Blogs” Harrison UK arable farmer and entrepreneur Olly Harrison left school at 16 having struggled with dyslexia. Since then, he has grown his farm from 70 hectares to 600 hectares. His farming business has 14 different income streams including dog walking fields, chipping wood for biomass, sunflower mazes, office and holiday rentals. He’s always seeking new ways to commercially exploit his land and assets. He promised himself that by the age of 40 he’d own a brand new combine harvester, and having achieved that he then decided to drive his Claas Lexion combine from John O’Groats to Land’s End, all in the name of charity!

Guests and keynote speakers include UK arable farmer Olly “Blogs” Harrison, Professor Nicola Randall (Harper Adams University), James Venning from Barunga Grains in South Australia and, of course, New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, arable’s very own Hamish Marr. The conference dinner will also double as a farewell to CEO Alison Stewart, who steps down at the end of June.

You may have come across Olly on his popular YouTube channel @OllyBlogsAgricontractfarmer. The daily videos, which he started in lockdown, provide a glimpse into the real-world challenges and triumphs of farming, marked by a touch of humour and diversiﬁcation tales to fund his machinery and tractor addiction!

Day One Monday 30 June Session 1 Reducing costs Session 2 Increasing yield/productivity Conference Dinner

The Centre for Evidence Based Agriculture is a reviewing, training and co-ordinating hub for the collation and synthesis of agri-food evidence, and part of the UK Collaboration for Environmental Evidence Centre.

Day Two Session 3 Session 4

Tuesday 1 July Diversiﬁcation and investment Future tools and technologies

Olly will be outlining his farming journey via video. Professor Nicola Randall Professor Nicola Randall is the founding director of the Centre for Evidence Based Agriculture at Harper Adams University in England. Her main research interests relate to agricultural ecology and sustainable food production and the use of scientiﬁc evidence/evidence synthesis in order to support and underpin policy and management decision making.

Professor Randall will appear via video to discuss the evidence around the impacts of regenerative farming interventions. James Venning James Venning is a grain grower from the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Farming over varying soil types, he uses a wide range of technologies to aid in decision making and to micromanage areas in his cropping programme focussing on productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness. In 2022, he was a finalist in the Australian Young Farmer of the Year award and also received the award for Excellence in Technology. As well as the day to day running of Barunga Grains, James chairs his local grower group Northern Sustainable Soils, is a board member of the Hart Field Site Group and is a grower director of Grain Producers South Australia.

Exploring ways to remain proﬁtable

It is widely recognised that arable crop production in New Zealand is more expensive than many overseas countries because of higher land and labour prices and greater input costs.

Over the years, New Zealand arable growers have been able to stay competitive because of the much higher yields obtained, for example an average of 12 t/ha for milling wheat compared to 4 t/ha elsewhere. Unfortunately, there comes a time when further yield optimisation is either no longer possible or no longer acceptable under resource use limits. Arable growers are now facing this situation. Recent arable farm ﬁnancial performance survey results have shown that increasing costs of production

and ﬂat contract prices are negatively impacting the proﬁt margins of many growers.

How can growers remain profitable in this economic climate and where is the extra money going to come from? FAR cannot influence global commodity markets or New Zealand’s trade policies or commercial contract prices but we can conduct research that supports optimum resource use and we can explore new crop opportunities and diversification options. Examples of ways to save money and/or make money will be presented and used to set the scene for the wider conference themes. Alison Stewart, FAR Chief Executive

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Big boys beef up early sale averages Hugh Stringleman

MARKETS

Livestock

ULL sales in Northland have started well with a full clearance of 49 and a higher average of $10,920 for Waitangi Angus and the Bayly family in Bay of Islands. There were three stud transfers and a top price of $18,000 paid for Lot 28, Waitangi U271 by Geoff Tucker, Glen Murray. Vendor John Bayly said the sale was excellent and the average $4500 higher than last year. Lot 24 sold for $17,000 to Kakahu Angus, Geraldine. Other sales in the second week of the two-year-old bull auction season also achieved average prices well ahead of last year. Limehills Polled Herefords, Roxburgh, had a top price of $24,000 for Limehills Supreme 230080, sold to Beaumont Station. The Limehills average was $10,300 for a full clearance of 49 bulls, about $3000 more than last year. Pannett said the extra demand this year was evident in the gallery of buyers right through the catalogue. Among the top averages was $11,444 for 36 out of 36 bulls from Tarangower Angus, Mahoenui, up $3000 on last year. A top price of $32,000 was paid

for Lot 2, Tarangower 23030, bought by Dandaloo Angus. Kia Toa Charolais, Te Kuiti, sold all 32 bulls offered and averaged $9203 with a top price of $21,500 for Kia Toa Universal, bought by AJ & KW Coogan Family Trust, Taihape, and a stud transfer at $13,000 to Pukerakau Charolais, Eketahuna. In Beaumont, Otago, Peters Angus sold Lot 1, Peters 23200, to Paul McKenzie for $16,500. The average was $8400 for 20 bulls sold out of 22 offered. Beresford Simmental, Owaka, sold 12 of 15 bulls and averaged $7800 with a top price of $14,000 paid by Alec Bell, South Canterbury. Puketoi Angus, Maniototo, also made a top price of $14,000 paid by Mt St Bathans Station, while averaging $7047 across 19 sold out of 20 offered. Longview Shorthorns, Bay of Islands, sold 21 from 23 and averaged $5875 with a top of $12,000. The South Westland stud of Flagstaff Herefords and Bannockburn Angus sold 24 bulls on the day with a top price of $12,000 for Flagstaff Pelorus U78. The average Hereford price was $7928 for 14 out of 16 and the average Angus price $5900 for 10 out of 12. Hill Valley Simmentals, Roxburgh, had a full clearance of

BUDDIES: Rauriki Charolais near Dannevirke sold Lot 5, Mojo U12, for a top price of $11,000, while Lot 8 made $9000. Photo: Andrea Mansfield

The Limehills average was $10,300 for a full clearance of 49 bulls, about $3000 more than last year. 10 bulls, averaged $7750 and sold to Wilden Station for $12,000. Glenside Simmentals, Waitahuna, sold 12 of 15 offered and averaged $9042 with a top price of $14,500 paid by Lee Flat Station. Potawa Simmentals, Piopio, sold all 20 offered and made an average of $8275, with a top of $11,000 and

two stud transfers to Hampden Downs and Kerrah Simmentals. Rauriki Charolais, Dannevirke, had a full clearance of 18 bulls averaging $8305, with a top price of $11,000 for Rauriki Mojo U12 sold to Burnside Land Limited, Masterton. Colvend Angus and Shorthorn, Ongarue, sold 18 of 20 Angus, averaging $7027, and all nine Shorthorns with an average of $6055. The top priced Angus was $12,500 and the top Shorthorn $9000. Raupuha Shorthorns, Mahoenui, sold all eight bulls, averaging

$6250, with a top of $8000 and a transfer at $7000 to Glendhu Shorthorns. Foulden Hill Genetics, Otago, sold nine of 14 Herefords offered, averaged $6556 and had a top price of $9500 paid by Heather and Meric Davies, who also bought the highest priced heifer at $2800. Foulden also sold four Santa Gertrudis and Braford bulls averaging $7125, with a top of $10,500 paid by DJ Andrews. Polled Monymusk Herefords, Te Anau, sold 30 from 37 with an average of $7750. Top price was $17,000 for Lot 2, Shiraz 230121, sold to Ngakouka Herefords.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Don’t fear the future: US food researcher Neal Wallace

NEWS

Food and fibre

ON’T be afraid of the future. That is the advice of San Franciscobased entrepreneur and researcher Max Elder, who says confronting the future can feel threatening and uncomfortable but is not a case of predicting what could happen. Rather, it is about planning for various scenarios. The managing director of Food System Innovations, Elder said this approach requires people to ask, “What if?” “Engage in possibilities and design what could be.” He was speaking at last week’s E Tipu conference in Palmerston North, which considered the future of food and fibre. Elder said meat and dairy farmers need to plan for impending threats from climate change, changing societal attitudes to eating meat and dairy, and the increasing use of weight management drugs known as GLP-1. An estimated 15 million people in the United States are using these drugs, which reduce hunger and which Elder warns could influence the volume and type of food they eat.

A vegan himself, Elder believes the number of farmed animals will shrink or eventually stand at zero due to concerns about their contribution to climate change, even if technology is developed to lower methane emissions. He said companies will soon be unable to offset their emissions by methods such as planting trees, and be directly accountable for the greenhouses gases they generate. His message was that it is wrong to assume what has happened in the past will continue into the future. While confronting looming threats can be daunting, he said there is comfort from planning and knowing you have options. “It’s better to be scared by the simulations than blindsided by reality.” Elder said emotion can be a barrier to change but intergenerational farms have the advantage of younger generations bringing their world view into the business while also having the trust to have what can be difficult conversations. Ian Proudfoot, the global head of agribusiness for KPMG International, warned that shortterm thinking means we were missing long-term opportunities. “It seems easier not to talk about another round of flooding in Wairoa, it’s easier not to have a difficult conversation.”

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PLANNING: Max Elder, the managing director of US-based Food System Innovations, says meat and dairy farmers need to plan for climate change, changing societal attitudes to eating meat and dairy, and the increasing use of weight loss drugs. Photo: Ben Pryor Photography

It’s better to be scared by the simulations than blindsided by reality. Max Elder Food System Innovations Proudfoot told the conference we need to be curious in how we approach these challenges and gave the example of zero- or lowalcohol sauvignon blanc. A foreign concept a decade ago, the product is NZ’s fastest growing wine and an example of the lateral

and future thinking the sector needs. “What is a crazy product today could be the norm in 10 years’ time.” Asked about the top three actions that challenges facing the sector require, he listed building data to use new technology opportunities, doubling down on fulfilling sustainability claims, and training and preparing young people for primary sector careers. “To be honest, I believe NZ is passing the buck on aims to be carbon neutral.”

Another challenge facing the NZ primary sector is fully utilising byproducts, potentially a $30 billion industry that could make NZ the Saudi Arabia of the biocircular economy. He said wine making uses just 2% of a vine’s mass, the grape juice. Developing a bio-circular economy for the remaining 98% would be financially worthwhile for growers and the environment and a challenge for other sectors. “If we monetise 100% it is great for growers and is how we will keep people farming.” ADVERTIS EM ENT

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Market, not regs, to drive land use change Neal Wallace

NEWS

Land

ARKET signals, not regulation, will encourage changes in the way land is used, says the author of a report on optimising land use. Alan Renwick, a professor in transformational change in agriculture at Lincoln University, said land use change does not mean whole-farm shifting from one venture to another, such as sheep and beef to forestry. Instead it could involve a horticultural venture or forestry alongside livestock. The key for landowners is to identify a profitable, high value complementary land use that is suitable to the region and the owner. Renwick said current policy settings such as the Emissions Trading Scheme and the ability to earn carbon credits have encouraged whole-farm conversions from livestock to

forestry, which has social and environmental implications. He was commenting on a report commissioned by ASB: The Future Use of Land and How to Fund It, which calculated that a 10% improvement in productivity through land use change could deliver $10 billion to the economy in the next 10 years. “If we get the signals right and move in that direction, we will not have to tell people what to do but we can sit back and let them do it,” said Renwick, who was part of a panel discussion on the report at the E Tipu conference. “Studies talk about what [land use change] could be like, but not how we get there. We wanted to provide quantifiable evidence and experience,” said Renwick. The report said change is inevitable as farmers face climate change issues and a challenge from alternative proteins, but mixed revenue streams from diversified farm systems will help farmers weather those issues. ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent said the report was designed

CHANGE: Discussing the ASB report on land use change at the E Tipu conference are, from left, Lincoln University Professor Alan Renwick, ASB rural manager Aidan Gent, Hort NZ chief executive Kate Scott and FoodHQ chief executive Victoria Hatton. Photo: Ben Pryor Photography

If we sit back and say we need regulation, then we have failed. Aidan Gent ASB to ask how we make those changes, how it is funded and how to use complementary land use changes within current land use systems. Gent said many farmers have an emotional connection to their farm and their farming system. Change will be driven from

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about such a move for several years but said it must embrace all agencies and entities involved in food, including domestic food supplies as well as export. Gent did not think it was needed. “There are three things we are very good at: strategy, frameworks and road cones. “We don’t need another strategy, we don’t need another framework and we don’t need more road cones.” Renwick did not see the need for a strategy either, saying sending the right income and cost messages to landowners will drive necessary change.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

More upside in low-key trade partner Richard Rennie in Taiwan

MARKETS

Trade

EW Zealand trade commissioner to Taiwan Tina Wilson can proudly point to a solid uptick in export growth between NZ and Taiwan over the past five years. This year marks her last in the post and she leaves with the two countries enjoying solid, if lowkey, trade relations.

Over the past 16 months its population has started to decline, by 50,000 so far. Chris Langley NZ Commerce and Industry Office Both Wilson and her colleague Chris Langley, the director of the NZ Commerce and Industry Office, believe there is plenty more upside in a market that claims the same sized population and GDP as Australia, NZ’s third largest export market. Currently Taiwan is placed ninth, and about two-thirds of the $1.6 billion in trade comprises food. Both countries share an island geography, marked by fault lines

and mountains and a native tribal culture, with Taiwan comprising of no fewer than 16 indigenous tribes. But the similarities end there. Taiwan crams 26 million people on a narrow western coastal strip no wider than 40km, with its sparsely populated eastern coast separated by faulted mountains easily as high as Mount Cook. The two countries’ economies are also almost a reverse image of each other. While NZ generates 80% of its exports from food production, Taiwan has 60% of its exports from computer semiconductor manufacturing. Thanks to the global race for Artificial Intelligence tech, Taiwan is enjoying a surge in its computer tech exports with GDP expected to grow 5% this year. “As a market Taiwan very much follows many of the trends in South Korea and Japan, and that includes a low birth rate, among the lowest in the world, and over the past 16 months its population has started to decline, by 50,000 so far,” said Langley. But that aging population is, like South Korea’s, characterised by “active agers”, senior citizens intent on staying healthy late in life. Good eating and supplements are a dietary focus, with Taiwanese consuming the highest amount of fruit and vegetables of any

population, at about 400kg per capita a year, of which 120kg is fruit. They are a technically savvy population, value high quality food products and are prepared to pay a premium. Recognition of NZ as a quality source of food is reflected in this country being the No 1 imported dairy source, No 2 for fruit, namely apples and kiwifruit, and No 3 for meat behind the giants of Australia and the United States. Wilson said NZ’s quality position is a bonus, but a hard one to protect in a market where extra premium food items are also retailed for gift and occasion purposes, and lower-end food is very cheap. “It is a good and bad place to be – you are not at the bottom, but you can also face a less loyal consumer base.” A challenge for NZ suppliers is keeping stock levels consistent and full in a high-volume, highturnover market that demands rapid restocking. “To keep those consumers loyal, you have to be consistent.” It is an issue reported particularly by meat retailers at a time when NZ’s stock levels are at an historical low point, pinching supply not only for grass market farmers, but export processors. Langley and Wilson said

TEAM EFFORT: New Zealand trade commissioner to Taiwan Tina Wilson and Chris Langley, head of the NZ Commerce and Industry Office, believe there remains plenty more upside in NZ’s trade opportunities with Taiwan.

MEETING the MARKET Zespri has done much to lift its consumer loyalty not only through consistent quality, but now offering kiwifruit all year round, thanks to northern hemisphere supply. The shared indigenous heritage of the two countries could offer

a lever to pull for food exporters, but Wilson cautions linking tribal affiliations, quality food and provenance will involve investment and time to educate the market. • Rennie visited Taiwan as part of the Farmers Weekly Meeting the Markets project, with funding from the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono.

Zespri gets creative on consumption drive Richard Rennie in Taiwan

MARKETS

Horticulture

T FIRST glance Taiwan could appear to be a marketer’s dream for Zespri. It is one of the company’s oldest, most established markets, with enviable brand recognition and household penetration figures of 95% and 77% respectively. This is no mean feat. Taiwanese consumers take their fruit seriously, grow 80% of what they need, and claim the highest Zespri kiwifruit consumption in the world at 15 pieces per capita. But for Zespri managers Joanne Chen and Sean Chou, being at the top of the fruit bowl rankings mean the market is a tough gig when seeking growth. They must double down, and be doubly creative, to continue to increase kiwifruit consumption. That is compounded by Taiwan having falling population numbers, one of the lowest birthrates in the world, and a rapidly aging demographic. “This leaves us with a marketing strategy where we really have to focus on our existing customers, and how we can get them to incorporate kiwifruit more frequently into their diet,” said Chen, Taiwan market manager. The team can point to a wealth of data and market research to guide their strategy. They know that within a 77%

MEETING the MARKET

penetration come on average five kiwifruit purchases a year, generally matching the New Zealand supply period of April to October. For a fruit that claims only 3.5% of the fresh fruit market in Taiwan, Zespri can justifiably

claim to own the brand space for it. “But we really want to push that frequency out further into the year.” Having sufficient high-quality supply sourced from the northern hemisphere would provide the supply security they need to build demand from for the remainder of the year.

CONSUMED: Zespri’s Joanne Chen and Sean Chou say achieving behaviour change to encourage Taiwan consumers to eat even more fruit is a key focus in a mature and aging market.

“Our first focus comes on families that eat fruit regularly, then on the mature DINK/SINK (double/single income no kids) with high purchasing power who are highly aware of the health benefits of fruit.” Over the past year their goal has been to encourage consumers to make breakfast another fruiteating occasion. It is a challenge in a society that views “warm” foods as necessary to eat first thing in the morning. A typical Taiwanese breakfast can be carb-heavy, including egg pancakes, congee and noodles. This behaviour-change promotion kicked off in conjunction with a popular breakfast chain Q-Burger across its 350 outlets. The promotion offers a free kiwifruit, urging consumers to “level up” their breakfast, adding some valuable fibre and vitamins to their morning intake. While still early days, indications are customers appreciate receiving a free kiwifruit with their breakfast order, and the team are hoping other fruit companies may also pick up on the idea, to stimulate the entire fruit sector. With almost 2 million people a day using Taipei’s MRT subway system, promotions inside trains and the stations reinforce the “level up” message. SunGold is proving a growing and perennial favourite with consumers, now accounting for 70% of the 8.5 million trays a year sold. Green is playing its part by

elevating consumption among SINKs and DINKs by reinforcing its proven gut health claim to a market increasingly focused on aging healthily. Promotion includes working with gut health medical consultants and professionals. “So, we are moving to quite a clear definition between the two while demand is also growing for the new RubyRed kiwifruit,” said Chen.

The RubyRed’s earlier arrival to market is a great opportunity ... red is an auspicious colour for consumers. Joanne Chen Zespri RubyRed tray volumes were 185,000 this season with fruit sold in multiple packs to help balance their smaller size compared to their Gold and Green cousins. “The RubyRed’s earlier arrival to market is a great opportunity to sell more fruit. Red is an auspicious colour for consumers and the fruit is quite new, it creates more interest.” For growers wanting confirmation Zespri is delivering on premium margins, Chou points to the Taiwan fresh fruit price index as evidence. “One hundred is the average price of the index, and SunGold are at 250, and Green at 200.”

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

US’s Canada inquiry could benefit NZ Nigel Stirling

POLITICS

Dairy

XPORTERS are confident they are not the target of an investigation ordered by United States President Donald Trump into global dairy markets. And they are hopeful it will focus attention on subsidised Canadian production undercutting highvalue NZ exports to the US. Last month Trump’s trade representative instructed the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to undertake a “factfinding investigation” into the global market for non-fat milk solids. The export competitiveness of the US and other major global suppliers including Australia, Canada, select European Union countries and NZ were to be examined. Typically studies by the USITC are forerunners to the US imposing tariffs on foreign competitors found to be using unfair trade practices to disadvantage US rivals. Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand executive director Kimberly Crewther said NZ’s dairy exporters do not fall into that category. “The interest for the US is whether countries are deploying policies to distort the competitive

dynamic for unfair advantage. “Unlike Canada, NZ’s exports and production are not propped up by trade-distortive trade barriers and subsidies. “DCANZ will engage with the investigation to provide information on NZ’s production system and exports that demonstrate this.” In January DCANZ joined together with dairy exporters from the US and Australia to write to their respective governments pleading for them to deploy “all available tools” to tackle subsidised Canadian dairy exports.

DCANZ will engage with the investigation to provide information on NZ’s production system and exports. Kimberly Crewther Dairy Companies Association of NZ That followed DCANZ’s own letter to Trade Minister Todd McClay last August outlining the risks to $1 billion of high-value protein exports to the US being undercut by subsidised Canadian competition. DCANZ’s letter called on McClay to “urgently” consider a legal challenge at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Crewther said the upcoming

renegotiation of the US-MexicoCanada trade agreement (USMCA) was an opportunity for the US to take on Canada’s milk subsidies. “The US investigation appears timed to provide input into next year’s USMCA review. “The first Trump administration sought to address the impact on the US industry of Canada’s tradedistorting milk class policies via the USMCA, and the US industry has identified the review as an avenue for further addressing concerns.” However Crewther said NZ shouldn’t count on the reviews by the US solving the problem for it. She urged the government to not delay any longer and take a WTO case against Canada. “The Canadian policies continue to hurt New Zealand trade interests, and this harm is compounded by our exporters now being at an additional 10% tariff disadvantage to Canadian exporters into the US market. “There is no guarantee that the USITC investigation will lead to any changes that resolve the NZ industry concerns, and regardless this investigation is timed to conclude in 11 months’ time, which would be a long time to wait when we have already been communicating the pressing nature of these issues for many months.”

NZ ‘sitting tight’ on 10% US tariff Gerald Piddock

POLITICS

Trade

NEW Zealand is keeping a watchful eye on the United States to see if it reduces its new 10% baseline tariff with any other country. If it does, NZ wants to be next in line for negotiating a reduction, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s deputy secretary for trade and economics Vangelis Vitalis said at the DairyNZ Farmers Forum in Hamilton. “At the moment the message from the US is that the 10% tariff is fixed, no one is going to change that. If you are above 10% – and we’re not – come and negotiate; if you’re at 10%, that’s where you sit. “At the moment, we’re sitting tight, but we are also watching very closely to see what our competitors might do.” If any of them get that 10% reduced, New Zealand will be in there to negotiate as quickly as possible, he said. In April, US President Donald Trump imposed the 10% baseline tariff on all imports coming into the US. Trade Minister Todd McClay has written to US trade representatives asking to be at the front of the queue for negotiating if and when

UNCERTAIN: MFAT’s deputy secretary for trade and economics, Vangelis Vitalis, says ‘the world is a much more uncertain place for us now’. that tariff drops below 10%, he said. In terms of increasing the quota, Vitalis said it had been an ongoing discussion with the US for both dairy and beef. The US dairy market is highly

protected, and the existing access was negotiated in 1995 via the World Trade Organisation and was a series of small quotas for high value dairy products, he said. “We’re on the back foot with the US because the local industry there is very defensive and very protectionist. In the dairy space, that’s very challenging. “The message from the US is, ‘Ten percent is what you are all getting, and we’re not up for a negotiation on agriculture whether its in quotas or in tariffs’ ... and certainly not New Zealand.’” Current trade challenges go beyond the US, with Vitalis comparing the global environment to ‘the jungle’, with all the major global players stepping outside the rules. “The world is a much more uncertain place for us now.” That uncertainty equates to a 12-20% tariff, research showed, he said. In terms of NZ’s priorities, Vitalis said its top priority is securing an agreement with India. Currently exporters face colossally high tariffs, which make it impossible to trade. Its dairy sector is one of the most protected in the world and none of the recent free trade agreements signed with other countries had any dairy concessions.

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BENEFITS: New Zealand could benefit if the US follows up with steps to prevent subsidised Canadian dairy exports gaining more of a foothold in world markets.

Smarter land use ‘could unlock billions’ Gerhard Uys

NEWS

Land

SMARTER and more diverse land use could unlock billions in value for farmers and the wider economy. So says a report from ASB and Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness, The Future Use of Land and How to Fund It. ASB’s general manager for rural banking, Aidan Gent, said the report explores four possible futures for New Zealand. Each scenario focuses on a single factor that will impact the food and fibre sector, such as greenhouse gas emissions targets, or the government’s goal to double export values, and pushes them to the extreme, demonstrating the pressing need for change, Gent said. The research sets out seven transformational pathways, such as diversifying farm systems to introduce mixed revenue streams, increasing horticultural production, and unlocking underused Māori land. The research demonstrates how better land use, paired with innovative funding, can unlock sustainable value across rural New Zealand. Researchers developed a land transition model, providing land-use insights on a regional level. “Agri-consultants can use the model to help inform potential paths forward for farmers,” Gent said. “This research brings together the insights and tools to help

landowners make informed decisions for future prosperity.” The report says rural land use transformation at scale is needed. Gent said ASB’s response to land optimisation was inspired in part by their Canterbury customer, High Peak Station. The once traditional sheep and beef farm evolved into a diversified, family-run operation spanning tourism, honey, hunting and livestock. Associate dean of research at Lincoln University Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce Alan Renwick said optimising land use by just 10% could add $10 billion in value to the economy. Such optimisation could be achieved in the next five to seven years, Renwick said. “The challenge facing the food and fibre sector is how to meet economic, environmental and social goals simultaneously. This requires practical, futurefocused solutions – like integrating horticulture into traditional pastoral systems, developing on-farm processing to capture more value locally, or growing Māori agribusinesses around high-value niche products like mānuka honey or native botanicals,” Renwick said . “We know these innovations are happening in pockets across Aotearoa, but we need to see this kind of transformation at scale.” In light of the research findings, ASB launched Every Hectare Matters, a programme to support farmers to diversify and future-proof their businesses.

INSPIRATION: ASB’s general manager for rural banking, Aidan Gent, says their response to land optimisation was inspired in part by their Canterbury customer High Peak Station.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Rabobank closes on top agri lending spot Hugh Stringleman

NEWS

Finance

ABOBANK is on track to become the largest lender to the agriculture sector when it overtakes ANZ next year, NZAB director Andrew Laming says. Rabobank lending has grown by 5% annually since 2018 while ANZ has dropped by 2.3% a year and that convergence means Rabobank will take over leadership in a little over a year, he predicted. NZAB is a nationwide broker specialising in agricultural lending and Laming writes regular observations about bank competition and policies. In 2024 Rabobank overtook BNZ in agri lending, increasing its book by $450 million to $13.5 billion to become No 2 in the market behind ANZ. According to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, total agri lending stayed steady during the year at $61.3bn. Loans to dairy farms reduced by $400m during the year as farmers used record milk prices to reduce debt. Dairy loans are 58% of the agri total, at $36bn, followed by $15.6bn for sheep,

beef and cropping farms and $8bn for horticultural businesses. Laming said the major movements in market share among banks are the Rabobank growth and the ANZ shrinkage in agri and business loans. “Rabobank has been able to grow because of the lack of competition, although that has increased again recently and Rabobank’s growth has slowed a little.

TRACKING: ANZ and Rabobank have been the big movers in agri lending over the past seven years.

Rabobank has been able to grow because of the lack of competition. Andrew Laming NZAB “Most other banks have largely maintained their market share, with a pick-up for BNZ since 2021 and a slight decline by Westpac since that time.” The numbers in agri lending by the major banks at the end of 2024 were ANZ $14.6bn, 23.9%, Rabobank $13.5bn, 22.1%, BNZ $13.2bn, 21.7%, ASB $10.3bn, 16.9% and Westpac $8.5bn, 13.9%. “While it might be easy to extrapolate that Rabobank has supported the sector better,

ANZ digs in to defend its ag banking position Hugh Stringleman

that would ignore the impacts of regulation and mandate,” he said. Rabobank typically only lends to farms, orchards, vineyards and their post-farmgate facilities, whereas the four main trading banks lend mostly on housing. “With their wider mandate they have been able to fill up on the less capital-intensive home lending, directing focus away from agri. “As a result, their return on bank equity has been higher.” Laming said the average floating interest rate for farmers has come down from 8.5% to 6.25% over the past 18 months. The Reserve Bank has said the increase in bank equity requirements should have justified 0.6% extra margin for agri loans but on average that has been 1.25%. “Couple that with the very low defaults

or actual losses and we can see that agri lending is lucrative, for Rabobank included.” Finance Minister Nicola Willis has asked the Reserve Bank to review its capital requirements of the trading banks and specifically the risk-weighted requirements for agricultural lending. ANZ bank chief executive Antonia Watson has said recently that housing lending will continue to grow but that agri lending would be constrained by lack of growth in the number of farms. “So, you wouldn’t expect your agri lending to increase to the extent of your housing lending.” Laming said that ignores the need for financing the primary sector’s goal of doubling of export earnings and farmers’ need for reinvestment in their own infrastructure.

NEWS

Finance ANZ Bank has defended its No1 position in agri lending and says it takes nothing for granted in an extremely competitive market. Currently the ANZ agri loan book is $14.9 billion and 24.4% market share, ANZ managing director business and agri Lorraine Mapu said. She responded to an observation by NZAB that trends in market shares put Rabobank on course to overtake ANZ and be the largest agri lender in a little over a year. “We are working hard to retain our top spot and empowering our bankers to do that responsibly. “ANZ banks more family-owned farms than any other bank and we support both large and small farming operations. “It is more than just dollars out the door – the rural economy needs new farmers, who are often current lessees, sharemilkers or contract milkers. “As the settlement season approaches, ANZ is seeing strong momentum due to our focus on understanding individual farming clients’ needs, getting around the table, and creating supportive growth proposals. “In line with the market, ANZ’s agri lending has reduced, largely driven by higher milk prices, which is helping farmers repay debt.” ANZ has encouraged the paying off because it brings greater resilience. Deposits from agri customers have increased by 21% over the six months to end-March. ANZ also commented on the differences in interest rates between housing loans, agri and business loans. For fixed loans at December 2024 the averages were 5.88% for home loans, 6.39% for agri and 6.69% for business. For floating rates the respective numbers are 7.1%, 6.67% and 7.31%. “The majority of our agri customers are on floating interest rates while 12% of home lending is on floating rates.

Suze Redmayne MP for Rangitīkei

YOUR RURAL VOICE IN PARLIAMENT COMPREHENSIVE: ANZ Bank is working hard to retain its top spot in agri lending, business and agri managing director Lorraine Mapu says. “Actual rates for all customers have reduced aligned with lower wholesale market interest rates and the lower OCR. “On average our farming customers do pay more than homeowners for lending, however our agri lending portfolio delivers lower returns than our home and business lending portfolios.” Among the reasons, ANZ cited competition, economic conditions, regulatory settings, monetary policy and wholesale funding markets. Rabobank also responded to the NZAB forecast of the likely No 1 position in agri lending, saying that it demonstrates its commitment to the New Zealand food and agribusiness sector. “We are demonstrating industry leadership with the product and service offering, engagement with decision makers and rural community initiatives,” Rabobank country general manager Bruce Weir said. “While there is always more work to be done, we are also very proud of the fact Rabobank has consistently rated the highest of all banks in Federated Farmers biannual banking survey in terms of customer satisfaction and communication, and the lowest in customer perceptions of feeling under undue pressure.”

As a farmer, businesswoman and MP for the mighty Rangitīkei – I’m standing up for our farmers, farm workers, rural businesses and communities. Our National-led Government backs farmers and agribusiness 100%. Grounded. Hardworking. Proudly rural.

Connect with me I’ll be at Fieldays at Mystery Creek from 11–13 June – see you there. Suze.RedmayneMP@parliament.govt.nz suzeredmaynemp suzeredmaynerangitikei Feilding Office 51 Fergusson Street, Feilding Taumarunui Office 1/101 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui

Authorised by S Redmayne, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

DUPLICATION: Otago local body representative Kevin Malcolm says data he has analysed reveals the significant cost of local government and the fact there is too much duplication between councils.

Ratepayers buckle under the bureaucratic bloat Neal Wallace

POLITICS

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Local government

AST year the 250,000 people in Otago paid $206 million in salaries for 2883 staff employed at the region’s one city, one regional and four district councils. Kevin Malcolm, who is currently an Otago Regional councillor but has served on the Waitaki District Council too, calculated the costs from the annual plans and included total employees and not

liability for leave, sickness or Kiwi Saver. He said the 2014 the comparable figure was $95.4m for 1592 staff. According to analysis by the Taxpayers’ Union, the average rate rise for 61 city and district councils in 2024-25 was 14.18%, led by 21.4% at the Gore District Council, 20% at the Central Hawke’s Bay DC and 19% at Hastings DC. The country’s 11 regional councils increased rates on average 16.20% this year, the third successive year of double digit increases.

While not advocating for any specific replacement local government structure, Malcolm said the data reveals the significant cost of local government and the fact there is too much duplication between councils. The six Otago council chief executives alone cost $2.2m in salaries in 2024. Then each council has its own corporate structure, senior executive team, computer systems, head offices and other duplicated roles. “We simply don’t need all of that,” he said.

Add in additional leave, sickness or Kiwi Saver costs, and Malcolm said that could equate to a further $100m that could be used for infrastructure cost without increasing rates. Any alternative local government structure should focus on administration and corporate functions while retaining local voices that represents communities of interest and that have similar needs. It must also retain local access and compliance roles. The last time local governance was restructured was 1989. “The model we put together in 1989 needs a rethink, but the key is to have a mechanism that retains a local voice.” One impetus for change in governance is the government’s direction for councils to rationalise regional plans. New Zealand councils administer about 87 regional plans, but in Japan just 13. It all costs ratepayers, Malcolm said. Carterton District Council mayor Ron Mark said he has long supported the notion of Wairarapa working as one but said there is little interest. “After the last local election brought in three new mayors and a wave of new councillors, long-standing agreements were pulled apart, and there’s been little interest from others in genuine amalgamation.” An attempt in 2017 to merge the Wairarapa councils into one was rejected by ratepayers. Mark said apart from waste management, most shared services in Wairarapa haven’t worked the way he desired. Pending reforms like Local Water Done Well require coordinating two iwi, two Post Settlement Governance Entity obligations, two regional councils, four district

councils, and about three dozen elected members. “If we’d had the courage to move to one council earlier, this would’ve been far simpler.” Mark said his council still believes one Wairarapa council could save money and reduce unnecessary duplication, but it will not push the issue if other councils are not interested. “Right now, we need to focus on our own ratepayers and what we can control. We can’t afford three separate bureaucracies doing their own thing. “If we’re serious about keeping rates down after the Waters reforms, we have to cut administrative costs, and that means making bold decisions.”

We can’t afford three separate bureaucracies doing their own thing. Ron Mark Carterton District Council

INTEREST: Carterton District Council mayor Ron Mark says he has long supported the notion of Wairarapa working as one but said there is little interest.

Community boards key to merged councils Neal Wallace

POLITICS

Local government

REPRESENTATION: Southland District Council mayor Rob Scott is pushing for a merger of the region’s city, district and regional councils.

COMMUNITY boards would have a greater role in local authority governance in the event of amalgamation of local authorities, says the backer of a proposed amalgamation of Southland city, district and regional councils. Southland District Council mayor Rob Scott is advocating the province’s four councils amalgamate into two unitary authorities. That would result in the amalgamation of his council with the Gore District Council and another centred on Invercargill City Council. Both entities would incorporate Environment Southland functions. Scott believes Southland is over governed for a population of 100,000 people and said councils need to be more efficient to reduce rates. Better use could be made of community boards. He has calculated savings of $10 million a year from having 12 fewer councillors, two fewer mayors and two fewer chief executives, fewer offices, united

information systems, and fewer senior management and staff. Scott’s Southland District Council already manages 2000km of roads – among the largest road responsibilities in the country – so has the expertise to manage more, he said.

A key principle in the proposal is the retention of a local voice. Nicol Horrell Environment Southland Ratepayers will also be less burdened with consultation. “We need to simplify all of that so ratepayers are only dealing with one entity instead of two.” Scott believes amalgamation should be based on spheres of interest, in this case those based in the rural sector and those based on a large urban centre with community boards providing a links with communities. The proposal has not been totally dismissed by other Southland councils, but there is debate about the final shape.

Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell is open to investigating amalgamation, Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark favours one unitary authority while his Gore counterpart Ben Bell has reservations, but favours cutting costs. Bell questions the accuracy of the $10m figure and wants a fully costed analysis of projected costs and savings. “This is a once-in-a-generation conversation.” Economies of scale do work, he said, evident by Gore joining with the Central Otago, Waitaki and Clutha district councils to create a joint council-owned entity to manage their three water assets. Bell said councillors are elected to keep rates down so must look at all options. Clark said most Invercargill city councillors support a single rather than two unitary authorities for the province, as it would provide greater economies of scale. He estimates potential savings of $20m a year. Clark said rural people could lose their voice through amalgamation and should a single unity authority

be established he would advocate two deputy mayors, with one focused solely on servicing rural Southland, and two chief executives, with one focused on rural constituents. Retiring Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell said some form of amalgamation made sense for Southland, and his council is keen to explore it. “If we can save money and deliver better outcomes, then we should absolutely consider them. “Where there’s proven benefits, and few or no downsides, we’d support aligning council resources, sharing services or amalgamation.” Horrell said any proposed changes must have the backing of Southlanders rather than be imposed from the outside. “A key principle in the proposal is the retention of a local voice, which will be strengthened through empowered community boards and river liaison committees.” The Local Government Commission has asked Southland councils whether they support investigating governance arrangements.

News

15 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Doc O’Duffy honoured as rural health champ Annette Scott

PEOPLE

Health

VISIT to the small rural town of Methven while on her honeymoon in New Zealand in 1977 led to a lifetime of rural community health care for Dr Gayle O’Duffy. The rural general practitioner and co-owner of the Methven Medical Centre, O’Duffy was honoured with the prestigious Peter Snow Award for her 40 years of dedicated service, at the 2025 National Rural Health Conference in Christchurch this month. She was acknowledged “as a quietly determined and humble leader” whose influence extended beyond clinical practice having served as clinical lead rural for Pegasus Health and establishing the Canterbury Clinical Network. “Gayle embodies the values of rural service, compassion and commitment that this award was created to celebrate, exemplifying dedication, integrity and a deep understanding of what it means to serve rural communities. Her contribution over the years is immeasurable,” the citation read.

The passionate rural GP who trained in Queensland, Australia, said “life is not a plan, it takes you where your passion shines”. “We decided in 1977 that we liked NZ and maybe one day we would live there. In 1982 we came on ski holiday, we went home, sold up and came back. “I spent my teen years on the Gold Coast, and growing up in a tourist mecca I was not keen on Queenstown or Wanaka, so Methven seemed perfect.” O’Duffy recalled the time in the 1980s when she would be working from 5am to 9pm “doing the trauma run” off the Mt Hutt skifield. “But the world changes and after the Christchurch earthquake the winter tourist influx to Methven fell away as skiing in Queenstown ramped up. “We are still a very busy place but in a manageable way; without the winter spikes we have a much smoother, improved work life.” When O’Duffy started as a GP in Methven she shared duties with just one other, Dr John McGettigan, whose home included three rooms as the medical practice. Her arrival was timely, as the

new medical centre was getting underway, She joined the planning and became a driving force in the establishment of the practice.

We have been telling the health sector for 20 years that there will be a crisis in 2030 when the current pool of GPs will be retired. Dr Gayle O’Duffy Methven Medical Centre Today the centre has a team of 25, including four doctors, a nurse practitioner and six practice nurses, supported by several healthcare assistants, while providing space for allied health professionals, and an in-house pharmacist. “It has been about some good leaders empowering secure primary care for a growing rural community. “It can be a challenge; you just have to stand up and say we have needs. If you want to get something you have to be a squeaky wheel. “I actively set out in the early

GROWTH: Today the Methven Medical Centre has a team of 25, including four doctors, a nurse practitioner and six practice nurses, supported by several healthcare assistants.

BUILDING THE FUTURE. FIND YOUR BOOT AT BLUNDSTONE.CO.NZ

CONNECTION: Gayle O’Duffy says Methven Medical Centre staff have a special relationship with the community, building connections. Photos: Annette Scott days to grow the practice, have more staff, more services, a better lifestyle. “Any opportunity, I’d say yes let’s do that. If you want to grow you can’t be afraid to push the limits to succeed.” The ongoing challenge is staff recruitment. “As a rural workforce the strategy is flawed and there’s not a lot of choices but meantime we trudge on until the training pipeline wakes up and does something useful. “We have been telling the health sector for 20 years that there will be a crisis in 2030 when the current pool of GPs will be retired. Training has not been made practical and accessible early enough and now there’s a huge gap. “The politicians say we just bring GPs in from overseas.” O’Duffy advocates for homegrown. “The NZ rural immersion strategy programme is 50 years too late. You have got to suck it up and start earlier. “We need infrastructure to provide supported training and advancement opportunities; homegrown will stay, it’s a winwin. Overseas will always have a calling home.” Australia runs a successful model, taking students in years

two and three, dispersing them into supported rural immersion programmes. “Otherwise in their fifth year so often the boat has sailed, they have set up lifetime relationships and rural doesn’t fit.” Methven Medical Centre thrives on being part of the community. “We have a special relationship with the community, building connections; we take care of them and they take care of you. “The clinical staff are invested in the practice and that spells more success than being owned by a corporate so interested only in the bottom line.” Being involved in the training programmes with visiting Otago students keeps O’Duffy passionate in her work. Ashburton Hospital is also a rural immersion centre and its fifth-year students spend time at Methven. “It’s interesting that students who undertake the immersion centre training have exceptional results. We need more of them.” At 67, O’Duffy will retire, one day. “I’m a bit of a crazy golfer. I make glass and then make it into glass jewellery, it’s creative and absorbing. “I tease my team about retirement, they say its forbidden, but one day.”

NEW ZEALAND CASHMERE QUARTERLY INDUSTRY UPDATE

Economics of grazing goats for hill country farmers Q&A with Graham Butcher – Rural Solutions

Farm consultant Graham Butcher of Rural Solutions in Gore gets into the detail of gross margins and how they stack up for cashmere-producing goats.

Q. Why carry out a gross margin analysis? A. For quite a few years I’ve done a cents per kgDM gross margin analysis on about 25 different policies you might find on farms in Southland and Otago. It’s a measure of how efficiently you’re using the feed that you’re growing. The gross margin is a very good way of comparing different farm policies. Q. How do you work out the Gross Margin for a farm policy? A. To get to a gross margin you look at the gross income from an operation – it may be for breeding cows, it may be trading beef, or breeding ewes. Take the gross income from that operation and you work out what your direct costs are – things like your animal health costs, shearing, any specific feed you have for that class of animal – but not things like rates or insurances as you pay those anyway no matter what you do. You take one from the other and you get a gross margin. Then put that policy into Farmax and work out how many kilograms of dry matter it takes to run it. Farmax has no specific goat analysis, but Merino models were adapted to estimate DM intake. Now when you’re looking at these policies you can see that the amount of feed it takes to run a high-performance flock is different to what it takes to run a low-performance flock, which is different to breeding cows, which is different to dairy grazing and is different to goats. When you divide your gross margin into cents per kilogram of dry matter (c/kgDM) you have a good way to compare the relative profit between those enterprises. Q. What are some points to note about this approach? A. It doesn’t give you when the feed is required – just an annual amount of feed required. The gross margins are based on current prices but every month they change around a bit.

Each enterprise has a different stock capital in it, so you have to take that into account as well. For example, there are bigger capital costs involved with cattle versus sheep. You’re trying to get it as good as you can – but it’s relative profitability not the absolute figure. The key difference with goats – and quite a significant one – when you’re looking at the feed requirements for goats is that a large part of their feed requirement isn’t pasture it’s browse. It’s gorse, it’s cutty grass, it’s seed head, it’s stem and pretty much anything that has limited or zero value for other stock classes. Q. How have you gone about working out gross margins for goats on hill country? A. I did an analysis for Johnny’s field day (Johnny Harrison’s Mt Somers NZ Cashmere Focus Farm) for goats with an analysis of 100% pasture, then with a percentage of browse ranging from a starting point of 10% up to 50% browse. I used an often accepted standard 30% for browse, which means when you’re looking at the Farmax result of how much feed they use they’re only eating 70% of that estimated intake. The other 30% they consume is basically zero value “feed” for sheep and cattle which often has a cost attached to it for farmers to control – thistle is a good example of that. That’s the bit that swings goats from not that profitable compared to sheep and beef, to an area where it can be competitive compared to sheep and beef and it’s that percentage browse that you put into their diet that’s the critical point. North Island gross margins will be different – but they will be in the same ballpark.

Q. How do cashmere goats compare on a c/kgDM gross margin basis? A. Typical Southland Gross Margins for sheep range from 16c to 18c for top performers. With the goat policy assuming 30% browse and if you’ve got F1 and F3 goats, you can return 16.1c/kgDM, competitive or better than average sheep. A lot of farmers will be surprised with that and an additional benefit could be significant weed control costs. They’re not eating grass that sheep and cattle eat and they’re reluctant to eat clover. That’s great – so you put goats into a paddock they eat the seed head, don’t eat the clover, eat the rough grass and browse and they move on – what more do you want? It’s taking another step in management of pastures, producing income and saving chemical and diesel costs. Q. How do they fit in with a farm’s main stock classes? A. This is a fundamental question. At what point, if you continue to add goat stock

Gross Margins as at March 2025 for South Island hill-country operations Cashmere goat Gross Margins – adjusted for % browse Based on intake of 142,000kgDM of pasture as per GM and 147,000kgDM High Performance

Performance

Pasture intake kgDM

Foundation c/kgDM

F1-F3 c/kgDM

High c/kgDM

No browse

142,000

8.7c

11.3c

16.3c

20% browse

113,600

10.8c

14.1c

30% browse

99,400

12.3c

16.1c

35% browse

92,300

13.3c

17.3c

40% browse

85,200

14.4c

18.8c

50% browse

71,000

17.3c

22.5c

Depending on % browse goats can justify their existence on profitability alone.

23.3c

Cashmere goats in a fresh trial paddock with plenty of browse including seed head and thistles. units, do they detract from the performance of existing stock? We know goats can have a significant part of their diet as browse. We also know they avoid clover and consume seed head. Past science work proved that this aspect will improve pasture quality to the benefit of existing stock and quite significantly. It’s commonly accepted that a farm with reasonable browse levels could add 10% goat stock units with minimal impact on existing stock. This may be so, but at what point do increasing levels of goats create a competitive element to other stock? Each farm will be different so there’s no quick answer to this. At some point though, enough will be enough. Every farm will have a different critical point and not every farm will be ok for goats. Q. How do the capital costs compare? A. Farmers are happy to put beef cattle on the hills because they do a job, they clean up roughage and improve pasture. They’re quite happy to build cattle yards, they’re quite happy to put on water supply to carry beef, perhaps not quite so happy to fence cattle out of water ways, but all expensive capital investments. Goats fit into another niche – they’re cleaning up roughage, but they’re also eating stuff

cattle won’t eat and they avoid pasture that cattle will eat. But what infrastructure do you have to worry about putting on for goats? You don’t really have to worry about water, their water demand is relatively low, you might need a hot wire even if fences are basically sound – not an expensive job compared to improving your water supply in hill country and putting cattle yards in. Sheep yards will need adapting to suit the behaviour of goats. From an environmental point of view, goats will stay out of water ways. You need to be open minded, think of why you run cattle on hill country and apply that reasoning to goats. Q. Do the results surprise you? A. I knew with goats if you assumed they eat 100% of what sheep eat it wouldn’t stack up that well. But as soon as you get into the percentage browse it changes the picture quite significantly. On the right farm with lots of browse you could possibly end up with 50% browse in their diet, and that makes a huge difference. In terms of profitability, you’re slipping in an enterprise that’s doing a whole lot of good things for the farm and making money without affecting your existing stock, if you get the balance right , that makes sense to me.

Market development and processing in New Zealand Over the past 3 years Woolyarns’ team has had direct engagement with key decision-makers in the luxury fashion sector to generate sales for New Zealand cashmere yarns. Woolyarns is a 78-year-old New Zealand company that developed the Perino range of merino possum fibre and has two yarns in the top 10 most expensive yarns in the world. The team has connected with their existing customers who are leading luxury fashion houses: Hermès, Givenchy, the Kering Group, and iconic Scottish company Johnsons of Elgin, consulting their materials and sustainability and purchasing teams to understand their sourcing expectations and sustainability priorities. To expand their reach further, they leveraged the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) network, engaging with in-market customer managers in Italy and France. Woolyarns Global Sales and Marketing manager Jimad Khan says the market demand for cashmere is strong. “While Europe is a key market who want to secure volumes for their collections, we have also discussed New Zealand cashmere

with fashion designers and procurement specialists in Japan and with domestic knitting companies and designers in New Zealand and to gain insights into fibre/yarn selection criteria and market trends.” Woolyarns’ have built a state-of-theart, multi-million-dollar fine fibre scour and processing facility within their yarn manufacturing plant in Wellington to process fibre within New Zealand. “With global market value of $4BUSD we saw an opportunity to supply our clients a sustainable cashmere option with a New Zealand supply-chain that sits at the highest-end of the market.” “We understand market potential, value chain and the scale of the opportunity.” “We are well positioned to develop minicollections using New Zealand Cashmere to access the high-end of the luxury market.” He says these brands are cueing at the door for first run cashmere yarn to add to their ranges. “We continue to maintain regular communication with these customers, providing them with updates on New Zealand cashmere’s progress and strengthening our relationships.”

The cost-effective tool for tackling Californian thistle Californian Californian thistle thistle isis aa significant significant constraint constraint to to production production on on many many farms. farms. AgResearch’ AgResearch’ Farm Farm Systems Systems Team Team carried carried out out research research into into the the costs costs of of weeds weeds on on farms farms in in 2016. 2016. At At that that time, time, itit identified identified the the cost cost of of California California thistle thistle to to be be close close to to $700 $700 million million in in lost lost pastoral pastoral farm farm revenue revenue each each year. year. It’s It’s aa cost cost that that hits hits farmers farmers hard. hard. B+L B+L economic economic survey survey data data for for South South Island Island hill hill country country indicates indicates farmers farmers spent spent an an average average of of $25k $25k annually annually on on weed weed and and pest pest control control over over the the past past decade. decade. Farm Farm consultant consultant Graham Graham Butcher Butcher isis involved involved testing testing an an approach approach to to manage manage thistles thistles on on Johnny Johnny Harrison’s Harrison’s pilot pilot farm farm in in Mt Mt Somers Somers in in Canterbury Canterbury through through grazing grazing cashmere-producing cashmere-producing goats. goats. “There’s “There’s some some pretty pretty significant significant thistle thistle problems problems on on hill hill country.” country.” And And he he says says managing managing itit isis not not easy. easy. “Weed “Weed wiping wiping isis aa very very slow slow job job and and expensive. expensive. There’s There’s aa lot lot of of hill hill country country that’s that’s too too steep steep for for topping topping and and cattle cattle won’t won’t eat eat the the thistles thistles –– but but goats goats will.” will.”

Graham’s Graham’s gross gross margin margin analysis analysis on on Johnny Johnny Harrison’s Harrison’s place place showed showed that that weed weed control control with with lower lower chemical chemical costs costs generates generates between between 1c 1c and and 2c/kgDM 2c/kgDM gross gross margin margin benefit. benefit. This This isis in in addition addition to to the the 16c 16c we we talked talked about about earlier earlier “At “At the the same same time, time, itit also also enables enables access access for for other other high-returning high-returning spray-free spray-free red red meat meat supply supply programmes programmes which which isis something something farmers farmers should should consider consider as as an an added added benefit.” benefit.” Cashmere Cashmere goats goats have have been been introduced introduced to to aa 30ha 30ha pilot pilot block block on on the the high-performance high-performance sheep, sheep, beef beef and and deer deer farm farm where where both both Californian Californian and and Nodding Nodding thistles thistles are are having having aa negative negative impact impact on on pastures. pastures. Graham Graham says says tackling tackling the the above above ground ground part part of of Californian Californian thistles thistles isis relatively relatively simple, simple, it’s it’s the the below below ground ground rhizomes rhizomes and and stolon stolon that that you’ve you’ve got got to to get get rid rid of of by by exhausting exhausting the the plant. plant. Nodding Nodding thistle thistle management management was was aa different different proposition. proposition. “Nodding “Nodding thistles thistles are are quite quite aa big big problem problem on on Johnny’s Johnny’s and and we we knew knew the the goats goats tackle tackle

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Johnny Johnny Harrison Harrison inspecting inspecting the the progress progress the the cashmere-producing cashmere-producing goats goats are are making making controlling controlling thistles. thistles. Californian Californian thistles thistles but but weren’t weren’t so so sure sure about about the the nodders nodders as as they’re they’re aa different different thistle.” thistle.” “When “When they they weaned weaned we we put put the the does does in in to to aa paddock paddock full full of of nodders. nodders. First First thing thing they they did did was was they they went went around around eating eating the the seed seed heads heads which which isis quite quite important important for for nodders nodders they they don’t don’t spread spread from from underground underground

rhizomes, rhizomes, they they spread spread by by seed seed dispersal, dispersal, so so you you eat eat the the seed seed head head and and its its job job done. done. They They did did aa remarkable remarkable job job on on those those as as they they did did with with the the Calis Calis as as well.” well.” “Johnny’s got got aa big big farm farm and and he’s he’s got got 70 70 “Johnny’s does, does, and and they they did did aa damned damned good good job. job. He He could could potentially potentially take take on on several several hundred hundred does does without without changing changing what what he he does.” does.”

FOCUS FARM ADVICE FOR FARMING GOATS Graham Graham Butcher Butcher grew grew up up on on the the Taieri Taieri plains plains in in Otago Otago on on aa family family sheep sheep and and cropping cropping farm. farm. After After several several years years working working for for MAF MAF Graham Graham set set up up Rural Rural Solutions Solutions in in 1979 1979 and and isis based based in in Gore. Gore. He He helps helps clients clients across across Otago, Otago, Southland Southland and and Canterbury Canterbury with with their their sheep, sheep, beef beef and and dairy dairy support support operations. operations. Before Before running running the the NZ NZ Cashmere Cashmere Focus Focus Farm Farm project project Graham Graham was was last last involved involved with with goats goats in in the the 1980s. 1980s. “The “The first first round round when when feral feral goats goats were were brought brought down down South South and and when when the the tax tax breaks breaks were were on on was was aa crazy crazy period.” period.” However, However, itit also also produced produced compelling compelling science science on on the the value value of of introducing introducing goats goats into into farm farm systems. systems. “A “A lot lot of of the the good good research research on on goats goats was was done done in in the the research research heydays heydays of of the the ‘70s ‘70s and and ‘80s. ‘80s. The The research research showed showed that that because because goats goats were were consuming consuming the the seed seed heads, heads, stem, stem, and and other other rubbish rubbish you you can can get get in in pastures, pastures, the the pasture pasture quality quality improved improved significantly significantly -particularly particularly in in terms terms of of clover clover and and that that had had aa significant significant effect effect on on the the performance performance of of sheep sheep and and beef beef operations.” operations.” He He says says farming farming goats goats isis not not difficult difficult –– it’s it’s

very very similar similar to to farming farming sheep, sheep, albeit albeit with with some some differences. differences. “If “If farmers farmers want want to to get get into into goats, goats, it’s it’s not not aa difficult difficult thing thing –– there there are are just just aa few few things things to to look look out out for.” for.” “A “A lot lot of of farmers farmers are are concerned concerned about about parasite parasite issues, issues, goats goats getting getting into into the the neighbours’, neighbours’, and and feet feet issues. issues. In In the the ‘80’s, ‘80’s, people people put put aa whole whole lot lot of of feral feral goats goats into into their their paddocks paddocks without without any any special special arrangements arrangements in in terms terms of of fencing fencing and and managed managed them them like like sheep. sheep. ItIt didn’t didn’t work work that that well. well. We We know know more more now now about about goat goat management management and and behaviour behaviour so so these these issues issues are are more more manageable. manageable. Fence Fence training training “We “We know know goats goats are are very very easy easy to to train train to to electric electric fences fences -- even even ferals. ferals. They’re They’re very very intelligent intelligent and and they they train train up up very very quickly quickly –– not not dissimilar dissimilar to to training training up up hoggets hoggets to to electric electric fencing fencing and and every every farmer farmer does does that, that, so so do do itit on on your your goats goats on on arrival.” arrival.” Through Through his his involvement involvement in in the the NZ NZ Cashmere Cashmere focus focus farm farm he he has has also also been been pleased pleased with with how how easy easy the the goats goats are are to to handle. handle.

“That’s “That’s one one of of the the things things we’ve we’ve found found –– how how easy easy they they are are to to handle. handle. II gave gave Johnny Johnny Harrison Harrison aa hand hand to to move move around around the the does does and and they they were were easy easy they they move move in in aa mob, mob, didn’t didn’t need need to to dog dog them them as as they’re they’re not not trying trying to to get get away, away, they’re they’re very very social.” social.” Feet Feet Graham Graham says says managing managing feet feet can can be be an an issue issue for for farms farms that that don’t don’t have have aa mix mix of of drier drier hill hill country. country. “If “If you’re you’re on on long long lush lush pasture pasture they they can can start start limping. limping. Sheep Sheep do do that that as as well. well. On On the the right right country country it’s it’s aa much much reduced reduced problem. problem. But But keep keep an an eye eye on on it. it. The The best best way way to to handle handle this this as as you’re you’re developing developing your your flock flock isis culling culling the the ones ones that that persistently persistently limp.” limp.” Grazing Grazing management management to to avoid avoid parasites parasites This This isis an an area area where where Graham Graham says says goat goat management management isis very very different different to to grazing grazing sheep. sheep. “Grazing “Grazing management management isis critical. critical. Goats Goats don’t don’t graze graze low low they they tend tend to to keep keep out out of of the the pasture pasture horizon horizon where where infective infective parasites parasites are. are. Don’t Don’t push push them them like like ewes ewes to to clean clean up. up.

“With “With sheep sheep you you can can put put them them in in aa paddock paddock and and graze graze to to aa 700 700 residual residual in in aa winter winter maintenance maintenance feeding feeding programme programme and and they’ll they’ll be be ok. ok. With With goats goats you you can’t.” can’t.” Goats Goats are are reluctant reluctant to to graze graze below below 10cm. 10cm. This This isis also also where where you you begin begin to to find find infective infective L3 L3 larvae. larvae. “The “The solution solution isis to to give give them them higher higher residuals, residuals, aa bit bit of of browse browse as as they they like like to to pick pick and and choose choose -- topping topping the the grass grass stem stem and and seed seed head. head. Once Once they’ve they’ve done done that, that, move move them them on on and and bring bring in in the the sheep sheep and and cattle.” cattle.” Graham Graham says says there there are are aa lot lot of of synergies synergies farmers farmers can can find find through through introducing introducing goats goats to to their their farming farming operations. operations. “If “If you’ve you’ve aa hill hill country country farm farm with with aa lot lot of of browse, browse, browse browse that that creates creates costs, costs, you’ve you’ve got got to to start start thinking thinking about about what what goats goats might might add add to to your your system. system. There’s There’s aa lot lot of of benefits.” benefits.” “We “We shouldn’t shouldn’t minimise minimise the the internal internal parasite parasite issue, issue, itit needs needs attention attention but but it’s it’s manageable. manageable. As As an an aside, aside, an an experienced experienced goat goat farmer farmer has has suggested suggested the the goat goat issue issue isis aa reflection reflection or or consequence consequence of of poor poor parasite parasite management management in in sheep. sheep. An An interesting interesting viewpoint.” viewpoint.”

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Meth use rising rapidly in rural New Zealand Neal Wallace

NEWS

Health

ETHAMPHETAMINE use is rapidly expanding in rural communities, creating safety issues for employers and destroying families. Glenn Dobson, chief executive of The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), calls it a methamphetamine crisis. Dispelling the myth that use of the addictive substance is a city issue, he said new data reveals that its use is also engulfing rural communities. Drug testing data between January 1 and March 31 this year by TDDA shows methamphetamine use is the drug of choice of between 20% and 30.6% of drug users throughout most of rural NZ. The rate of meth detected in samples increased during the sampling period from 13.7% in January to 18.2% in February and 24.9% March. “Our data is showing us that

more people are turning to meth when it comes to the range of drugs available such as cannabis,” Dobson said. “The surge is consistent with rising wastewater statistics and confirms that meth remains readily available nationwide. “When access to supply is this easy, increased consumption often follows. This has serious implications for workplace safety and productivity,” he said. The highest rates of meth use among drug users is in the central North Island at 30.6%, followed by Taranaki at 27.9%, Auckland East 25.8%, Taupō-Rotorua 25%, North Harbour 23.6%, Auckland West 23.2%, Northland 21.7%, Canterbury 20%, Southland 13.7% and Otago 10.5%. Dobson said the data shows meth use creates workplace safety issues and causes disruption to communities and families. “Employers must stay alert, have clear workplace substance policies, and be ready to act on suspicions compliantly and quickly,” Dobson said. A Drugs in Wastewater Testing

Programme study covering 76% of the population, calculated that, nationally, 1434kg of the drug was consumed in 2024, double that of 2023.

More people are turning to meth when it comes to the range of drugs available. Glenn Dobson The Drug Detection Agency This equates to 32.4kg of meth consumed every week. The study showed the areas with the highest use per capita were largely regional North Island towns and rural areas with high rates of social deprivation. The study attributed the doubling in use to increased supply and lower prices. The 1434kg had an estimated value of $538 million, equated to 77 million doses and caused $1.5 billion in social harm Police National Intelligence director Dan Wildy said the

GROWING: The use of methamphetamine in rural districts is a growing problem, says Glenn Dobson, the chief executive of The Drug Detection Agency. increasing use of meth nationally is a concern. “All policing districts recorded above-average methamphetamine use when compared to the previous four quarters.” Reasons for the increased use are varied but include increased availability, evident by the growing border seizures. New Zealand users pay higher prices than other countries. “Organised crime groups tend to target vulnerable communities who are often struggling.

Rural health, science find little support in Budget Neal Wallace

POLITICS

Finance

THE word “rural” was absent from the health estimates in the Budget, said Rural Health Network chief executive Grant Davidson. “Instead, rural New Zealand seems to have been sidelined once again,” he said. His cited as evidence the lack of an announcement of progress on the third medical school at Waikato University, which will specialise on rural general practice, and no investment or plan outlined for increasing rural medical placements. “This inaction comes at a time when the rural workforce is in crisis and struggling to meet the needs of growing, ageing, and often underserved populations.” The health budget was increased by 4.8% overall but Davidson said that does not cover increases in the cost of delivery and population gains or address long-standing inequities in rural healthcare. He has yet to see final capitation adjustments which Health NZ has calculated needs to be 6.4%. The Budget also failed to address pay parity for private sector nurses with those in the public. “Primary care nurses, especially those working in rural settings, continue to be paid significantly less than their hospital counterparts, worsening recruitment and retention challenges.” Davidson said the network will watch with interest to see whether rural mental health services receive

additional resources, part of the proposed transfer of mental health crisis response responsibilities from police to health services. “This may offer long-term benefits in urban centres, but it raises serious questions for rural areas, where health teams are already stretched and crisis response capacity is limited or non-existent.” He welcomed the Primary Care Action Plan, which includes funding for urgent and unplanned care initiatives for after-hours and urgent care including surges in demand during holiday times.

This inaction comes at a time when the rural workforce is in crisis. Grant Davidson Rural Health Network Troy Baisden, co-president of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, described the budget as a “black hole burger”. “Many areas of research may now be heading across a threshold where there’s no escape and they can no longer rebuild capability on par with what is being lost.” Reprioritised funding will pay for the establishment of three Public Research Organisations (PRO), the development of the Gene Technology Regulator as well as the Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council and more policy support in the ministry. “Ultimately, this budget will

leave the science that underpins understanding of our hazards and environment ever closer to falling over the brink into the black hole of capability collapse, where skills and knowledge unique and essential to NZ are lost.” The cohort of rural and agricultural ministers said Budget 2025 will strengthen the sector’s resilience and focus on driving growth and rural wellbeing through targeted investment. That includes $246 million over four years for a new Primary Sector Growth Fund. Funding can include for projects such as the developing high-value products, ingredients, or materials, innovation that transform by products into high-value products, and testing initiatives that could reduce costs and boost efficiency or productivity. The Budget has also allocated $2m over four years into a contestable rural wellbeing fund and an extra $1m extra over four years for Rural Support Trusts and other organisations to support farmers and growers. New Zealand A&P Shows were granted $400,000 over four years in direct grants and catchment groups $36m over the next four years. Rural Women NZ was given $250,000 for the coming financial year to assist with its support for rural communities. Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcomed the Budget’s focus on growth and productivity through funding for the Primary Sector Growth Fund.

“If you look at areas like Northland, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki, there are similar communities with similar issues.” Dobson said meth causes dizziness, impaired coordination, aggressive behaviour and poor judgement. It leaves the user with a hangover. “After meth wears off, users experience a severe ‘crash’ caused by extreme fatigue and sleep deprivation. This includes incidents of falling asleep at the wheel.”

Industry alert as black grass detected Annette Scott

NEWS

Pests

DETECTION of the highly invasive pest plant black grass has the cropping industry on high alert. Seed and Grain Readiness and Response (SGRR), the biosecurity entity for the arable sector, is working with cropping industry stakeholders and Biosecurity New Zealand on a response following the detection of Alopecurus myosuroides (black grass) from a farm in the Canterbury region. The response group is still working to determine how black grass got into the affected crop. The arable industry and Biosecurity NZ have previously responded to three incursions of black grass, in 2013, 2016 and 2021. Each of these responses has resulted in successful eradication. Black grass is an invasive plant pest of arable crops and establishment in NZ could seriously affect growers of seed and grain. Also known as slender meadow fox tail, it is a serious invasive plant that affects winter crops in Europe, including wheat, grass seed, rapeseed, forage legumes and barley.

It spreads quickly in cultivated crops competing for light, nutrients, space and water, resulting in yield loss. Foundation for Arable Research general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie said black grass is going to occur routinely. “At this stage we have managed to keep it under control and there is no reason to believe we can’t this time.” Lawrie confirmed the seed detected has been from just one farm and found in a sample taken from seed dressing during a pre-export inspection of commercially grown perennial ryegrass “It is not clear yet whether the seed was sown in the paddock or whether it may have been located in the paddock. There is no indication yet, it has not been found in the original seed, but we are still actively looking.” Lawrie assured that all parties affected have had appropriate notification. Farmers can help with surveillance and reduce the chance of black grass becoming established by keeping an eye out for any sign of the pest and, if found, by reporting it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline, 0800 80 99 66.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Is peat’s future still bogged down? Richard Rennie

NEWS

Soil

UFFIELD scholar Jenna Smith has put the spotlight on the peat country that forms such a valued part of her day job on the Hauraki Plains, finding opportunities for improved environmental and production outcomes that remain untapped. Smith is CEO for Māoriowned agribusiness Pourarua based on Hauraki Plains, with interests in dairy, arable, beef and horticultural enterprises. Her Nuffield work was undertaken apart from her employment role. She knows better than most the significance of peatlands, with the business encompassing over 2000 hectares of the soil type. Smith’s scholarship work was spent looking harder at a part of New Zealand’s farming landscape that has often been over drained, over stocked, and regarded by many as a nuisance soil type that can’t be modified soon enough. Wetlands including peatlands once covered 2.5 million hectares. Today only about 250,000ha remain of peatland in its original form and despite occupying 1% of our land area they are estimated to hold around 20% of the nation’s total biomass carbon.

“The methods we adopted to deal with peat landscapes came from practices used to drain wetlands in the United Kingdom where the peatland is quite different. The view was ‘if we drain it, it will become some of the finest land’, but that has not proven to be quite true.” The continuing breakdown of the heavily organic soil types means NZ’s greenhouse gas profile includes 7% emissions from peatlands, something not missed by large overseas customers, including Nestlé. It alludes to peatland drainage in the same category as deforestation, and in 2020 noted concerns over land conversions in NZ from peat. “The end game for peatlands is that as they continue to oxidise they will continue to subside. Waikato peat’s average subsidence is 2 cm a year. The impact in low lying areas like Hauraki close to the sea means salinity in soils is a real risk. The infrastructure costs to support drainage will be significant if it continues.” Her scholarship work included visiting countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, where peatland is as high as 20% of agricultural soils, and management more advanced. “They know exactly what the numbers are – and if they don’t,

they’re finding out. We have some modelling, but not a complete picture or survey of our peatlands to better understand how to manage them.” She came to see how rehabilitation through re-wetting peat land could provide a way forward for farmers to continue operating by modifying water tables and drained areas. “One place in Ireland was maintaining the water table at 30cm below the surface and still able to have very managed pasture systems.” A Radio NZ report has pointed to a briefing estimating that rewetting 167,000ha of peat drained for farming could stop the emission equivalent of 4 million tonnes of carbon a year. Some farmers Smith visited also practiced paludiculture, farming wetland-tolerant species like sphagnum moss. In NZ this could also include harakeke (flax) and raupō (bullrushes). In many parts of the United Kingdom and Europe, farmers have been able to claim carbon credits or subsidies through re-wetting peatland. “But we do not have the numbers to back up what we think we are losing and need to know more about how long it would take to sequester carbon through rewetted peat.”

SWAMPY: Nuffield scholar Jenna Smith says peat has often been overdrained in NZ, with the expectation it will somehow become a higher quality soil as a result. She said her work has had mixed reactions from farmers. “Some don’t understand the biology of the soil they are on. “A lot see it as a nuisance and

want to drain and get to the bottom of it quicker. There are, however, a subset who are quite positive about rehabilitation, and that gives me hope.”

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20 Editorial

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

This week’s poll question (see page 5): Do you think we have a good understanding of what our customers and consumers want from NZ food products? Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULT

Looking ahead with an open mind Craig Page

Deputy editor

HERE has been a smorgasbord of thought-provoking advice for farmers and growers over the past week. The need to “move with the times” is a well-worn phrase, but the importance of doing just that to survive, and ultimately thrive, was driven home in a series of reports and forums. The Future Use of Land and How to Fund It report, produced by ASB and Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness, started the ball rolling, outlining how better land use, paired with innovative funding, could unlock sustainable value across rural New Zealand. It estimates smarter and more diverse land use could create some serious money, unlocking billions of dollars for farmers and the economy.

The report looked at ways to achieve those goals, such as diversifying farm systems to introduce mixed revenue streams, increasing horticultural production, and unlocking underused Māori land. The well-known High Peak Station, in Canterbury, is a perfect example and partly inspired ASB’s response to land optimisation. The property was once a traditional sheep and beef farm, but evolved into a family-run operation that now dabbles in tourism, honey and hunting, as well as livestock. The station and its operators, Simon and Hamish Guild, featured in Farmers Weekly earlier this year. In 1987 their father started a hunting business at the property, which was run as sideline to farming. Today it contributes more than 50% of the land’s annual earnings, cashing in on overseas hunters prepared to pay big money to shoot at the property. That report coincided with E Tipu: The NZ Food and Fibre Forum in Palmerston North, a gathering of some of the country’s food production forward-thinkers. A focus was how New Zealand producers can thrive in the future, something most producers will have in the back of their minds. The common thread was that it will ultimately come down to collaboration between producers. Alan Renwick, a professor in transformational change in agriculture at Lincoln University, said land use change does not require a entire farm shifting from one

venture to another. Instead, landowners need to identify a profitable, high value complementary land use that is suitable to them and the region. Hamish Renton, from HRA Global, said NZ exporters appear to be coasting. He suggested NZ red meat companies tend to position themselves on price rather than brand, yet there is an opportunity beyond grass-fed and clean and green claims.

There is an opportunity beyond grass-fed and clean and green claims. The problem is strategies are fragmented and businesses are operating in silos. There is opportunity for collaboration but that hinges on creating a unified strategy and using cross-industry innovation. A similar theme emerged from the annual KPMG Agribusiness Agenda, timed to be released at E Tipu. Lead author Ian Proudfoot said the report was designed to be provocative in getting the sector to imagine what its potential could be. “We are asking leaders to be brave, to be curious, and to act.” Sometimes it is difficult to step into the unknown, but it’s clear this country’s food sector needs to look to the future with an open mind if it is to prosper.

Farmers Weekly is published by GlobalHQ, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740. New Zealand Phone: 0800 85 25 80 Website: www.farmersweekly.co.nz EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Carmelita Mentor-Fredericks editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Colin Williscroft 027 298 6127 colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 021 908 400 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Gerald Piddock 027 486 8346 gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com

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Last week’s question: Would you consider adding electricity generation to yourTitle farm business? Chart

45.3% 54.7%

Yes

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From the Editor

JUST over half of voters thought installing electricity generation systems in their farm businesses was a good idea, with many highlighting the cost savings. “I would love to add a windmill or solar unit to the farm – just to cover our own usage and maybe add back to grid whenever possible,” one said. Some of those tentatively keen on the idea had misgivings about the regulatory process. They would want on-farm electricity generation “if it added profit to our business, didn’t disrupt our daily business activity, and there were no silly conditions from council”. Of the 45.3% who would not, the key reason was market uncertainty. “The reason is because there is considerable doubt over what we would get paid for any electricity put back into the main grid,” one voter said. “The option exists on my farm for 8 hectares of solar power production, but I need some certainty in marketing. Local electricity demand is high enough,” another said.

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Opinion

21 Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

To manage well, know yourself Eating the elephant

Mark Guscott

Mark and Susannah Guscott farm 1400ha of sheep, beef, arable and tourism near Martinborough in the Wairarapa with a team of three In this series, the team pass the pen to four different food and farming New Zealanders.

HY is it that people do what they do? Why do we buy what we buy? Or run our farms like we do? Why don’t we change when it seems blindingly obvious that some change is needed? This is something I’ve been pondering for a while now. A day on farm doing various tasks usually provides a bit of mental clarity, but not with these big questions. If we were all the same and came up with the same answers to these

questions, the world would be a boring place, wouldn’t it? This is the value in any team. We all have different viewpoints and ways of seeing the world. Most group decisions are better than those made by an individual. I think back to when it was just me making all the farming decisions – and the dumb ones that were made as a result. There were some good ones too, but all decision-making needs a critique to be solid. I just did was what I thought was best and got on with it. To be fair, sometimes I didn’t want to listen to some suggestions. But that’s for another column! As our farm scale grew, we inevitably got a few more people around us. We had to get better at looking after those people and a large part of that is letting them get on with what they are good at. A lot of farmers say they struggle with staff. A huge part of business nowadays is related to people. I had been schooled that business is about people, but in fact, life is about people. It’s overused by us Pākehā but he tangata, he tangata, he tangata (it is the people, it is the people, it is the people) is very true. Even if you only work on farm with one other person, having some knowledge about how you communicate is important. My wife Susannah and I often wish we had studied communication when we were at Lincoln University. As a 19-year-old

WORKING TOGETHER: Tools such as psychometric testing and communication training can help farm teams – and families – work better together, says Mark Guscott.

No longer are my blind spots holding the business up and causing issues. arriving at Lincoln, I wasn’t aware of soft skills. In my mind, the only thing that mattered was the technical stuff, like plant and animal production systems (and the location of the Lincoln Hotel). All the skills and experiences gained from university were brilliant, but if anyone asked me what other papers I should have studied, it would be communication. We were lucky enough to be able to do a course a few years ago called Good to Great. It was funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries and run by a couple of top-drawer Wairarapa farmers. It was billed as a way to improve your labour management, but the most important thing I got out of it was learning about myself. Anyone who has done anything around personality testing or psychometric testing surely would agree that it is frighteningly

accurate. We did what’s called DISC profiling, but there are a lot of similar things with different names. When I read the reports about how I behave and react in certain situations, it’s scary. If you don’t believe the reports, ask your wife or husband if you’re really like that, they’ll tell you the truth! We’ve gone and put our farm team through the testing and we share all the results with each other. It’s part of our recruitment process now. You can look at how different people react in certain situations and the best way to communicate with certain people. I can only say it’s working well for us. There is a caveat that’s applicable in lots of farm situations. The DISC profiling is theoretical and relies on humans to “say and do the right thing”. We still have to do the work and think about how to react when something happens. The report might tell you that you’re likely to have an angry outburst when the pressure is on and something goes wrong (like

a gate comes open in the yards). But it’s up to you what you do with that information. We even did it with our teenagers. It helped one of them quite a bit – she can be quite direct and that trait was causing some conflict with some of her school teachers. Once we explained to the teachers that that’s just how she is, and that they shouldn’t be afraid to be direct back to her, most of the problems went away. I can only recommend that those who struggle with staffing and want to do better to look up one of these courses. I’m pretty sure Beef + Lamb NZ run them from time to time, and surely DairyNZ will too. There are others that you have to pay for, but they’re all worth doing in my opinion. The value for us on our farm is significant. Our team meets most mornings and discusses various issues and makes group decisions, as well as what’s happening today and tomorrow. No longer are my blind spots holding the business up and causing issues.

Good genetic decisions just a click away In my view Jason Archer

Dr Archer is head of genetics at Beef + Lamb New Zealand

OR too long, the New Zealand beef sector has lagged behind its sheep and dairy counterparts in harnessing the power of genetics to drive productivity. That’s changing – and it’s changing because the industry is pulling in the same direction. Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) has just launched nProve Beef, a free, easy-to-use online tool that puts the power of genetics into the hands of commercial beef farmers. Developed through the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme – and built in close partnership with breed societies across the country – nProve Beef marks a step forward in how New Zealand farmers select the right bulls for their operations. The tool launches alongside new beef indexes designed for NZ systems with a common approach used across all breeds, another

COMPETITIVE: With just 1 million breeding cows in New Zealand compared to 29 million in the US, we must collaborate if we want to be globally competitive, says Jason Archer. milestone that has been years in the making. Together, these innovations are designed to make genetic selection easier, faster and more profitable for farmers. What sets nProve Beef apart is not just the technology, but the collaboration behind it. Partnerships with Angus NZ, NZ Herefords, Simmental NZ and the NZ Beef Shorthorn Association were central to making sure the tool is both practical and relevant.

That willingness to work together – to focus on shared challenges rather than individual interests – has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of the INZB programme. In 2023, representatives from major beef organisations joined an INZB study tour across North America, visiting farms, universities and research centres, and attending the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium. What we saw was staggering: substantial investment in genetic research and technology, on a scale we can’t match. But more importantly, we came home with a shared understanding – NZ is small and we can’t afford to fragment further and work in isolation from each other. With just 1 million breeding cows compared to 29 million in the US, we must collaborate if we want to be globally competitive. That tour cemented a new mindset. Since then, breed societies have built trust, aligned around common goals, and opened the door to more unified, strategic thinking. nProve Beef is the first major result of that shift – and it’s already proving its value. Timed

for this year’s bull buying season, the tool allows commercial farmers to filter bulls based on traits that matter most to them, using simple buttons and sliders. It then generates a list of stud breeders offering bulls that match those preferences. You don’t need to be a geneticist to use nProve Beef. To simplify decision-making, the tool uses three indexes – maternal, terminal and beef on dairy – all developed by NZ-based global experts AbacusBio working with BLNZ. These indexes distil complex estimated breeding values (EBVs) into something practical: an economic value tailored to NZ farming systems. Each overall index is further broken down into sub-indexes, representing trait groupings that are expressed in different parts of the value chain. For example, the maternal index is broken into breeding, calving, finishing and carcase sub-indexes, which provides a clear snapshot of a bull’s strengths and weaknesses, without needing to understand the component EBVs. But for the enthusiast and those with a deeper knowledge of beef breeding, there is the option to dig deeper if you want to.

It is no coincidence that the tool is on the same platform as the equivalent tool for buying rams, and has a similar look and feel – all done to minimise the burden on farmers having to learn different systems and go to multiple places to find relevant information. The potential is huge. The INZB programme aims to lift sector profits by $460 million. Tools like nProve Beef are a critical step toward that goal. They give farmers the means to improve productivity and meat quality – especially in traits like marbling – regardless of breed. And this is just the beginning. As the tool evolves, more breed societies are coming on board. Potential future enhancements include a “genetic scorecard” for individual commercial farmers, based on the bulls they’ve used, to help manage bull teams and track long-term genetic progress. The focus is squarely on the commercial farmer and helping them make good genetic decisions, taking advantage of the good work being done by our beef bull breeders. More of your favourite opinion pieces now online farmersweekly.co.nz/opinion

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23 Hort Focus

Sector Focus

Horticulture

Growers target new markets as avos recover Gerhard Uys

MARKETS

Horticulture

S THE avocado sector regains its footing, growers are looking to diversify their markets and reduce reliance on traditional trade routes. CEO of New Zealand Avocado Brad Siebert said both air freight and shipping volumes of avocados have massively rebounded as the industry recovers from shocks such as Cyclone Gabrielle. Sea freight volumes nearly tripled. Air freight through Auckland Airport rose by 175%, or 1448 tonnes, over the 24/25 summer months, Siebert said.

Historically, 15% of exports have been by air, but this jumped to 19% last season, he said. “What has changed is the actual volumes that we exported, which was 190% more in the season just concluding, over 3 million trays. It was only 1 million trays in 23/24.” In 2022/23 it was just over 2 million trays. Exporters are on a mission to diversify markets, he said, looking as far afield as the UAE to understand where they can find new opportunities. “We have some clear advantages with our market access options and counter seasonality to some of our competitors. “[We] work on improving market access by advocating government focus on non-tariff barriers and

market development initiatives to ensure consumption rates increase across Asia. “Within Asia, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and India, in that order, have taken historic volumes and we hope to again service these markets with increasing volume. “Both the US and Canada are in focus for up to a third of the upcoming crop, with Australia remaining an important market. “While the industry will still service a good volume into Australia (traditionally 80% of exports), we have the opportunity to go global earlier in the season,” he said. The crop this season is “clean”. “Overall industry volumes

OPPORTUNITIES: Avocado exporters are looking as far afield as the UAE to understand where they can find new opportunities for growers, says CEO of New Zealand Avocado Brad Siebert. Photo: Supplied (export and domestic), while slightly down on last season, will be made up by the increasing

percentage of exportable fruit – making export volumes close to last season,” Siebert said.

Getting a head start on freshwater farm plans Staff reporter

NEWS

Environment COMMERCIAL fruit and vegetable growers across the country are getting ahead of Freshwater Farm Plan regulations through Horticulture New Zealand’s Growing Change project. The project was launched in June 2022 and is due to finish this month, having achieved its goals of increasing adoption of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) through Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFP) in 10 priority regions, plus developing a freshwater microcredential for existing and future professionals in the horticulture sector. Arjune Dahya, one of three

regional extension officers for Growing Change, said there has been really good uptake from growers in the regions, which included one-on-one support time with trained advisers to achieve the New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice (NZGAP) Environment Management System (EMS) add-on. This enables growers to meet requirements for their FWFPs ahead of the national roll-out of the government’s Resource Management (Freshwater Farm Plans) Regulations. “The response has been really great. “There have been a lot of proactive growers keen to take part,” Dahya said. “Growers were provided with

eight hours of fully funded support, over eight months, to sit down with advisers who we had put through training around the NZGAP-EMS and HortNZ’s Codes of Practice. “The benefit is that the EMS is aligned to existing industry assurance programmes which growers are already following so it reduces duplications and streamlines the process for them.” Growing Change has also delivered support through a series of technical workshops across regions. For vegetable growers, that covered use of the free Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) tool, which offers real-time nutrient management decision-making support. Fruit growers took part in

water and irrigation workshops. Growing Change has targeted locations across the country where higher water risks exist. Current projects being completed are in Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Northland and Bay of Plenty. In Northland, HortNZ through the Growing Change project, has partnered with Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) on a programme to build resilience across the Northland/Te Tai Tokerau kūmara industry. Growers in the northern Wairoa catchment are being encouraged to participate in the KMR pilot project to achieve best management practice on the land and restore local waterways. This includes fencing and native planting initiatives.

Planting got underway on May 1 at Simpson Gardens kūmara farm in Ruawai. “The KMR programme is designed to assist Northland primary sector landowners in the Kaipara Moana catchment in reducing sediment loss by up to 50% and restoring waterways. “That aligns well with the Growing Change objectives,” said Dahya. “The Kaipara Moana is culturally important to the people of the region. “Our growers are proud custodians of the land. They recognise that the work of KMR will support resilience to climate change, help improve farm biodiversity and reduce run-off and sediment loss.”

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Satisfaction with banks better – but fragile

armers are feeling more satisfied with their banks, pointing to improved communication and less ‘undue pressure’, Federated Farmers’ latest Banking Survey shows. “It’s good to see things are improving but farmers’ trust in their banks is still fragile,” Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says. “Where farmers have given positive feedback in the survey, it’s usually about their individual managers, not bank policy. “When those individual staff leave, that trust can erode quickly.” Nearly 700 farmers responded to the May survey, with 60% of them ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their bank. That’s up from 53% in Federated Farmers’ November 2024 survey but well shy of the 80% peak rating recorded in 2017. “It’s helped that over the last year banks have been grilled by the select committee inquiry on banking competition that Federated Farmers pushed for,” McIntyre says. “There has been a lot of scrutiny and banks have definitely been feeling the pressure, so it’s good to see them start to lift their game as a result.” In the survey, 61% of farmers rated their bank’s communication as good or very good – the best result since 2020.

Just on 18% of farmers said they were feeling undue bank pressure, down from 24% six months earlier and the lowest rating recorded since 2018. “Many farmers said bank pressure has eased over the past six to 12 months, with some noting their bank had become more understanding or backed off earlier demands,” McIntyre says. “However, for those still under pressure, the situation remains serious.

OCR drops come through like a feather. Increases hit like a brick. Farmer’s comment Federated Farmers banking survey “A few farmers shared difficult stories with us, including being forced out of farming altogether.” One farmer said: “We’ve sold the farm. If the bank had been more understanding, things might have been different.” The survey shows interest rates on farm mortgages have also eased by about 1% since late 2024 to an average of 6.52%. “Even so, we’re still very concerned that, compared with average residential mortgage interest rates, farm mortgage interest rates are

around 0.92% higher – and were about 1.12% higher late last year,” McIntrye says. From 2016 until 2021, the margin of difference hovered between about 0.6% and 0.35%. “These don’t seem like big differences, but when total agricultural lending is around $61 billion, a 1% margin difference puts $600 million of extra interest costs on the sector each year. “It’s crazy how much more money farmers are having to shell out to the banks in interest payments. “Part of the problem is the unnecessarily conservative Reserve Bank capital requirements, and the recent decision to review those settings is very welcome,” McIntyre says. “What we desperately need as well is stronger competition among banks in the rural sector. That would really help lower costs for farmers and drive better bank performance.” In the open comment section of the May survey, many farmers said they were still paying far too much in interest. Several expressed frustration that banks were quick to hike rates, but slow to pass on savings when the OCR falls. “OCR drops come through like a feather. Increases hit like a brick,” one said. The May survey also found that just under 20% of farmers said

FEET TO FIRE: Richard McIntyre says there has been a lot of scrutiny and banks have been feeling the pressure. ‘It’s good to see them start to lift their game as a result.’ their bank has inquired about their farm’s emissions profile or environmental footprint as part of loan requirements. Westpac and ASB were much more likely to ask such questions, at 32% and 40% respectively. “Federated Farmers’ view is that our democratically elected Government is the correct body to be setting emissions and environmental policy, not banks. “Farmers are closely watching what’s happening with Bills passing through Parliament, promoted by MPs Andy Foster and Mark Cameron, that would rein in banks’ ability to make lending decisions on noncommercial grounds.” Foster’s proposed law would prohibit banks from refusing loans or services purely for environmental or emissions reasons. May survey responses show 70% of farmers

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support such a law (18% oppose, 12% unsure). Other key findings from the survey: Farm Debt Levels: 84% of farmers surveyed have a mortgage. The average mortgage in the survey was $4.7 million, compared to $4.4 million six months ago. Overdraft Use Declining: Only 76% of farms now have an overdraft facility, down from 88% a decade ago. Overdraft Interest Rates: Rates have dropped. The average is now 9.0%, down from 10.0%. Rabobank offers the lowest (7.3%), while BNZ remains highest (9.7%). Efficiency Concerns: 19% of farmers feel their bank isn’t allowing them to structure debt as efficiently as possible - down slightly from 23% in November. Rabobank and ANZ performed best; Westpac performed worst.

Federated Farmers

fedfarm.org.nz – June 2, 2025

Feds back unitary authority proposal

PUSH: The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is effectively subsidising pine trees to offset fossil fuel emissions, and that’s pushing sheep farmers off the land, Toby Williams says.

Feds launch ‘SOS: Save Our Sheep’ campaign

“If that trend continues, we’re not ederated Farmers has going to have any sheep left in our launched a new camcountry within two decades. We’ll just paign, SOS: Save Our Sheep, calling for urgent action to halt have hills plastered in nothing but pine trees,” Williams says. the collapse of New Zealand’s sheep “That would be a huge loss for our industry. country – not just for our economy, “Once the backbone of New but for our cultural identity and rural Zealand’s economy, sheep are fast communities too.” becoming an endangered species in Williams says the number one this country,” Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams says. “Each year we’re losing tens of Where sheep and lambs thousands of hectares of productive farmland. Where sheep and lambs once grazed, pine trees are once grazed, pine trees are taking taking their place. their place. “Sheep farming is at a real Toby Williams crossroads. That’s why farmers are Federated Farmers meat & wool chair sending out an urgent SOS to save our sheep – and the Government driver of sheep farming’s collapse is need to answer that call before it’s clear: carbon forestry. too late.” “New Zealand’s climate change In just one generation New Zealand policies are badly broken, and it’s has lost over two-thirds of our gotten to the point where food national flock, reducing from over 70 million sheep in 1982 to fewer than 25 production and the viability of our rural communities are being million sheep today. threatened. Sheep numbers are rapidly “The Emissions Trading Scheme plunging with almost a million sheep (ETS) is effectively subsidising pine disappearing every year.

trees to offset fossil fuel emissions, and that’s pushing sheep farmers off the land, never to return. “We’re the only country in the world that allows 100% carbon offsetting through forestry within our ETS. “Most other countries have recognised this as a significant risk and have quite rightly set policies to restrict it – so New Zealand is way out of step with international norms.” Between 2017 and 2024, 260,000 hectares of sheep and beef country were swallowed up by pines. “That’s not because forestry is necessarily a better use of the land, but because Government policy makes it more profitable to plant pine trees than to farm sheep,” Williams says. “Unfortunately, the Government aren’t doing enough to stop the relentless march of pine trees across productive farmland – and if they don’t act soon, it will be too late.” Federated Farmers is now calling on the Government to urgently review the ETS and fix the rules to either limit or stop the offsetting of fossil fuel emissions with forestry.

Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick has thrown his full support behind a proposal to merge Southland’s four existing councils into two unitary authorities. “It’s high time for rural Southlanders to have a system that puts their needs first. “We’re 100% behind this idea of having two unitary authorities because we don’t want rural funding disappearing into city priorities,” Herrick said. “If you create one unitary for Invercargill and one for the rest of Southland, it means the rural council can focus on the rural part of the region – and that’s exactly what our communities need.” The proposed local government restructure was raised by Southland district mayor Rob Scott last year. Environment Southland, the region’s current regional council, has supported an investigation into the proposal. The Local Government Commission is expected to decide next month whether to proceed with a full investigation into the idea. If given the green light, the process could take up to five years. Herrick sees the change

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as a chance to streamline decision-making and improve environmental outcomes. “Moving to a unitary model means we can do away with the regional council, and both new councils can take full responsibility for environmental management in their areas. “That’s a more accountable and efficient way to do things,” he sayid. However, Herrick agrees with others that the process must be handled carefully. “We know this is going to be a slow process, and that’s appropriate. It needs proper consultation because you’ve got to involve the community and do it right.” Nationally, Federated Farmers is supportive of conversations exploring whether unitary authority models could benefit other parts of the country, particularly where rural voices are being overshadowed or where duplication across councils adds unnecessary cost. “Southland has a real opportunity to lead the way here,” Herrick said. “We need a system that delivers value for money and gives rural communities the local representation they deserve.”

EFFICIENCY: Jason Herrick says moving to a unitary model in Southland could help to streamline decision-making and improve environmental outcomes.

June 2, 2025 – fedfarm.org.nz

Federated Farmers

Getting Labour MPs back on the farm

ederated Farmers has once again brought Labour MPs out of Parliament and onto the farm, to strengthen ties between rural communities and political decision-makers. The two-day event in Wairarapa brought together Labour MPs including leader Chris Hipkins and agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton, alongside local farmers and sector leaders. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the purpose of the event is simple but powerful: to build relationships and understanding of the practicalities of farming. “It’s so important to get MPs on farm and seeing the realities of farming with their own eyes, particularly those MPs who come from a more urban background,” Langford says. “It’s all well and good to sit around a table and talk about farming rules and regulations, but sometimes you just need to get out on farm to properly understand the impacts.

It’s so important to get MPs on farm and seeing the realities of farming with their own eyes, particularly those MPs who come from a more urban background. Wayne Langford Federated Farmers national president “While it certainly raised a few eyebrows in farming circles when we announced we’d be hosting an annual conference with the Labour Party, I think farmers understand the concept.” Langford says it was a lack of relationships that contributed to the breakdown in the rural–Labour relationship during Labour’s time in government. “There was certainly a problem in that we hadn’t spent much time building strong relationships with

the Labour Party while they were in Opposition,” he says. “The day after the 2017 election, there was an email that went around asking our team who had any relationships in the new Labour caucus – and truth be told, we didn’t really know anyone. “That was a real problem because we found ourselves having to scramble to build trust and relationships at a time we were already in a regulatory pressure cooker.” Langford says that realisation prompted Federated Farmers to take steps to proactively build relationships with the Labour Party. The two-day event has been well supported by the wider primary sector, with the likes of DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb, Irrigation NZ, Rural Women and Horticulture NZ attending. Labour has also taken the opportunity seriously, with Chris Hipkins and Jo Luxton bringing a large contingent of senior politicians and staff. The group included Labour MPs Kieran McAnulty, Rachel Brooking, Deborah Russell, Cushla TangaereManual, Glen Bennett and Tangi Utikere. “I’ve had people ask why I’m spending so much time with farmers,” Hipkins says. “The reality is it’s a critically important sector to New Zealand and we do have lots of things in common – in particular around jobs, health and homes. “While we may not agree on every issue, having a relationship where we can pick up the phone and talk about why is important.” The event’s agenda included all the hot topics on farmers’ minds, including methane reduction targets, banking, out-of-control pests, and the impact of carbon forestry on rural communities. Federated Farmers also pushed hard to secure the Labour Party’s support for young farmers to be able to access their KiwiSaver to buy their

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ON FARM: Labour MPs Kieran McAnulty and Jo Luxton, Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford and meat and wool vice chair Simon Cameron, and Labour leader Chris Hipkins out on farm in Wairarapa.

first farm, flock, herd or home. This year’s events included visits to three Wairarapa farms, including a young sharefarming couple near Greytown, a sheep and beef farm on the plains, and a hill-country property. “My favourite part of the event is always getting the politicians out on farm where they can see, hear, taste and feel the realities of rural life for themselves,” Langford says. “When they meet farming families and hear their stories about the impact of government policy on their lives and communities, you can see it really hits home.” Langford says the tone of the conversation was respectful, constructive and future-focused. “From my perspective, there’s no point dwelling on the past. We can’t change what’s already been and nothing good will come from relitigating those issue. “I’m also realistic in that I know we’re never going to see eye to eye on every issue. “But if we can at least build relationships and a base-level understanding of farming, then that’s good progress.”

FOCUS: Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre with Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking.

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Federated Farmers

fedfarm.org.nz – June 2, 2025

Emissions uncertainty hurting Northland

hile methane emissions targets are being hotly debated, Northland is already paying the price, Colin Hannah says. The Federated Farmers Northland president says unrealistic targets, and the Government’s failure to ditch its policy to price livestock emissions from 2030, is costing his province dearly. “Sheep in Northland are a fastdiminishing part of our landscape. “Some people think this is offset by higher numbers of dairy cows and cattle, but that’s quickly shot down when you look at the statistics,” Hannah says. “It’s not just sapping the confidence of pastoral farmers, it’s bleeding Northland’s economy of tens of millions of dollars every year.” While there are a variety of factors behind the slide in livestock numbers – not just in Northland but around New Zealand – Hannah argues faulty Government forestry and ETS settings, and uncertainty over emissions targets, are two big drivers in recent years. “We’re shooting ourselves in the foot.

“The agriculture sector is the engine room for our export earnings but it’s like we’re pouring sand in the fuel tank by sending wrong policy signals to landowners and investors.” Figures vary widely depending on who’s reporting them, but according to MPI’s annual National Exotic Forest Description survey, exotic (mostly pine) forestry in the Far North, Whangārei and Kaipara Districts has expanded from 147,720ha in 2018 to 170,867ha in last year. “That’s a heck of a lot of good grassland gone into trees. “That figure doesn’t include a lot of

The agriculture sector is the engine room for our export earnings but it’s like we’re pouring sand in the fuel tank by sending wrong policy signals to landowners and investors. Colin Hannah Federated Farmers Northland president

land in the process of being planted. “The Government tightened rules last December in a belated attempt to rein in carbon-farming greed, but we’re still seeing Northland farmland swallowed by pines. “Much of this forest conversion is foreign owned, so the profit isn’t spent here.” Federated Farmers strongly opposes New Zealand’s current 24% methane reduction by 2050 target. “It’s divorced from science, much higher than what’s necessary for no additional atmospheric warming, and it’s economically unsustainable,” Hannah says. “Northland will be hit particularly hard if the Government doesn’t budge on the target.” From 1.29 million sheep in 1990, Northland’s flock had plummeted to just 182,000 by last year. Meanwhile, DairyNZ figures show a 20% drop in Northland cow numbers between 2015 and 2024 – from 285,000 to 227,500. “My Federated Farmers leadership team and I assumed the decline in dairy was being replaced by a rise in beef numbers,” Hannah says. “But Northland beef cattle have

DROP: DairyNZ figures show a 20% drop in Northland cow numbers between 2015 and 2024 – from 285,000 to 227,500.

WRONG MOVES: Colin Hannah is convinced that in 30 years’ time we’ll look back and think people were mad to lock up productive land in carbon forestry. dropped from 357,000 in 2016 to 326,000 this year.” Hannah says these big drops in livestock show Northland is already disproportionately contributing to methane emission reductions compared to some other districts. “The impact is very real and concerning. “A dairy dollar goes around the Northland economy six to seven times as farmers buy farm inputs, hire labour, pay transporters, spend in town, etc., and all those people and businesses spend, and so on. “With less money in the local economy, we’re seeing an increase in social welfare and crime costs.” Hannah says the sustainability of Northland farms will come under intolerable pressure if the Government goes ahead with a price on methane, and this will be a tragedy given Northland has huge potential to develop high value agriculture. “Our cost structures are quite different to those in places like Canterbury or Waikato. “We tend to have less stock per hectare and face higher costs. Northland is at the end of a no-exit road, meaning our inputs are often more expensive.

“When a methane tax is put in place our land will be the first to be locked up in carbon forests. “This is just criminal. Northland has great soils and an amazing climate. With water, most things can grow here. In 30 years’ time we will look back thinking people were mad to want to lose all this land to carbon farming. “When land is put into carbon forestry, it’s locked up forever, as converting it back to pasture will mean a heavy carbon penalty. It also leaves the community with fewer jobs, more pests like pigs and deer, and risk of wildfire. “Instead, we need to be looking at ways to invest and grow Northland’s agricultural sector. “Government investment in irrigation in Kaikohe is a great start. Areas like Kerikeri show that Northland, when it has access to water, can be as productive as anywhere in New Zealand. “A suite of policies to unlock investment in water, build new roads and train our labour force to work in agricultural and horticultural sectors could see Northland experience an economic boom. “This is the future that should be pursued for Northland.”

CONTRACT MILKING SURVEY Louise Gibson and Brendan Attrill unpack the key ﬁndings from a new industry survey—exploring challenges, opportunities, and how the contract milking model can be strengthened for the future.

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EP 36

28 Real Estate

Taumarunui 189 Whakamaro Road

Taumarunui 77 Borck Road Tender

Tender

Ideal first farm or extension opportunity

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189 Whakamaro Road is situated 25km west of Taumarunui and is Tender closes 11.00am, Wed 18th Jun, 2025 (unless sold prior), Property made up of predominantly river flats being a total of 61 ha STS Brokers, 27 Hakiaha Street, and approximately 53 ha of effective land. The farm boasts a long Taumarunui road frontage and is well subdivided into 25 main paddocks and View Wed 4 Jun 12.30 - 1.30pm additional holding paddocks. There is mostly conventional fencing Sat 7 Jun 1.00 - 2.00pm in place with some electric fencing and reticulated water to all Web pb.co.nz/TUR175081

Are you ready to step up or onto the farming ladder? This 31.29 ha Tender closes 11.00am, Wed 18th Jun, 2025 (unless sold prior), Property (more or less) farm offers an excellent opportunity. Set on flat, Brokers, 27 Hakiaha Street, gently contoured land, the farm lies in an East / West valley. The Taumarunui scattered trees provide excellent year-round shelter for stock and View Wed 4 Jun 10.30 - 11.30am the conventional fencing is in good condition with some new Sat 7 Jun 11.00 - 12.00pm boundary fencing in place. Tucked up a private, sweeping driveway Web pb.co.nz/TUR199695 lies the four-bedroom home. While the home does require renovations, there is ample opportunity to create your dream rural family home. Surrounding the home there are well-established fruit trees and shrubs creating a lovely setting. Katie Walker M 027 757 7477

paddocks. The farm is well supported by five sets of yards, a hay barn, fertilizer bin, an air strip and a large four stand woolshed with covered yards. Beautifully positioned, the original four-bedroom homestead has been modernised over the years and features a large open-plan living room.

Alan Blackburn M 027 203 9112

Pahiatua 99 Surreydale Road Tender

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Limehurst - 658 ha Offered to the market for the first time in over 100 years, Limehurst presents a rare opportunity to acquire a diverse and highly productive breeding, finishing and trading farm in a sought after location just 15 minutes east of Pahiatua. With over 70 ha of very productive flat to undulating contour which is all in superior pastures and crops coupled with balanced hill country provides an optimal farming business. Complementing Limehursts farming operation is over 80 ha of steeper hill country which was planted and registered in 2023 in a mix of pines, redwoods and native adding further revenue. Farming infrastructure is well suited to the operation and consists of a 4 stand woolshed with covered yards (900 npc), satellite yards, 2x cattle yards with load out and handling facilities, airstrip with bin and reticulated water throughout. Limehurst features 3 homes which provide ample accommodation for the operation and purchase options with one of the dwellings on a 1 ha footprint.

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz

Tender closes 2.00pm, Tue 17th Jun, 2025, Property Brokers, 129 Main Street Pahiatua View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/PR204633 Jared Brock M 027 449 5496

E jared@pb.co.nz

Sam McNair M 027 264 0002

E sam.mcnair@pb.co.nz Proud to be here

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

NEW LISTING

Horowhenua 96 Engles Road, Shannon

Matatoa Nursery

7.4632 ha

Matatoa Pole Nursery includes land, buildings and the business and offers an excellent opportunity to secure the highly regarded operation started over 45 years ago. Located a short distance off State Highway 57 in Shannon and the Horowhenua District, the business supplies high quality Poplar and Willow poles throughout the country. Improvements include two and three bay pole sheds, a 2022 constructed five bay shed with office, bathroom and laundry facilities, a water bore, Council trickle supply and irrigation system. Matatoa, a leading supplier of high quality Poplar and Willow solutions, has adapted through innovation over the past 45 years and has now become available with the land, buildings and business being offered for sale.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 1pm, Tue 1 Jul 2025 49 Manchester Street, Feilding View by appointment Mark Monckton 021 724 833 mark.monckton@bayleys.co.nz Jack Monckton 027 394 3705 jack.monckton@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/3053075

BARTLEY REAL ESTATE MANAWATU LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 3b2s6c2.53ha

158 Finnis Road, Pohangina If you’re looking for a lifestyle property with views, 158 Finnis Road can be your new home. Breathtaking views of rural farmland. Located 15 minutes to Feilding. 7 paddocks and modern 16x7m shed all set in attractive landscaped grounds.

Asking Price $1,179,000

View By Appointment

Richard Anderson 027 543 1610 richard.anderson@raywhite.com

Andrew Hansen 029 773 0778 andrew.hansen@raywhite.com Executive MEMBER 23-24

rwfeilding.co.nz/FEL30413

Real Estate House Manawatu Ltd Licenced (REAA 2008)

WHY WAIT?

Maximise your property’s potential with our expert team. Get in touch today to discuss your property needs. SCAN HERE

FOR SALE

Bayleys Commercial specialises in delivering tailored solutions across all property sectors. Whether you are selling, leasing, investing or developing, our sector experts combine local knowledge, global reach and the strength of our national network to help you achieve your property goals.

027 845 4617 charlie.tudehope@bayleys.co.nz LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

30 Marketplace

Marketplace

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

MOWER MASTER TOWABLE MOWERS

Call Dean Edwards: 027 332 2996 www.deanedwardsfarmconsultant.co.nz dean.edwardsfc@gmail.com

NEW WEIGHT NEW COLOURS

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

• 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

PLANTATION

NAVY

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2025/2026

www.highcountryjourneys.co.nz

www.kellswool.co.nz

100% MERINO WOOL 220gsm T SHIRT

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

KELLS WOOL

Recycling Bale Wrap Bag Holder

Heavy duty, long lasting incinerators

• Holder for Plasback recycling bags • Taped design for easy removal • Very light & easy to deal with • Comes as a kitset • Freighted nationwide

Tools by farmers for farmers

All tools made from quality stainless steel and made in NZ We will be at National Fieldays June 11-14 in the innovation tent – Site IN26 We have 4 tools:

The Trough Wedger – A tool that helps to remove broken threaded ballcock from the

trough fitting. Size ½ inch through to 1 inch. Quicker, easier, safer H&S.

Three sizes available

The Scraper – A tool that helps easily remove milkfat & protein build up from the double vacuum & milk line rubberware. Improves shed hygiene, helps to reduce mastitis risk, for better milk quality. The Classic Priser – A tool that helps easily remove inflations/rubberware off the cup

www.trusten.co.nz | admin@trusten.co.nz | Ph 027 252 5677

ATIAMURI GOLD RACE ROCK

LK0121288©

Bale Feeders also available

Ph/txt Alistair 0274 876 711 www.balefeeder.co.nz

Phone 021 047 9299

LK0121351©

10% off for June 2025

LK0121399©

claw. Quicker, easier, safer H&S, saving valuable time. Compliments the Mini Priser.

The Mini Priser – A tool that helps remove the inflations/rubberware off the milk claw in tight areas and release the inflation off the cup shell. Can check for thermoduric in liners and dropper hoses. Quicker, easier and safer H&S. Compliments the Classic Priser.

irontreeproducts.co.nz

Practical Solutions for High Rainfall Dairy Effluent Systems

Date & locations

Come along to this free workshop & hear from Davieth Verheij (AgFirst Engineering) & Lauren McEldowney (AgFirst) about the findings of their Our Land and Water funded project.

Wed 18 June Opunake 10.30am Stratford 2.30pm

These workshops are brought to you by

Come and see us at National Fieldays site PD21

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• 1 x 6 foot bale • 2m diameter • 15 feed positions • 15 - 30 animals

$1100

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Free Introductory On-Farm Consultation

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Serving Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Central Plateau, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki & Lower North Island

▲

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Over 20 years helping NZ dairy farmers boost productivity, profitability & compliance

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Phone 028 461 5112 Email: sales@mowermaster.co.nz

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To find out more visit

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GST INCLUSIVE

Independent Dairy Advisory – Proven. Practical. Professional

AUTUMN

MERINO WEARABLES

DEAN EDWARDS FARM CONSULTING LTD

$4200

www.mowermaster.co.nz

WOOLY T T SHIRT

the

Topper / Finishing Mower

Genuine 11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Electric start. Belt driven. Cutting Height 30mm - 300mm

HIGH COUNTRY JOURNEYS

Rrediscover true comfort

31 MPlace-LStock

Marketplace

Livestock

CLASSIFIEDS LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

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

ATTENTION FARMERS

DOLOMITE NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser For a delivered price call ....

0800 436 566 FARM FOR SALE IN AUSTRALIA 185 ACRES THREE BEDROOMS. Three Large Sheds, Cattle Yards. Dams, Permanent Creek. https://www.realestate.com. au/property-lifestyle-nswbrogo-700253528

FARM MAPPING PRACTICAL AND COSTEFFECTIVE farm maps, including an app. No subscription fees. Visit farmmapping.co.nz for a quote.

FORESTRY WANTED

NATIVE FOREST FOR MILLING also Macrocarpa and Red Gum, New Zealand wide. We can arrange permits and plans. Also after milled timber to purchase. NEW ZEALAND NATIVE TIMBER SUPPLIERS (WGTN) LIMITED 027 688 2954 Richard.

3 roles available

FARM MANAGER SENIOR SHEPHERD SHEPHERD

GOATS WANTED

Kuratahi Limited is situated less than 20km from Taihape in Mataroa. This 1,565 hectare (effective) property is a traditional sheep and beef breeding farm with loads of potential. The 13,800 stock unit property is located across three blocks and has huge scope for productivity improvement. Farm Manager role is a leadership position for the business and is responsible for the sustainable operation of Kuratahi Limited. This role is crucial to implementing the farm strategy of sustainable and profitable production of meat and fibre. This role is hands-on and requires a strong reporting skill set. They are responsible for day to day operations and report to directors and the farm advisor. The role also encompasses maintenance and continued improvement of farm infrastructure, plant condition and development of the on-farm team. Strong communication and engagement with the on-farm team will be critical to achieving business outcomes. Building on the team culture by ensuring all staff have a common sense of purpose is a key function of this role. Accommodation provided. Senior Shepherd. Opportunities to upskill. The Senior Shepherd assists the Farm Manager in carrying out the daily operation across the three blocks, having regard to the overall direction and systems of management as set down by the Farm Manager. Such work will be directed towards achieving the pre-determined annual targets and policy as established by Kuratahi Limited. You will need to work actively as a team member in developing and achieving the company objectives. Accommodation provided. Shepherd Opportunities to upskill. The Shepherd assists the Senior Shepherd and Farm Manager in carrying out the daily operation across the three blocks, having regard to the overall direction and systems of management as set down by the Farm Manager. Such work will be directed towards achieving the predetermined annual targets and policy as established by Kuratahi Limited.

To apply or find out more information please email vacancies.kuratahi@icloud.com or phone Joel 021 946 684

LK0121412©

You will need to work actively as a team member in developing and achieving the company objectives.

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 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

BEECHWOOD & RICHON HEREFORDS

2 Year Olds Bull Sale Tuesday 10th June, 2025 at 2 pm

PERSONAL ALISON IS A beautiful down to earth lady. At 5 foot 4 with a lovely figure, blonde hair and kind brown eyes, she’s not only attractive but full of charm and warmth. She loves the simple pleasures in life, being outdoors, exploring new places, listening to music, gardening, cooking delicious meals, fishing and camping. She’s hoping to meet a kind, affectionate man for friendship/ companionship. Please call 0800 446 332 Quote 67.

Lot 1 REG 0051230006 5 23

LOT 11 REG 1177230001 77

77 Maskells Road, RD 1, Amberley 7481

RJ & MA Burrows 027 263 3582 | RS & JA Stokes 027 757 1673

online at bidr.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

RAMS FOR SALE WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556.

STOCK FEED HAYLAGE $85, baleage $95, lucerne baleage $115. Unit loads available. Manawatu area. Phone 021 455 787. 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

TREES FOR FARMS TRUFFLE TREES FOR SALE. Native and exotic, stock shade, erosion protection, additional income from truffles, carbon credits, stock fodder, livestock shelter and many other benefits to your farming operation. (minimum order 10 trees) delivered to your farm. Visit 021garden.co.nz Litterland Truffles to order your trees today. Phone 021 327 637.

Autumn Bull Sales are here

WANTED TO BUY CULL RAMS, END OF LIFE rams and unsold stud rams for slaughter. Freight Paid - North Island only. Phone 027 475 9418. 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.

AUTUMN 2025 BULL SALE RESULTS REVIEW Farmers Weekly July 14 To submit your sale

Advertise your birth, death and family notices with us Contact Julie 027 705 7181

results or to subscribe to our complimentary Bull Sales eNewsletter contact Andrea or visit farmersweekly.co.nz/bull-sales Deadline July 7

Andrea Mansfield 027 602 4925 • livestock@agrihq.co.nz

LK0120469©

KURATAHI LTD

RED DEVON BULLS. Quality. Well grown. Waimouri Stud Feilding. Phone 027 224 3838.

32 Livestock

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

GRAMPIANS RED OAK BULL SALE BULL SALE FRIDAY 13TH JUNE

WOODBANK BULL SALE TUESDAY 17TH JUNE

HEMINGFORD BULL SALE

> 35 Angus Bulls

> 70 Angus Bulls

> 70 Charolais R2 Bulls

Catalogue available via contact details below or on the Hazlett website: www.hazlett.nz/whats-on

Bidr® online bidding option available if you cannot attend the auction. To register for Bidr® please go to www.bidr.co.nz.

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett (Hazlett) 027 462 0126 John McKone (PGGW) 027 229 9375

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett (Hazlett) 027 462 0126 Simon Eddington (PGGW) 027 590 8612

FRIDAY 13TH JUNE

Jono and Sarah Reed 420 Cascade Road, Culverden Viewing 10.00am, Sale 1.00pm

Orr Family 32 Fergusons Road, Weka Pass Viewing 2pm, Sale 4pm

THURSDAY 12TH JUNE Sam and Viki Holland St Leonards Road, Culverden Viewing 2pm, Sale 4pm

Ben and Caroline Murray 82 Clarence Valley Road, Kaikoura Viewing 10am, Sale 1pm

> 70 Angus Bulls

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett (Hazlett) 027 462 0126 Travis Dalzell (Hazlett) 027 202 0196

SILVERSTREAM CHAROLAIS

MTPOSSESSION BULLSALE

Brent and Anna Fisher 1060 Hudsons Road, Greenpark Viewing 12pm, Sale 2pm

Donald Whyte & Ryan Hussey 50 Hakatere Potts Road, Ashburton Lakes Viewing 12.30pm, Sale 2.30pm

WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE

> 60 Charolais R2 Bulls > 20 Hereford R2 Bulls Catalogue available via contact details below or on the Hazlett or RLL websites: www.hazlett.nz/whats-on www.rurallivestock.co.nz/Auctions Bidr® online bidding option available if you cannot attend the auction. To register for Bidr® please go to www.bidr.co.nz.

MONDAY 9TH JUNE

> 24 Angus R2 Bulls Bidr® online bidding option available if you cannot attend the auction. To register for Bidr® please go to www.bidr.co.nz.

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett (Hazlett) 027 462 0126 Geoff Wright (Hazlett) 027 462 0131 Simon Eddington (PGGW) 027 590 8612

Advertise with us

BULL SALE FRIDAY 6TH JUNE Roger & Susan Hayward 163A Clemett Road, Te Akau Viewing 11am, Sale 1pm > 60 Angus Bulls Bidr® online bidding option available if you cannot attend the auction. Register at www.bidr.co.nz.

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett (Hazlett) 027 462 0126 Richard Johnston (Hazlett) 027 444 3511 Vaughn Larsen (PGGW) 027 801 4599

Call Andrea 027 602 4925

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett (Hazlett) 027 462 0126 Anthony Cox (RLL) 027 208 3071 Bob Davidson (RLL) 027 473 0806

TANGIHAU ANGUS

ESTB. 1907

AUNGAHINA MMAUNGAHINA STUD ESTB. 1907

STUD

Blending power, soundness, growth, fertility and meat traits with balanced data

June 23, 2025 12 PM

Studmaster Dean McHardy +64 27 242 5321 tangihau.station@xtra.co.nz @tangihauangus | www.tangihauangus.co.nz

CELEBRATING 118 YEARS BREEDING BULL SALE 5TH JUNE 2025 – 1PM 35 POLLED HEREFORD BULLS 14 SPECKLE PARK BULLS 8 MAIDEN 3-YEAR INCALF SPECKLE PARK HEIFERS Contact Mark McKenzie 027 415 8696 mark.maungahina@xtra.co.nz MAUNGAHINA.CO.NZ

Deano Brenssell, Fergus Rural Agribusiness 027 863 8923 Callum Stewart, PGG Wrightson Livestock 027 280 2688

LK0121048©

Annual Bull Sale

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Capital Stock Ewe and Lamb Sale

SALE TALK The young man went nervously into the pharmacy to prepare for his big date. Things had been going well, and he was aware that tonight might be The Night. He picked up a box of condoms from the shelf and took a look at the price. $2.99. He didn’t want to put any such purchase on his credit card, but he had enough for that. So to the counter he went. The cashier rang up his purchase. “Three-seventeen,” she said. The young man paused, his three dollars already in his hand, ready to get out of there before anyone saw him. “I thought it was two ninety-nine?” The cashier nodded. “The other eighteen cents is for tax.” The young man’s face went white. “I thought you just rolled them on,” he whispered.

STOCK FOR SALE

Waipaoa Station, 1497 Armstrong Road Whatatutu, Gisborne Wed 18th June – commencing 11am

70 R2–6YR Velvet Hinds SIF Forest Rd Farm stag

• 1400 2th Ewes (Rom Ram) • 2800 MA Ewes (Rom Ram) • 1800 MA Ewes (Terminal ram) • 3500 ewe lambs, 37-44kg, GAP • 550 male lambs, 44-48kg, GAP

Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty funny contributions to our Sale Talk joke from you avid readers, and we’re keen to hear more! If you’ve got a joke you want to share with the farming community (it must be something you’d share with your grandmother...) then email us at: saletalk@agrihq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the subject line and we’ll print it and credit it to you.

STOCK REQUIRED

ON-FARM 2YO BULL SALE

180% historically, 20/3 ram, 2 cycles. Scanning results published prior to sale. Will be drafted to suit all intending purchasers. 1.5% rebate to purchasing agents. Light lunch and refreshments available.

1pm, Thurs 12 June

Allow 1 hour from Gisborne.

Chris and Jennifer Chesterman LK0121386©

Further enquiries Ross Mitchell 027 404 8965

Conditions apply

Male & Ewe Lambs 32–38kg Also GAP store lambs GAP SIL MA ewes Friesian Bull Calves 200-220kg R2YR Angus & Ang x Hfrs 300–380kg R2YR Beef & Fries Bulls 420–560kg VIC R2 & 3YR Ang Hfrs Due Aug/Sept info@dyerlivestock.co.nz www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

Phone: 027 4777 637 facebook.com/KoanuiPH facebook.com/KoanuiPH A Financing Solution For Your Farm www.rdlfinance.co.nz

www.koanuiherefords.co.nz

SNAKE GULLY LIMOUSINS

19 x R2 APRICOT & BLACK LIMOUSIN BULLS FOR SALE LINKING BUYERS AND SELLERS

SERVICES INCLUDING:

Lot 1 - Snake Gully Utah

31sst Annual Sale

With options for: • Purchasing • Finance-A-Bull • Lease with Link-A-Bull

CONTACT OUR TEAM OF EXPERIENCED AGENTS

1pm FRIDAY 13th JUNE 2025 On Farm, 493 Omana Road Waiotira

COVERING ALL OF NEW ZEALAND

www.linklivestock.co.nz or email accounts@linklivestock.co.nz

Eighth Annual Yearling Bull Sale

MANGATARA LIMOUSIN

2025 BULL SALE

LK0119434©

Lot 4 - Snake Gully Useabull

• Buying and selling • Forward Sale & Purchase • Livestock Valuations • On-Farm & Online Auctions • Service Bulls

FRIDAY 12 TH SEPTEMBER 2025 AT 1PM

Monday 9th June 2025

OPEN DAY 27TH AUGUST

12 MIDDAY AUCTION – viewing from 10.30am

75 R2yr Bulls

111 Rakaiatai Road, Dannevirke

20 BULLS

All Polled, Apricot and Black

ATAHUA 17-303

Featuring 12 sons of Kincardine Rainstorme R25

•

- Deep, thick, easy--eshing bulls - Industry-leading maternal and fertility traits. - Strong positive fat EBVs - Easy doing, shift well, and thrive in the New Zealand hill-country environment. Full catalogues and videos of all bulls online Call David Giddings 027 2299760

•

McFadzean Super Angus 4442 Weaning Weight 412kg |Weaning Weight % = 67%

Want to earn a minimum $0.50 premium above schedule on 1st cross? Premium doubled for 2nd cross. Use our bulls and we will buy back the progeny @ 270-320kg CWT, to supply our butchery. Weaners also wanted – we have the farmers to finish them.

ALL BULLS HAVE PASSED SEMEN TESTING

We are NZ’s largest registered Limousin herd 250+ cows.

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

Mangatara genetics – always well sought after at sales.

Further enquiries: Erik & Lyn van der Velden 06 374 1575 NZ Farmers agents: Clint Worthington 021 209 2236 or John Watson 027 494 1975

“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

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

47 Years of Proven Performance • Top Quality Yearling Bulls LK0121349©

•

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

34 Markets

Markets

Proudly sponsored by

Where have all the breeders gone?

As the ewe flock decreases, so do the people with the skills to expertly manage a breeding flock and get good results. Fiona Quarrie

MARKETS

HE message is becoming very clear: everyone wants to buy store lambs and weaner calves to fatten but the list of people willing to breed them is growing shorter every year. After the strength of weaner fairs and calf sales across the country there was hope this would translate to a strong market for in-calf beef cow sales. While the results were satisfactory, they were underwhelming after their progeny had sold so well. As the first samples of scannedin-lamb ewes are being sold in the country, it is becoming evident that the same attitude has limited competition and therefore returns. Three pens of in-lamb Romney ewes sold at Stortford Lodge on Wednesday, May 28. They were all in good condition with early lambing dates and scanning percentages of 175% or more, to mostly Suftex rams. Competition at the rails was thin and the hammer eventually fell at $211 for the 5-year ewes scanned at 175%, $191 for the mixed-age ewes at 184% and $194 for the mixed-age scanned triplet ewes. Redshaw Livestock agent Will Maxwell said of the situation, “they want the apple but not the tree”. Considering the results at Stortford Lodge, he explained that “those ewes only made $60 more than a dry ewe of their

They want the apple but not the tree. Will Maxwell Redshaw Livestock made $200-$220. “We got what we expected, but there was not a lot of competition” Bevege said. Further south a large consignment of 720 mixed-age Perendale ewes were on the market due to a change in farming policy. They hadn’t been scanned but had run with blackface rams for three cycles and were due to lamb from September 3.

THE SOURCE: These five-year Romney ewes sold at Stortford Lodge for $211. They were scanned inlamb to Suftex at 175% and are due to lamb mid-July.

South Canterbury-based PGG Wrightson agent Bruce Dunbar said he had inquiries from Blenheim to Southland and it is very likely that the asking price of $200 will be achieved. These results, all sitting close to $200, look very positive compared to last year, when the North Island average return for in-lamb ewes across June and July was $119. The reality is that it had to be better, and any more years like 2024 would only hasten the decrease in the national ewe flock. Average in-lamb ewe returns for this time of year had made steady gains up until 2021, where they settled at $200 for the North Island. For reference, the North Island lamb schedule in the first week of June 2021 ranged from $7.60/kgCW to $8.05/kgCW and mutton was strong with an average of $5.90/kgCW. This picture looks a little different this year; lamb is

027 220 9984 www.growtechgroup.co.nz

FIELDAY S SITE

F51

DIVERSIFY YOUR LAND WITH

VISIT US AT

Sheep and beef

condition and they are getting 180% of lambs with them. There is an opportunity there, but it won’t last long as there is not an abundance of early, in-lamb ewes around.” The Te Kuiti saleyards also had a taste of the market on Friday, May 23. The lease of a farm meant the A-flock ewes and 2-tooths made the trip to town, the terminalmated ewes having been sold to the lessee. These came with 15 years of Piquet Hill breeding and a touch of Nikau Coopworth in recent years. NZ Farmers Livestock agent Richard Bevege said it was “too early to scan, but good condition and the use of teasers means they were clearly in-lamb”. A buyer from Dannevirke secured all but a bottom cut of mixed-age ewes. The 2-tooth to 4-tooth girls earned $220-$250 and 6-tooth to 4-year options

North Isl. in-lamb ewe v. store lamb (Jun-Jul) $240 $200 $160 $120 $80 $40 $0 2010

2012

2014 2016 In-lamb ewes

2018

stronger at $9.20/kgCW and lifting while the ewe schedule is above $5.00/kgCW only at the top of the range. Costs, however, are significantly higher. The popularity of trade lambs in the industry is obvious, particularly as they sit so well within the cropping industry. It is a worry, though, that the lambs will run out one day and as the ewe flock decreases, so do the

2020 2022 Store lambs

2024

people with the skills to expertly manage a breeding flock and get good results. Farmers can be happy that returns for these in-lamb ewes have recovered from last year, but the gap between the price of a store lamb and an ewe carrying multiples is closing. As a trader, there could be an opportunity here, but as an industry, it does pose some questions.

WIN

$30,000 OF KIWIFRUIT ORCHARD SERVICES

HOW TO ENTER

TWO WAYS TO ENTER!

SCAN HERE PLUS VISIT

SITE F51

AT FIELDAYS COMPETITION ENDS:

12 PM JUNE 14, 2025 For full terms & conditions go to: www.growtechgroup.co.nz/giveaway

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

Cattle

Sheep

Deer

Beef

Sheep Meat

Venison

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Last week

Last year

North Island P2 steer (300kg)

8.10

6.05

North Island M2 bull (300kg)

8.00

6.05

North Island M cow (190kg)

6.40

4.10

South Island P2 steer (300kg)

7.45

5.40

South Island M2 bull (300kg)

7.25

5.45

South Island M cow (190kg)

5.85

3.60

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Last week

Last year

North Island AP stag (60kg)

9.30

8.50

2.75

South Island AP stag (60kg)

9.20

8.50

9.05

6.25

4.60

2.65

Fertiliser Last week

Last year

DAP

1344

1187

Potash (MoP)

802

975

Super

489

474

Urea (Coated)

953

946

April

Last year

Last week

Last year

North Island lamb (18kg)

9.20

6.30

North Island mutton (25kg)

4.70

South Island lamb (18kg) South Island mutton (25kg) Export markets (NZ$/kg)

Fertiliser

China lamb flaps

10.08

8.24

Wool

Export markets (NZ$/kg) US imported 95CL bull

11.71

US domestic 90CL cow

9.99

14.12

12.85

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

Steer slaughter price ($/kgCW)

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

(NZ$/kg clean)

22-May

Last year

Crossbred fleece

3.63

3.25

Crossbred second shear

3.58

2.96

Courtesy of www.fusca.co.nz

Lamb slaughter price ($/kgCW)

NZ average (NZ$/tonne)

Forestry Exports

9.0

9.5

NZ Log Exports (m3)

8.0

8.5

China

1,869,124

1,340,555

7.0

7.5

Rest of world

209,704

186,017

Carbon price (NZ$/tonne)

Last week

Last year

6.0

6.5

55.7

45.0

5.0

May

Jul Sep North Isla nd

Nov Jan South Island

5.5

Mar

Source: AgriHQ

NZU May

Jul Sep North Isla nd

Nov Jan South Island

Mar Source: AgriHQ

NZ lamb exports (Feb - Apr, thous. tonnes)

NZ beef exports (Feb - Apr, thous. tonnes) 70

9.0

50 40

8.5

30 20

8.0

China

Japan

S. Korea

Rest of Asia Last year

Dairy

China

Other

EU Mid. Ea st Last yea r

This year

Data provided by

Milk price futures ($/kgMS)

US This year

8.0

7.0

May

Jul

Sep

Sep-2025

Nov

Jan Sep-2026

Mar Source: NZX

ArborGen Holdings Limited

0.15

0.125

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.83

10.1

Comvita Limited

0.53

0.84

0.5

Delegat Group Limited

3.87

5.03

3.65

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.25

6.43

4.76

Foley Wines Limited

0.61

0.69

0.55

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.97

1.05

0.95

NZ King Salmon Investments Limited

0.24

0.265

0.2

PGG Wrightson Limited

1.96

2.28

1.56

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.028

0.034

0.023

Nearest contract Last price*

Sanford Limited (NS)

5.55

5.57

4.2

Scales Corporation Limited

4.4

4.53

3.87

Seeka Limited

3.98

4.1

3.16

Synlait Milk Limited

0.72

1.08

0.4

T&G Global Limited

1.72

1.74

1.43

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

12986

13023

10810

S&P/NZX 50 Index

12362

13130

11776

S&P/NZX 10 Index

12149

13445

11582

400

Jun

Aug

Oct

Feed Wheat

Dec

Feb

Feed Barley

Apr

Source: NZX

Waikato palm kernel & maize ($/tonne)

Dairy Futures (US$/t) Prior week

4 weeks prior

WMP

4265

4390

4140

SMP

2965

3010

2980

AMF

7225

7200

6940

Butter

7690

7380

Milk Price

10.19

10.20

10.15

* price as at close of business on Wednesday

Data provided by

Company

425

7.5

Mar

Source: AgriHQ

Canterbury feed wheat & feed barley ($/tonne)

450

8.5

Nov Jan South Island

Listed Agri shares

475

9.0

Jul Sep North Isla nd

Grain

10.0 9.5

May

Other

500

10.5

10.0 9.5

Stag Slaughter price ($/kgCW)

500 450 400 350 300

May

Jul

Sep

PKE

Nov

Jan

Maize

Mar

Source: NZX

YTD High YTD Low

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

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 | May 28 | 793 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 169kg

1150

Weaner Friesian bulls, 251kg

1070 795

Mixed-age cows, 485kg

2.94

Weaner traditional heifers, 165kg

R2 steers, 370kg

4.29

Frankton | May 27 | 1030 cattle

R2 heifers, 360kg

3.64

Weaner steers, 225kg

4.58

R2 dairy-beef steers, 435kg

4.16

Weaner bulls, 240kg

4.45

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 385kg

4.05

Weaner heifers, 200kg

4.16

Aut-born yearling dairy-beef steers, 300kg

4.34

Weaner traditional steers, 175kg

915

$/kg or $/hd

Prime dairy-beef steers, 590kg

4.10

R2 dairy-beef steers, 385kg

4.30

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 470kg

4.02

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 360kg

3.87

Boner Friesian cows, 510kg

2.97

Weaner traditional steers, 235kg

5.37

Frankton | May 28 | 437 cattle

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 250kg

4.76

Weaner exotic-beef bulls, 225kg

4.69

R3 dairy-beef steers, 505kg

3.97

Weaner traditional heifers, 245kg

4.22

R2 dairy-beef steers, 470kg

3.95

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 235kg

4.24

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 430kg

3.98

Prime traditional bulls, 485kg

4.72

Weaner dairy-beef bulls, 175kg

830

Boner Friesian cows, 505kg

2.81

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 210kg

960

Prime dairy-beef steers, 600kg

4.10

$/kg or $/hd

Boner Friesian cows, 530kg

2.88

R2 steers

4.00

Boner crossbred cows, 495kg

2.76

R2 heifers

3.81

Rangiuru | May 27 | 458 cattle, 14 sheep

Weaner steers

850

Weaner heifers

795

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 140kg

785

Prime steers

3.89

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 165kg

755

Boner cows

3.10

Prime traditional steers, 610kg

4.15

Store ewes, all

136-174

Prime dairy-beef steers, 620kg

4.09

Store lambs, all

102-128

Boner Friesian cows, 530kg

3.05

Prime lambs, all

152-184

Te Kuiti | May 23 | 709 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Wellsford | May 26 | 677 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Pukekohe | May 24

$/kg or $/hd

R2 dairy-beef steers, 420kg

3.96

R2 traditional heifers, 325kg

3.91

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 395kg

3.70

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 230kg

1140

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 170kg

840

2-tooth ewes, most

222-250

Matawhero | May 23 | 2050 sheep

$/kg or $/hd 6-year Romney ewes, SIL, all

190-216.50

Store male lambs, all

139-176.50

Store ewe lambs, all

145-163

Prime ewes, most

120-141

Taranaki | May 28 | 621 cattle

$/kg or $/hd R2 dairy-beef steers, 425kg

3.87

$/kg or $/hd

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 215kg

1045

Mixed-age traditional cows, VIC and empty, 525kg

3.27

Tuakau | May 22 | 460 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

SNAPPED UP: Demand remains strong for store lambs and these ewe lambs from Banks Peninsula fetched $171 at Canterbury Park on Tuesday, May 27.

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 205kg

880

R2 dairy-beef steers, 425kg

4.14

Mixed-age exotic-beef cows, empty, 520kg

3.10

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 505kg

4.01

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 356kg

4.00

R2 traditional steers, 425kg

4.11

Boner Friesian cows, 595kg

2.98

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Markets Stortford Lodge | May 26 | 1196 sheep

Rongotea | May 27 | 290 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Prime ewes, most

130-189

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 360kg

3.26

Prime lambs, most

210

Weaner Friesian bulls, 220kg

1110

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 165kg

725

Stortford Lodge | May 28 | 540 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Coalgate | May 22 | 344 cattle, 3736 sheep

R3 traditional heifers, 510kg

4.15

R2 traditional steers, 420kg

4.25

Prime dairy-beef steers, 540kg

3.97

R2 traditional heifers, 325kg

3.98

Prime traditional bulls, 790kg

3.32

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 395kg

3.93

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 465kg

3.76

Weaner traditional steers, 225kg

1155

Boner Friesian cows, 525kg

2.85

Weaner traditional heifers, 205kg

910

Dannevirke | May 22 | 3612 sheep

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

136-179

Store ewe lambs, all

90-164

Prime ewes, all

30-181

Prime lambs, all

125-208

Feilding | May 23 | 1502 cattle, 16,531 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Mixed-age traditional cows, VIC, 510kg

3.65

R3 traditional steers, 610kg

4.02

R3 traditional heifers, 440kg

3.93

R2 traditional steers, 430kg

4.20

R2 Friesian bulls, 430kg

4.18

R2 traditional heifers, 365kg

3.96

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 380kg

3.83

Weaner Friesian bulls, 175kg

930

Weaner traditional heifers, 230kg Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 240kg

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 2, 2025

970 885

Store woolly cryptorchid lambs, all

147-201.50

Store shorn male lambs, most

150-192.50

Store shorn ewe lambs, most

125-185

$/kg or $/hd

Store ewe lambs, all

125-149

Store finewool lambs, all

50-90

Prime ewes, most

101-160

Prime lambs, most

153-231

Canterbury Park | May 27 | 786 cattle, 4022 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

Balclutha | May 28 | 863 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Mixed-age traditional cows, VIC, 540kg

3.66

R2 traditional steers, 345kg

3.96

R2 traditional steers, 415kg

3.97

R2 dairy-beef steers, 455kg

3.89

R2 dairy-beef steers, 410kg

3.77

R2 traditional heifers, 370kg

3.65

R2 traditional heifers, 415kg

3.87

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 330kg

2.88

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 425kg

3.80

Weaner traditional steers, 265kg

1215

Weaner bulls, 290kg

990

Prime traditional cows, 530kg

2.93

Weaner traditional heifers, 285kg

1065

Prime traditional steers, 545kg

4.09

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 255kg

890

Prime traditional heifers, 485kg

3.81

Store ewe lambs, all

135-171

Store mixed-sex lambs, most

115-167

Prime ewes, most

120-182

Prime lambs, most

160-237

Temuka | May 26 | 1147 cattle, 7688 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Prime traditional cows, 560kg

3.21

$/kg or $/hd

Prime traditional steers, 585kg

4.03

Prime traditional cows, 465kg

3.13

Prime traditional heifers, 455kg

3.88

Prime traditional bulls, 555kg

4.07

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 460kg

3.75

Boner Friesian cows, 535kg

2.92

Boner Friesian cows, 525kg

2.76

Boner Friesian heifers, 390kg

3.03

Store whiteface lambs, most

Prime rams, most

107-126

Prime ewes, all

Feilding | May 26 | 529 cattle, 1482 sheep

WELL TRAVELLED: These are examples of Chatham Island’s lambs, which were common at Stortford Lodge on Wednesday, May 28. The wethers on the left made $150.50 and mixed-sex (ewe and wether lambs) on the right collected $156.50.

Charlton | May 22 | 941 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Store lambs, all

88-148

Prime ewes, all

90-146

Prime lambs, all

125-234

Lorneville | May 27

$/kg or $/hd R2 traditional steers, 433kg

3.72

R2 traditional heifers, 390kg

3.64

Weaner Friesian bulls, 180kg

790

Weaner traditional bulls, 260kg

990

144-169

Prime cows, 520kg

2.53

Store blackface lambs, most

141-169

Prime steers, 430kg

3.62

70-204

Store Halfbred lambs, most

118-162

Store lambs, all

100-145

Prime male lambs, most

170-217

Prime ewes, most

100-160

Prime ewes, all

80-150

Prime mixed-sex lambs, all

131-236

Prime lambs, most

155-220

Prime lambs, all

150-225

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Weather

In partnership with ruralweather.co.nz

Half a planet has bearing on your paddock Philip Duncan

NEWS

Weather

INTER on the meteorological calendar has arrived and as we went through May we did see a change to New Zealand’s weather pattern – at least from a bigpicture point of view. We’re used to seeing weather maps showing NZ and parts of Australia. But to really understand our pattern you need to zoom right out and look at the entire southern hemisphere – what is happening from South Africa and across the Indian Ocean, because this is the area much of NZ’s high pressure can move in from. You need to look at what is happening south of Australia and around Australia – and then lastly around the Southern Ocean and Tropics. Once those regions have all been looked at you then start to build a picture of what is dominating NZ’s weather – and that helps us look at what June may hold weatherwise (the first two weeks of the month anyway).

There are two things to note about the air pressure changes in those regions in recent weeks. Firstly, the near continuous high pressure belt – which brought drought to parts of NZ earlier this year – has now broken up. The high pressure zones are still enormous (many of them larger than Australia recently), but they no longer all link together like a chainlink fence. That brings us to the second point – we have gaps between the highs, allowing low pressure to form. The tropical cyclone season ended just over a month ago now, so it’s not surprising to see that the tropics look quiet in the weeks ahead (at least from a storm point of view). There are some signs of life up there, but not a lot. There is still rain-making energy around the Coral Sea and Tasman Sea – and so when we have gaps between highs we may see more Tasman Sea low pressure systems coming up. At the time of writing this a high pressure zone was forecast to be in the Tasman Sea moving into NZ with a west to southwest wind around it by King’s Birthday

TYPICAL: A classic late autumn/early winter pattern in our part of the world – varying wind flows, highs and lows. IMAGE: WeatherWatch.co.nz Monday. This high is again very large, stretching from the inland edge of Western Australia, across the Tasman and northern NZ and out to the northeast to the Cooks. But this high pressure belt is moving along at a good speed and by as early as this Wednesday it may already be leaving us. And behind it? Another Tasman

Sea low, which may well bring more severe weather risks by mid to late this week, followed by a wintry southerly from south of NZ going into this Friday and weekend, bringing frosts. Behind this, with such a changeable weather pattern, it’s hard to lock things in – but south of NZ the roaring forties are, well,

On-site activity

On-site Only

roaring. There are numerous storms one after the other and so I expect those southern lows to interact with us more, bringing more wintry changes in the mix. But we’re not yet done with those large highs from Aussie. Variety in weather is, generally speaking, a good thing for farmers – and June looks to have variety.