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Vol 23 No 18 | May 12, 2025

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Dairy slant to PM’s council vexes science NEWS

Research

CIENTISTS have raised concerns about the appointment of Dr John Roche as the prime minister’s chief science adviser, pointing to issues over Overseer transparency and Roche’s influence on earlier freshwater policy settings. They have also flagged the heavy focus on dairying in the PM’s newly formed Science and Technology Advisory Council, where Roche is also deputy chair.

I remain extremely concerned about the government’s commitment to true public-good ... science. Dr Lucy Stewart NZ Association of Scientists Other council members include Sir Peter Gluckman, John Key’s previous science adviser; Craig Piggott, the founder of Halter; Professor Merryn Tawhai from the University of Auckland; Fonterra’s chief innovation and brand officer Komal Mistry-Mehta; and Malcolm Johns, the CEO of Genesis Energy. As chief science adviser, Roche takes up a role that has been empty for almost a year, moving from his current position as the Ministry for Primary Industries’

chief science adviser. Before this he was DairyNZ’s principal animal scientist. New Zealand Association of Scientists co-president Troy Baisden said Roche was an excellent choice, given the government’s focus on reforms to achieve efficiency. “He has played intimate roles in a ministry with both significant internal science capability and funding of external science and innovation.” But he also raised concerns about Roche’s effectiveness on environmental issues. “He took on his MPI role just as a report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and a follow-up report from an MPI advisory group raised deep concerns about the need for improved transparency or replacement of Overseer, the model most used to link farming practice to environmental outcomes. “The Overseer controversy has been effectively buried rather than solved.” He also questioned Roche’s role in helping develop freshwater policy. Baisden said this had become more regulation focused than protection focused, to the frustration of councils, farmers and environmentalists alike. Dr Lucy Stewart, also copresident of the NZ Association Continued page 3

Council ‘plug’ blamed for flooding Canterbury farmer Tom Power was left frustrated and critical of a lack of council action after parts of his property were underwater following a significant recent rain event. He had to launch a jet boat to check on the welfare of the farm’s sheep and cattle. Photo: Supplied

NEWS 7

Ag life can be a barrel of fun

S FOECT CU OR S

Richard Rennie

Tyla Toheriri is just as at home riding barrels at rodeos as she is on the drafting gate as a stock representative.

SHEEP & BEEF 18-21 The urban-rural gap may be Aussie election result set to all in the mind. sink live exports.

Family farms produce a nation, writes John Foley.

NEWS 3

OPINION 17

NEWS 4

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Contents Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Federated Farmers . 22-25 Marketplace . . . . . . . 28-29 Speckle Park Breed Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-39 Markets . . . . . . . . . . . 40-43 Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

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Meat value up The value of sheepmeat and beef exported in the first quarter of this year rose 30% compared to the same period last year. Meat Industry Association figures show sheepmeat exports totalled 123,665 tonnes but the value was 30% higher than the same period last year, at $1.35 billion. Beef exports were largely unchanged from the first quarter of 2024 at 130,205 tonnes but the value increased 30% to $140m.

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Fonterra will appeal a court decision that dismissed its case against Australian dairy company Bega Cheese regarding trademark licensing agreements. The Supreme Court of New South Wales dismissed the case, saying it did not have jurisdiction to make a declaration on a deal that did not exist. “Our view has not changed as a result of the court decision and Fonterra intends to appeal this decision in the coming weeks,” said Fonterra’s Mike Cronin.

Geothermal power may be a key ingredient to produce forestry biofuel in coming years, following an agreement between wood processing company Foresta and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. Foresta has signed an agreement with the EECA to determine the feasibility of using geothermal steam as the heating source in its biomass facility proposed for Kawerau.

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FLAT OUT: Former Bremworth CEO Greg Smith says wool carpets are regaining momentum as consumers recognise the benefits. STORY P13

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Fonterra plans to install another two electrode boilers at its Edendale processing site in Southland. It will spend a further $70 million on new boilers at the plant to replace two fuelled by coal, a move expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 72,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, effectively removing over 30,000 cars from New Zealand roads.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Urban-rural gap may be all in the mind Gerald Piddock

NEWS

Agriculture

SURVEY examining New Zealanders’ views of the primary sector suggests that the ruralurban divide is more perception than reality. The poll in late 2024 of 1050 people by consultancy firm Primary Purpose found that positive sentiment towards New Zealand’s food production industries has increased significantly compared to a similar study conducted in 2021.

The broader view is that the sector is valued. Dr Scott Champion Primary Purpose Primary Purpose’s partners, Dr Scott Champion and Marc Elliott, presented the findings in a recent webinar by the New Zealand Food Safety and Science Research Centre. The positives in the survey were very strong, Champion said. “The sector is valued. If we look broadly into the population, those who don’t necessarily have strong connections working in the food

and fibre sectors – the broader view is that the sector is valued.” One of the survey’s purposes was to understand whether the perception inside the sector of a growing rural-urban divide was real or not. “We argue that the data probably doesn’t back it up.” The results found very strong levels of positivity across the fruit and vegetable, arable and viticulture sectors. In animal agriculture, the results were slightly less with 36% and 35% of respondents having an extremely positive view of sheep and beef and dairy farming, respectively. However, when combined with those who had just a positive view, the results were positive across the board, ranging from 52% for deer farming, 63% for dairy farming, 66% for sheep and beef, 73% for arable, 80% for fruit growing and 81% for vegetable growing. “Generally, it looks like there is a growing appreciation over time. It’s certainly not going backwards and that’s quite different to some of the perception that we have inside our sector sometimes.” The large levels of people who answered “don’t know” in the survey was also indicative of the

TOP JOB: Dr John Roche has been appointed the PM’s chief science adviser, a role that has been vacant for almost 12 months amid significant changes in the science sector.

POSITIVE: Primary Purpose consultant Dr Scott Champion says positive sentiment towards New Zealand’s food production industries has increased significantly since 2021.

low levels of negativity in the survey. “That goes against that idea you hear sometimes of a growing urban-rural divide.” Champion said deer farming’s low rating was likely a result of its small size and lower profile nationally compared to other industries. The survey found that older New Zealanders are more likely to have a positive view of the industry than younger New Zealanders.

“Across all of the industries, we see older people more positive about the sectors,” he said. Economic reasons were the overwhelming reason people had a positive view about farming, including self-sufficiency – not having to rely on imports – and its contribution to the national economy and feeding the population, which had the highest level of support. On the negative side were environmental concerns, economic

issues, concerns around the ethics of farming, health and food safety, farming practices, sustainability challenges and social and cultural criticisms. While the economic contribution of the value of food production is recognised, the concerns around food costs and the sector’s environmental impact need to be acknowledged, he said. “Not seeing them through the lens of a rural-urban divide we think is really important.”

Continued from page 1

fundamental ‘blue sky’ research, which we know ultimately supports all other areas of research.” Stewart also echoed colleagues’ concerns that it took a year to make the adviser appointment, coming after Professor Dame Juliet Gerrard’s five-year term ending. “The delay speaks to a lack of interest by this government in science and it remains to be seen how much advice they choose to take.” Three years ago Roche’s MPI on-farm support programme drew the ire of the farm consulting community when the newly

formed unit was accused by the sector of poaching and heavily overpaying new graduates who might otherwise be employed by the private sector. Baisden said regardless of concerns, Roche is among the best qualified to move the science reforms forward from New Zealand’s “most unique and successful industry, and that is deeply needed”. The council will provide its first formal advice to the PM and Minister for Science Innovation and Technology Dr Shane Reti later this year.

of Scientists, said there was a “significant” focus on dairy in the council and the adviser appointment, with half the Science and Technology Advisory Council having backgrounds in that area. “While important to the country’s economy, it is fair to say it does not, nor should it, make up half our science capability and focus. “I remain extremely concerned about the government’s commitment to true public good and stewardship science, or even

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

News

Aussie election result set to sink live exports Richard Rennie

MARKETS

Livestock

ESTERN Australian farmers and livestock exporters intend to continue to push back on the re-elected Labor government’s plans to stop live sheep exports by May 2028. The live sheep export trade gained electoral attention on the back of the Keep the Sheep campaign, aiming to preserve the live shipment business out of Western Australia. The trade accounted for 500,000 sheep exported last year, mainly to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Australia also ships about 750,000 head of cattle a year. Mark Harvey-Sutton, CEO of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, said exporters were not rolling over in the wake of the Labor victory. They intend to continue to fight against a policy they say is based on misguided animal welfare activist ideology. “But we do know the task has certainly become more challenging.

SUNK: The re-election of the Labor government in Australia looks likely to end live export sailings by 2028. “There are many things that still need to come into play, and it is still three years away,” HarveySutton said. Should the ban go ahead, it will mark a decade since the Australian Labor Party started pushing for it, sparked by an exposé in 2018 revealing high mortality rates due

to heat stress on one shipment and amid growing public scrutiny of the trade. Harvey-Sutton acknowledged past issues with the trade’s welfare standards. “There is no doubt it needed to reform, and it did. The industry is now performing at the highest

standards it has ever had and yet it is still facing closure.” He pointed to a recent shipment that had incurred only 22 deaths out of 50,000 head. Western Australia’s live export trade is now off the peak it enjoyed in the past, with numbers last year well below their five-year average of 770,000. Analysis by Meat and Livestock Australia shows in 2023 the trade took a 20% lift, thanks in part to Saudi Arabia receiving exports for the first time in over a decade. That country typically imported about a million sheep a year before trade stopped in 2012. The cessation had been due to Saudi Arabia’s refusal to comply with regulations imposed to improve animal welfare on the ships. The trade has long been a contentious one, with Saudi Arabia proving particularly problematic. Trade has been suspended multiple times on grounds of welfare issues during shipment. The government is offering farmers an AU$140 million transition package to aid their move out of the live export trade. But Harvey-Sutton said only

Greens aim to close animal welfare gap POLITICS

Animal welfare farmersweekly.co.nz/podcasts

Speaking on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, Abel also outlined the Greens’ vision for the wider food and fibre sector. “We [want to empower] farmers who want to grapple with those environmental and climate challenges and water quality challenges, and support them to move to forms of farming and land use that is more sustainable.” The Greens would take forestry out of the Emissions Trading Scheme, because it had produced a distortion where high-value farms had been converted to pines. They would also like to see the nitrogen cap reduced to about 125kg a hectare. “It’s currently 190kg now, and that will impact a small number of dairy farmers, who will need to work at a cut down and fertiliser.” Abel said he favoured supporting farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, but said there also had to be clear targets. “Farmers are not in the business of producing food because they want to pollute. That’s an unintended consequence of certain activities. “But we can’t set up a financial system where we pay the biggest polluters to stop polluting, because that would be unfair on low-impact farmers.”

Mark Harvey-Sutton Australian Livestock Exporters Council AU$40 million of this was destined for the supply chain, and farmer’s options for land use change in WA were limited by their location. “Restocking will not be as simple in the future if they do not have that reservoir of breeding sheep in WA to draw from.” AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad said ewe slaughter rates in WA have surged over the past three years, from 1 million in 2021 to 1.75 million in 2024. She said the move out of live exports may continue to result in a surge in processing numbers but was unlikely to have a significant effect on NZ’s export trade, compared to the likes of a drought in New South Wales, for example.

PREMIUM: Departing NZ Cashmere business development manager Olivia Sanders said farmers should continue to breed goats and reap the premium $110$150 a kilo for the fibre. Photo: Annette Scott

Bryan Gibson

GREEN Party MP Steve Abel has added a new Member’s Bill to the biscuit tin to ensure any product sold in New Zealand meets New Zealand’s animal welfare standards, even if it’s produced overseas. “We shouldn’t allow on our supermarket shelves what we wouldn’t allow on our farms,” Abel, Green Party agriculture and animal welfare spokesperson, said. “This is about fairness for animals and for farmers. “We’re proud of our animal welfare laws here in New Zealand, but right now those laws have a glaring loophole.” Abel said that many products on sale here come from animals that have been kept or slaughtered in conditions which would be illegal here, such as in sow stalls or battery cages. “New Zealanders don’t want to see our welfare values undermined by a loophole that allows cruelty to enter through the back door,” he said. Abel said the Bill would target eggs and pork products initially. “Eggs and pork are obvious examples, because we’ve explicitly put in place protections for the welfare of those animals by banning sow stalls in pig production and by banning battery cages in egg production.” He will be working across the house to turn the Bill into law. “If it’s too cruel to produce here, it should be too cruel to sell here.”

The industry is now performing at the highest standards it has ever had and yet it is still facing closure.

NZ Cashmere looks beyond the farm gate Annette Scott

NEWS

Food and fibre ON-FARM advisory support has been scaled back for farmers in the $4 billion cashmere fibre industry as New Zealand Cashmere positions its business to refocus on market partnerships and sales beyond the farm gate. Woolyarns, through NZ Cashmere, has completed the Sustainably Beautiful Cashmere Sustainable Food and Fibres Futures (SFFF) programme to re-start the cashmere fibre industry. In a statement, NZ Cashmere said the programme has successfully developed tools and resources to support farmers as they consider adding cashmere fibre production to diversify their farming businesses. Over the course of the programme 50 farms have been on board, having started farming cashmere-producing goats, with

progeny and fibre production showing excellent quality. He said NZ Cashmere has scaled back on-farm advisory support to refocus beyond the farm gate on market partnerships and sales with Woolyarns.

This is a business decision driven by a multitude of things, that has come as a huge surprise to me. Olivia Sanders NZ Cashmere Both the South and North Island manager roles are being disestablished, but May assured farmers NZ Cashmere will continue to work with them through providing resources and tools, and long-term, high-value guaranteed contracts for fibre and market insights. “We thank Olivia Sanders for

her role as business development manager. “Liv came on at the very start of this project and has been instrumental in the development of the industry, creating resources for farmers and building connections with growers and industry.” Sanders told Farmers Weekly that, while she is disappointed to be leaving the role, she believes the industry is in good heart. “This is a business decision driven by a multitude of things, that has come as a huge surprise to me. “Yes, while it coincides with the SFFF finishing, it has a lot to do with the global market as NZ Cashmere works together with Woolyarns on a refocus towards market access. “After three and half years building NZ Cashmere from the ground up, I’m devastated to be closing this chapter, but incredibly proud of everything we achieved.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

‘Disbelief’ in US dairy at Trump’s tariff war Gerald Piddock

MARKETS

T GAINS: Whole milk powder rose by 6.2%, the highest one-event gain since August 2024.

Dairy season ends with a price bang Hugh Stringleman

MARKETS

Dairy

GLOBAL Dairy Trade prices are going to end the 2024-25 New Zealand dairy season with a bang, the GDT index jumping 4.6% in the second-to-last auction. Whole milk powder rose by 6.2%, the highest oneevent gain since August 2024 and a very positive factor for next season’s farmgate milk price forecasts due out this month. All products offered on the GDT platform made healthy price gains except mozzarella, down 0.3%, and skim milk powder, plus 0.5%. Lactose rose 16.8%, cheddar 12%, butter milk powder 6.2%, anhydrous milk fat 5.4% and butter 3.8% to be a whisker under US$8000/tonne, and alltime record price level. The GDT index is the highest since June 2022 and the supplydemand dynamics point to

PASTURE’S PERFECT PARTNER

further increases during the New Zealand winter lay-off. NZX dairy analyst Rosalind Crickett said global milk supply numbers continue to be soft, including a 2.3% decline in February in Europe. “This, combined with the tight product supply both on and off the GDT platform as the NZ dairy season draws to a close, has provided bullish market conditions for processors.

This has provided bullish market conditions for processors. Rosalind Crickett NZX “As we look to wrap up the final event for the 2024-25 NZ season, with ongoing trade tensions between the United States and Asian economies, and product supply constraints, there is a likelihood that prices will remain firm in the interim,” she said.

Dairy

HE implications for the global dairy industry of United States President Donald Trump’s tariff war were front of mind for those at the American Dairy Product Institute’s annual conference in Chicago. NZX head of dairy insights Cristina Alvarado attended the global gathering last month, where, she said, “every conversation started with ‘What do you think is going to happen with the tariffs?’” A lot of it was “wait and see”, Alvarado said. “There’s still a bit of disbelief that it’s happened, and they have the hope that the tariffs will be removed or reduced or negotiations will soften it a bit.” Following Trump’s retaliatory tariff increases on China, some Chinese buyers responded by looking for other countries to source lactose and protein products. Prior to the tariff war, the US supplied about half of these products to China. For New Zealand, this opens up an opportunity, she said. “China might look to New Zealand to see if it can provide that. But right now, New Zealand has no product because we’re in the down of our season.” The impact of Chinese buyers looking elsewhere was seen in the latest GDT, where lactose jumped 16.8% to US$1611 a tonne and the GDT price index leaped 4.6% to US$4516 a tonne. If the high tariffs continue into spring production, that could see demand stay strong, Alvarado said. Over the longer term, there are lots of consumer products that

OPPORTUNITY: New Zealand could benefit from the US-China tariff war if China starts looking to NZ to supply it with products it would have bought from the US.

There’s going to be an impact and we can take advantage of it in the short term. Cristina Alvarado NZX could see a cost increase if the tariff war continues, and this is not just the ingredient itself, but also the packaging that goes into the product. If that occurs, demand will fall among US consumers because they will not be able to afford it. “But that won’t be immediate. Everyone is thinking in about a year’s time we’re going to see the consequences of that if the tariff issue doesn’t get resolved. “If it stays at the levels we are seeing right now, that’s what we are going to see. That’s when it’s going to become a problem, not

just for the US but it will affect the market globally for different countries. “So, the best opportunity for NZ now is to try and prepare and be able to provide for all of those products that China is now not going to be getting from the US. “There’s going to be an impact and we can take advantage of it in the short term, but the problem is in the longer term and how that is going to affect the market.” US dairy producers at the conference are also increasingly concerned at falling milking cow numbers and its impact on milk production. Beef prices are so high that its more attractive for farmers to sell their replacement heifers to that market than to keep them for their milking herd. “They are paying for a one-dayold calf, US$800-$900 – that’s what one of the companies told us.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Council ‘plug’ blamed for farm flooding Annette Scott

NEWS

Weather

ANTERBURY farmer Tom Power was left frustrated and blaming a lack of council action as he had to make serious farming decisions following the recent rain event. Power, together with his family, runs Kinloch Farm, an 1100 hectare sheep and beef property on Banks Peninsula. Last week he was making some tough business decisions after all the flats of the hill country property bordering Te Roto o Wairewa Lake Forsyth lay under water or remained sodden from flooding that Power said was mitigable. Both Lake Forsyth and neighbouring Te Waihoroa Lake Ellesmere have been a bone of contention amid the extreme rain event. Power claims the lake level was sufficiently high ahead of the forecast rain to be opened but that the Christchurch City Council refused to do so when approached. It has to be opened with diggers to drain to the ocean. On April 24, the lake was at 2.5 metres above sea level. Consent says at 2.7m, or if an extreme weather event is forecast, it has to be opened. A clause in the Resource Management Act allows for the lake to be opened if there is a sudden event threatening serious damage to property. On May 2, after the rain, the lake

at 4.091m was 1.39m above the trigger rate. “The council said they were waiting for the next southerly to go through. Now after 300mm of rain and with 100 hectares of our good productive farmland underwater, we are forced to make the tough decisions going forward.” Weaning had been planned for the week of the rain. It had been delayed, and was now delayed again with nowhere for the calves to go. “Fortunately with the hill country we were able to keep poking the cows and the sheep up above the floodwaters. “Now it looks like we will have to wean next week and at this stage likely sell the calves as we won’t have the feed for them now. “We’ve also got the agent coming to look at the two-year trading stock and some of that will also have to go. “It’s not ideal, it’s not the plan, but it’s what this flood has forced us to come to. The only one upside is the market pricing is good at the moment.” Power said the most frustrating aspect is that despite being invited, no one from council has been out to see the reality. “The point is at 2.7m the lake is already flooding over our farmland and depending on the seasons, it’s normal for us to only be able to farm that 100ha for just six months of the year. But now we have lost it all, it will be unusable for months. “This is a huge financial cost for

REACTION: Canterbury farmer Tom Power says 100 hectares of productive farmland were under water because the Christchurch City Council didn’t act soon enough. Photo: Supplied

You don’t need a degree to know that if you leave the tap running with the plug in the bath, it will overflow. Tom Power Banks Peninsula us. Our farmlands suffer every year from mismanagement of council, that has no idea, nor interest to care about it. “We’ve heard nothing from them, no contact made at all. “I have offered to take them for a trip across the farm in the jet boat so they can see what it’s like in a

flood but they are not interested. The sun comes out, they say they have done everything they could and wash their hands of it while we suffer the consequences.” At the height of the recent rain, Power and his family had to launch the jet boat as a means to get around the farm, given the water was above the fence tops and too deep for vehicles. “With that amount of rain, yes there will be flooding, I’m not ignorant, I get that. “But you don’t need a degree to know that if you leave the tap running with the plug in the bath, it will overflow. “It’s just about working with landowners, but I’m not holding out hope.”

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Rough seas delayed lake opening, council says Neal Wallace

NEWS

Weather ROUGH sea conditions delayed the opening of two coastal Canterbury lakes, which locals say accentuated recent flooding at Little River from Lake Forsyth and around Lake Ellesmere. Christchurch City Council’s infrastructure manager, Brent Smith, said rain totals were significantly higher than initial forecasts but unfavourable coastal swells meant opening Lake Forsyth would have failed. The city council and Wairewa Rūnanga hold a joint consent for opening Lake Forsyth, which is

activated when it reaches 2.7m above mean sea level (asl), or a storm event is predicted to push it to that level. Smith said they have to be certain the lake will stay open long enough to allow water to drain before the opening is closed naturally by the sea. On Thursday April 25 the water level in the lake was just over 2.5m asl and with more rain forecast, the council decided to open the lake when conditions were more favourable the following week. The 2.7m trigger point was almost met on Wednesday April 30 but with another 200mm forecast, it took until the Friday for

conditions to improve and the lake was opened. “It remains open and the lake level has dropped significantly,” said Smith. Smith said the level of the lake does not usually directly impact flooding in Little River, which sits at 4m asl. However, the higher lake level does result in water draining more slowly. Environment Canterbury hazards manager Leigh Griffiths said acting on weather warnings and coastal conditions, it opened Lake Ellesmere on April 29. Recent flooding in parts of the district would not have altered if it was open to the sea.

Decisions whether to open the lake are made jointly with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and take account of cultural, environmental and practical factors like habitat protection, lake levels and flood risks. “It is entirely appropriate that Ngāi Tahu, as owners of the lakebed, and Environment Canterbury – responsible for hazard management – work together on the opening of the lake,” she said. A consultation group of local organisations also advises on openings and follows a protocol that balances various interests. In the latest weather event, that process was completed within

OPENED: Environment Canterbury hazards manager Leigh Griffiths says acting on weather warnings and coastal conditions, it opened Lake Ellesmere on April 29. Photo: Environment Canterbury

It remains open and the lake level has dropped significantly. Brent Smith Christchurch City Council 24 hours, which coincided with the lake reaching the minimum opening level of 1.13m. An opening is considered successful when it persists for at least four days, the amount of time required to lower the level below the opening threshold. Southland farmers have also been frustrated by the management of the Waituna Lagoon. Lucy Hicks, Environment Southland’s manager for integrated catchment management, acknowledges high levels can flood roads, paddocks and farms in the catchment. The council administers the lagoon, which is a culturally important site for Ngāi Tahu. A consenting process is underway and in the interim, openings are managed by Environment Southland through emergency powers, which she said sets a high bar. The lagoon was opened to the sea twice in 2024 to prevent ecological harm.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

GHG tax is not the way to clear the air Neal Wallace

NEWS

Emissions

HE need for farmers to reduce methane emissions is not going away, but a global expert says it can be done. Dr Frank Mitloehner, a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at University of California Davis, said he favours a carrot approach instead of a stick to encourage emissions reductions – and he considers a tax or charge on emissions to be a stick. Such an approach was proposed in New Zealand and is being adopted in Denmark. But, even though the tax revenue is recycled to fund new technology, Mitloehner questioned its merits and effectiveness. “Why take money out of one pocket and put it in another?” California has adopted a carrot approach to achieving what he described as “an aggressive target” for methane. That goal, for a 40% reduction by 2030 based on 2013 levels, equates to the dairy industry cutting 7.2 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. So far it has removed 5 million metric tonnes.

The California dairy industry is based on housed cows and much of that gain has been from capturing biogas off effluent ponds, which is then sold as fuel for vehicles. “We’ve had country and state with, not against, farming.” Mitloehner said a carrot approach is more effective than a stick, and California took an approach not to prescribe solutions on how farmers to achieve those reductions. He said those options were left to farmers, scientists and innovators to decide. “I realise the Californian system will not work for NZ, but I’m telling people that by working with farmers and not against them to achieve methane reduction, such a system can be successful.” Given the importance of agriculture to NZ, Mitloehner said, farmers cannot ignore requests from customers such as Starbucks, Nestlé and McDonald’s to shrink their emissions footprint. These customers all have carbon footprint reduction goals, which obligates their suppliers to reduce their emissions. If NZ farmers choose to ignore that requirement, those customers will look elsewhere for their dairy and meat. Mitloehner praised NZ’s split gas approach, saying separating the management of short-lived

Return of 9.00%p.a. last quarter

Why take money out of one pocket and put it in another? Prof Frank Mitloehner University of California Davis

AIR QUALITY: Dr Frank Mitloehner, an air quality specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California Davis, praised New Zealand’s split gas approach. methane from long-lasting carbon dioxide gives the farming sector an advantage over emitters of CO2. “Even if they reduce burning fossil fuels, they are still warming the atmosphere – whereas if you reduce methane emissions you reduce warming.”

Visiting NZ at the invitation of Beef + Lamb NZ, Mitloehner said he has met scientists and sector leaders and is under no illusion that NZ agriculture has the expertise and the science needed to reduce its methane emissions. “NZ is an international leader

and your farmers do an awesome job and are equipped with the tools to do the job.” He said breeding low-emitting animals is already a tool, while he is confident vaccinations, boluses and feed additives will soon be available. An interested observer of global campaigns to reduce the amount of animal protein in our diets to solve climate change, Mitloehner said the facts do not support such claims. A flight from California to NZ generates 1.6 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per passenger. To try to undo the impact of those emissions would require him to eat a vegan diet for two years. Should the 340 million United States citizens stop eating meat one day a week, it would reduce the country’s CO2 equivalent emissions by 2.6%. “There are other measures we can pursue.” He noted that animal protein consumption levels are stable in developed countries. ADVERTIS EM ENT

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Feds slates ‘unconscionable’ rates hikes Hugh Stringleman

NEWS

T HAMMERED: Farmers and orchardists near Whangārei are being hammered by rates increases, Northland Federated Farmers president Colin Hannah says.

Regulation

HE Whangārei District Council wants to treat rural ratepayers as the Bank of Whāngarei, Northland Federated Farmers president Colin Hannah says. The WDC Annual Plan for 2025-26 includes rates increases of 30% on farms in the district and up to 59% increase for highvalue lifestyle properties. In its Annual Plan consultation document, the WDC shows the proposed rates increases for both farm and lifestyle properties as roughly $80 a week. But it nowhere explains how or why the value-based rates

for rural properties have been jacked up three or even five times the average general rates increase of 10.7%, Hannah said. He said the proposed 30% rates increase for farms follows a 17% increase in 2024-25. “This appears to be an ideological stand by some councillors but nowhere does WDC explain why its rural ratepayers are being targeted with these unconscionable increases. “They seem to believe that there is plenty of money in rural areas, even though we don’t get any services for our rates. “The other two district councils in Northland, Far North and Kaipara, are proposing across-

the-board 6-10% increases.” The number of farms and commercial orchards within the WDC boundary is not known, but rateable values increased in late 2024 everywhere in the city surrounds. By contrast, rateable values for urban properties fell. Federated Farmers has submitted to the WDC and requested to speak to the WDC hearing on May 12 and 13. Its submission implores WDC to look at its works budget again to reduce the proposed rate increases to more manageable levels. Instead of cutting in half the Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC), it should increase it to the maximum allowable 30%

under the Local Government Act 2002. “The council has a responsibility to focus on its essential works only and to place any wants or nice-to-haves on hold. “Ratepayers are struggling to cope with significant rates increases due to the high cost of living and income which has not kept pace with inflation. “An increase in the UAGC will would enable a fairer distribution of costs based on what ratepayers use. “For example, rural ratepayers typically provide their own wastewater, stormwater and water systems and often these systems are not provided by councils to rural areas.”

Whangārei commits to ‘back-to-basics’ approach Hugh Stringleman

NEWS

Regulation WHANGĀREI District Council is proposing a 10.7% increase in general rates in the Annual Plan for 2025-26. That includes the local government cost index on the impact of inflation assessed at 3.2%.

In its Annual Plan proposal, the WDC said it is committed to delivering a back-to-basics approach, including fixing roads, looking after parks and reserves and taking care of water and waste pipes and community facilities. The water rates increase is 5.7% and the wastewater targeted rates increase 3.2%. The Hikurangi flood protection

targeted rate increase will be 3.2%, applying to mostly farming properties in the Hikurangi Swamp subject to regular inundation. The WDC proposes introducing a stormwater targeted rate averaging $180 annually for each rating unit. It also wants to reduce the Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC) from $909 to $500, to

relieve some of the rates burden on lower value property owners. The sum of these changes for a land value $3.45 million rural property is $17,700 annually, an increase of 30% or $80 a week. For a $3.4m lifestyle property, rates will go up 59% or close to $80 a week. Total rates revenue for WDC is proposed to increase from $146m

to $167m (plus 14%) and total revenue from $250m to $257m. Rural properties make up 8.7% of the WDC categories for the general rate and the UAGC, and will collectively pay $10.4m and $1m respectively, before GST. For the example of a rural property with $3.45m land value, the WDC will charge a $16,000 general rate, $500 UAGC and a new stormwater rate of $1275.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

News

Mixed response to drench capsule return Richard Rennie

TECHNOLOGY

Animal health

ETS and animal health experts are mixed in their response to the re-launch of Bionic Plus drench capsules following a ban on their use in 2023. The Ministry for Primary Industries through New Zealand Food Safety initiated the ban due to concerns over the performance of the capsules and the need to extend the product’s withholding period to ensure food residues remained below maximum levels. Bionic manufacturers Boehringer Ingelheim had voluntarily withdrawn the capsules in late 2022. Boehringer’s re-release of the capsules comes after the company re-assessed the product’s specifications and labelling to ensure “consistent performance and informed use”. The company’s technical services veterinarian, Dr Carl Eden, said the company had tightened the capsules’ specifications and they deliver an average of 100 days’ internal parasite protection, ranging between 85-115 days. “We re-presented the data to the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines and this

resulted in approval, meaning it meets NZ’s highest standards,” he said. Wormwise programme manager Ginny Dodunski said she thought farmers may respond in two ways to Bionic’s relaunch. “There will be a bunch of farmers now who will say ‘I can farm without these’, not having had them for two years. Some may have made substantial management changes to still get the best out of their ewes. There will be others who will welcome them back.”

There will be a bunch of farmers now who will say ‘I can farm without these’. Ginny Dodunski Wormwise She said the two years without capsules had opened more farmers’ eyes to the value of feeding ewes better, and the importance of putting ewe condition on prior to lambing to drive down the use of chemical worm controls. “It has been quite an exciting couple of years to see that message get out there and the absence of capsules has been a good exercise to help achieve that.”

She also highlighted the greater appreciation farmers have for NZ’s growing drench resistance levels, and the need to better manage flocks and herds to try to slow it. “Resistance risk very much depends on what you are doing with lambs after weaning. There are systems out there where farmers are using capsules and still have good drench performance. It is a very farm dependent thing.” The two main actives in Bionic are abamectin (ML) and Albendazole (BZ), both reporting increased levels of resistance in stock. Lab company Awanui’s latest survey recorded there was resistance to the capsule’s two active ingredients in 52% of North Island farms surveyed and 33% of South Island farms. The upwards creep in resistance levels nationally continues, with 45% of North Island farms surveyed now exhibiting resistance to triple combinations of actives, up from 20% in the last survey. John Meban of Eastland Vets in Gisborne said many top farmers are not using capsules and are able to do so because they have a system with the right stock mix, grazing integration and a focus on maintaining good body condition. “Nutrition is key to establishing immunity to worms at an early

WORMED: Wormwise programme manager Ginny Dodunski says the absence of drench capsules has helped improve farmers’ awareness of other options to better manage livestock parasite levels. age and genetic selection for resistance is long term and permanent insurance,” he said. Any use of capsules needs to be made with good vet input and as part of a carefully thought-out plan.

Mark Bryan of VetSouth said it is good to at least have the capsule option still available as one tool for farmers, in an environment where animal health companies are not investing significantly in new alternatives.

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11 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Wheels come off insurance claim Annette Scott

ON FARM

Insurance

ANTERBURY cropping farmer Stuart McLachlan “felt blindsided” when he lodged an insurance claim for his damaged auger, only to find it wasn’t covered as he expected. He believes misleading wording has revealed a loophole. He learnt that as the auger was on wheels it was classified as a vehicle, and the farm contents policy he had with FMG covered farm plant, machinery and equipment with a limit of $20,000. The explanation he got from FMG in response to his claim was that “motor vehicle” means any type of machine on wheels or tracks that is propelled by its own power, including anything that can be towed by the machine and any motor vehicle accessories attached to the machine. “It certainly doesn’t read like that in the policy,” McLachlan said. He was manoeuvring the auger through a gateway when “I managed to rip off a wheel and mangle the chute”. “First thing I thought was ‘Holy hell, I better check my insurance’. “I proceeded with the claim in all confidence, only to be told the auger was classed as a vehicle and it wasn’t covered under farm contents and machinery, therefore only eligible for payout under the unspecified farm vehicles limit of $5000. “Now I’m not whinging because I didn’t get paid out, it’s about the policy. “The first thing I did was ring a few farmers and every one of them, like me, was totally confused; the phones were ringing hot. “They were also in full belief that their machinery such as augers, cultivators, grader blades, post drivers, loading ramps were covered under that farm contents policy. “So I want to make others aware as someone, somewhere else in the country, every day is going to be blindsided, just like me.” McLachlan said the biggest bone to pick was misleading wording. “This needs to be farmer friendly and understanding; even with an unspecified plant and machinery category, anything that is towed, that is not registered or requires a warrant of fitness – at least a clear definition of a vehicle.” Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett agreed that definition is key. “It’s all about communication between insurance companies and farmers. If you get it wrong the limit could be $5k when the machinery could be worth $30k or more.” Birkett agreed the policy wording needs to be clear to make sure farmers have their machinery in the right categories. “There’s work to be done between all parties.” FMG head of client strategy and advice Lucie Douma said the company’s policy responded as it should in this case, noting FMG gets very few queries on augers when it comes to making a claim. “We’re grateful that our client has raised this, as we can now look to provide some specific advice regarding augers. Like any business, we’re always looking to get better. “As an advice-led insurer we do all we can to educate clients to make insurance as easy to understand as we can.” This includes having policy wordings in plain English, walking the farm with clients

to talk about what covers they may need, and sharing risk advice directly with clients. “This advice work is already underway and in the first instance we’re working with Federated Farmers to share this. This will include how a vehicle is defined in different contexts. “As always, we strongly encourage anyone, not just FMG clients, to ask any insurance related questions of their insurer if they’re unsure of what cover they may need, or how their existing cover may respond.”

SURPRISE: Stuart McLachlan was surprised to learn his auger was classified as a vehicle when he lodged an insurance claim for its damage. Photo: Annette Scott

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year named Gerald Piddock

PEOPLE

Dairy

HE 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, Jo Sheridan, says she wants to ensure that the dairy industry is one that people continue to be proud of. It must be a place where people feel welcome and where they can find a sense of belonging, she said. Achieving that is about winning people’s hearts and minds, the Waikato farmer, and demonstration manager at Owl Farm at St Peter’s School in Cambridge, said. “We’re the people that make that happen. “The dairy industry has a future worth fighting for, to be proud of our contribution and we need to make sure we keep welcoming people with open arms into our wonderful industry.” The award was announced at a gala dinner at the Dairy Women’s Network 2025 Conference in Hamilton. Sheridan was recognised for her outstanding passion and advocacy for the dairy sector. She said Owl Farm provides her with a great platform to deliver the values she holds close, supporting her farming philosophy of having an open gate every day.

“I challenge you all in your farming businesses to think how you can have an open gate every day.” She thanked the Dairy Women’s Network, saying it gives women a wonderful opportunity. “One of the first things I did when I came into the dairy industry was to work with the Waikato women’s group. It was really exciting to be a part of that and watch you on your journey for the last 22-23 years.”

Jo doesn’t just talk about change; she rolls up her sleeves and makes it happen. Jenna Smith DWN Sheridan is based in Pirongia with husband Carl and children Jacob and Samuel. She oversees Owl Farm, a 140 hectare dairy farm that is a commercial venture at St Peter’s School. The farm opens regularly for visitor days. As the farm’s demonstration manager, Sheridan is at the coalface of the first experience many have to the dairy industry, whether it be students or farm visitors.

“The future of our industry is only as good as the people we invite into and look after and nurture,” she said. “The more we can win the hearts and minds of the public and our youth, the greater the future our industry has.” Sheridan said she has always worked at trying to extract value and part of her journey has been to take opportunities that match her values. “Owl Farm has been a wonderful opportunity for me to live those values in the dairy industry.” Growing up on a dairy farm in South Taranaki, Sheridan later earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Soil Science from Massey University. With 25 years of experience, she has worked in various roles at DairyNZ and served as an independent industry consultant before becoming the demonstration manager at Owl Farm. Beyond farming, she is active in governance, serving on school boards and industry committees. DWN trustee and lead judge Jenna Smith said Sheridan “doesn’t just talk about change; she rolls up her sleeves and makes it happen. Jo is tackling complex industry challenges while passionately championing and empowering young people and innovation.

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WELCOME: The 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, Jo Sheridan, says the dairy industry needs to make sure it keeps welcoming people with open arms. “For those that know her – and a lot of people do – they know that she is a humble and generous leader, showcasing courage, clarity, and heart.” Winning Dairy Woman of the Year includes receiving a scholarship to be part of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. The scholarship covers the programme fee, travel and accommodation,

mentoring and access to DWN and Fonterra platforms to share research. Sheridan said she is yet to decide how she will use that scholarship. For now, it is back to reality at Owl Farm as Sheridan is set to host a sustainability workshop where pupils from secondary schools all over Waikato and Bay of Plenty will learn more about the industry.

Waikato sharemilker is DWN Regional Leader Gerald Piddock

PEOPLE

Dairy

WAIKATO farmer Aimee Wilson, described as a “quiet, impactful leader”, has been named Dairy Women’s Network Regional Leader of the Year for 2025. The award was announced at a gala dinner at the DWN2025 conference in Hamilton.

Wilson said it is a huge honour to win the award, and she was grateful for the opportunity. Wilson was one of three people nominated for the award, the others being Tania Clark and Shayla McGrory. All three were celebrated for their contributions to leadership, community and personal growth as a DWN Volunteer Regional Leaders.

Voting closes at 2pm on Friday 16 May.

More information at: www.beeﬂambnz.com/fmd-vote

HONOUR: Waikato farmer Aimee Wilson says it is a huge honour to win the DWN Regional Leader of the Year winner for 2025.

Wilson acknowledged the finalists, along with the Network’s other regional hub leaders. “They all do an absolutely amazing job and I’m absolutely privileged that it’s actually me.” Wilson sharemilks with her partner and three children just out of Te Awamutu. She became a regional leader to learn new skills, experience new opportunities and to meet inspiring women in the industry. She will receive a scholarship for a leadership development programme of her choice. Dairy Women’s Network CEO Jules Benton said Wilson “is a quiet yet impactful leader who consistently pushes herself outside her comfort zone to grow personally and professionally. She values teamwork and has embraced opportunities such as conferences and leadership roles to develop her skills. “She’s known for her authenticity, and we love that she aligns with the DWN values. Her ability to connect with others and take initiative makes her a true role model.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Cut Bremworth strategy some slack: ex-CEO Hugh Stringleman

NEWS

Food and fibre

ROSSBRED wool is well within reach of $6/kg as wool supplies shrink and consumer preferences gain momentum, former Bremworth chief executive Greg Smith says. The wool market has risen $1 in the past year from its previously unsustainable levels. Bremworth’s Elco Direct wool buying business will respond with a lift in floor prices for its 10-year contract offerings to growers, he expects. Wool carpets are rebuilding a reputation for high quality, durability, sustainability and a low, even positive, carbon footprint. Smith parted company with Bremworth on April 30 after a shake-up at board level driven by new chair Rob Hewett. He reflected on four years as CEO, responding to criticism that listed company Bremworth had not delivered the revenue, margins and profits expected by shareholders from the wool-only strategy adopted five years ago. “I understand that investors ran

“The world has dozens, if not hundreds of synthetic carpet makers. “The production facilities in Auckland and Whanganui are capable of growing the business, along with the hybrid supply chain we developed. “Napier is being brought back in stages, firstly dyeing and then continuous yarn finishing followed by more machinery as required.” Some 20 people are now reemployed there, versus 150 before the flood. Business as usual, without the flood, would have seen wool carpet sales continue to grow quickly, Smith said. Instead, Bremworth had the costs of cleaning up, paying wages and redundancies, sourcing yarns and other inputs elsewhere and selling a very restricted range meantime. “I think analysis of the company’s financial performance over the past two years needs that context,” he said. As a testament to the brand and its quality products, wholesalers and retailers stayed loyal to Bremworth where they could. “Consumers continued to buy wool and our bigger retailers

out of patience and needed to see some action,” he said. The wool-only strategy had gained considerable momentum over two years until Cyclone Gabrielle, which was a huge roadblock. Many companies would not have survived such a major disruption, he said.

When only 2% of world flooring is wool carpets, there remains a huge opportunity. Greg Smith Former Bremworth CEO The storm flooded Bremworth’s main fibre dying and wool yarn plant at Napier. There followed two years before the full insurance settlement and the partial plant refitting that is now underway. Where will Bremworth go in future and is the wool strategy still appropriate? “Absolutely yes, and the company now has the funds and resources to grow quickly here and in Australia, as one of only 10 or 12 wool carpet makers in the world.

FLAT OUT: Former Bremworth CEO Greg Smith says wool carpets are regaining momentum as consumers recognise the benefits. now report 30-40% share of sales as wool products versus 1520% before Bremworth changed direction. “We also are giving confidence to growers that their clips are valuable and their generations of knowledge must remain in the industry. “When only 2% of world flooring is wool carpets, there remains a huge opportunity. “Now we see government departments stipulating wool carpets and health professionals talking about detrimental aspects of synthetics. “Over 70% of consumers we surveyed said they would prefer

to have wool, but only 20-40% actually purchase wool carpets. “That results from the marketing efforts of synthetics and their lower relative pricing.” Smith said Bremworth would soon launch a range of more affordable wool coverings. The company has attracted some takeover interest, now being evaluated, from parties committed to wool and believing in the Bremworth brand. Over the past 30 years Smith has managed three iconic New Zealand companies – Michael Hill Jeweller, Icebreaker and Bremworth – and hopes in the future to take more NZ brands to the world.

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16 Editorial

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

This week’s poll question (see page 7): Are you confident your region’s infrastructure and its management is fit for purpose when it comes to extreme weather events? Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULT

A lot riding on Fonterra’s strategic shift Neal Wallace

Senior reporter

S FINANCE Minister Nicola Willis prepares to deliver her budget on May 22, she should take a moment to thank the primary sector. While the budget will still have plenty of red ink, it will not be as bad as it could have been due to the performance of dairy, meat, forestry and horticulture. Despite gallant attempts to broaden the country’s economic base, the primary sector continues to do a disproportionate amount of economic heavy lifting. That was further underlined last week with prices in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction – the second last for the season – jumping 4.6%, taking the GDT index to 1344, its highest point since June 2022. In August 2023 the index was 850. It shows how the planets have aligned. The world wants dairy but global supplies are short.

Commentators remain upbeat, noting that as the New Zealand dairy scene winds down, trade tension between the United States and China and supply constraints should underpin firm prices. Despite atrocious spring weather in Southland, a summer drought in Taranaki and late summer dry in key North Island dairy regions, milk production this season is on track to be 2.7% higher than last year. All this translates into a stunning performance by Fonterra for the 2025 year, with a record 16% lift in its operating profit to $1.1 billion and $729 million after-tax profit. Significantly for farmers, it will pay a dividend of 22c/share and is forecasting a farmgate milk price for the year of $9.70$10.30/kgMS, a significant improvement from its opening forecast last May of $7.25-$8.75/kgMS.

In Fonterra’s case, as the milk price increases, margins become tighter. The co-operative reported its 2025 performance optimised product mix to capture value across all its sales channels. This raises questions about whether it should be selling its consumer brands business. Fonterra notes its ingredients and food service businesses had stand-out financial performances in terms of revenue earned and profitability.

Despite its consumer business growing and margins increasing, profitability was flat. Questions have been raised about the divestment, but Fonterra is taking a pragmatic approach so it can focus on its foodservice and ingredients businesses. NZ farmer ownership of longtime brands such as Anchor and Mainland will be missed and Fonterra may lose some of its public identity from having its products in supermarket chillers. But nostalgia does not automatically equate with business success. The co-operative is pursuing simultaneous divestment options of an initial public offering and a trade sale of its consumer and its Oceania and Sri Lankan businesses. Understandably few details are being released but RNZ reports interest from global diary giant Lactalis and Australia’s Bega Cheese. There is no doubt that running a consumer business is costly and complex and, in Fonterra’s case, as the milk price increases, margins become tighter. The primary role of a co-operative is to maximise returns and value for shareholders, and Fonterra has concluded this will be achieved by narrowing its business focus. Given the dearth of emerging industries to challenge the economic clout of the primary sector, Willis and her successors will be hoping those decisions prove to be correct.

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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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THREE-quarters of voters thought legislation should be changed to protect contract milkers. “Contract Milker’s are self-employed contractors who often get treated as a salaried staff member,” one said. “Most of us take far less than the minimum days off to run the farm and most of us earn less than a manager, while taking on risk. Farm owners often don’t take into consideration inflation, rising costs of staff and relief staff, power bills continuing to rise – all amounting to less in our pockets.” Another said: “It’s great that you opened up a space to give us a voice. Many milkers are oppressed in this sector, which means that no one wants to work as a milker. “Factors such as low wages, high housing rents, lack of incentives for studying, and disrespect between managers and employees make milkers feel traumatised about working in this area.”

Opinion

17 Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

What was grown on these farms: a nation Eating the elephant

John Foley

Foley lives near Lincoln in Canterbury and works in the seed industry In this series, the team pass the pen to four different food and farming New Zealanders.

HEN former United States president Joe Biden explained his decision to not stand for re-election, he expressed confidence in the future of American democracy. He reminded us “that America is an idea as much as a country” and represents certain inalienable rights such as the right life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness etcetera. So, what if New Zealand is an idea? What would our inalienable rights include – social justice, egalitarianism, a sense of fair

play, self-reliance, community? Many of the things that have contributed to this “idea of New Zealand” emerged from the politics of the 1880s-1900. To illustrate this, let me take you on a journey on a stretch of State Highway 1 in Otago to look back on a slice of our late colonial history – albeit from a heavily Pākehā perspective. We’ll start in Waikouaiti, just north of Dunedin. Few people travelling through here would realise they are passing the location of significant events that shaped our farming industries, which in turn had a profound influence on the shaping of New Zealand. In 1840, Johnny Jones established the South Island’s first farming colony, Matanaka Farm (4500 hectares), at Waikouaiti. Originally, he had tried to purchase a huge swath of land that included most of present-day North and Central Otago, but the courts annulled the purchase. Later, one of his key staff was a Scottish immigrant named John McKenzie. As a young child, McKenzie had witnessed the hardship of people displaced by exploitive landlords during the clearances of the clans. He is remembered by the impressive stone cairn on the hill overlooking Palmerston (more on him later). SH1 then passes Totara Estate, formerly part of the giant land

holding company, the New Zealand and Australian Land Company. This was where the livestock for the first successful frozen meat shipment was processed in 1882. The company was responsible for the establishment of both the frozen meat trade and was influential in starting New Zealand dairy exporting. Further along you pass Clark’s historic flour mill (est.1866). Originally part of the Totara Estate, it was one of 13 in the North Otago district. This area represents a time when wheat production was a major farming activity and gave rise to many of the mercantile firms that have serviced New Zealand farming for 150 years. Many farms in this era were large pastoral runs and many controlled by overseas investors and worked by immigrants. McKenzie left the employment of Johnny Jones and went on to become minister of lands in the Liberal governments of the 1890s that were characterised by egalitarian principles and were champions for social justice. Many policies continue to influence modern New Zealand: universal suffrage, advancement of Māori rights, old age pensions and land reforms were key achievements. There was political consensus to develop broadbased opportunities for all New Zealanders. The government also firmly believed farming

BIG IDEA: Few recognise the impact family farms have had on the ‘idea’ of New Zealand, writes John Foley.

Like the government of the day, they built things with future generations in mind. would be the leading industry. During this time, McKenzie was the driver of the Land for Settlements Act of 1894 that allowed for the compulsory acquisition of large, often foreigncontrolled land holdings such as those owned by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company. This land was then redistributed by way of ballot to families looking to take up farming. The Land for Settlement Scheme accelerated the development of New Zealand and gave many families the opportunity to own their own farm. Back on our road trip, we’re now north of Glenavy at the Waikakahi Settlement (est. 1899). At 19,000ha it was one of the largest of the land re-distribution settlements and gave 130 families the opportunity to farm. For these family farms, necessity

was the mother of invention. By making small farms successful, they drove agricultural progress through innovation and entrepreneurial spirit – our famous No 8 wire culture undoubtedly grew from this and, like the government of the day, built things with future generations in mind. Across New Zealand there were dozens of these settlements. They created a future for families and a legacy of leadership and excellence that is still evident today. How many All Blacks, sports champions, prime ministers, politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs and leaders of industry have come from these family farms? Few recognise the impact family farms have had on the “idea” of New Zealand. Year on year, the number of family farms is diminishing – impacted by amalgamations, carbon forestry, foreign ownership of farmland and economic forces. New Zealand will be a poorer nation without them. More of your favourite opinion pieces now online farmersweekly.co.nz/opinion

Stingy science spending steals from our future Alternative view

Alan Emerson

Semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath.emerson@gmail.com

LARGE part of New Zealand’s wealth has been created by science and innovation. It has been the cornerstone of our success as a trading nation. It hasn’t started as a commercial option or something sexy to try. Rather it has been the patient creation of a foundation that has built onto a monument of commercial success. We developed white clover pastures and trialled rotational grazing. Our detailed research on breeding values that included

deer is the envy of many. We understand our soils. We found that a cobalt deficiency was responsible for the lack of many farming options on what was classified as the volcanic plateau. That land is now highly productive dairy pasture. That was followed with the use of superphosphate that made our hill country productive. We were a world first with the topdressing of fertiliser from small planes. That has since developed further with precision agriculture. We invented the herringbone and started development on rotary milking platforms. All of that made the Farmers Weekly article on science and scientists depressing reading, “NZ will hold little appeal for fleeing US scientists” (May 5). It detailed how the outflow of scientists from the United States would go to Australia and not New Zealand. It comes in the wake of the government effectively cutting science funding, which in my view is a short term recipe for disaster. Governments of all colours tend to go for short term gain that preferably coincides with the election cycle, National more so than Labour with the late RD Muldoon being the master of votes

for today as against prosperity for tomorrow. As I’ve pointed out, agricultural research is the foundation of our prosperity and we have a proud record in that area. It is a major factor in our agricultural export revenue increasing a massive 75% in the 10 years from June 2013 to June 2023. It is predicted to keep increasing and we can’t do that without good primary industry research. Broadly speaking the amount the government has spent on research is pitiful and its commitment to science and innovation is a disgrace. It’s a no-brainer as the countries that spend most on research and innovation have the highest GDP per capita. New Zealand spent just 1.54% of GDP on research and development last year. We’re now going to effectively spend less. Countries in the OECD spend almost twice what we do at 2.7% of GDP. The minister responsible, Dr Shane Reti, recently stated that it was great that our R&D spend had gone to $6.4 billion which was an improvement on the previous year. The harsh reality is that the government spends a little over a billion dollars on R&D, which hasn’t changed much over the past few years. Conversely the private

sector has massively increased its spend, almost doubling to $4bn since 2018. The previous Labour government had an R&D target of 2% of GDP. The current government doesn’t have a target, which I think is an absolute cop-out. Putting the government’s $1bn R&D spend and the country’s 1.54% of GDP on R&D in perspective, the recent announcement by the prime minister had a defence target of 2% of GDP. Further, he announced an increase in defence spending of $12bn in the next four years, which includes $9bn of new spending. So the government intends to spend 12 times the money on defence that it does on R&D. As a long retired soldier I’m pleased defence is getting recognition but as a patriotic Kiwi who cares for the country I’m appalled at the laissez faire attitude of the government to R&D. I’d call it a crisis. In the Farmers Weekly article we read that “science in NZ is facing a generational crisis due to funding cuts. We’ve also lost half a billion dollars in funding with over 350 specialist roles dropped”. The NZ Association of Scientists co-head, Dr Troy Barsden, was

asked if NZ could attract some of the world class US scientists President Donald Trump is making redundant. He said that there were three areas that good scientists would consider before coming to NZ. “They are good resources – infrastructure in the sector, good salaries and good collaboration and funding access. On those grounds you would not touch NZ with a bargepole.” Dr Lucy Stewart of the Save Science Coalition made a similar point. “The public science system in Aotearoa is facing a crisis triggered by reckless and rushed government spending cuts without any real or considered understanding of its long term impacts.” She added that there’s a “complete absence of a science strategy”. I agree with both Barsden and Stewart and find the lack of a science strategy an indictment. Spending on research and development is not a nice to have but a must have. That’s if we’re remotely interested in our future prosperity as a nation. Read weekly articles from Alan Emerson at farmersweekly.co.nz/ author/alan-emerson

18 S&B Focus

Sector Focus

Sheep & Beef

Ag life a barrel of fun for stock rep Rebecca Greaves

PEOPLE

Community

YLA Toheriri is just as at home riding barrels at rodeo on the weekend as she is on the drafting gate in her role as a stock representative. Toheriri believes there are no limits to what she can achieve in the ag industry with the right attitude and positive outlook. “If you are willing to learn and open minded, it’s a great industry to build your own path. I like agriculture because I feel I can keep expanding and building.” Based in Fairfield, near Dunedin, Toheriri covers the South Otago area as a livestock representative for Silver Fern Farms. She’s been with the company three years and has just ticked over a year in her current role as a fulltime rep. Growing up on the family farm at Ranfurly, she enjoyed

farming, but wasn’t set on it as a career. A year at university told her that path definitely wasn’t for her. She went casual shepherding in Maniototo and did a stint in Australia for seeding before landing her first junior shepherd’s role at Kai-toa Station in Waikouaiti. She then moved to a finishing farm in Tarras. Toheriri took a break from farming. Lots of her mates when she was living in Wānaka were tradies, so she decided to go building for a year. “It clicked once I was out of ag that it was where I preferred to be.” She’d always been keen on becoming a stock rep, but was unsure how to crack into the industry, especially as many established reps had been in the job for 40 plus years. When SFF introduced a livestock training programme it gave her the foot in the door she’d been looking for. “They knew they had a more

CIRCUIT: Competitive by nature, Tyla Toheriri spends a lot of her downtime chasing the rodeo circuit around the country. Photo: CC Photography

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senior demographic of reps across the country and that they would need some new, young blood coming into the company,” said Toheriri, who is 27 years old. Through the programme Toheriri did a full year of training, six months in the North Island and six months in the South Island, from Northland down to Invercargill, spending time with reps and soaking up knowledge. “I knew that I enjoyed working on farms and with farmers. Growing up, we had a good relationship with our livestock rep, who was very prominent in our farming business. I liked the idea of working with farmers every day to help generate income for their businesses. It seemed right up my alley.” It is an industry that has received attention for being male dominated, but Toheriri said there are more young ones coming up the ranks, and more women (there are three at SFF and one trainee). She’s never encountered any negativity based on her sex. “There are a lot of females driving up driveways now, as bankers and fertiliser reps. I go to field days and every tent is full of women in ag, and women in ag have been smashing it.” She relishes the physical nature of the job and said she’s always enjoyed drafting or being in the yards with cattle. She also appreciates the responsibility of managing her own days and weeks. When Toheriri’s not working, she’s usually found on the hockey field or chasing the rodeo circuit around the country. There’s no such thing as weekends off. After a few years’ break, she’s back playing club hockey for Taieri this winter, and she has a horse she’s quietly

FIELD: When Tyla Toheriri is not riding barrels or on the hockey field, she works as a livestock representative in South Otago. Photo: Supplied excited about for the upcoming rodeo season. “I now have a horse under me that has a lot of potential and can be competitive with the top riders I have been watching my whole life. To be up there with them is pretty cool.” For Toheriri, it’s all about striking the right balance between work and sport, which has always been a big part of her life. “Sport has always been me to a T, keeping active and busy ... I’ve definitely got a competitive streak in me, I’ve got to keep the pulse on that,” she said.

If you have the right attitude, I believe you can take whatever path you like. Tyla Toheriri Silver Fern Farms “Anyone looking to go into the agriculture industry, I’d say put your best foot forward and have a crack – just go for it. “If you have the right attitude, I believe you can take whatever path you like.”

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Sheep & Beef

19 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Better crops in changing climate is the aim Sector perspective

Jacqueline Rowarth

Dr Rowarth, CNZM HFNZIAHS, an adjunct professor at Lincoln University, is on the board of DairyNZ, Deer Industry NZ and Ravensdown and on the World Farmers’ Organisation Scientific Council

ARMERS and growers spend their lives creating conditions for the plants and animals they look after to thrive, while minimising environmental impacts. The plants and animals farmed and grown have been selected for nutrition, which also makes them attractive to unwanted organisms. To optimise production and protection, careful control measures for pests and diseases are used – because if they aren’t, weeds (misplaced plants), nonbeneficial insects, fungi and bacteria flourish. Pests and diseases are adapted for survival. Because of their adaptations, the non-selected organisms, the wild ones, will inevitably win – the survival of the fittest syndrome. In the debate about the use of new breeding technologies (genetic modification/gene editing), this factor might be being overlooked by some people. Acceptance of genetically

modified (GM) crops is increasing globally. As of October last year, 32 countries had granted cultivation approvals for GM crops, linked to recognition of biotechnology as a tool to address global challenges such as food security and climate change. Heat and drought tolerance are to the fore, but so are nutritional boosts for staple crops such as rice. The goal is to improve yields and nutrition despite climate change. New Zealand has the same goals, including exploration of fit-forpurpose products that can be safely consumed by animals. Further, countries are considering adopting the Canadian approach. For over two decades, Canada has focused on whether or not a “new” product is novel, rather than the process behind the development of the product. Further, all seeds, feed and food, whether conventional or products of biotechnology, are reviewed for regulation. Each is adjudged on a case-by-case basis to determine if the product is a “plant with novel traits” where it is generally accepted that a 20% difference in the target trait would qualify. Plants deemed to have novel traits are tested for allergenicity, toxicity and impact on non-target organisms. Of importance is that the proposed New Zealand Gene Technology Bill does not create open slather – the context is caution and testing. Decision making will be influenced by level of risk based on evidence. Information will be sought by the regulator and provided by the applicant. In addition, there are various advisory bodies, including Māori perspectives. Concerns about the potential impact of GM crops on organic production have been raised in the media, but co-existence has been shown to be possible. Dr John Caradus, a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, and a plant breeder, has reported that

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COST: Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says the opportunity cost to New Zealand in restricting access to the latest science is growing. Photo: Pexels

Farmers and growers in over 30 countries are able to work with the latest science if it benefits their systems and is deemed low risk. countries with the largest areas devoted to organic agriculture also have among the highest land area used for GM crops. In a recent paper (search for “Is co-existence and/or containment of genetically modified plants possible, and it is important?”) based on research across countries, he concluded that co-existence is possible but will require good communication and cooperation between neighbours. He also acknowledges that best management practices will be important to avoid pollen drift. The linking of genetic modification to unsafe food

by some parties, when no commercialised foods from genetically modified plants have been found to be unsafe, is a distraction from evidence provided to regulators in many countries. The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) website already lists over 100 plant varieties derived from a genetically modified event (that is, something affecting a plant trait from which food can be derived as being safe for human consumption). Currently receiving social media attention is a submission to the Health Committee reviewing factors around the New Zealand Bill. The submission focused on the potential for damage if gene editing occurred in an uncontrolled (non-sterile) environment. It was based on a computer modelling exercise, not a real-life investigation. Gene editing requires highly controlled and sterile environments, and

the product needs to be managed carefully for several life stages. Scientists from Universities and Crown Research Institutes in New Zealand, and similar organisations in the United Kingdom, are adamant that there is no plausible mechanism by which gene editing could be achieved under open-field conditions. Dr Caradus explains that the gene used in editing is simply too large to pass through cell walls without assistance. “Gene editing cannot be used as an ‘outdoor’ application in a manner similar to the application of synthetic chemical pesticides or fungicides,” he says, “whatever the models then say about ‘if they did’. The point is they can’t.” The farmers and growers in over 30 countries are able to work with the latest science if it benefits their systems and is deemed low risk. The opportunity cost to New Zealand in restricting access is growing.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Sheep & Beef

Govt set to move on forestry restrictions Neal Wallace

NEWS

Forestry

EGISLATION restricting farm conversion to forestry will shortly be introduced to Parliament, taking effect from December 4 last year, the date the policy was announced. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay said the legislation, to be introduced to Parliament in the second quarter, will ensure balance and recognise the value of both forestry and farming. “We remain concerned about the effect that farm conversions are having on highly productive land, particularly sheep and beef farms in Northland, the east coast and parts of Otago and Southland.” The move has been welcomed by Federated Farmers as halting the locking up of “high quality farmland into carbon forests”, but it says that exemptions in the policy have created loopholes. Forest Owners Association (FOA) chief executive Elizabeth Hegg said uncertainty since the

policy was foreshadowed last year has already reduced demand for seedlings. The policy places a moratorium on full farm afforestation on actively farmed properties with a land use classification (LUC) 1-5. It allows planting of up to 25% of LUC 1-6 and places a 15,000 hectare cap on the area of LUC 6 entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Will it be allocated, will it be first come first served, how bureaucratic will the process be? Elizabeth Hegg Forest Owners Association Specific categories of Māoriowned land are exempt to enable economic development. Hegg said the FOA has questions about how the 15,000ha limit on LUC 6 farmland will be administered. “That is the most frustrating aspect. Will it be allocated, will it be first come first served, how bureaucratic will the process be?” Planting restrictions based on

LUC classes and accessing the ETS will impact foresters. Hegg describes LUC 6 as forestry’s sweet spot, with little production forestry on LUC 1-5 while land above LUC 6 is riskier and the economics marginal. International instability has made profit margins tighter and ETS income has proven crucial in the economics of forestry. Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams said the policy will stem the loss of rural communities following whole farm conversions and from unintended consequences such as exploding pig and deer numbers, wildfire risk and wilding pines. “If we keep losing communities to carbon forestry, we’ll be left with towns without schools, sports clubs or doctors. It sucks the life out of our rural communities.” He questioned the merits of allowing exemptions from the policy for those who purchased seedlings prior to December 4. “If a forester didn’t own the land, they can’t have had any real commitment to plant it. Having a contract on seedlings shouldn’t be accepted.”

BALANCE: Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says the legislation will ensure balance and recognise the value of both forestry and farming.

Sheep flock has shrunk 21% in the past decade Staff reporter

NEWS

Livestock LIVESTOCK numbers continue to decline, with the latest figures from Statistics NZ showing a 21% drop in sheep numbers over the past 10 years. There were 23.6 million sheep in New Zealand in June 2024, a fall of 6.2 million from 2014. The total number of dairy cattle also fell, by 861,000 (13 %) over this period to 5.8 million. Beef cattle, however, are bucking the trend of falling livestock. There were 3.7 million beef cattle in

2024, similar to the total in 2014, agricultural statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said. Deer had the highest percentage fall of all livestock types, down 26% in the 10-year period. Numbers are down by 250,000 since 2014, bringing the total to 709,000 deer. The total area in grassland (excluding tussock) across Aotearoa New Zealand was 7.1 million hectares in June 2024, after falling by 809,000ha, or 10%, in the past 10 years. “This drop in grassland coincides with large decreases in livestock being farmed on that land,” Islam said.

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Preparing for winter grazing Winter forage crops are a cost-effective way to keep animals well-fed over winter when pasture growth is low. Key factors to remember: PADDOCK 25 PLAN 5+ metres

Share your Winter Grazing Plan with your farm team to have successful outcomes for your business, your animals and the environment.

Leave an ungrazed buffer area around waterways of at least 5 metres (check local regulations).

Have a Plan B for adverse weather events. Provide safe areas away from waterways with adequate feed, water and shelter.

Consider post-grazing management. Fast growing catch crops can turn soil nitrogen into valuable drymatter and protect waterways.

Use backfences to help manage stock movements and reduce pugging.

Protect critical source areas. Leave them uncultivated and ungrazed.

Place portable troughs and supplementary feed prior to grazing.

START

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Criitical source area a

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Graze paddocks strategically. Fence across any slope and use the standing crop as a ﬁlter.

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FEDERATED 22 Feds

FARMERS Vol 3 No 18, May 12, 2025

fedfarm.org.nz

Sounding the alarm on Bill’s rural blind spot

ederated Farmers is pushing hard to make sure rural New Zealand isn’t left behind in new legislation meant to protect all Kiwis in times of crisis. “The Government’s new Emergency Management Bill discussion document makes no mention of the primary sector, farming or isolated communities,” Sandra Faulkner, Federated Farmers adverse events spokesperson, says. “We were assured the unique needs of rural New Zealand would be recognised and better integrated into the emergency management framework, but that recognition is glaringly absent. “That’s not only disappointing – it’s unacceptable, and we’ll be pushing back strongly.” The Government is currently asking for feedback on options to improve New Zealand’s main emergency management law as they work on creating a new Emergency Management Bill. It intends to pass the new Bill during this term of Parliament. In 2023, Federated Farmers submitted on the previously proposed Bill, highlighting the lack of recognition of rural communities in the legislation and emergency management system. “Since then, this Bill has been taken back to the drawing board to address the multitude of concerns submitters had raised,” Faulkner says.

“That was a necessary step, given the widespread concerns about the lack of clarity and practicality, in the legislation.” Faulkner says there are some promising signals in the new discussion document, such as recognition of animals in emergencies, and early conversations about liability and reimbursement related to emergency works. “But at this stage, they’re just concepts being floated – we don’t know where they will land, and that uncertainty is concerning. “Most importantly, there is still no concrete recognition of the unique vulnerabilities and contributions of the primary sector within the emergency management system. “This recognition needs to consider the circumstances of agriculture, horticulture, forestry and rural communities.” Federated Farmers will be making a submission based on this new consultation framework, reiterating key priorities and areas where the Bill must improve to deliver real value for rural New Zealand. The submission will call for four critical improvements to the Bill. “Firstly, we want a mandated primary industry liaison role, ensuring someone with knowledge and experience of the primary sector is formally part of the emergency response structure,” Faulkner says. “Secondly, we want primary sector

representation across the four ‘Rs’: reduction, readiness, response, and recovery planning. It’s vital we have rural voices to ensure emergency systems and responses reflect the reality on the ground in isolated areas.” Federated Farmers is also asking for better exemptions for those who respond first in an emergency. “Farmers often need to act quickly to protect their families, businesses, or communities – sometimes breaking regional authority rules or the RMA to do so,” Faulkner says. “We’ve heard many stories where farmers restored vital access or services but ended up technically breaching their resource consents or planning rules. These rules need to change. “For example, a farmer who clears a road for emergency services shouldn’t face penalties for helping. “If they have the gear and skills to do the job safely, it’s only fair they’re not held liable – and potentially compensated – for taking action in a crisis.” Federated Farmers’ submission also calls for recognition of animals in emergency response. “Animals – particularly livestock – must be factored into planning and response at both the regional and national levels,” Faulkner says. “These four asks aren’t just ‘nice to haves’ – they’re essential for ensuring that rural people and businesses

RURAL GAPS: Sandra Faulkner is urging the Government to properly recognise the unique needs of farmers in its revamped Emergency Management Bill.

We’ve heard many stories where farmers restored vital access or services but ended up technically breaching their resource consents or planning rules. These rules need to change. Sandra Faulkner Federated Farmers adverse events spokesperson can respond to, and recover from, disasters effectively. “Farming communities often face longer wait times for help, limited infrastructure, and unique logistical challenges. We need a system that recognises that and plans for it accordingly.”

Federated Farmers is also encouraging individual farmers and rural New Zealanders to submit their own feedback to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). “Your stories, experiences, and advice are powerful,” Faulkner says. “If you’ve been affected by an adverse event – whether it’s flooding, cyclones, drought, or fire – your insights can help shape a system that works better for all of us.” Submissions on the Emergency Management Bill discussion document are due by 5pm, 20 May 2025. “This is a chance to shape the future of how New Zealand responds to emergencies,” Faulkner says. “Kiwi farmers are always at the forefront of a response to natural disasters, so we should be at the table.”

Federated Farmers

23 fedfarm.org.nz – May 12, 2025

Feds back Bill to roll back ‘woke’ banking rules

ederated Farmers have thrown their support behind a new Bill aimed at protecting farmers from “woke” lending practices and getting the banks back to basics. ACT Party MP Mark Cameron has drafted a Member’s Bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and other financial institutions to make climate-related disclosures. The Bill would repeal Part 7A of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. “Mark Cameron’s Bill is a practical one, and we fully support it,” Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says. “The current reporting requirements don’t cut emissions — they just make banking more complicated, confusing and expensive. “It’s bizarre that banks are being made to report on their customers’ emissions. You wouldn’t expect a supermarket to be held responsible for the carbon footprint of every shopper.

“This Bill will put the focus back on what banks are meant to do — provide finance.” Federated Farmers have long been concerned about the increasing influence of climate-related policy on bank lending practices. “Farmers are already doing their part on emissions,” McIntyre says.

The current reporting requirements don’t cut emissions — they just make banking more complicated, confusing and expensive. Richard McIntyre Federated Farmers banking spokesperson “We don’t need the banks piling on with their own set of climate rules and targets.” He says requiring financial institutions to align their lending with government climate objectives

amounted to pushing a social agenda through financial regulation. “It’s just inappropriate and counterproductive. “Financial rules should be there to keep the markets running smoothly and fairly — not to push a social agenda. Letting farmers farm and bankers bank shouldn’t be a controversial idea. “We need the banks to get back to basics.” He also points to broader issues in rural banking, including shrinking competition, branch closures and growing unease among farmers about their treatment by major lenders. “We’re seeing fewer banks operating in rural areas, more hoops for farmers to jump through, and interest rates being influenced by non-financial factors,” McIntyre says. “That’s not how a competitive, efficient banking system is meant to operate. Mark Cameron’s Bill is a step in the right direction.” Cameron, ACT’s Rural Communities

OVERREACH: Richard McIntyre says financial rules should exist to keep the markets running smoothly and fairly — not push a social agenda. spokesperson, says rural and regional Kiwis are being hammered by “banking wokery” that judges businesses on political fashion rather than commercial sense. “Farmers are already seeing discrimination creeping into interest rates based on perceived emissions. “They fear they’ll be the next to be ‘debanked’, not because of financial risk, but because they don’t fit the agenda of the suit-and-tie wearing bigwigs.

“We’ve already seen it happening to essential industries like mining and service stations.” Cameron says the rules are the ultimate virtue signal, reducing banking competition and forcing significant costs on lenders – and therefore borrowers – for no environmental gain. Cameron has asked Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson to adopt his proposal as a Government Bill.

Pine trees move in, beef cattle forced to move out Toby Williams Federated Farmers national meat and wool chair

ew Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme settings are broken – and it’s hurting stud bull breeders and the wider beef sector. New Zealand is the only country, aside from Kazakhstan, to allow 100% offsetting of carbon emissions by forestry within the ETS. That means carbon-emitting industries here have little or no incentive to explore changes or technologies to rein in their emissions. Why would you when you can just plant pines?

The ETS is skewing land-use decisions in favour of chasing pine carbon revenue, and it’s putting the squeeze on sheep and beef farmers. Our beef cattle numbers, and the national sheep flock, are in a state of decline. In the last 20 years our beef cattle tally has fallen from 4.5 million down to 3.5 million. The primary driver is undeniable: the conversion of productive farmland to forestry – 175,000 hectares in the last five years alone. Each year beef cattle numbers drop means there’s less demand for stud bulls and their genetics, and fewer breeding cows to produce calves. The forestry being rolled out is

mostly – but by no means exclusively – in the harder country that suits beef cattle and sheep. Beef cows are brilliant at taking low-value feed and converting it into high-value protein in the form of calves. When the land they graze is displaced by forestry, it’s not as if significant numbers of these animals are instead going to be grazed on the flats. That land is much better used for dairy cows or finishing, so when pine trees move in, the beef cattle have nowhere to go. Markets keep telling us of strong long-term demand for high-quality, grass-fed protein in the form of red meat.

With a fragile construction scene, alternative building materials, and local timber mills on their knees, I’m

The ETS is skewing landuse decisions in favour of chasing pine carbon revenue, and it’s putting the squeeze on sheep and beef farmers. Toby Williams Federated Farmers meat and wool chair not convinced long-term demand for pine is as strong. New Zealand does need a productive forestry sector, and I’m a

big fan of farm forestry too, but the carbon market is unfairly tipping the balance and undermining our red meat sector. The Government made some welcome changes late last year to tighten up the rules, but we’re still seeing our rural communities overrun by pine trees. Federated Farmers wants to see the ETS amended to end the ability of emitters to be able to offset 100% of their emissions from carbon farming. We also want to see changes to the Overseas Investment Act that would see applications to convert to forestry assessed under the farmland test rather than the general benefit to New Zealand test.

May 12, 2025 – fedfarm.org.nz

Federated Farmers

Kiwi farmers urged to lead the conversation

ew Zealand’s farmers need to shift from reactive to proactive — showing up not just when there’s a crisis, but also when times are calm. That’s the view of Claire Taylor, an experienced rural journalist and Nuffield Scholar who recently completed an international study titled Turning the Tide on the AntiFarming Agenda. “What I saw during my study was that both in New Zealand and overseas, whenever the farming sector hits the headlines, it’s because we are out in tractors and we’re protesting,” she says. “But why aren’t we at the table when rules are being written or campaigns are being formed? Farmers are a huge part of the solution. “There’s a quote from Henry Kissinger that says ‘deeds done in peacetime are better than money spent in war’ – that really resonates here. “If media, policymakers, and the public already know you and trust you, they’ll come to you first when a story breaks. If they don’t, they’ll fill the gap with their own assumptions.” A strong, unified voice matters now more than ever, especially with the speed at which political tides are turning, says Scotland-born Taylor. “Right now, farmers might be thinking, ‘we’ve got a government that’s more sympathetic or supportive of farming’ — but that will change,” she warns. “What are we doing in the meantime to prepare for that shift?

Are we engaging with opposition parties now, inviting them onto farms, not during a crisis, but when things are going well?” She points to efforts like Federated Farmers’ current work to grow relationships with the Opposition, through regular meetings, policy forums and farm visits, as being vital.

If media, policymakers, and the public already know you and trust you, they’ll come to you first when a story breaks. If they don’t, they’ll fill the gap with their own assumptions. Claire Taylor Ag journalist and Nuffield Scholar “That’s what we need to see more of, both in New Zealand and in other countries.” Taylor is a keynote speaker at this year’s Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards on June 24-25 in Christchurch. There, she will be encouraging individual Kiwi farmers to take a more active role in shaping the conversation. “In New Zealand, I think we’ve got to find ways to engage more and not pass that responsibility on to everybody else,” she says. “There’s a tendency to rely on representative bodies — and then we criticise them for not doing enough. But what are we doing as individuals to engage?” The power of relationships — with

GLOBAL ADVOCATE: Claire Taylor is on a mission to help the farming sector effectively communicate its story and drive meaningful change. the public, consumers, media, and politicians — is a recurring theme in Taylor’s work. One shining example she points to is Meat the Need, the New Zealand charity connecting farmers with foodbanks. “I love what they’re doing. It’s a brilliant example of stepping beyond the farm gate and showing up for wider society. “We need more efforts like that — more farmers to step up and take part in social conversations, not just agricultural ones.” Taylor acknowledges that profitability will always be a core driver for farmers, but she believes New Zealand’s export-focused industry needs to do more to stay ahead of consumer expectations. “When I spoke to farmers about biodiversity or making space for nature, many weren’t overly

led

engaged — because it didn’t impact the bottom line directly. But the world is watching. “We need to be ahead of the curve, leading the conversation, not catching up.” That leadership can take many forms and doesn’t always mean becoming a media personality. “Not everybody needs to be Jeremy Clarkson,” she jokes. “But everyone can do something. “Whether that’s agritourism, joining local committees, mentoring new entrants, or just inviting someone from town onto the farm — there are endless ways to connect.” She also challenges farmers to reflect on how they support their own industry advocates. “I met people in New Zealand working in organisations who dedicate their lives to representing

farmers, only to be torn down by the very community they’re trying to help. “That’s not sustainable. We need to ask ourselves, how can we play our part, instead of pointing fingers?” For Taylor, turning the tide isn’t just about rebutting criticism — it’s about rebuilding relationships and reclaiming the narrative. “We have to show up. For the public, it’s about listening and adapting to what they want from us. It has to be a two-way conversation.” Her call to action is clear. “We can’t wait for a crisis; we need to be building trust, now. The future of New Zealand farming depends on it.”

Hear the full conversation with Claire Taylor on the latest Federated Farmers Podcast episode

Federated Farmers

25 fedfarm.org.nz – May 12, 2025

Fired up over faltering wilding control

ilding pines are the biggest environmental disaster facing New Zealand, and it’s lunacy that funding to control them is being cut back, Hamish Roxburgh says. When a politician pays for a wilding pine to be cut down, they tend to think that’s the end of the problem. “It’s only the beginning – the first shot in a very long war.” In a presentation to farmers at the recent Federated Farmers High Country field day, Roxburgh described the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme as a huge success. “Early on, they tackled the lowhanging fruit and large areas were cleared. But now, with reduced funding, a lot of the good work is going to fail.” Roxburgh, who for a decade chaired a New Zealand wilding control group initiated by Federated Farmers, says reinfestation is inevitable unless the source of future wilding seeds is also removed. He cites as an example land compulsorily acquired for the conservation estate on Simon’s Pass in the Mackenzie Basin. “The land was cut over and left. Now there is a huge population of stirrup-high trees that will either be coning or close to coning.” If these trees are not removed, the initial investment will be wasted, he says. “If that land had continued to be grazed, the current situation would not be so dire. “The upfront cost of doing control early is magnitudes lower than leaving it till later.” Independent economic analysis completed in 2022 showed an overall benefit-cost ratio of 34:1 for every dollar invested in controlling wilding conifers. Boffa Miskell biosecurity consultant Sian Reynolds told those at the field day that without wilding control, 5% of vulnerable land – that’s 90,000ha – is infested each year.

CONIFER CONCERN: Sian Reynolds (right) and colleague Beth Williamson survey wilding conifers on a hillside on Molesworth Station. They’re smiling for the photograph but both are deeply unhappy with cuts to wilding control funding.

Action and proper funding is what’s needed. I’ve never yet seen a tree talked to death. Hamish Roxburgh Farmer and former NZ wilding control group chair As those present looked out at a tussock land vista, she asked them to instead imagine a landscape as dense as a brick wall with conifer trees – Douglas fir, contorta, Scots Pine, Corsican, radiata or a medley of them all. Unlike production forests, there is no thinning, pruning or any kind of management. Nothing else grows underneath. “This horror is sadly the reality for many landowners, especially in this eastern, dryland type environment.

In the programme we manage, this is the reality for Molesworth Station, where the Clarence River Flats are a prime example. “Fifteen years ago, they could happily muster stock through the area. Now you’d probably have a hard time getting a dog through it, let alone a big Angus cow.” Wildings grow at a rate of knots if left unchecked. It’s been reported that seed has blown and infested land up to 40km away from the original source. Like Roxburgh, Reynolds says the national control programme – with $140 million in Government funding since 2016, and another $20 million from other partners – has been fantastic. “In the last four years, real gains have been achieved.” But now funding has been pruned to a baseline of $10 million a year. Reynolds says the programme is going backwards at a fast pace, and

led

$40 million a year is what’s needed to make sustained progress. The national programme split the country into 79 management units. “This season only 31 management units are being funded, with some of these barely getting enough funding to actually make a decent go at the problem,” Reynolds says. Roxburgh argues fire is a wilding control tool we shouldn’t overlook. “I’m not advocating wildfire, although it is very efficient at removing wildings. “The problem is people insist on putting them out.” The fires he has in mind are preceded by spraying, with the controlled burn in late winter/early spring. Re-seeding with desirable species should happen in autumn, because that’s when nature does it as well. “My first Metsulphorine spray and burn was in 1992, after 25mm of

overnight rain. The block exploded as if hit by napalm, and burnt out in under 40 minutes. “I coined the phrase ‘burn when it is too wet to burn’.” Roxburgh says keyboard warriors fire up over controlled burns, with smoke concerns top of their list. Wildfires, which can burn for days, even weeks, produce a severe smoke nuisance. “With a chemical fire, burning when ground conditions are wet, the fire burns very hot and fast and the ground cover is largely protected. “It’s all over in one to two hours and the smoke dissipates.” Roxburgh says he has 30 years’ experience in pine politics and has seen sustained commitment to tackle wildings wax and wane. “Action and proper funding is what’s needed. “I’ve never yet seen a tree talked to death.”

26 Real Estate

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

MASTERTON, WAIRARAPA 1403 Castlepoint Road

TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm, Monday 9 June

Bramerton Station Located just 14km from Masterton on Castlepoint Road, comprising 998ha (1,004ha mapped) and offers an exceptional balance of contour, scale, and infrastructure, with 280ha of cultivable flats and rolling country, with the balance mainly being medium hill, 103ha of pines (aged 3–25 years), 4ha of Redwoods, and 12ha of QEII covenant. Significant investment in fencing, tracking, fertiliser, and regrassing supports strong stock performance, running over 9,500 stock units and finishing all stock, including winter trade lambs. The homestead was fully renovated in 1998, a former House of the Year winner, boasts four large bedrooms (two with ensuites), a chef’s kitchen, openplan living, billiard room, heated pool, spa, and tennis court—all with stunning views. Two additional homes are in excellent condition; one recently renovated to executive standard. Farm infrastructure includes top-tier covered yards, a 5-stand woolshed complex, covered cattle yards and laneways for efficient stock handling.

VIEW By Appointment Only

Jason Waterman M 027 376 8313 E jason.waterman@pggwrightson.co.nz Rob Deal M 027 241 4775 E rob.deal@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/WPK41596 Helping grow the country

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

EXCLUSIVE

LANGS BEACH, NORTHLAND Paradise Field - In Sought After Location!!! The property includes around 9ha of attractive clean grazing land, with a further 1ha of established native bush that has been fenced off from cattle for many years. There are two small lakes that provide water for stock and also contribute to an aesthetically pleasing environment. The block itself is surrounded by rural farmland that is mostly protected from any rural development. It also backs onto a permanent regenerating forest that is rich in birdlife. All carefully maintained with power to the boundary and a picturesque established driveway. Contact Dennis to view.

PRICE BY NEGOTIATION Plus GST (if any)

VIEW By Appointment Only

Dairy support and development

Dennis Wallace M 022 312 7704 E dennis.wallace@pggwrightson.co.nz

This expansive farm is primarily set up for dairy support but offers great potential for other uses including beef and lamb ﬁnishing, cereal and small seed production. Irrigation is supplied via two offtakes from the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme, additionally the farm has a designated winter feed area of 48 hectares under the scheme land use. The farms location is highly desirable and is also well-sheltered with mature shelter and plantations aesthetically enhancing its appeal for future development or further subdivision, making this a rare investment opportunity in a highly sought-after location. The property is in two titles and will be offered separately if preferred.

pggwre.co.nz/WHG41062 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Ashburton 904 Dip Road, Methven

Helping grow the country

bayleys.co.nz/5526671

180.6013 ha Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 12pm, Thu 5 Jun 2025 View by appointment Mike Preston 027 430 7041 mike.preston@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

FINAL NOTICE

Fairlie Mowbray Road

Raglan 201 Checkley Road Ultimate farming lifestyle package Be on holiday every working day with this stunning 131HA (more or less) grazing property offering breathtaking views of Raglan Harbour, just a short drive to Hamilton. Gentle rolling and well set up with quality infrastructure, ideal for beef, sheep, or dairy grazing. Currently home to 140 Angus cows and calves, it's fully fenced and well tracked. The main four-bed, four-bath home blends style and sustainability with solar panels, open-plan living, and a sun-soaked deck. A separate 3-bed, 2-bath dwelling offers guest or rental potential, plus there's a private mancave retreat. Close to Raglan, surf beaches, and schools—peaceful, productive, and full of potential.

131.46 ha Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 2pm, Thu 29 May 2025 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 11am-12pm Wed 14 May & Wed 21 May Peter Kelly 027 432 4278 peter.kelly@bayleys.co.nz Angus Kelly 021 165 5031 angus.kelly@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2316634

Mowbray Deer Farm

1,211.58 ha Price by Negotiation View by appointment Hamish Lane 027 685 6204 hamish.lane@bayleys.co.nz Mike Preston 027 430 7041 mike.preston@bayleys.co.nz

Mowbray comprises approximately 300 hectares of deer fencing and is home to the historic Sutherland’s Hut, the oldest surviving back country shepherd’s Hut in New Zealand. Currently running 1000 mixed age Red Hinds, 170 mixed age Angus Hereford Cross and Hereford cows. Depending on the season, it also grazes Half Bred Hoggets, R2 Beef Heifers and mixed age Ewes. Subdivided into 12 worked paddocks and 4 hill blocks, with potential to increase production with further development. Water is supplied from natural creeks/streams and gravity fed into troughed paddocks. Beyond farming this property offers endless tourism and Trophy hunting possibilities with its recreational appeal in this high country landscape.

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

bayleys.co.nz/5526924

Kimbolton 2732 Kimbolton Road

Scan for more

Versatile and scenic farming opportunity - 178 ha Seldom do properties with such diversity and potential come to the market. Set across multiple titles, this expansive farm offers flexibility to purchase in part or as a whole. The property showcases a mix of contour and soil types, including approximately 90 ha of fertile flats, 55 ha of medium hill, 20 ha of steeper hill, with the balance comprising native bush and sidlings. With a micro climate and an elevation of 240m on the lower flats, the farm boasts excellent grass growth. Pasture renewal over the last eight years means nearly all the flats have been regrassed, resulting in strong performance - highlighted by this year's weaners topping the Feilding sale. A well-formed central race runs the length of the farm, complemented by a metal pit providing a quality supply of metal. Infrastructure includes a renovated 3-bedroom home, two sets of cattle yards, large 4 bay implement shed 3 stand woolshed. This is a farm that combines productivity and character. Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz

For Sale By Negotiation View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/FR109800 Ted Shannon M 021 833 536

E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Blair Cottrill M 027 354 5419

E blair@pb.co.nz

28 Marketplace

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

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Anton, Liz & William Gibson Friday 23rd May Viewing 8.30am, Commencing 10am Helmsman Auction to be held On Farm at ‘Foulden Hill’, 706 Moonlight Road, Middlemarch > 15 Hereford Bulls > 4 Santa Gertrudis Bulls > 1 Braford Bull > 6 Hereford Heifers

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

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FERAL GOATS WANTED. Pick-up within 24 hours. Prices based on works schedule. Phone Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916 or 027 363 2932.

FIX FENCE FAST! ‘Batten Buddy’ Farming just got easier! www.battenbuddy.co.nz info@battenbuddy.co.nz Phone 021 0295 9167. 40c BALES/30c FADGES per kg for dags. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road Feilding. Phone 027 458 2727. WORD ONLY ADS. Phone 0800 85 25 80.

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

GOATS WANTED 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.

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

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

SCANNING AVAILABLE

HILL VALLEY BULL SALE THURSDAY 22ND MAY

James Hill - 77 Loop Road, Roxburgh Viewing 9.30am, Sale 11.00am > 13 Simmental 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.

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett (Hazlett) 027 462 0126 Nick Anderson (Hazlett) 021 223 7997 Dennis Mullally (RLL) 027 473 0833 Anthony Cox (RLL) 027 208 3071

HAWKE’S BAY, Wairarapa, Whanganui, Wairoa and Taihape. 3-way draft. Marking included. Experienced operator. Phone 027 458 8900.

WANTED TO BUY WE ARE HAPPY TO TRADE in your old machine sitting in your barn going rusty on any purchase of our brand new excavator buckets (be it tilt, grabs, rippers, QH, cleaning or weed buckets etc) Pins set up customarily to ensure suit. Or even chainsaws if you like. Email admin@loaderparts. co.nz or phone Colin 027 442 6936. SAWN SHED TIMBER including Black Maire. Matai, Totara and Rimu etc. Also buying salvaged native logs. Phone Richard Uren. NZ Native Timber Supplies. Phone 027 688 2954.

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

BULL SALE DATE 27th MAY AT 3:00PM. ANNUAL ON FARM AUCTION HELD UNDER COVER. 30 BULLS Bull open day Tuesday 13th of May 9am to 3pm

BVD tested free. TB C10

Colvendd AAngus established in 2016 on females from the Oakview Stud. Colvend Shorthorns 3 established in 2000. Successes at Beef Expo pions. Cham ve Supreme Champion bulls and 2 Reser

ALAN & VAL PARK

Located off state highway 4. 841 Tapuiwahine Valley Road, Ongarue, Taumarunui 3997. p: 07 894 6030 e: colvendfarm@gmail.com Colvend Shorthorn & Angus Stud

FULL REGISTERED 100K SNP TESTED HERD

This year‘s sale bulls

1ST BULL SALE

20 BULLS – 22 MAY 2025, 1PM OPEN DAY 13 MAY – 10AM TO 2PM

ON FARM – 140 PAPAROA ROAD, TAUMARUNUI ALL SALE BULLS HAVE BEEN PROVEN FOR USE OVER ANGUS COWS DON DITTMER P: 07 896 8451 M: 027 478 1184 E: laridon@xtra.co.nz

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ATTENTION FARMERS

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

hazlett.nz

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

STOCK FOR SALE

2025 BULL SALES BULL WALK A great chance to see around 1100 R2 Bulls over four days that will be auctioned this season. Prior viewing would be available by arrangement with Vendor’s, or the Agents listed below. SOUTH & MID CANTERBURY | TUESDAY 20 MAY | 9AM TO 12PM • Orari Gorge Hereford, Geraldine Robert Peacock • Merrylea Hereford, Cave James McKerchar • Meadowslea Angus, Fairlie David Giddings SOUTH & MID CANTERBURY | TUESDAY 20 MAY | 1PM TO 4PM • Okawa Hereford, Mayfield Nick France • Kakahu Angus & Charolais, Geraldine Tom Hargreaves • Stern Angus, Pleasant Point James Fraser MID CANTERBURY | WEDNESDAY 21 MAY | 9AM TO 12PM • Mt Possession Angus, Mt Somers Ryan Hussey • Cleardale Angus, Rakaia Ben Todhunter CENTRAL CANTERBURY | WEDNESDAY 21 MAY | 12PM TO 4PM • Glen-R Angus, Darfield Peter Heddell • Burtergill South Devon, West Melton Richard Van Asch • Sudeley Angus, Irwell Andrew Laing Brent Fisher • Silverstream Charolais & Hereford, Greenpark NORTH CANTERBURY | THURSDAY 22 MAY | 10AM TO 4PM • Richon Hereford, Amberley Rob Stokes • Beechwood Hereford, Amberley Rob Burrows • Red Oak Angus, Weka Pass Mike Townsend • Grampians Angus, Culverden Jono Reed • Hemingford Charolais, Culverden Sam Holland • Kaiwara Angus, Culverden George Johns • Grassmere Hereford & Riverlands Angus, Cheviot Chris Jeffries Will Wilding • Te Mania Angus, Conway Flat • Jandoc Hereford, Hawarden Doc Sidey NELSON MARLBOROUGH BULL | FRIDAY 23 MAY | 10AM TO 4PM • Leefield Station Angus, Waihopai Valley Greg Crombie • Okiwi Angus, Queen Charlotte George MacPherson • Blacknight Angus, Rai Valley Ben Maisey • Taimate Angus, Ward Paul Hickman • Martin Farming Hereford & Angus, Wakefield Richard Martin • Brackenfield Angus, Seddon Angus Peter NELSON MARLBOROUGH BULL WALK | FRIDAY 23 MAY | 10AM TO 4PM • Woodbank Angus, Clarence Bridge Ben Murray • Matariki Herefords, Clarence Bridge Jack Murray

03 692 2893 03 614 3332 03 685 8027 027 567 8019 03 697 4979 03 614 7080 027 303 0168 021 140 3670

Thursday 15 May | 12pm Start Feilding SaleYards We will be offering approx: • 1100 Traditional Steers

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

• 100 Bulls • 675 Traditional Heifers

027 757 1673 027 263 3582 027 631 9349 027 258 0732 021 181 4868 022 198 3599 027 460 8849 027 826 4015 021 169 9949

Cattle, renown for their shifting

027 551 1011 022 622 8136 03 571 6271 021 575 155 027 230 3098 022 428 7906 027 449 4409 027 381 2300

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

• 150 Exotic Heifers Annual Lines of late born Hill Country ability: Ricky Alabaster Trust, C&N Alabaster Trust, Carey Alabaster Trust, AJ Coogan, Hardrock Station, Cross Keys, Riini Trust, Brian Coogan Family Trust, Devane Brothers Ltd, Wyeth Reefhill, Wyeth Hutinga, Motukawa, Ohukia Station. For more details please contact: Maurice Stewart 027 246 9255 Tony Gallen 027 590 1711

Callum Dunnett (HAZ) 027 462 0126

OPAWA SIMMENTAL ANNUAL ON FARM BULL SALE Friday 16 May Commencing 1.30pm 260 Rutherford Road, Albury, South Canterbury. Inspection from 12 noon: • 28 2Yr Simmental BullsTB Status - C10 Signposted from Albury Township. Contact: David & Jayne Timperley (Vendor) 03 685 5785 or 0274 375 881 Simon Eddington (PGW) 027 590 8612 Cameron Gray (PGW) 027 494 0572

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard bidr.co.nz Simon Eddington (PGW) Anthony Cox (RLL) 027 590 8612 027 208 3071

STOCK REQUIRED

Male & Ewe Lambs 32–38kg R2YR Angus & Ang x Hfrs 300–380kg R2YR Beef & Fries Bulls 420–560kg VIC R2 & 3YR Ang Hfrs Due Aug/Sept Angus Heifer Calves 170-200kg Beef Bull Calves 220-250kg info@dyerlivestock.co.nz www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

• 200 Exotic Steers

027 436 1388 021 1915584 03 329 1709 027 251 4791

Further enquiries:

John McKone (PGW) 027 529 9375

FEILDING WEANER FAIR

200 R3YR Angus Steers 530–580 kg Sell week 12/05

Helping grow the country

Key: Dairy

Moerangi Station ON FARM: 2925 State Highway 41, Rumata Road, Kuratau A/c Tuatahi Farming • 2x Honda SXS • 3x 520 FA honda quad • 1x 500 FA honda quad • 1x 500FM honda quad • 1x Mitsubishi 2021 Triton • 1x Mazda 2017 BT50 • 1x John Deere Tractor • 1x Case 140 puma Tractor • 1x Brent smith Tandem trailer • 1x tandem trailer • 5x Quad trailers • 1x 6m folding spring tine/ tiller. • 1x 2.5 m tyre roller. • 4x Boom sprayers • 1x 8tn Giltrap silage wagon. • 1x 10tn Giltrap tip trailer. • 1x Twin Maxim 3300 topper mower • 1x fence pro Side shifting post rammer • 1x Giltrap quick hitch • 1x 3m spring tine leveller. • 1x brent smith log splitter • 1x 4way hydraulic grader blade • 1x Pro dig Silage grabs • 1x MKll Log grabs

Sheep

Other

COMPLETE ZENITH HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN DISPERSAL SALE

FARM MACHINERY SALE Tuesday 20 May, 11am

Cattle

• 2x racewell sheep handler • 1x farmquip man cattle crush • 1x portable cattle weigh platform • 1x manual sheep weigh crate aluminium • 2x manual sheep weigh crate steel • 1x Prattley docking trailer+ gates • 1x deer crush • 1x ID5000 monitor • 1x tru test weigh bar sheep • 1x tru test weigh bar cattle • 1x f50 sthil brush cutter • 3x Chainsaws • sun beam shearing plant • lister shearing plant • heineger portable shearing plant • normand grinder • 2x Honda Generators • Assorted fencing equipment • Assorted electric fencing equipment • 2x Dip Machines • Assorted water equipment • Various other sundries Delivery – Immediate delivery unless prior arrangement is made before the sale. Machinery payment – On sale day (eftpos available NO CASH) or 14 days for full PGW account holders.

Wednesday 21 May | 11am Morrinsville Saleyards

In conjunction with Waipiri Holsteins A/C Les Gale Comprising of 56 Lots: • 11 Inmilk Cows • 8 Spring Calving Incalf Cows • 34 Spring Calving Heifers. • Including 4 pedigree Ayrshire animals Les Gale’s Zenith Holsteins, a small herd farmed in conjunction with Waipiri Holsteins, becomes available due to Les’s ill health.

cattle including daughters of world leading sires, Lambda, Drop-Box and Parfect, with many carrying valuable matings. Waipiri is a name synonymous with producing top quality animals for both production and dairy quality. Mark this day on your calendar, to avoid disappointment. A/C Additional Client • 40 Spring Calving and Inmilk Friesian and Ayrshire Cows Catalogues available on Bidr and Agonline

This sale is supported by Waipiri Holstein’s and some partnership cattle of Andrew Dreadons.

For more information, please contact

BW’s to 593, Some exceptionally well bred

Bill Moore 027 825 7505

Andrew Reyland 027 223 7092

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard bidr.co.nz

K PIN EEK

5 202

- 23

Y MA

Donate an animal,

Principal Sponsor

ChangeaLife.

Contact Marty Cashin 027 497 6414

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

Helping grow the country

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

NEW SALE DATE

26th May 2025 - 1pm

52 Rising 2yr Old Bulls For Sale Enquiries & Inspection Welcome in the Bay of Islands: John & Joss M: 027 474 3185 Phil Bayly M: 027 4263072

Email jbayly@xtra.co.nz

waitangiangus.co.nz

Storth Oaks

ANGUS

Powering beef herds with top genetics and improved returns.

Fertility, Growth, Carcase Weight and Marbling....You Can Have It All. Sale: Wednesday 4th June 2025 – 1pm on farm and Bidr

Tim & Kelly Brittain 524 Paewhenua Rd, RD2, Otorohanga, 3972, New Zealand ph: +64 7 8732816 | mob: +64 275 935387 | www.storthoaks.co.nz | tim@storthoaks.co.nz

60 Selling SSeeelllllliiinnngg

2-YEAR-OLD BULLS ~ TUESDAY, JUNE 3RD ~ ON FARM - TUTIRA

50 Selling SSeeelllllliiinnngg

YEARLING BULLS ~ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD ~ ON-FARM - TUTIRA

LONGVIEW

Vaughan Vujcich 027 496 8706

BEEF SHORTHORN Quiet temperament, high growth rates, excellent cross breeding sires, strong maternal traits

ANNUAL ON-FARM AUCTION – 22 BULLS Friday 23 May 2025 – 1pm

705 MANGAKARETU ROAD, RD2, KERIKERI

INSPECTION ANYTIME

HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT SORT YOU WISH TO OF

Cow Herd

Build.

THE STEERS WILL FOLLOW.

Carrﬁelds Livestock Neil Miller 027 497 3492 Bruce Orr 027 492 2122 EJ Gordon Livestock Neville Clark 027 598 6537

PGG Wrightson Cam Heggie 027 501 8182 Vaughan Vujcich 027 496 8706

The Shorthorn breed has enjoyed success in the 2025 season of weaner fairs and we are happy to have had Longview Genetics topping the Kaeo steer, Kaeo heifers and top 3 in Kaikohe steers, top in Wellsford steer and top in Wellsford bull.

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Contact: Shane & Dot Dromgool 021 0295 2030 Email: s.d.dromgool@actrix.co.nz

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

ON-FARM 2YO BULL SALE 1pm, Thursday 12 June OPEN DAY: 10 - 1pm, 22 May

Chris and Jennifer Chesterman Phone: 027 4777 637 facebook.com/KoanuiPH facebook.com/KoanuiPH

www.koanuiherefords.co.nz

Working with Farmers for Farmers

GLENIFFER MACHINERY SALE

HIGH INDEX JERSEY HERD & HEIFER SALE

7TH ANNUAL & DISPERSAL HYBRID SALE OF ELITE DAIRY CATTLE ON FARM

Monday 26th May 2025 at 12 Noon Rongotea Saleyards A/C PKS Trust Partnership Pukemara Jerseys

A/c J & S Webster (Waiau Trust) 29 Ohanga Road, Onaero, North Taranaki Thursday 22nd May – 11.30am

On A/c Glenmoa Farm 596 Tokarahi-Ngapara Road RD 6C Oamaru Wednesday 23rd May 1pm Due to the sale of the property NZFLL has been favoured to sell the plant and sundries: 20ft Shipping container, 2006 Kubota M126XTractor, 2013 New Holland Varifeed trailer, 2013 Rata Bale Clam WBC 001, Kubota 4x4 DX 235 with front end loader and back hoe, 2014 Kuhn 8141 Pro Slinger, 2015 Rata Quick hitch 38mm, 2024 Kvernland Mower, 2024 Merlo bucket, 2024 Merlo TF50.8 170EE, 1000l colostrum tank, office equipment, calf rearing gear, chemicals, seed bags, various timber are just the tip of the iceberg.

Herd details: G3 & GEv proﬁled and includes 97 A2A2 cows. C10 & EBL Free. Lepto Vaccinated. SAMM Plan dry cow and all teat sealed. All cows and heifers scanned to dates. Owner bred Jersey bulls used for NM. Calving from 24th July to 5th October. SCC avg around 100,000 for season. Payment & trucking: Payment due 14 days from sale day. For clients moving farms delivery can be arranged for 1st June if required. Herd or Heifer viewing available by arrangement.

To register for online bidding at this sale please call 0800 695 483

.co.nz

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Contact our Vendors Agents: Matt Muggeridge 027 237 8661, Richard Trembath 027 499 3992 Emmet McConnell 027 443 7671

Full list of machinery available on www.mylivestock.co.nz Vendor: John Foley 027 446 5633 NZ Farmers Livestock: Dave Patterson 027 204 7505 or Regan Laughton 027 440 6722

For catalogues available May simon.payne@nzfll.co.nz or www.mylivestock.co.nz Vendor Jim Webster 027 414 0563 Waiau-j@xtra.co.nz LK0121245©

“NZ Farmers Livestock is pleased to offer this top end herd of Jersey cows and heifers to the market as our vendors are retiring from the dairy industry after 40 years. This herd and heifers have not been offered for sale in the paddock. This is a great opportunity to purchase some very nice cows and heifers with data to match with this herd being in the top 2-3% in NZ.”

Bid & Buy at the saleyards or online from anywhere with

Comprising 68 High Index Dairy Cattle 18 LIC - CRV contract mated with BWs up to 695 PWs up to 784. 2 Daughters of Syndy a dam of Kasha Krachen current BW735. 37 x Frsn & F/x Incalf Cows D.T.C from 17.07.25 having 5 weeks AI nominated XBD & Friesian Sires. 19 x Incalf Heifers D.T.C from 13.07.25 having 3 weeks AI nominated XBD & Friesian Sires and tailed with Jsy Bull. 7 x R1yr Heifers 4 x R1yr Breeding Bulls 110 Semen straws held at LIC (20 LIC & 90 CRV) Will be sold in breed lots, Frsn, Frsn/x & Jsy. 1 AB 12-week bank approx 15 years. All cattle have a C10 status & Lepto vaccinated. Payment Terms Split 20th June & 20th October 2025 or finance available on prior arrangement. Grazing available till 1st June 2025 All sold lots go in the draw to win a $500 voucher.

Auctioneer Simon Payne 027 241 4585 Steve Quinnell 027 552 3514 Cowshotz Livestock & Photography Nigel Riddell 027 434 3153 www.bidr.co.nz to register online

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Comprising: 159 Incalf Jersey Cows BW359 PW366 14 Incalf C/O Jersey Cows BW375 PW420 33 Incalf Jersey Heifers BW434 PW389

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

On Farm Sale

KAIRURU POLLED HEREFORDS

KAIMOA

SINCE 1979

Monday 19th May 2025 - 1.30pm 1775 MANGAONE VALLEY ROAD, EKETAHUNA

ON FARM SALE

Mark, Anthony and Di Eagle

at Kairuru, Reporoa (midway Rotorua – Taupo) ‘Chessfield’ 1775 Mangaone Valley Road

26th March at 1:00pm Eketahuna

Call us for more info.

Bull tos pho line on and ion on t auc DR BI

LOT 6

34TH ANNUAL BULL SALE

FRIDAY 30TH MAY 1PM

26 R2YR BULLS

m: 027 434 7152

e: eagleeketahuna@xtra.co.nz

LK0120667©

LOT 1

p: 06 376 8256

On Farm - Jay Road, Reporoa

• 4 R1YR BULLS

Kaimoa South Devons have pleasure in putting forward 23 Bulls in 2025 We are committed to producing meaty bulls with good frame, constitution and temperament. With clients‘ needs in mind we have sourced new genetics from overseas to maintain the highest qualities in our bulls.

KEVIN & JANE Mc McDONALD (REPOROA) 07 333 8068 • 027 451 0640 JEFF & NICOLA McDONALD McDONALD 021 510 351 • kairuruNZ@gmail.com

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JUNE

3rd generation Lindsay Johnstone

45th ANNUAL 2 YEAR OLD BULL SALE 2025

FOR MORE INFO & TO VIEW BULLS ONLINE: WWW.RANUIANGUS.CO.NZ

13 in-calf R2yr heifers 13 heifer calves

7 heifer calves 7 bull calves Looking for a Beef Shorthorn?

Registered Polled Herefords

Registered Speckle Parks Check them out

& JANE McDONALD WhyKEVIN Shorthorn?

07 333 8068

Docile, fertile, and easy-calving with excellent growth, marbled meat, and strong maternal traits—perfect for cross-breeding and beef production.

Talk to a breeder today

Check the map to ﬁnd a breeder in your area

Renowned for great marbling producing high quality meat

Carnegie Waiuku Private Sales 021 031 3091 - Bruce

LINDSAY JONES

Browns Ohinewai Bidr Sale 17th June, 7pm Bidr Sale 027 449 4175 - Hamish

Glenrossie Whangarei Heads Sale 27th June, 1pm 027 434 0987- Fred 027 543 1045 - Tracy

Stoneford Matamata Private Sale 027 253 3769 - Bobby

0274 528 603

Bullock Creek Waitara Private Sales 027 231 1722 - Roger Mill Valley Whangamomona Private Sales 027 345 2680 - Aaron

Mount Ronga Rai Valley Private Sales 03 571 6108 - Charlie

Raupuha Mahoenui Bull Sale 27th May, 11.30am 027 355 2927 - Russell

Colvend Ongarue Sale 27th May, 3.00pm 07 894 6030 - Alan

Hinewaka Sale 4th June, 3.00pm

Hiwiroa Waipukurau Private Sales 027 428 8821 - Nick 06 858 5369 - Jim

Carriganes Cattle Dunsandel Private Sales 022 470 2447 - Sarah

Glenbrook Station Omarama Private Sales 021 285 9303 - Simon

Westwood Tuatapere Private Sales 03 226 6713 - Anita

Roscliff Te Awamutu Private Sales 027 211 1112 - Ross

Mangaotuku Stratford Private Sales 06 765 7269 - Jack

Turiwhate Kumara Private Sales 027 379 8167 - Chris

Morton Katikati Sale 22nd May, 1pm 021 520 244 - Craig

Te Kohanui Darﬁeld Private Sales 022 184 0550 - Matthew

Glendhu Heriot Sale 20th May, 11am Bidr Sale & On farm 027 497 8104 - Fraser

Rough Ridge Ranfurly Private Sales 03 444 9277 - Malcolm

Using a Shorthorn bull in your crossbreeding program w ill increase bottom lin e up to

20%

www.shorthorn.co.nz

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Late Notice Outstanding Herd & Young Stock Dispersal

6th Annual Bull Sale Address: Kaikohe Sale Yards Date: Wednesday 14th May Start Time: 11.30am will be available for online bidding

COMPRISING: 41 Top Quality Simmental Bulls DETAILS: Beeﬁt produce structurally correct, docile bulls that will produce a moderate birth weight for easier calving, have explosive growth rates and mature early, suitable for both the beef and dairy industries. All Bulls • Guaranteed for structural soundness and fertility • Tested for EBL and are BVD negative (have had 2 BVD vaccinations) • Scanned and beef classed by Austins Ultrasound Ltd, on the 14th February 2025 • Fertility tested on the 10th April 2025 by Darren Williams from bull testing Hamilton Viabull Ltd.

A/C Contra Trust – Con & Tracey Crowley Wednesday 14th May, 11.30 am (lunch provided) 527 Palmer Road, RD 29 Hawera, D/N 41672

COMPRISING HERD: 108 In-milk and In-calf Frsn/FrsnX & Jrsy/JrsyX Cows BW309, PW322, LW622, RA100%, G3 and A2/A2 Profiled. DTC from 21/7, AI Mated to BOD Frsn, Xbred and Jersey Sires from 15/10 – 24/11, tailed with Ayrshire Bulls until 27/12. Cows scanned to date with a 5% MT rate. Herd averages 550kg/MS per cow, system. 4 in-shed feeding, seasonal SCC 80-90000, OAD from 10th March. Johnes herd tested & BVD vaccinated. Multiple in-calf contract cows including numbers 17 (repeat contract for 2025 mating), 91, & 105. 30 Well Grown FrsnX & JrsyX in-calf Heifers BW368, PW329, G3 & A2/A2 Profiled, DTC 23/7 to Jersey Bulls 35 Outstanding FrsnX & JrsyX R1 Heifers BW414, PW369, G3 and A2/A2 Profiled Heifers 24- 28 & 24-32 hold contracts for their 2025 matings. AUCTIONEERS NOTES

Due to a late change in farming practice Carrfields are extremely privileged to offer to the market this three- generation family herd that has been on the same farm for over 100 years, capacity cows that are bred to milk and perform. An extremely quiet mixed breed herd of cows doing the goods with a low SCC and very good fertility. Cows will come forward still in-milk in extremely good condition. Cows can be dried off post the sale for buyers who don’t have access to farms until the 1st of June.

• Performance recorded with Helical. • DNA tested for the genes - Horned/ Polled, Dilution, Black/Red coat and parent veriﬁcation All enquiries: CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENTS: Bruce Orr 027 492 2122 Reuben Wright 027 284 6384 Dan Sweetapple 021 046 0755 Neil Miller 027 497 3492

PAYMENT TERMS: Payment due 20th June 2025

A/c Bayliss Farms Ltd Date: Thursday 22nd May Address: Cambridge Sale Yards Start Time: 11:30am will be available for online bidding COMPRISING: 144 x Frsn/FrsnX In-Calf Carryover cows

Tow & Fert 1000, 2 effluent spreaders, Hustler 4000 bale feeder, Hustler softhands, 2 silage grabs, 3300 Maxam Topper, 2 ATV/ Calf trailers, 3 PKE trailers, Honda SxS 700 (2100hr), 3 Honda ATV 520, Kobelco SX60 Digger, Case JXU105+FEL (9300hr), Quick Hitch, 6m Cultivator, Tip Trailer, Yard Scraper, Giltrap silage wagon, Calf rearing eqp, Weigh scales + platform. Visit carrfields.co.nz/ clearing-and-other-sales or facebook for more information & items. PAYMENT TERMS:14 days after the auction

DETAILS:

CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENTS: Hamish Manthel 027 432 0298 Graeme Brown 027 271 4722

• BW290 PW362 (BWs up to 441, PWs up to 842) • DTC from 10th July to Hereford Bulls

SALE TALK

(out 10th Dec). • Dry cow treated at drying oﬀ • VIC prior to auction AUCTIONEERS NOTE: This quality line of strong Friesian, Friesian Cross carryover cows were hand-picked from selected Waikato herds. Will come forward in excellent condition. All cows guaranteed sound and in-calf by the vendor. PAYMENT TERMS: delivery

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CONTACT: CARRFIELDS AGENT Brent Espin 027 551 3660 VENDOR Con Crowley 027 299 0808

A/C Arran Trust - S & M Barr Date: Wednesday 21st May, 10.30am Address: 240 Taonui Road, Feilding

14 days after the auction, Immediate

DELVERY: In the days following auction unless arranged with Agents. LK0121262©

BEEFIT SIMMENTALS: Aaron & Bernadette Gubb P: 09 4019 692 M: 021 590 915 - Aaron Email: milkit1@outlook.com

3 generations, 100 years plus family-owned

ON FARM MACHINERY CLEARANCE SALE

QUALITY IN-CALF c/o COW AUCTION

CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Kelly Higgins: 027 600 2374 Or your local Carrﬁelds agent

LK0121239©

BEEFIT SIMMENTAL STUD

LK0121257

All about - Chuck Norris • Ghosts sit around camp fires and tell Chuck Norris stories • Chuck Norris was once bitten by a cobra and after two days of excruciating pain the snake died. • Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door. • When Chuck Norris turned 18, his parents moved out. • Chuck Norris is the reason Wally is hiding. • There is no such thing as natural selection, just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live. • Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience. • Chuck Norris killed two stones with one bird. • Superman wears Chuck Norris pyjamas. • Chuck Norris can touch MC Hammer. • When Chuck Norris does a push-up, he doesn’t push himself up, he pushes the Earth down. • When Chuck Norris walks into a bar, the bar says ‘Ouch’. • Chuck Norris walked into chemistry class and ripped the Periodic Table of Elements off the wall. Why? Because the only element Chuck Norris needs is the element of surprise. • When Chuck Norris cooks, he makes the onions cry.

ON FARM FARM BULL ON BULLSALE SALE TH MAY 10AM JUNE JUNE 2023 10AM 291ST 2025 20 Bulls Bulls available 20 available

The genuine article is at Ngakouka Herefords

Sound well fleshed sires, Excellent temperament 200 Fully Breedplan recorded cows • 20 Polled Bulls Catalogued

31st ANNUAL SALE, THURSDAY 5TH JUNE, 1PM TE KUITI SALE YARDS ALL ENQUIRIES WELCOME

PETER & CAROLINE FOSS

495 Potaka Road, RD 1, Aria, King Country PH/FAX (07) 877 7881 EMAIL pcfossy@xtra.co.nz FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Ngakouka Tequila 230112 Lot 3 in our 2025 sale Quality phenotype and pedigree

• The best cross over breeds of cow. • The best cross over all all breeds of cow • Our focus is on breeding seedstock • Our focus is on breeding seedstock withwith great fats, great fats, fertility, feed conversion, faultless fertility, feed conversion, faultless structure and to and to be free and friendly movers. bestructure free and friendly movers • Bulls Lepto BVD vaccinated • bulls areare Lepto andand BVD vaccinated • Catalogues available • Catalogues available on online line at at ngakoukaherefords.co.nz ngakoukaherefords.co.nz

LK0120938©

LIVESTREAMED ON

Viewing from from8.30am 8am Viewing

Bruce Bruceand andChrissina Chrissina Donald 06 374 2939 | 027 230 2112 027 230 2112 ngakoukaherefords@gmail.com ngakoukaherefords@gmail.com

35 Speckle Park

SCAN ME!

36 SP Editorial

Speckle Park

Speckle Park wins another convert Gerhard Uys

NEWS

Sheep and beef

HE ability of Speckle Park to thrive when conditions are tough has made a believer out of Wyndham farmer Murray Kennedy. Kennedy manages 10,000 ewes and almost 1000 cattle between two properties. One is Jedburgh Station, where he is an equity partner with Tim Story, and the other is his own block at Tuturau, which with the help of wife Marcia and father Bruce, he trades 200 cattle and 4000-5000 store lambs, season dependent. Four years ago his conversion to a Speckle Park believer came about by chance. “We were sourcing cattle from Canterbury, mainly Angus or Hereford Angus x. I had space on the truck and was offered a line of Speckle Park x Friesian steers and heifers to make up the unit load.” Kennedy said he reluctantly ﬁlled the load with the SP cross cattle – and that it might have been one of the wisest decisions he ever made. A short time after the stock was delivered, Southland was hit by a dry spell and the average growth rate of stock on the farm decreased. The Speckle Park, however, excelled.

THE BUG: Wyndham farmer Murray Kennedy was reluctant to buy his first Speckle Park cattle, but the bug has bitten him and besides having them as part of his beef programme, he also has his own Speckle Park breeding herd. Photo: Supplied

“The Speckle Parks left my other traditional breeds in the dust. I didn’t want to be a believer, but I had to take notice.” Kennedy said as he continued to investigate Speckle Park and acquired more trading cattle, he saw a pattern. “Speckle Park can hold their condition in tougher periods, and are early maturing when

PREMIUM: Murray Kennedy says he is well aware the Angus and Angus x Hereford calves will fetch a premium over Speckle calves, but he believes this will change when people understand there is a Speckle Park programme and premium.

conditions are unfavourable,” he said. “We’ve just come through a very wet spring. The Speckle Park calves’ ability to hold condition over that period was noticeable.” Kennedy said on Jedburgh Station sheep still dominate. However, with the combination of worm resistance issues in sheep and general increasing costs around sheep farming, they are considering a switch to more beef than sheep. Murray and Marcia see an opportunity with dairy cross Speckles as the dairy industry has bobby calf issues and they see an opportunity to grow their own business because of the availability of calves. With Speckles in the paddock and their ability to lay down intramuscular fat, Kennedy said they can tick the “great eating” and added value boxes. On top of that Speckle Park have the ability to hold condition and constitution, and are able to get in calf again. For his beef breeds Kennedy aims for 1kg of weight gain per day –

from birth weight, to sale, to plate. At this stage of his Speckle Park journey he is recording 900g of weight gain per day on dairy SP crosses, and 103g per day on beef SP crosses.

The Speckle Parks left my other traditional breeds in the dust. Murray Kennedy Wyndham He also runs Angus and Hereford on the farm. At the saleyards Kennedy is well aware the Angus and Angus x Hereford calves will fetch a premium over Speckle calves, but he believes this will change when people understand there is a Speckle Park programme and premium, and the Speckle Parks also have superior eating quality. “On 100 calves my Speckles were 4700 kg heavier than my traditional beef breeds when weaned.” With Speckle Park lacking the numbers that other breeds in New

Zealand can boast, it is critical that farmers interested in Speckle Park get a bull number to ensure their breeds are pure Speckles. There are a lot of Speckle Park x bulls being used as sires that are harming the breed. He said Speckle Parks are a new breed, and he understands that in the past some animals that should have been culled due to temperament and feet were kept to ensure numbers were strong. Talking to Speckle breeders in NZ, there is a heavy emphasis on temperament, feet and structure moving forward. Kennedy reiterated that it is early days on his Speckle Park journey and that he has ﬁgures on only four Speckle bulls within his dairy calf and dairy cross operation and has ﬁgures on only two bulls within his beef operation. But the bug has truly bitten him and he now runs a small herd of pure Speckles on his farm. “I am not doing this because I wanted to move away from Angus and Hereford x cattle, but the Speckles have shown a real ability to outperform.”

FOCUS: Murray Kennedy says Speckle breeders in NZ place a heavy emphasis on temperament, feet and structure.

Speckle Park

SP Editorial 37

Eating quality that is easy to ﬁnish Gerhard Uys

NEWS

Sheep and beef

IXTH-generation Ohariu Valley farmer Hamish Best says the high level of marbling that Speckle Parks lay down means discerning restaurant clients get only the ﬁnest meat from his farm. Hamish and partner Caroline Flood farm 420 hectares of steep Class 6 hill country. Under the Conscious Valley brand, they also run a red meat

retail business, selling fresh beef and lamb direct to consumers at farmers markets and into high end restaurants. Best runs a self-replacing herd of Angus x Speckle Park cows.

Our meat beneﬁts from the salt-laden breezes that sweep the Wellington coast. Hamish Best Ohariu Valley

CRUCIAL: Because of the rugged hill country and limited finishing capabilities, it’s crucial to have livestock that can be easily finished on farm, says Hamish Best. The ability of Speckle Park to lay down intramuscular fat gives him that.

All the cows are mated to purebred Speckle Park bulls, with all the progeny retained to grow out into replacement cows and local trade beef. When selecting bulls, Best focuses on meat and carcase traits, favouring high-yielding bulls that are also in the top bracket of the intramuscular fat spectrum of the breed. Best said Speckle Park have an exceptional ability to lay down intramuscular fat, making them a high eating quality animal, which is important for their boutique retail business. This is not only a benefit for the end product that he always keeps in mind, but fits right into his production system. “Because we have such steep hill country with limited finishing capabilities, it is really important to have an animal that can be easily finished on the farm.” He believes eating quality is closely linked to what the animal eats across its lifetime and that the type of forage, and how and where it is grown, has an impact on the final product. “Our meat benefits from the salt-laden breezes that sweep the Wellington coast, seasoning the diverse pastures our animals graze on. “This natural touch infuses our

REPLACING: Hamish Best runs a self-replacing herd of Angus x Speckle meat with a Wellington-grown flavour. “We have very mineral-rich, healthy pastures, that translates into flavour. Our hills get blasted by salt winds all year round. That also translates into a slightly different flavour of beef. “ I think the whole flavour profile, the terroir, is expressed on the farm” The steep hill country is no challenge for the Speckled Park. No wonder, said Best, if you look back to the origins of the breed – Shorthorn, Angus and White Parks, all robust breeds. “For me it’s important to have a traditional breed that can handle hill country.

“The cows need to be able to do it a little bit tough, but also be able to produce a big, healthy calf towards weaning time. Speckled Park animals are easy going, Best said. “Their temperament is fantastic and the cows are quiet. We yard wean all our young stock, they are also quiet, it’s important, it makes them more relaxed when they have human interactions. “If you want to produce meat and differentiate it from what’s sold across New Zealand, the Speckle Park breed is something that’s different, it’s not your traditional breed. It’s a real point of difference when we’re marketing our meat.”

Speckle Park takes small operation forward Gerhard Uys

NEWS

Sheep and beef

PECKLE Park ﬁt right into Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer Rose Haynes’s philosophy of improving production and making direct-tocustomer sales exceptional. Haynes runs 300 black Merino cross ewes and 70 Shorthorn cross cows across 300 acres at Waihua Station. She recently added a Speckle Park bull to the operation and increased her cow numbers by acquiring SP Red Devon cross cows that were in calf to a Speckle Park bull. Thinking outside the box is key for such a small operation, she said. Haynes calves early, with Juneborn calves giving her heavy weaners when it’s time to go to the yards. Her weaner bulls recently fetched $1580 for 309kg animals at the Matawhero yards in Gisborne, topping the sale for the best weaner price overall. Speckle Park are known for their exceptional growth rates and Haynes hopes bringing the genetics into her herd will improve weight gain potential, and give her the option of ﬁnishing on farm. Haynes also runs a farm shop

and cafe, open to the public on Sundays. The shop came about when Danish tourists staying at Waihua Station Cottage, her agri-tourism business, asked if they could dine on meat raised on the farm. Their query sparked a new business idea and Haynes developed a website and managed to ﬁnd kill space. She then had the idea of selling coffee to customers who bought meat at the shop. Next she thought

BUSINESS: Rose Haynes runs a farm shop and cafe, and adding Speckle Park to her herd means the meat she sells has the best marbling around. Photos: Supplied

“why not also sell pizzas”, so she imported a pizza oven from Italy. She now delivers farm-raised meat straight to customers, under the Hawke’s Bay Heifer and The Black Sheep brands. Speckle Park ﬁts into her future plan for improving direct-tocustomer sales. She chose Speckle Park to improve her herd’s ability to lay down intramuscular fat (IMF) and provide great eating. Organising kills for the farm shop is a big logistical undertaking, with transport, kill space and a butcher to consider. Stock is killed through Progressive Meat Limited in Hawke’s Bay, and picked up by Mat Aries, who owns the Organic Farm Butchery, who preps the meat for Haynes into the cuts she needs. Haynes has 12 to 15 lambs killed at a time, “and a couple of heifers”. She puts only heifers through the shop, and ﬁnishes bull calves or sells them at the yards. Although all her animals are terminal, she will hold exceptional heifers back as replacements. All the mince she makes is spoken for by a local who makes burgers. A lot is sent to Mahia First Stop, with the remainder sold through the shop. Haynes does fresh deliveries

RAISED: The farm shop came about when Danish tourists staying at Waihua Station Cottage, Rose Haynes’s agri-tourism business, asked if they could dine on meat raised on the farm. straight away, with stock not sold being available for purchase at the shop. She said locals like watching cattle grazing while they dine on farm-raised fare. “It’s a point of difference,” she said. Haynes’s cows are placid, to such an extent that she calls them when it’s time to move, rather than having to muster. “I keep everything really quiet. I can walk through them when they’ve got their young calves on them, nothing’s going to chase me.”

I can walk through them when they’ve got their young calves on them, nothing’s going to chase me. Rose Haynes Waihua Station Her Speckle Park bull is also placid, never tussling with other bulls he shares a paddock with and allowing her to work in close quarters.

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40 Markets

Markets NZ beef grows its juicy market stake

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By volume, New Zealand beef sales into Europe in January-March were the highest in a decade. Reece Brick

MARKETS

Beef

T’S been a season to cherish for anyone heavily involved with breeding or finishing cattle. Processors have been paying money that’s never been seen before, and the shortage of cattle has meant this cash has flowed all the way back to the pockets of the breeders and calf rearers. But the value of New Zealand’s cattle has ultimately been dictated by what’s happening overseas. Globally, beef has been the main meat of choice for consumers going back many years. There are some exceptions, but usually chicken and pork are viewed as cheaper, basic alternatives, while lamb/mutton and venison have increasingly become niche products due to their higher cost and as family roasts become a thing of the past. The above has usually kept beef pricing more stable than the likes of lamb and venison over the past decade or so, but this year worldwide supply shortages have sent the cost of beef through the roof. Shortages in the United States have already been well documented. Their cow kill has fallen to a 19-year low, down 10% versus last year. This has left a big gap in the supply of lean beef, which is mixed with fat trimmings from

steer/heifer carcases to make burger patties, something New Zealand and other major exporting countries have been able to capitalise on. It’s taken longer for US steer and heifer supplies to decline due to these being stacked away on feedlots, but that’s starting to change as the year goes on. However, there is more at play than just the US. Across the border, Canada is more or less in the same position. The droughts that tanked the US cow herd in 2022 and 2023 carried through into Canada and had the same effects there.

Canadian beef buyers have been much more active in seeking out beef from overseas to fill the gap. Their total cattle kill through January-April was 8% less than last year and the lowest since 2020, when covid was affecting processing plants. This doesn’t include the extra 72,000 cattle sold directly into the US this year either. Canadian beef buyers have been much more active in seeking out beef from overseas to fill the gap, with the biggest jump in the trade coming from dealings with New Zealand specifically. Our beef exports to Canada through January-March were the

highest since 2009 and meant it was our third largest market by volume. Historically, Europe hasn’t had much influence on New Zealand’s cattle markets due to strict trade limitations (low quotas, high tariffs). However, free trade agreements that came into effect last year and the year prior are loosening the reins somewhat, mainly expanding access into the United Kingdom. While Europe aren’t massive buyers yet, these are high value markets, and the volumes they’re taking reduces reliance on our usual markets. By volume, New Zealand beef sales into Europe have been the highest since 2014 through the first three months of the year, mainly underpinned by sales into the UK. Like with North America, these sales have been buoyed by low beef production in this part of the world. The difference is production has been steadily declining due to poor farm profitability and increasing sustainability regulations, rather than weather conditions. This has seen deadweight cattle prices there surge as the year has progressed, recently quoted at €6.40/kgCW for “young bovines” in the European Union (roughly NZ$12/kg) and £7/kgCW for steers and heifers in the UK (roughly NZ$15.50/kg).

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POPULAR: Globally, beef has been the main meat of choice for consumers going back many years, says Reece Brick. Photo: Pexels Usually, the UK tops up its own beef production by sourcing beef from other European countries, especially Ireland. However, surging beef prices within the EU

have seen trading between these markets decline, and pushed UK importers to look elsewhere (to New Zealand and Australia) to fill any holes in supplies.

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Cattle

Sheep

Deer

Beef

Sheep Meat

Venison

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Last week

Last year

North Island P2 steer (300kg)

7.75

5.90

North Island M2 bull (300kg)

7.70

5.90

North Island M cow (190kg)

6.10

4.00

South Island P2 steer (300kg)

7.25

5.30

South Island M2 bull (300kg)

7.15

5.35

South Island M cow (190kg)

5.55

3.30

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Last week

Last year

North Island AP stag (60kg)

9.20

8.50

2.75

South Island AP stag (60kg)

9.15

8.50

8.60

6.00

4.50

2.55

Fertiliser Last week

Last year

DAP

1344

1187

Potash (MoP)

802

975

Super

489

474

Urea (Coated)

953

946

Last week

Last year

North Island lamb (18kg)

8.80

6.20

North Island mutton (25kg)

4.55

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

Fertiliser

China lamb flaps

10.07

8.57

Wool

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

11.59

US domestic 90CL cow

10.20

13.97

12.77

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

Steer slaughter price ($/kgCW) 8.0

(NZ$/kg clean)

01-May

Last year

Crossbred fleece

3.54

3.09

Crossbred second shear

3.56

2.89

Courtesy of www.fusca.co.nz

5.0

9.5

NZ Log Exports (m3)

March

Last year

China

1,853,363

1,897,462

Rest of world

201,873

101,195

Carbon price (NZ$/tonne)

Last week

Last year

50.5

55.9

6.5

May

Jul Sep North Isla nd

Nov Jan South Island

Mar

5.5

Source: AgriHQ

NZ beef exports (Jan - Mar, thous. tonnes)

May

Jul Sep North Isla nd

Nov Jan South Island

Mar

Source: AgriHQ

20 0

China

Japan

S. Korea Rest of Asia Last year

Dairy

US Other This year

Data provided by

Milk price futures ($/kgMS)

8.5 8.0

China

EU Mid. Ea st Last yea r

US This year

10.0 9.0 8.0

May

Jul

Sep

Sep-2025

Nov

Jan Sep-2026

Mar

Nearest contract Last price*

ArborGen Holdings Limited

0.134

0.15

0.125

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.93

10.1

Comvita Limited

0.51

0.84

0.51

Delegat Group Limited

3.65

5.03

3.65

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

5.85

6.04

4.76

Foley Wines Limited

0.63

0.69

0.55

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.98

1.05

0.95

NZ King Salmon Investments Limited

0.215

0.265

0.2

PGG Wrightson Limited

1.92

2.28

1.56

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.03

0.034

0.023

Sanford Limited (NS)

4.85

5.11

4.2

Scales Corporation Limited

4.3

4.37

3.87

Seeka Limited

3.9

3.16

Synlait Milk Limited

0.72

1.08

0.4

T&G Global Limited

1.69

1.73

1.43

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

12382

12663

10810

S&P/NZX 50 Index

12497

13130

11776

S&P/NZX 10 Index

12431

13445

11582

400

May

Jul Sep Feed Wheat

Nov Jan Feed Barley

Mar

Source: NZX

Waikato palm kernel & maize ($/tonne) Prior week

4 weeks prior

WMP

4275

4180

4000

SMP

2980

2985

2860

AMF

6880

6860

6650

Butter

7480

7300

Milk Price

10.15

10.11

* price as at close of business on Wednesday

Data provided by

Company

Source: NZX

Dairy Futures (US$/t)

Mar

Source: AgriHQ

Canterbury feed wheat & feed barley ($/tonne)

425

7.5

Nov Jan South Island

Listed Agri shares

450

8.5

Jul Sep North Isla nd

Grain

475

9.5

May

Other

500

10.5

10.0

9.0

Stag Slaughter price ($/kgCW)

9.5

7.0

NZU

NZ lamb exports (Jan - Mar, thous. tonnes)

Forestry Exports

7.5 6.0

NZ average (NZ$/tonne)

Lamb slaughter price ($/kgCW)

8.5

7.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

500 450 400 350 300

May

Jul

Sep PKE

Nov

Jan Maize

Mar

Source: NZX

YTD High YTD Low

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Markets

Weekly saleyard results These weekly saleyard results are collated by the AgriHQ LivestockEye team. Cattle weights and prices are averages and sheep prices are ranges. For more detailed results and analysis subscribe to your selection of LivestockEye reports. Scan the QR code or visit www.agrihq.co.nz/livestock-reports Tuakau | May 5 | 617 sheep

Kaikohe | May 7 | 522 cattle

Taupo | May 5 | 381 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

$/kg or $/hd R2 steers, 350kg

3.70

Store lambs, all

98-140

Mixed-age traditional cows, 525kg

3.11

R2 bulls, 295kg

3.77

Prime ewes, all

90-150

R2 traditional steers, 315kg

4.10

R2 heifers, 350kg

3.52

Prime lambs, all

173-219

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 145kg

565

Weaner steers, 190kg

915

Boner Friesian cows, 495kg

2.67

Weaner heifers, 210kg

860

Wellsford | May 5 | 546 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Tuakau | May 7 | 260 cattle

$/kg or $/hd Prime traditional cows, 552kg Prime steers, 640kg

4.12

Prime heifers, 580kg

3.79

3.86

R2 dairy-beef steers, 360kg

4.10

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 205kg

5.27

R2 dairy-beef steers, 440kg

3.96

Weaner Friesian bulls, 165kg

880

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 420kg

3.82

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 140kg

805

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 180kg

890

Weaner traditional heifers, 185kg

1150

Weaner Friesian bulls, 165kg

820

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 160kg

695

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 525kg

3.88

Boner dairy cows, 502kg

2.52

$/kg or $/hd

Frankton | May 6 | 874 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

R2 steers

3.65

R2 heifers

3.70

Weaner dairy-beef steers

790

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 227kg

1154

Weaner traditional heifers

835

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 185kg

790

Boner cows

2.56

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 455kg

3.83

Store ewes, all

115-145

Boner dairy cows, 518kg

2.71

Store lambs, all

75-130

Rangiuru | May 6 | 437 cattle, 68 sheep

Prime lambs, all

Frankton | May 7 | 370 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Mixed-age traditional cows, VIC, 555kg

1825

Mixed-age dairy-beef cows, VIC, 515kg

1665

R3 traditional heifers, VIC, 465kg

1990

R2 traditional heifers, VIC, 435kg

1805

Matawhero | May 2 | 1586 sheep

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

136-180

Store ewe lambs, all

139-173.50

Prime lambs, most

172-185

Taranaki | May 7 | 683 cattle

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

3.96

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 380kg

3.73

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 205kg

1070

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 190kg

835

Prime dairy-beef steers, 625kg

4.28

Boner Friesian cows, 485kg

2.68

Stortford Lodge | May 5 | 691 sheep

$/kg or $/hd $/kg or $/hd

Prime ewes, most

91-171

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 395kg

3.59

Prime lambs, most

181.50-220

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 245kg

965

Stortford Lodge | May 7 | 236 cattle, 9689 sheep

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 210kg

835

Prime dairy-beef steers, 640kg

4.08

Mixed-age traditional cows, VIC and empty, 490kg

3.17 3.80

150-182

Tuakau | May 1 | 730 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

3.42

R3 dairy-beef steers, 475kg

Pukekohe | May 3

Te Kuiti | May 1 | 907 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

R2 dairy-beef steers, 490kg

3.96

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 383kg

3.73

Boner Friesian cows, 495kg

2.55

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 425kg

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 180kg

950

Boner Friesian cows, VIC, 520kg

2.82

Store whiteface cryptorchid lambs, all

155-195.50

Weaner traditional heifers, 185kg

730

Boner Jersey cows, 375kg

2.27

Store whiteface ram lambs, all

161-193

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Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – May 12, 2025

Store whiteface wether lambs, all

133-170

Boner Friesian cows, 490kg

2.51

R2 traditional heifers, 410kg

3.87

Store ewe lambs, all

129-170.50

Boner Friesian heifers, 460kg

3.47

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 385kg

3.68

Dannevirke | May 1 | 1497 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

Store terminal-cross mixed-sex lambs, most

144-154

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 230kg

1015

Store finewool mixed-sex lambs, most

136-153

Weaner exotic-beef bulls, 310kg

1305

Store cryptorchid lambs, all

148-175

Prime ewes, most

82-165

Weaner traditional heifers, 180kg

790

Store ram lambs, all

142-160

Prime lambs, most

150-197

Store ewe lambs, all

120-145

Weaner dairy-beef mixed-sex, 185kg

795

Canterbury Park | May 6 | 254 cattle, 1842 sheep

Prime ewes, all

101-150

Prime lambs, all

125-183

Feilding | May 2 | 1494 cattle, 16,568 sheep

$/kg or $/hd R3 traditional heifers, 435kg

3.75

R2 traditional steers, 475kg

4.10

R2 dairy-beef steers, 455kg

3.90

R2 traditional bulls, 335kg

4.27

R2 Friesian bulls, 480kg

3.88

R2 traditional heifers, 300kg

4.05

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 360kg

3.79

Weaner dairy-beef bulls, 195kg

895

Weaner Friesian bulls, 175kg

865

Mixed-age Romney ewes, all

89-120

Store cryptorchid lambs, most

142-185

Store ewe lambs, most

125-171

Feilding | May 5 | 347 cattle, 2401 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Prime traditional cows, 520kg

3.13

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 515kg

3.59

Boner dairy cows, 515kg

2.73

Prime ewes, most

114-145

Prime cryptorchid lambs, all

170-240

Prime mixed-sex lambs, most

151-219

Rongotea | May 6 | 205 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

$/kg or $/hd Prime traditional cows, 580kg

2.83

Prime traditional steers, 535kg

3.95

Prime dairy-beef steers, 480kg

3.91

Prime traditional heifers, 475kg

3.80

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 470kg

3.70

Store mixed-sex lambs, most

110-153

Prime ewes, most

110-171

Prime lambs, most

150-208

Temuka | May 1 | 817 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Lorneville | May 6

$/kg or $/hd R2 traditional steers, 354kg

3.36

R2 traditional heifers, 349kg

3.32

Weaner Friesian bulls, 254kg

1060

3.86

Prime heifers, 530kg

3.45

R2 exotic-beef heifers, 330kg

3.78

Store lambs, all

100-145

R2 dairy-beef heifers, 375kg

3.85

Prime ewes, all

85-140

Weaner Friesian bulls, 180kg

860

Prime lambs, all

145-215

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 240kg

1045

Weaner Fairs/Calf Sales

Temuka | May 5 | 1147 cattle, 4005 sheep

Feilding | May 1 | 1121 cattle

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

2.91

Prime traditional steers, 570kg

3.91

Prime dairy-beef steers, 555kg

3.82

Prime traditional heifers, 475kg

3.88

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 520kg

3.68

2.96

Store whiteface lambs, most

121-167

Prime ewes, most

98-155

Prime lambs, most

156-213

3.90

80-182

R2 traditional heifers, 350kg

Boner crossbred heifers, 380kg

Prime traditional heifers, 475kg

Prime lambs, all

3.46

3.12

675

60-146

Prime steers, 520kg

Boner crossbred heifers, 430kg

Weaner traditional heifers, 135kg

Prime ewes, all

4.08

2.88

800

111-140

R2 dairy-beef steers, 410kg

Boner Friesian cows, 470kg

Weaner traditional steers, 155kg

Store ewe lambs, all

2.45

2.65

3.83

130-135

Prime cows, 500kg

Boner Friesian cows, 510kg

R2 traditional heifers, 395kg

Store ram lambs, all

4.02

920

$/kg or $/hd

R2 traditional steers, 380kg

Weaner dairy-beef steers, 175kg

Coalgate | May 1 | 415 cattle, 1685 sheep

Charlton | May 1 | 1404 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Weaner traditional heifers, 220kg

985

Weaner exotic-beef heifers, 240kg

1050

Blenheim | May 7 | 1704 cattle

$/kg or $/hd Weaner traditional steers, 220kg

1215

Weaner traditional heifers, 195kg

935

Weaner exotic-beef heifers, 190kg

920

Canterbury Park | May 1 | 1870 cattle

$/kg or $/hd Weaner traditional steers, 225kg

1205

$/kg or $/hd

Weaner exotic-beef steers, 290kg

1450

R2 traditional steers, 440kg

4.13

Weaner traditional heifers, 215kg

1025

R2 dairy-beef steers, 455kg

3.93

Weaner exotic-beef heifers, 235kg

1120

Balclutha | May 1 | 905 cattle

IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT PRE-LAMBING NUTRITION!

ION SORT IT R T U N G IN B M A -L E R P R IT’S TIME TO GET YOU Containing:

Cost:

59c

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Omega 3, 6 & 9 Antioxidants Electrolytes Vitamins A, D & E B Vitamins Trace Elements (TE) Iodine, Selenium & Cobalt

Freephone 0800 848 276 or visit www.palamountains.co.nz/revive

Weather

In partnership with ruralweather.co.nz

Dry remains for some, but variety is back Philip Duncan

NEWS

Weather

When it comes to sunshine hours, the easterly winds lately have kept Northland, northern Auckland and the entire eastern half of the North Island cloudier than usual with East Cape and Gisborne the gloomiest, averaging only two to three hours of bright sunshine each day over a recent 15-day period. In contrast the sunniest area was Nelson, with an average of seven to eight hours of bright sunshine daily.

E’RE getting closer to the start of winter 2025 and parts of the North Island still remain drier than they should be for this time of year. The driest parts are in three areas: in a line from Cambridge southwards down to Whanganui, around Napier and Hastings southwards in Hawke’s Bay, and parts of Wairarapa. But, in a more general sense, There is actually a fair central parts of the North Island amount of settled weather and also around Otago in the in the mix still. South Island are also dry. Compared with this time a year Temperatures have been varied ago, most regions are actually lately – as you would expect in much wetter from a soil moisture autumn as summer slides away deficit point of view (says NIWA’s and winter starts to move in. map), with perhaps an exception As I wrote recently, at the start around western Waikato. of April the lower South Island was Over the past few weeks the over 2degC above normal. heaviest rain fell in Canterbury, For the end of April and the start eastern/coastal Marlborough, of May that warmer-than-average southeast Wairarapa, Mt Taranaki weather has scooted northwards, and Northland. with Waikato, Coromandel The areas to get the least page ad cut line - Farmers Weekly 12-05.pdf 1 6/05/2025 9:14:05 pm Peninsula, Western and central amount ofHalf rain lately have been Bay of Plenty, King Country and Southland and Otago.

south Westland all averaging over 2degC above normal. Not many places were below normal but Kāpiti Coast, Canterbury, Southland and Lakes District were about 0.4 to 0.8 degrees cooler than usual. So what is the forecast for the week or two ahead? The most impressive part of the forecast maps at the moment are the enormous high pressure zones. These anticyclones aren’t just powerful as in air pressure, but the physical area they cover is large, too. High pressure is again the more dominant feature this week, despite a few showers about. This coming weekend it looks as though proper autumn weather kicks in with another burst of nor’west gales, which may be ahead of a wintry southerly as we kick off next week (not 100% locked in at the time of writing this). It’s looking likely next week will be colder nationwide with more of a southerly flow impacting the country. But, in saying that, we don’t appear to be done with the powerful high pressure zones either. It’s safe to say NZ has variety in

Mean Temperature Anomaly 9am 21/04/2025 to 9am 06/05/2025

COMPARISON: The map on the right shows the temperature observed over 15 days from April 21 to May 6. The map on the left shows how much warmer or cooler that mean temperature was compared with historical data. the weather, which is usually good for most of you. But despite the autumn ups and downs, there is actually a fair

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Observed Mean Temperature 9am 21/04/2025 to 9am 06/05/2025

amount of settled weather in the mix still, which explains why parts of the North Island still remain dry.

FARMLANDS

EVERYDAY

MAY 2025

VALUE

OFF

GREAT DEAL

Pro Plan Adult Performance

Skellerup Red Band Gumboots

Strainrite 3:1 Geared Reel

Chicken 20kg

Including Polywire 500m

Mens

71.00

79.95

24+ Bags $125.00 ea 12 - 23 Bags $135.00 ea 6 - 11 Bags $140.00 ea 1 - 5 Bags $178.00 ea

1024227

1064004

1024228

1066142

Agstar Knock Out 360 Glyphosate 20L

Top Paddock Pigtail 10 pack

130.00

Womens/Youth

67.00

SAVE $105.79

MULTI BUY NRM Chook Tucker 20kg

2 FOR

60.00

6mm x 755mm

29.95

SAVE $11.90 1029157

SAVE $33.96

SAVE $16.17

1065890

1064727

& BAG A BONUS

GRAB YOUR

Maize e EXCLUSIVE PRICING

Order your Maize through Farmlands, and for every 10 Bags of Pioneer or 16 Bags of VPMaxx maize seed, yo ou get $50 cashback to spend on se elected agchem*.

Ta alk to us today.

*Terms and conditions apply.

EXCLUSIVE PRICING

SAVE $170.43

Farmquip Round Hay Feeder 2m 15 Head

Dominion Summit Multi Mineral Salt Block 20kg

2 FOR

CopRice Working CopRice Working Dog Adult Beef or Dog Adult Beef or Chicken 20kg Chicken 20kg

30 FOR

50 FOR

1,500

.00

520

.86

$65.22 /Bag

3,260.87

excl. GST

1021101

1011158 * Minimum order 2 slings (20kg x 60 blocks)

1034001, 1034002 * 50 bags must be same ﬂavour.

DOWNLOAD, BUY AND SAVE! *Terms and Conditions apply. Special prices apply for the month of May 2025 or as noted with the product, while stocks last. Product range varies by store. FarmlandsPRO Exclusive offers are available to Farmlands shareholders only, and pricing displayed excludes GST. All other offers are displayed with GST included.

BONUS ITEM

GREAT OFFER

TPW BACKEASE HOIST VALUED AT $5,650

50th Anniversary Special TPW Xpress Woolpress Special Edition

27,887.00

1002004 *While stocks last

25 % OFF

Heiniger EVO Shearing Plant Complete 300 Watt

Calf Pulle ler Vink Complet ete

2,495.99

SAVE $213.01

SAVE $275.01

1001964

1000741

EQUINE ESSENTIALS

819.999 GREAT OFFER

Pure Oil Leg Up Essential Equine Oil

Maxia Digest

228.00

SAVE $39.50

SAVE $82.50

SAVE $22.99

1038808

1044092

1020191

4kg

20L

12kg

565.00

155.00

NRM Low GI Sport

NRM Evolve Nuts

NRM Equine Balancer

36.20

34.50

20kg

SAVE $4.10

1006661

20kg

SAVE $4.40

45.40

SAVE $5.10

1023205

1023534

NRM Alpaca Pellets

Dominion Summit Multi Mineral Salt Block

MULTI BUY McMillan Rapid Gain 20kg

2 FOR

63.00

SAVE $7.32

1064631

20kg

35.90

SAVE $4.09 1035128

SAVE $6.00

1000054

GREAT OFFER

BONUS ITEM

ProAbamec Pour-On 20L

Cydectin® Pour-On 15L

468.00

22.95

BONUS CYDECTIN® POUR-ON 2L

FROM

13% OFF

SealesWinslow Mega Magnesium Block 25kg

1,968.00

SAVE $59.00

SAVE $323.00

1020926 | A010875

1001397, 1002151 | A006203

1021350

Farmers trust Z Tags Speak to your local Farmlands store Free taggers for new customers ALL year when you purchase 70 or more of ANY type of tag.

VISIT IT ZTA TAGS.COM PHONE HON 0800 55 33 11

PRICE DROP

PRICE DROP Iplex Alkathene Pipe 20MM X 100M

25MM X 100M

229

.95

284.95

1000656

1000657

20MM X 200M

25MM X 200M

1001293

1001627

459.99

Iplex Nexus Culvert

315MM X 6M

569.99

$ Other Diameters available.

SHAREHOLDER EXCLUSIVE OFFER 28TH APRIL - 31ST MAY 2025

355.95

1020644

400MM X 6M

499.95

1020645

WIN 1 OF 20 MILWAUKEE® CAMELBAK M.U.L.E.® 3L HYDRATION PACK

HOW TO ENTER: BUY ANY MILWAUKEE OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT AND AUTOMATICALLY GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN* T&C’s Apply

Other Diameters available. Shop in-store, online, or on FarmlandsPRO today.

GREAT OFFER Gallagher S100 Solar Portable

Gallagher Treadin Post Multiwire White

Gallagher Treadin Post Multiwire Steel 875mm

869.95

$ .95

4Ha

880mm

SAVE $151.35

SAVE $1.92

10 Pack

59.95

SAVE $27.17

1022791

1000430

1004733

Bremick Fasten Strong Bugle Batten 14-7x100 B8 T40

OBriens Gate Anchor Assembly

OBriens Cut Out Switch Knife

18.95

$ .95

100 Pack

SAVE $7.55

SAVE $1.97

12.95

SAVE $8.08

1067527 *Other sizes available

1006756

1009213

Summit Xtralife High Tensile Wire 2.5mm

Summit Tite Grip Netting

Summit Y Post 7 Hole Black Tar Coated

94.95

SAVE $29.87 1000791

8/80/30 or 8/90/30 100m

219.95

SAVE $57.72 1001314, 1001519

1.50m 5ft

1.65m 5.4ft

$ .50

$ .25

SAVE $3.49

1001726

SAVE $3.74

1001727

BUY 2 OR MORE & SAVE

OFF

Back Road Fjord Range*

Jeans & Sweats*

SAVE

$50

Betacraft Rugged Insulated Range Jacket

250.00

1067993, 1068001

Vest

200.00

$ *Selected Sku’s

*Selected SKUs. Navy Only

1068000, 1068002

BUY 1 & GET THE 2ND

HALF PRICE

25%

OFF Knitwear, Jackets & Vests*

Hunters Element Core+ Range*

*Selected Sku’s

WINTER DEAL

GREAT OFFER

Hunters Element Ranger Bush Coat Mens & Womens

Grisport Colossus Boots

Boonies Rover Low Gumboots

140.00

240.00

139.00

SAVE $59.99

SAVE $103.85

1067669 & 1067680

1024948

1025080

Boonies Comfyy Slippers

John Bull Raptor 3.0 Boots

John Bull Himalaya 3.0 Boot

79.00

179.00

SAVE $30.50

209.00

SAVE $20.95

SAVE $30.50

SAVE $30.95

1051470

1025144

1025146

WINTER DEAL Orion 7 in 1 Go Rodent Block 3kg

52.50

SAVE $5.79

Total Energies Prosylva Chain Expert 5L & Extrem Plus 20L

Fast-acting for an effective kill Exclusive to Farmlands

Perfect for sheds and dairies Kills up to 7 rats per 20mg block

1065119

FROM $ .50

1066858, 1066857

For even more deals head in-store or check out shop.farmlands.co.nz/trader *Terms and Conditions apply. Special prices apply for the month of May 2025 or as noted with the product, while stocks last. Product range varies by store. FarmlandsPro Exclusive offers are avaialble to Farmlands shareholders only, and pricing displayed excludes GST. All other offers are displayed with GST included.