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Vol 24 No 41 | October 19, 2026

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Paris U-turn ‘would risk Europe FTA’ Neal Wallace in Brussels

MARKETS

Emissions

S SOME coalition parties campaign to remove New Zealand from the Paris Accord, European Union officials have warned that doing so could lead to sanctions or threaten the country’s free trade agreement with the bloc. The EU is the country’s fourthlargest trading partner, generating $8.8 billion from exports last year. Officials interviewed by Farmers Weekly in Brussels last week said sanctions and ending the FTA would be an extreme response by the EU, but leaving the Paris Accord would be viewed as a serious a breach of trust.

If you pull away a pillar on which the agreement is built, it will be seen unfavourably by the European Parliament. European Commission official “If you pull away a pillar on which the agreement is built, it will be seen unfavourably by the European Parliament,” an official said. Approval of the 2023 NZ-EU FTA

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E U RO P E: T RAC K I N G TO M O R ROW ’S FOOD TRENDS

received unprecedented support from the EU Parliament because of NZ’s commitment to sustainability and environmental management. Signed by NZ in 2015, the Paris Accord is a legally binding international treaty. Its 195 signatory countries are obligated to take steps to hold the increase in global average temperatures to less than 2degC above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5degC above pre-industrial levels. Both ACT and New Zealand First have reservations about the Paris Accord, saying it imposes costs and obligations on NZ, especially the primary industries. ACT wants to renegotiate terms based on current science or, if that can’t happen, to leave the accord. NZ First leader Winston Peters advocates leaving the accord, arguing remaining in it could cost New Zealand taxpayers billions of dollars purchasing foreign carbon credits to offset a failure by NZ to meet its promise to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said leaving the accord is not up for negotiation and he Continued page 3

Home-grown veges line path to health Growing seedlings and getting her hands in the dirt helped Nadia Pavlovich heal from a debilitating illness, and set her on a path to creating a market garden. Photo: Ashleigh Ellis Photography

PEOPLE 15

‘Things are going pretty well’ Power Farming executive director Brett Maber says Morrinsville’s local economy is thriving, thanks largely to booming farming returns.

ROAD TO THE ELECTION 7-10 Long, complicated PC1 finally clears its last court hurdle.

New radar station expected to help severe weather planning.

Climate policy is on the ballot next month, writes Allan Barber.

NEWS 3

NEWS 5

OPINION 17

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SALES CONTACTS

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

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

Janine Aish | 027 300 5990 Auckland/Northland Partnership Manager janine.aish@agrihq.co.nz Jody Anderson | 027 474 6094 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Partnership Manager jody.anderson@agrihq.co.nz

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

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

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

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

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News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Sector Focus . . . . . . . 18-19 Rural Women . . . . . . . . . . 21 Federated Farmers . 22-25

Marketplace . . . . . . . 37-38

NZ Rural Land Company has made a conditional agreement to sell five Hawke’s Bay orchards to a partnership managed by Craigmore Sustainables, for $18.84 million. These include the orchards previously leased to Kiwi Crunch and its principal investor, Wade Glass, now in liquidation. The Craigmore agreement follows the decision by the receiver of Kiwi Crunch Farms Limited not to adopt the existing Hawke’s Bay leases.

Livestock . . . . . . . . . . 38-39 Perendale NZ . . . . . . 41-43 Markets . . . . . . . . . . . 44-47 Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

More vet students From 2027 Massey University will increase its intake of funded domestic places in the university’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science programme, from 125 to 140 students per year. Minister for Tertiary Education Penny Simmonds said the increase will help address demand for veterinarians in the future and strengthen the country’s domestic veterinarian workforce pipeline.

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

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

FINAL SAY: It is up to US President Donald Trump to decide whether to act on any US International Trade Commission recommendations on Australian and New Zealand lamb imports.

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

STORY P5

As more New Zealand meat processors move into overseas ownership, AFFCO remains proudly 100% New Zealand owned and operated. That means our focus stays ﬁrmly on Kiwi farmers. Through continued investment in our people, plants and operations, we’re building a stronger business and a stronger future for New Zealand’s red meat industry.

PGG Wrightson has published a market guidance of approximately $70 million operating earnings in the financial year to June 30, 2027, compared with $64.3m in FY26. Chair John Nichol said first-quarter trading has been encouraging, particularly in the retail and water business units. The earnings from livestock, the second-biggest business unit, are weighted towards the second half of the financial year.

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Contents

News in brief

Nine farms have begun putting livestock innovation to work in the Livestock Innovation Farming Transformation programme, known as LIFT. Led by Pāmu and launched as part of the MPI’s Land Use Flexibility funding package, LIFT aims to generate data on how virtual fencing and related farm system changes work under commercial conditions across different farm types and conditions.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Waikato PC1 final version sees light of day Gerald Piddock

NEWS

Environment

HE Environment Court has released the final version of Waikato Regional Plan Change 1, saying it is satisfied that the changes it directed the Waikato Regional Council to make have been made. It comes after the court released interim decisions in May 2025 and in February this year. Its final decision then followed in June, where it instructed the council to make 20 amendments to the plan change. One final court-requested amendment was lodged by the council with the court on October 12. On October 14, the council was advised the final version of PC1 “complies appropriately with all of the directions made by the court”. Waikato Regional Council chair Warren Maher welcomed the decision and the certainty it provides after a lengthy

and complex process, while recognising there are still outstanding High Court appeals on matters of law to be resolved. Once those appeals have been determined, the council will confirm Plan Change 1 as part of the operative Waikato Regional Plan. Recent amendments made by Parliament to the Resource Management Act mean implementation of some parts of PC1 have been parked. Farm environment plans and associated consent deadlines are postponed until December 31, 2032, but minimum farming standards and controls on landuse change and intensification remain. Waikato Federated Farmers president Chris Woolerton said that pause gives farmers some breathing room while the country’s resource management system is being rewritten. “I’m confident that at the end of the process, we’re going to end up with rules that make a lot

I’m confident that at the end of the process we’re going to end up with rules that make a lot more sense for farmers, while still improving the environment. Chris Woolerton Federated Farmers more sense for farmers, while still improving the environment,” he said. Only the consenting requirements and farm planning aspects of PC1 had been paused, Woolerton said. “Other parts of the plan, covering land-use change controls and other minimum farming standards, will still apply once PC1 becomes operative. “Exactly when that will happen is unclear, but our team will be working to understand the likely timing and what these changes will mean for farmers on the ground.

IMPACT: Waikato Federated Farmers president Chris Woolerton says they are in discussions with the Waikato Regional Council to determine what the interim impact of PC1 will be now that the Environment Court has released the final version of the document. “We are in discussions with WRC to understand what the interim impact will be.” Council CEO Chris McLay said PC1 is the result of 14 years’ work by iwi, farmers, growers, industry representatives, community members and council staff, making this a significant step for everyone who has contributed to its development. “As implementation progresses, the council will continue to

provide practical guidance and support to farmers and growers to meet the plan’s requirements.” PC1 represents the first step in an 80-year plan towards improving the Waikato and Waipā river catchments and manage nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacteria levels. It was created to meet the requirements of Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, the legislated Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River.

FoodHQ closure ‘problematic’ for industry

which had been reduced to a few scientists including its chief executive since 2023, Dr Victoria

Hatton, with no property assets remaining. At the board table were main shareholder Plant and Food Research, now the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), the Palmerston North City Council and Fonterra. Adjunct Freshwater and Environmental Science Professor Troy Baisden, who is co-president of the Association of Scientists, said the closure comes during a time of significant reform in the science sector. “It looks like the FoodHQ issues that are causing it to close its doors are really par for the course with the simplifications in the science system,” said Baisden. “I think in the long term, it’s definitely a problematic move.” Baisden said FoodHQ had said earlier this year that New Zealand needs to think harder about

growing innovation capacity and developing the workforce, which were issues left unaddressed by the cut. “One of the concerns is that we weren’t putting enough focus onto the intersection of where tech meets our existing strengths, including food, including primary sector. “When the shareholders say they’re closing it, it means that BSI now believes it can go it alone in terms of the things that FoodHQ was doing,” he said. Half of FoodHQ’s revenue – which came to $840,000 in the last year – came from its shareholding members, with the rest from programme funding. Hatton also ran and led the E Tipu Future Food and Fibre Summit events, showcasing local and international talent including nanobiotechologists, food futurists and experts in areas such as

NZ exports were immediately tariff-free, providing $100 million in savings. In the coming years 97% of NZ exports entering the EU will be tariff-free. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade data for the first two years of the FTA show an increase of $3bn to $8.8bn, of which $6.7bn is goods and the balance services. Dairy exports rose 58% to $616 million, with butter increasing 121% and cheese 400%. Exports of fruit and vegetables rose 29.3% to $1.36bn, including $1.2bn of kiwifruit Meanwhile officials said it will take 120 days for an initial assessment of a complaint to the EU by a Dutch environmental group, with support from NZ

environmental groups, claiming NZ has breached its climate commitments as required by the FTA. The group, Both ENDS, says New Zealand failed to uphold its legal commitments in the FTA not to weaken environmental protections in order to “encourage trade or investment” and to effectively implement the Paris Accord. Trade Minister Todd McClay fired back, saying it is “not for overseas countries, organisations or lobby groups to tell New Zealand how to meet its obligations”. EU officials said Both ENDS lodged its complaint through the EU’s single entry point process, which legally has no direct

connection to the NZ-EU FTA. The single entry point was established to handle general appeals from exporters or market access issues. Officials said implications from the complaint could potentially impact the EU’s total trade agenda. “The implications are wide ranging and may involve input from other directorate-generals and the NZ government.”

RNZ

NEWS

Research A SCIENCE advocate says the decision to close the FoodHQ research hub is “problematic” in the long term, as it could stifle New Zealand’s future food innovation and technological development. FoodHQ was set up in 2013 as New Zealand’s “food super campus” to develop, launch and investigate food science and innovation opportunities at its Palmerston North base near Massey University. Projects included reports into emerging proteins like hemp and fungi, developing a food market for GLP-1 patients, dairy’s next opportunity, and the aquaculture sector’s future. Its private-public board decided it would close the entity, Continued page 1 has also ruled out buying offshore carbon credits. EU officials said the FTA sets out a process to follow for any disputes, which initially includes discussions between the parties. Failing to meet commitments to the Paris Accord is not as radical as leaving, and they said there is an understanding that agriculture-heavy countries such as NZ and Ireland will struggle to achieve their greenhouse gas reduction targets. The key, said officials, is that countries are taking steps to reduce their emissions. When the FTA with the EU came into force in 2023, 91% of

SIGNIFICANT: Dr Troy Baisden says the closure of FoodHQ comes at a time of significant reform in the science sector.

• Meeting the Market has the support of grants from Beef + Lamb NZ, Nedap, Silver Fern Farms, Deer Industry New Zealand, Alliance / Dawn Meats, the Meat Industry Association, Rabobank and the European Commission. https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/ meeting-the-market/

sustainability, food production and agritechnology. Chair Mark Piper said shareholders decided FoodHQ would no longer operate as a standalone organisation, which was not the best way to progress the work any more. He said funding was part of but not the sole reason behind the “tough” decision to close it, and the formation of the BSI had also changed the environment. “The board and the owners over the last few months made the decision that now it’s probably the right time to exit Food HQ. “The collaboration is happening better than it ever was in 2013, and the opportunity for us to keep that going in the respective organisations is kind of where the decision came from.” Piper said it will be known later this month if the food summit events will continue.

This week’s poll question:

Do political threats about NZ’s Paris Accord status risk damaging our environmental reputation?

Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Enviable EU market a ferry ride away Neal Wallace in Kildare

NEWS

Sheep and beef

BOUT 80% of customers supplied from Dawn Meats’ Kildare plant in Ireland are within a 48-hour drive of the plant, proximity New Zealand meat exporters can only dream about. More than 70% of those customers are supplied twice a week. A deconstructed beef or lamb carcase cut up on a Tuesday will be in a European supermarket within days, the advantage of having a market of 800 million people just a ferry ride away for a refrigerated lorry. Lorcan Burke, a commercial manager with Dawn Meats, said while the proximity of such a large number of affluent consumers is a huge asset, it isn’t all plain sailing for Irish meat processors. Just 20% of Irish sheep and beef farmers are full-time farmers who do not rely on another source of income.

Ireland’s Central Statistics Office reports there were 133,000 farms in Ireland in 2023, and the average size was 34.7 hectares. They farmed 7.3 million dairy and beef cattle, 5.5 million sheep, 1.7 million pigs and 17 million hens. This generates a plethora of small consignments of animals delivered to plants. In recent years the number of beef cattle slaughtered has fluctuated. From 2022 to 2025, the number fell by 200,000, but this year has slightly recovered by 100,000 to 1.6 million. This change was in response to the end of milk quotas, which saw dairy herds replacing beef and a reduction in nitrogen that can be applied, from 250kg/ha to 220kg/ ha. The market for live cattle exports also flourished as Ireland was free of blue tongue. Burke said this made meat companies ensure they fully used carcase yields. Marc Roussat, the company’s lamb commercial manager, said the growth of ethnic Turkish and North African butchers in parts of

E U RO P E: T RAC K I N G TO M O R ROW ’S FOOD TRENDS

Europe has increased demand for lamb carcases. Once again carcases encased in stockinette are being sold. “They like to do their own thing and they don’t want it to be vacuum packed.” The bulk of beef and lamb is processed into more than 30 different cuts and customers could require up to 100-plus further variations. Including production from Dawn Meats 65% majority shareholding in Alliance, each year the Dawn Meats Group processes 8 million sheep, 1.6 million cattle and 70,000 deer, producing 600,000 tonnes of meat sourced from 34,000 suppliers. The group turnover is NZ$9.6 billion. It employs 12,000 people and exports to more than 70 countries. Burke said 95.6% of animals sourced from Irish farmers come from quality assured programmes

DELIVERY: A livestock truck leaves Dawn Meats’ Kildare plant in Ireland. run by Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, and Dawn Meats. The programmes are optional but qualifying animals receive premium prices for meeting audited environmental and animal management standards, and traceability. “It really is a cornerstone,” Burke said. Roussat said another challenge for Dawn Meats is that Irish sheep and beef production is concentrated on poorer quality country and the western part of the country has a longer winter than the east.

The industry is working to improve lamb carcase quality through a national programme to identify superior ram genetics and create a ranking. “Farmers can go to markets and see the ranking of rams.”

Feds keen to hear more on school bus pledge Gerald Piddock

NEWS

Infrastructure FEDERATED Farmers has welcomed Labour’s campaign promise to restore rural school bus routes but has called for more details about the policy. While it is great to see them talking about rural school buses, the devil is always going to be in the detail, Federated Farmers rural education

spokesperson Greg Anderson said. “If Labour is talking about fixing some of the fundamental flaws in the rural school bus eligibility criteria, then farming families are going to want to hear more about that. “But if they’re just promoting a Band-Aid solution to try and score political points during an election campaign, that’s not going to be well received in rural New Zealand.” The promise was made as part

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of the party’s cost of living plan announced on October 11, when Labour leader Chris Hipkins said: “Bringing back rural school buses that National cancelled will save parents on petrol costs, not to mention time and stress.” Speaking on Facebook that same day, Labour MP Kieran McAnulty said the cuts to those bus routes had left students and parents “high and dry”. The issue had affected all rural communities, he said. In Ashhurst, the lack of a local

high school meant the town’s students were reliant on buses to travel to Palmerston North. “Those routes were cut and now parents face increased costs either by driving or taking a private operator.” Anderson said a number of rural school bus routes have been cut under the current government – but similar cuts happened when Labour was last in power. “The school bus system is actually working well for most

rural communities, but for those who have lost their local route, it places huge pressure on families.” Any changes to the school bus system need to be practical, affordable, and actually improve access to education for rural families, he said. In 2024, the Ministry of Education reviewed and cancelled some governmentfunded rural bus routes. In March this year, the Ministry announced it was pausing this review.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Nelson Tasman all set for new weather radar

FINAL SAY: It is up to US President Donald Trump to decide whether to act on any US International Trade Commission recommendations. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Fiona Terry

NEWS

Weather

NEW weather radar will not only help farmers and growers in Nelson Tasman react in severe weather events, it will also help with day-to-day planning, says MetService general manager of observing systems Kevin Alder. The technology is to be installed 15km northeast of Nelson City, following an announcement by the government of an investment of up to $5 million. It’s hoped to be completed by mid-2027, with radar imagery available to the public through MetService’s website and app. “In the Nelson region one of the things that impacts the farming community can be the really intense thunderstorm and hail situations, particularly for horticulture,” Alder said. “So being able to track where these storms are, where they’ve come from, and where they’re going will really help. “Farmers will still rely on the forecast to understand whether an event is going to happen in the first place, but it’s also going to help them with their day-to-day planning, to establish the best timings for certain activities on farm because they’ll be able to see where the rain’s moving.” Currently, data comes from a number of weather stations across the region, in addition to information from a weather radar in Wellington. While that helps build a picture of precipitation and location of rainfall, for Nelson Tasman, with its many valleys, this doesn’t include coverage of rainfall at lower levels. Considering a number of weather events have been highly localised, this has led to gaps in

US lamb market stirs ahead of ITC hearing Nigel Stirling

MARKETS

Sheep and beef RADAR: The weather radar in the photo is an example of what Nelson Tasman’s could look like. This one is on the West Coast, approximately 8km east of Hokitika. Photo: MetService

In the Nelson region one of the things that impacts the farming community can be the really intense thunderstorm and hail situations. Kevin Alder Met Service understanding exactly how much is falling into the different river catchments. “That makes it difficult for hydrologists to forecast river flows and floods,” said Alder. “The new radar will provide much more detailed information in rainfall, which will aid our forecasters and hydrologists at both Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, and better inform any response to severe weather, including for Civil Defence preparedness.” Tasman mayor Tim King, who farms 250 hectares in and around

the Eves Valley, said the weather radar will provide improved coverage in a challenging region with complex topography and multiple valleys. “This is great for the region. We’ve been advocating for this for around 20 years now. It was the flooding events in June and July last year that were the catalyst to finally get the investment,” King said. “It will help MetService develop over time a better understanding of the way events impact this region, because it can be really different in one valley to the next, and from one side of the region to the other. They can then build better capability into their forecasting and alert system. “The real-time information will enable hydrologists and the public to see exactly what’s happening upstream at the head of the catchment. “For farmers this will help enable them to make good decisions around moving stock, and also around human safety.”

EXPORTERS are reporting increased interest from United States customers in anticipation of possible import restrictions early next year. Lamb imports into the US from Australia and New Zealand are currently subject to an investigation by the US International Trade Commission after a complaint from the US sheep industry last October. The ITC can recommend restrictions, either tariffs or quota limits, if it finds imports are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to US producers. It is up to US President Donald Trump to decide whether to act on any recommendations. AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad said the US customers of one NZ exporter she spoke to recently aren’t waiting around for a decision and are acting now. “They had noticed a bit more interest out of the US potentially around what could happen in terms of pulling forward supplies,” she said. Croad said any pick-up in demand from importers wanting

to beat possible restrictions is not yet showing up strongly in monthly export figures. Early season prices for lamb racks have maintained the high levels achieved at the end of last season, rising further to US$13/ lb in the past few weeks. “If there is the opportunity to take advantage of those prices I imagine it will be on the radar of exporters getting in front of potential changes in 2027,” Croad said. The ITC has until November 13 to determine whether imports are injuring the US sheep industry or posing a risk of injury. If injury is proven, the commission must hold a further hearing on possible remedies by December 1. It then makes formal recommendations to the US president, who has 60 days to decide whether to implement these or not. NZ lamb exports to the US currently face a 13.2% tariff. The American Sheep Industry Association, which filed the complaint currently being investigated by the ITC, has previously suggested a 21% tariff on Australian and NZ lamb just to maintain their own farmers’ share of US lamb consumption.

Giving back to rural communities

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Over the past 15 years, farmers and growers across New Zealand have helped put more than $1 million back into rural communities. From schools and sports teams to volunteer ﬁre brigades and emergency services, every dollar has helped strengthen the places we call home. Join farmers and growers across New Zealand in continuing to support the communities that support us.

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cashforcommunities.co.nz

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Hoping for better collaboration with govt Bryan Gibson

ROAD

POLITICS

Road to the Election

F RANGITĪKEI mayor Andy Watson has one wish, it’s for some continuity and collaboration when it comes to addressing the long-term challenges facing the region. The region, which Watson calls the “heart’ of New Zealand’s red meat sector, is enjoying the boost that strong farmgate returns have brought, but sustained economic growth will be more difficult to achieve. Rangitīkei is one of the largest districts, but has a relatively small population, and funding the infrastructure and services ratepayers expect has become increasingly difficult. “We’re captured by government positions and certainly there’s a rates-pegging legislation that is going through, a maximum of a 2-4% rate increase,” Watson said. “That impacts us significantly. The cost of roading has gone up at alarming rates. The cost of bitumen has increased by more than 45%, and that’s a huge part of resealing our networks. “So for us to comply with those sorts of regulations means that, literally, we do not have the money to spend on the future that we’d like.”

to the

BLOW: Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson says the closure of the Malteurop grain processing plant in Marton was forseeable, but still a blow.

ELECTION Marton Location – Rangitīkei Population – 5730 Industry – agriculture, manufacturing The past three years had seen local government come under enormous pressure, Watson said. “I’d have to be brutally honest and say that the government has made local government the whipping boy, and we get blamed for so many things, instead of having a constructive working agreement between central and local government over funding and priorities.” Watson said the overhaul of the Resource Management Act was welcome, as it allows major projects to begin far more quickly, but he also wonders whether some environmental safeguards will need to be reintroduced. “I would think that even the senior ministers would say, maybe it will need to be re-tightened a little bit in the future, but the need for economic growth is now.”

While the recent successes in the red meat and dairy industries have injected some much-needed cash into the region, Rangitīkei is dealing with the loss of some key processing capability, which had wide-ranging impacts. Watson said the closure of the Malteurop grain processing plant was forseeable, but still a blow. “They bought 14,000 tonnes of grain a year from Timaru by barge, and transport was getting more expensive, more difficult. But it’s removed a growing option in terms of malt barley so that’s a pity. We’ll wait and see what those silos and complex will be used for in the future.”

The closure of the Winstone pulp and paper mills in neighbouring Ruapehu also affected the region. However, Rangitīkei had almost 1000 hectares of land proposed for solar and wind electricity generation, which has progressed through the fast-track process. Also on Watson’s wish list is investment into regional health. “Taihape, for example, its base hospital is well over an hour away and the roads are reasonably challenging. Being able to get that sorted, for places like Taihape to be able to entice doctors and the right staffing of nurses and all of those sorts of things, is critically important.”

WHO GETS WHAT: Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson says the way rates and taxes are distributed between local and central government need to be addressed.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

News

Working to build a community together Bryan Gibson

POLITICS

Road to the Election

ARMERS are more engaged and upbeat than they’ve been in years, but Laura Morrison worries the push for an easier ride from central government will roll back the social and environmental gains they’ve made. “I don’t want the pendulum swinging back the other way in terms of that environmental conversation, because seeing how hard so many of my contemporaries have worked, it’s in our best interest to look after the land and the soil.” Morrison’s family farms sheep and beef near Marton and, as the Whanganui president of Federated Farmers, she has seen a big change for the better in the way farmers feel about their work. With more and more young

SENSE OF PLACE: Rangitīkei sheep and beef farmer Laura Morrison says cultural and social growth are just as important as the economy. people involved in farming advocacy, there is a far more diverse range of views, she said.

“It’s been really interesting for me to [discuss] policies from other parties, not National, that are a

better fit for our younger farmers, for people striving for farm ownership, but who might not ever get there,” Morrison said. As each general election approaches, Morrison said, she takes a good look at what is important to her family and community at that moment, and who can best meet those needs. Making sure the farm business is thriving and her family is happy and healthy is paramount, but the health of the community they call home is also important. “We live 10 minutes from a small town that has got some pretty serious socio-economic issues,” she said. “I see red meat on clearance, because people that live in my town can’t afford to buy it. You know, I’m just constantly asking myself those questions.” Morrison is deeply passionate about the arts, and offers a residency at The Gullies each year.

ROAD to the

ELECTION She finds it hard to reconcile the wins farming has had with the losses in the creative economy. “It would be unfair of me to have a wishlist for farming when, actually, it’s been devastating to see the arts pretty much cut off at its knees, seeing some institutional centres for art being defunded.” Morrison said the arts can give a community a real sense of itself and draw in visitors and economic activity. “Art makes people engaged in a place, and when people are engaged in a place they want to spend more time there. And when they spend more time there, they spend more money there.”

Looking for a political party to fuel optimism Bryan Gibson

POLITICS

Road to the Election

ARK McCarthy doesn’t see any political party likely to step up and solve the big challenges he faces – fuel costs and road maintenance. The owner of McCarthy Transport in Marton said skyrocketing diesel prices are putting pressure on the rural economy. “The coalition’s not helping us I don’t think,” he said. “Labour haven’t fired for three years and they left us with an awful bank balance to start with.”

McCarthy wonders why we aren’t sourcing diesel from China, one of our largest trading partners already. On roading, he said the big projects, such as the Waikato and Kāpiti expressways, have been fantastic.

[The mill] was open for 48 years and 48 pretty good years. Now, we’ve only got export and that’s not the best use of our forest industry. Mark McCarthy McCarthy Transport

But the investment in rural roads has not been good enough. “Look, we do damage the roads but some of those roads are very poorly built. We’ve got a white line down the middle of them, but it’s not wide enough to run the correct side of the white line and we’re hammering the hell out of the edge.” Overseas, McCarthy has seen the impact that well-built rural roads can have for communities. “Here, we spend 80% on building the road and then 20% on fixing it all the time.” Employment should be the top priority for the next government, McCarthy said. “If you’ve got people employed you’ve got people that are

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LIQUID GOLD: Bringing down the price of fuel should be at the top of the to-do list for an incoming government, transport operator Mark McCarthy says. happy. We can’t afford the welfare budget and we can’t really afford the rising superannuation cost.” Retaining local processing capacity should also be prioritised. “It’s terrible for the community

and contractors like ourselves,” he said of the Winstone pulp and paper mill closure. “It was open for 48 years and 48 pretty good years. Now, we’ve only got export and that’s not the best use of our forest industry.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

‘Things going pretty well’ thanks to dairy Gerald Piddock

POLITICS

Road to the Election

ORRINSVILLE is a town on the rise. It has just clicked over 10,000 people, making it the most populous town in the Waikato electorate of 40,000. A lot of that growth is from people moving from larger cities such as Auckland, attracted by the cheaper living, community feel and reduced traffic, MatamataPiako District Council mayor Ash Tanner said. Economically, the district is very lucky. It has a large farming industrial base with processing facilities including Fonterra and Greenlea in the town and Open Country, Ingham’s and Tatua close by, Tanner said. The electorate is a National Party stronghold with MP Tim van der Molen easily winning the 2023 election with 27,445 votes and the party receiving 21,749 votes. Tanner suspects the bigger battle could be the party vote battle in the right wing bloc. Voters could potentially punish

National by switching their vote to NZ First or ACT – particularly over the now-canned amalgamation issue. “There’s a lot of elderly people who have contacted me and said, ‘I’ve always voted National, but I won’t be over this’.” Up the road at farm machinery dealer Power Farming, executive director Brett Maber said over the past 12 months there has been a positivity coming back to the rural sector. “For places like Morrinsville that are so connected to that rural market, we see that first.” It is also, in turn, flowing into larger metropolitan cities like Hamilton. “There seems to be a sense for me that the Cambridges, the Morrinsvilles and the Te Awamutus are now starting to get back to full pace.” Hamilton is flowing along with that. In contrast, acquaintances of his in the non-farming sector in Auckland are finding it much tougher. “That being said, if you look at all of the key drivers that help an economy thrive – especially a rural economy – we’re ticking most of those boxes.

Morrinsville Location – Waikato Population – 10,000 approx Industry – agriculture, service town “The money does filter through and if look at a town like Morrinsville, we’re born from a rural service town and most businesses whether they are directly [or indirectly] involved in agri, they serve the agri community.” Power Farming’s workshops and parts departments are busier over the past six months and are looking to employ more staff in Morrinsville. Morrinsville Chamber of Commerce president Nigel McWilliam said his clients at chartered accountancy firm MBS Advisors normally do not pay too much attention to the election from a business perspective. “This time they are because there is such a marked difference in the tax policies.” Cooper Aitken director Grant Eddy said in the good dairy years, the town benefits from that extra cash in farmers’ pockets and in the bad years some of that discretionary spending gets put on hold.

COST: Finding solutions to the high cost of living will be the main issue this election, MatamataPiako District Council mayor Ash Tanner says.

ROAD to the

ELECTION That has certainly been the case in Morrinsville, he said. “Things are going pretty well here. “It’s hard to put data around that, but in the provinces, yes.” Saamen managing director Cees van Baar concurred. “We’ve been fed by the dairy industry, which is New Zealand’s biggest industry and this is the hub of it.” Tanner said finding solutions to the high cost of living will be the main issue this election. It’s

THRIVING: Power Farming executive director Brett Maber says the local economy is thriving, thanks largely to booming farming returns. an issue that is leaving people feeling beaten and tired – and this is reflected in the engagement politicians are getting, and leading to a lot of apathy. Central government has also pointed the finger at local government over rates bills as it struggles to get on top of the cost of living. But it is not rates costs that are keeping people up at night, it is food, power and insurance, he said. “My insurance bill is higher than my rate bill.” But he is confident of the strengths of its local industries and it is helping locals get through this. “We are more resilient than Queen Street.”

All to play for on the right Gerald Piddock

POLITICS

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Road to the Election

T IS hard to ignore what is happening in urban centres as people struggle with the rising cost of living, sharemilker Carla de Wet says. She is conscious that not everybody else is doing as well as the primary sector is at the moment. “What happens to us on farm is very important but it’s not just about that, it’s about the communities we live in, and we all want access to school buses and access to healthcare.” De Wet sharemilks a farm owned by her family south of Te Aroha and east of Morrinsville. She is a past president of Ngarua

Young Farmers and is the group’s regional delegate for Federated Farmers. The past three years were better than what came before when she first arrived from South Africa six years ago. “The industry is feeling a lot more positive and a lot more confident.” There are also a lot fewer antifarmer comments on social media sites such as Facebook, she said. “There’s been some good progress made and momentum built and I think regardless of who comes in, we don’t want to see that go backwards.” Politically, she feels there is a possible mood for change among the parties on the right with longtime National voters considering NZ First or ACT. This concerns her because of the

We could end up with quite niche opinions becoming really big issues. Carla de Wet Sharemilker

BETTER OFF: Sharemilker Carla de Wet says she is mindful that not everybody else is doing as well as the primary sector is at the moment. extra political power and influence those minor parties could have over the country’s two largest parties. “We could end up with quite

niche opinions becoming really big issues.” De Wet backs most of what was outlined in Federated Farmers’ election checklist that came out

last month. She would like to see the Sharemilking Act updated to give better protections for contract milkers as it has not changed since1985. Policy stability is also key, given that farmers take a 10-20 year perspective on their businesses, she said. Also front of mind is the threat and response by the government if the super El Niño weather pattern is as bad as what has been predicted. “There is so much of farming that is out of your control: government, weather, costs and commodity prices, and all four are going to be under pressure this year, and will we have a government that’s sympathetic enough to respond appropriately?”

Rural vote hangs strong for National Hugh Stringleman

POLITICS

Elections

URAL electorates will stay loyal to National in the November 7 general election but that may not be enough to ensure the return of the coalition government. This is the gist of current polling, which shows the National Party could lose up to 10 electorates where its party vote majorities in 2023 were up to 8% better than in 2020. Seven of those electorates are in the cities and three are predominately rural. In 2023 National’s share of the vote improved from 25.5% to 38% and the swing against Labour saw it fall from 50% to 27%. Current opinion polls put

National around 30%, an erosion of 8%, while Labour is fixed on 27%. On the surface, National’s loss of support has gone to the medium parties – ACT, NZ First, Green and Opportunity. In the Parliament National has 48 MPs, 43 of whom represent electorates.

In 2023 National’s share of the vote improved from 25.5% to 38% and the swing against Labour saw it fall from 50% to 27%. Should its party vote fall to 30% evenly across the country the loss of 10 MPs would occur in seven urban electorates and only three rural seats – West Coast-

Tasman, Northland and Ōtaki. The National electorates at most risk are (in order of their 2023 margins) Banks Peninsula 396 votes, New Lynn 1013, West CoastTasman 1017, Hutt South 1332, Mt Roskill 1564, Maungakiekie 4617, Hamilton East 5060, Hamilton West 6488, Northland 6087, Ōtaki 6271. In West Coast-Tasman Maureen Pugh achieved an 8% increase on her 2020 votes, while Labour’s agriculture minister, Damien O’Connor, fell by 23%. Neither are contesting that electorate this time around. National has a well-known candidate in Katie Milne, former Federated Farmers national president and Westland dairy farmer, up against Labour’s North Canterbury-based teacher Rory Paterson, a former deputy

CHANGE: On current polling the National Party could lose up to 10 electorates where its party vote majorities in 2023 were up to 8% better than in 2020. Photo: Wikimedia Commons principal in Greymouth. O’Connor has moved to Waitaki electorate to contest his 12th general election, where he will challenge sitting MP and former

senior Federated Farmers official Miles Anderson for National and broadcaster and local government councillor Michael Laws for NZ First.

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Spray smart this spring By Dr Elena Duter, Head of Agronomy, Farmlands

Watch for the pests you can’t see

A good spray-out is the most economic insurance in the system. Whether you are going into fodder beet, maize, brassicas or a full pasture renewal, the aim is to achieve a clean seedbed with no green residuals. Glyphosate remains the workhorse, and the Nufarm range covers most sprayout jobs. Crucial, a 600 g/L triple salt formulation, is rainfast in 15 minutes when paired with Pulse Penetrant, which helps on marginal spring days. Where resistant ryegrass or hard-to-kill broadleaves are a worry, a herbicide spike can be added to the spray out. Use a product relevant to your situation. Timing matters as much as product choice. Spray out at least 10 to 14 days before drilling, so that grass grub, black beetle, armyworm and slugs do not become an issue feeding on your newly germinated crop. A spray-out done too close to drilling can cause more problems than it solves. Good weed control now also cuts the pressure on your in-crop herbicide programme later.

Bait early

Wet springs, direct drilling and heavy residue suit slugs, and they can take out a new crop in days. Forage grasses, maize and brassicas are most vulnerable between emergence and the two or three-leaf stage. Arxada’s Axcela shows why bait quality matters. Its active is metaldehyde at 30 g/ kg, and a wet-extrusion process spreads the active through the entire pellet, so

it keeps working for as long as the bait is in the paddock. Pellets are uniform in size and density for even spreading, are coloured blue so you can see them in the field and carry a bittering agent to deter accidental consumption. The label rate is 5 to 7 kg/ha depending on slug pressure, with follow-up applications in a wet season or when pressure is high. Ferric phosphate baits are an alternative for growers who want a different active. The key rule is to bait early. Apply at or just before drilling, particularly in paddocks with a history of slug damage, heavy trash or cloddy seedbeds. Axcela works best in mild, damp weather when slugs are active, but do not apply when heavy rain is expected. Monitor with slug traps (tile or wet hessian sack will do) in the week before drilling, and do not wait to see slime trails: by then the crop is already behind. Take extra care near waterways and always check the label.

Stopping weeds early

Every weed removed early is a weed that never competes for moisture, nutrients or light. Pre-emergence herbicides put a residual barrier in the top layer of the soil. Choose by crop. In maize and sweetcorn, BASF’s Arietta (topramezone) is a post-emergence option for broadleaf and grass weeds, applied with an esterified canola oil and often tankmixed with atrazine. Corteva’s Korvetto® (with Arylex® active) is a flexible postemergence option, with Milestone® and Gallant® Ultra rounding out the range.

In fodder beet, Bayer’s Betanal Forte (phenmedipham plus desmedipham) controls broadleaf weeds such as fathen and nightshade once the crop has two true leaves, with Betanal Quattro adds annual poa control. Small beet does not tolerate competition, so timing is everything.

Pasture weeds: don’t let spring get away

Spring is the best window for pasture weed control. Thistles, docks, ragwort and buttercup respond well when actively growing. BASF’s Pulsar (bentazone plus MCPB) is gentle on clover, works in new and established pasture, controls phenoxy-resistant thistles and is not soil active, so there are no plant-back worries.

Cereal fungicides and growth regulators

For cereal growers, spring is disease management season. Wet, humid conditions favour septoria, rusts, ramularia and powdery mildew, all of which can strip yield if left unchecked. Programmes are built on three chemistries: triazoles for curative and protectant activity, SDHIs for a second mode of action and longer protection, and strobilurins for protectant activity. Bayer’s cereal fungicides are built around prothioconazole, with Proline and Prosaro (prothioconazole plus tebuconazole) covering septoria, rusts and ear diseases. Requiring tank mixing, Syngenta brings SDHI strength and flexibility to the grower with Elatus Plus in wheat, and Miravis Flexi for ramularia and scald in barley. BASF offers Revylution and Revystar as premier fungicide options as well as Comet (pyraclostrobin). Combine at least two groups, time the T1 spray around growth stage 31 to 32 and the T2 flag leaf spray around GS39, and let disease pressure and the forecast guide you rather than the calendar. Lodging is the other yield thief. Moddus Evo (trinexapac-ethyl) from Syngenta shortens and thickens stems while enhancing root anchorage to reduce lodging risk in wheat, barley and oats, promoting seed yield in ryegrass seed crops. It is applied from early stem extension (GS31) and has been proven in tank mixes with many common fungicides and insecticides.

Insect pressure builds quickly in warmer weather. Aphids in cereals and brassicas can transmit barley yellow dwarf virus, so early control is worthwhile. Nysius, springtails, diamondback moth, grass grub and porina are also on the watch list depending on your region and crop. Corteva leads on IPM-compatible insecticide options. TwinGuard® combines Jemvelva® (Group 5) and Isoclast® (Group 4C) in a water-dispersible granule for Nysius, aphids, springtails, leaf miner and caterpillars in forage brassicas. Sparta® and Transform® are proven partners, Sparta for caterpillars, leaf miner and springtails, and Transform for aphids in brassicas, wheat and barley. Bayer’s Sivanto Prime (flupyradifurone, a new Group 4D) targets Nysius, springtails and green peach aphid in establishing forage brassicas and fodder beet. It can be applied from pre-emergence through to eight true leaves. Karate Zeon (lambda-cyhalothrin) from Syngenta gives broad-spectrum knockdown, and Pirimor (pirimicarb) is a selective aphicide. For pasture pests, Nufarm’s Dew 600 for clover flea, and Diazinon 20G targets porina and grass grub. Inspect paddocks, use thresholds where they exist, spare beneficials such as ladybirds, hoverflies and parasitic wasps, and rotate chemical groups. Insecticides should be targeted and applied if needed.

Looking ahead

Herbicide resistance across all treatment options is a genuine concern, make sure you rotate modes of action and avoid relying on a single group. Spring rewards the farmer who plans early and monitors closely. Sequence the season well: a proper spray-out, well-timed slug bait, an effective pre-emergence and in-crop herbicide application, and then scouting for disease and insects as crops develop. This approach takes much of the guesswork out of the year. Chemistry is only one part of the picture. Good agronomy, crop rotation, seedbed preparation and timely drilling all reduce the pressure on your spray programme. Talk to your local agronomist, Technical Field Sales Rep, and agrochemical supplier for the right solution to your problem. Check and follow current product labels and Regional Council rules. Consider withholding periods, plant back periods and safe-handling requirements. Get the fundamentals right this spring and the rest of the season will fall into place.

LK0125372©

lugs, weeds, fungi and insects: how to line up this season’s crop protection so every spray counts. Spring is when the year is won or lost on the farm. Soil temperatures are lifting, pasture is surging and the drills are rolling. The crop protection decisions made over the next eight weeks, from paddock preparation to pest monitoring, will shape yield, quality and farm returns through to autumn. Nufarm, Arxada, Syngenta, Bayer, Corteva Agriscience™ and BASF all have products that suit this season’s challenges. Here is how they fit together in an integrated weed, disease and pest management programme.

Start clean

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Southern yearling bulls go off like a rocket Hugh Stringleman

MARKETS

T SOUTHERN PRIDE: Rockley W073 made $46,000 for Philip and Katherine McCallum, left, paid by Ryan Hussey, Mt Possession Angus, and Paul Hickman, Taimate Angus. Photo: Supplied

Livestock

HE South Island yearling beef bull sales have gone off like a rocket with record prices for vendors. Rockley Angus, Balfour, sold all 39 yearling bulls with an average price of $9256, more than $3000 higher than last year. Top price was $46,000 paid for Lot 19, Rockley W073, sired by Hart Network USA. He was secured by Taimate Angus and Mt Possession Angus. Stern Angus also purchased Lot 14 for $20,000.

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Vendors Philip and Katherine McCallum were delighted with the yearling bull sale results in their ninth on-farm auction. “We have been working hard to balance the type with figures while meeting calving ease that our clients need,” the McCallums said. Silverstream Charolais, Motukarara, sold 48 young bulls and 15 yearling heifers. Autumn-born bulls averaged $12,995 for 11 sold, $5000 more than last year. Top price was $18,000 twice, paid by El Dorado Farms and Vickers Farms. Spring-born bulls averaged $8973, compared to $6380 last year, and the stud heifers averaged $7380. Sudeley Angus, Leeston, sold 27 of 29, averaging $6600, with a top of $13,000. Woodbank Angus, Kaikoura, sold 38 of 39 and averaged $7880 and a top price of $20,000 for Lot 2 Woodbank W093. The average was $2000 more than last year. Orari Gorge Herefords, South Canterbury, sold all 17 bulls, averaging $3500 with a top of $4600. Hollowtop Angus, Havelock North, sold 10 from 15 with an average price of $4950 and a top of $8000. At the shared sale venue in Āpiti, Waiohine Herefords sold 11 from 17, averaged $6250 and had a top price of $15,000. Te Mania Angus, Parnassus, sold 29 of 30 yearling bulls with an average price of $9482, compared to $6971 last year. Top price was $14,500.

Govt moots rules on caging dogs for too long Staff reporter

NEWS

Animal welfare

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PUBLIC feedback is being sought on proposed new rules to stop dogs being shut away in cages, crates and kennels for long periods. Under the proposal, animal welfare inspectors could issue a $500 infringement notice to the owner or person in charge of a dog when they find two or more signs of prolonged confinement. The proposed signs include a buildup of faeces or urine, a badly damaged enclosure, injuries from the enclosure, muscle wastage, overgrown nails, fly bite dermatitis and excessive frustration. Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said consultation opens on October 12 and closes at 5pm on November 23 2026. “Dogs need exercise, company and room to move. “When a dog is locked in a crate or kennel day after day with no break, it misses out on all of that, and it suffers,” Hoggard said. He said the changes are unlikely to impact farmers or most dog owners. “Kennelling your dogs at night, or between jobs on the farm, is normal and responsible, and these proposals don’t change that.”

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15 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Home-grown veges line the path to health Rebecca Greaves

PEOPLE

Horticulture

ROWING seedlings and getting her hands in the dirt helped Nadia Pavlovich heal from a debilitating illness, and set her on a path to creating a market garden. Today, Nadia’s Whole Garden operates on a 2 hectare block just outside of Whangārei, where the temperate climate and fertile soils allow her to provide fresh vegetable and fruit boxes for up to 100 families every week, year round. But gardening wasn’t always where she saw her future. As a young woman, she was a successful water polo player, representing New Zealand. She gained a scholarship to attend the University of Southern California, where she played water polo and studied towards a degree in chemical engineering. After her first year in the United States, Pavlovich returned home for her summer break. She fell seriously ill and spent three weeks in hospital. Her digestive system shut down, she threw up around the clock and lost 17kg, she said. “They didn’t know what was wrong. I think I have blocked a lot of it out. I slowly came right; I was 19 and the doctors thought it was a blip. I took one semester off university, learning the basics again, walking, gaining weight and trying to get healthy.” Pavlovich knew she wasn’t 100%, but returned to the US intending to finish her degree. It only took a month before the wheels fell off. “I’d always been a highperforming person, but I was so

tired. Nothing I ate was agreeing with me, I had no energy. Mum flew to America to help me come home to New Zealand.” Her illness wasn’t just a blip. She underwent testing but a cause was never fully identified, other than the discovery that her body could not process sugars. Recovery was a long, slow process. She was mostly bedridden for the best part of a year. “I knew the mental side would get to me before the physical did. We had always had a home vege garden and I felt a real pull towards soil and growing something, so off we went to Bunnings to get some seeds.” Every morning, Pavlovich would water and care for her seeds, giving her a sense of purpose. “What was happening to me was so related to the food I ate. It was something manageable I could do that interested me. I watched a lot of YouTube and that led me down the market garden rabbit hole. I was learning a new skill despite

SHOWED THE WAY: While Nadia Pavlovich wouldn’t wish her illness on anyone, she recognises it led her to discover her true passion. Photos: Elliot Swift – Newy Digital not being capable of much,” she said. As she got better and gained strength, she faced the decision of whether to go back to university and finish her degree, or pursue her passion to feed people food. She chose the degree, heading to Auckland University, but found she was repeating a lot of work, and then covid hit. It was the catalyst to make a leap of faith and, at 21, she started her market garden. Pavlovich always felt a connection with the Far North, and it made sense for her to move there. “I was lucky enough that my parents had a bach up here. I had been coming here my whole life. When my life changed, I realised

I didn’t want to live in the city, I wanted that connection to the land. This was the natural place.” Once she started growing and eating her own food, Pavlovich thought about why it tasted better than what she had previously bought in the supermarket. “It’s quality, taste and growing something with practices that align with community and soil.” She wanted to give more people access to the type of food she was growing and enjoyed eating. The market garden operates a simple system: every Sunday an email is sent out detailing what is in the coming week’s box. People reply to order, or have a repeating subscription. Each box contains eight to 10 seasonal vegetable or

NORTHERN LIGHTS: Nadia Pavlovich always felt a connection with the Far North, and it made sense for her to move there.

fruit items, harvested on the day of delivery. “In winter, we have lots of leafy greens and root vegetables. In summer it’s fruiting crops like cucumber and tomatoes. We have citrus, avocado and bananas sprinkled through. “The soil temperature stays warm enough here that vegetables will keep growing year round, with careful planning.” While she wouldn’t wish her illness on anyone, she recognises it led her to discover her true passion. “Absolutely, this is what I was always meant to do. Twentyone-year-old Nadia was a bit delusional, but in a good way. I had no fear, no what if it goes wrong? I’m not sure I would make the same decision now, but I’m grateful to younger me. Coming out of that illness, I really felt I had nothing to lose.” Her biggest learning has been to trust her gut instinct and intuition when it comes to gardening. “Gardening is as simple as, when you feed your soil, you are feeding your plants. We are no-dig here. When crops come out, we leave the roots in to decompose, feeding the soil life. We add compost and plant in a new crop straight away.” Pavlovich’s philosophy is simple: to provide the community with nutrient-dense, good food, and to improve people’s connection to the food they eat.

16 Editorial

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Letters of the week Give farmers a real choice William Rolleston Life Sciences Network

From the Editor

The long road to education Craig Page

Editor

OR many voters, changes to the rural school bus service won’t be high on their election wish list. But for those living in rural areas and facing daily battles to ensure their children get to school safely, and on time, it is a topic worth taking an interest in. On October 11 Labour leader Chris Hipkins referred to school buses when announcing the party’s cost of living plan. “Bringing back rural school buses that National cancelled will save parents on petrol costs, not to mention time and stress,” said Hipkins. Soon after, Labour MP Kieran McAnulty doubled down through social media, saying cuts to some bus routes had left students and parents “high and dry”. He said the issue had affected all rural communities and because routes had been

cut, parents faced increased costs either by driving or taking a private operator. Labour promised to reverse those cuts and reinstate the old bus routes. Federated Farmers tentatively supports the plan but wants to see more detail. The issue of school bus changes has been bubbling away for some time. Most rural communities are well served by school bus services, but for those that lost bus access in recent years it has created significant problems. In 2024, the Ministry of Education reviewed and cancelled some governmentfunded rural bus routes. In March this year it paused the review but said it would not undo changes it had already made. By then it had reviewed more than 250 routes, out of about 1400, throughout the country. ACT MP Andrew Hoggard was first to address the issue, announcing an election commitment to fix inefficiencies in rural school transport, including an “open seat rule” to ensure no bus passes a waiting child with empty seats. A lack of a reliable school bus services means some families have to make alternative arrangements. There have been cases where parents have opted to home-school their children while others have had to send children to boarding schools.

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULT No surprise that an overwhelming number of those who took the poll believe McDonald’s New Zealand should be using locally grown wheat for its burger buns. Of the 91.6% who voted yes, many were surprised the company didn’t already use local grain. “This is an excellent opportunity to support grain growers and producers in NZ, support the local economy and livelihoods at a scale that makes a visible difference and contribution,” said one voter. Another said: “What a fabulous opportunity for McDonald’s to become 99% New Zealand grown and to support the NZ Grown Grains logo. Go, go McDonald’s!!” Some said the fact that McDonald’s doesn’t use New Zealand grain raises questions about pricing. “Assuming Australian wheat is more easier to source and is cost effective for McDonald’s to use, they will keep using Australian wheat.” Of the 8.4% who voted no, one said the agriculture sector cannot have it both ways. “We rely on the export of agricultural products, so we cannot be protectionist ourselves. NZ arable needs to find additional ways of adding value or cutting costs.”

Federated Farmers spokesperson Richard Dawkins wrote in Farmers Weekly in April that the school bus service isn’t just a convenience for rural families – it’s the difference between making farm life work or not. After the Ministry review, there had been instances where children missed out on qualifying for a bus because they were a few kilometres out of the zone. “It might not sound like much in the city, but out here, that distance can be the difference between independence and a daily two-hour round trip for Mum and Dad.” Dawkins said time spent driving children to school can take a huge toll, cutting into farm productivity, off-farm work and family life. What is interesting is that while Labour was talking school buses, National announced a policy that would require teenagers to stay in school until they complete Year 11. Students can now leave school when they turn 16 but under the proposed changes they must complete the Year 11 school year. Perhaps there should be more focus on ensuring all Year 11 kids can actually get to school before imposing such regulations.

Last week’s question: Should McDonald’s New Zealand be using locally grown wheat for its burger buns instead of 1 2 3 Australian grain?

PLEADING for delays, “Hit pause on this tech” (September 28), has been a tried-and-true tactic to continue to deny farmers access to gene technologies for the last 25 years. The threat of economic catastrophe if we so much as release one GMO is a constant refrain. However, the evidence paints a very different picture. Our organic industry is in proportion smaller than in those countries who use GM, “Gene tech is not devastating the organics industry” (farmersweekly.co.nz July 4), and purchasing attitudes have changed considerably in the last two decades, “Consumers warm to gene editing in crops, but animals harder to sell” (September 28). Contrary to the organics industry’s heavily criticised economic catastrophising, economic analyses show farmer profit has increased with the use of gene technologies. Europe, by allowing gene editing, will be $2 trillion better off over a decade, and the South Australian GM moratorium cost its canola farmers $150 million. Europe and South Australia have read the tea leaves and even “GM-free” Tasmania has opened up to gene editing. Our own economic study, soon to be released, shows that New Zealand farmers and the country stand to gain over $1 billion with the use of just three New Zealand-specific gene technologies. Now, our $350 million seed export industry is at risk if we continue to delay, “EU genetics shift lights fire under NZ lawmakers” (June 30). Former prime minister Sir John Key said in the Future of New Zealand debate that opposition to gene technologies is making us less competitive than we otherwise could be. He is right. It’s time we stopped using delay as an excuse to do nothing, joined Sir John’s vision of the future and gave our farmers real choice.

Farmlands out of touch Bruce Livesey Timaru I READ with interest the article by Gerald Piddock in last week’s edition, “Farmlands defends its AgriZeroNZ decision” (October 12). The most annoying thing about the whole decision to invest in such a controversial theoretical project is the fact that Farmlands as a co-op has not paid its shareholders a dividend for years and how dare they give our money away to some highly unpopular project and especially without consultation with shareholders? It just shows how out of touch they are with the farming industry. A private company can invest with who it likes but not a co-op. The board of Farmlands should hang their heads in shame and all resign along with the CEO. As an observation, I do not see any agri pharmaceutical companies investing in AgriZeroNZ. I wonder why? Because they are not stupid.

91.6%

This week’s poll question (see page 1):

Yes 8.4%

Chart Title

Do political threats about NZ’s Paris Accord status risk damaging our environmental reputation? Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll

OpEd 17

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Climate policy is on the ballot next month Meaty matters

Allan Barber

Meat industry commentator: allan@barberstrategic.co.nz, http://allanbarber.wordpress.com

FTER next month’s general election, a change from the present coalition to a left-leaning government would quite possibly result in less agriculturally friendly climate change policies. Labour has indicated it won’t be campaigning on putting agricultural emissions into the ETS, but its ability to hold firm on this and other aspects of environmental policy will depend on the strength of its coalition partners. The opinion polls are not necessarily a reliable guide to the number of seats each party will end up with, but a coalition of Labour, Greens and Opportunity with the Greens possibly winning as many as 16 seats may be difficult for a weakened Labour to manage. Wild cards that are impossible to predict with certainty include whether Opportunity will get over 5% to guarantee a place at the table, or if Te Pāti Māori has any role to play. It is hard to see Labour being willing to have anything to do with TPM beyond a confidence and supply arrangement, while if Opportunity fails to win a seat or achieve 5%, the question becomes academic. Under this scenario the present coalition would be re-elected, but – on present polling – with a very different representation.

New Zealand First and ACT appear likely to increase their numbers, mostly at the expense of National. Present climate change policies and ministers would likely be retained, which would ensure a continuation of the more rational settings introduced since 2023. In recent weeks concerns have been raised suggesting New Zealand’s current climate change policies may be in breach of the terms of the European Union free trade agreement, which contains a “non-regression” clause prohibiting a reduction in environmental protection and a commitment to “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”. The Green Party was accused of, but denies, writing a letter to the European Commissioner asking the EU to assess whether New Zealand is meeting its obligations under the FTA. A Dutch environmental group, Both ENDS, has lodged a complaint, asserting New Zealand has failed to uphold its legal commitment not to weaken environmental protection, or to effectively implement the Paris Agreement. I have been advised such a case is a very long way away, not least because the EU will be aware the “non-regression” clause is

OBLIGATION: Both Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay say it is up to New Zealand to implement its international trading obligations.

Low Input High Profit Genetics

HOW GREEN WAS MY TALLY: A coalition of Labour, Greens and Opportunity with the Greens possibly winning as many as 16 seats may be difficult for a weakened Labour to manage, says Allan Barber.

one many of the member states would be unable to comply with. The EU itself has scaled back, delayed, or softened several of its flagship European Green Deal and environmental regulations in the past couple of years. Both Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay disagree absolutely with the NGO’s accusation, saying it is up to New Zealand to implement its international trading obligations, with which we are fully compliant. The fact we have lowered the methane targets and renewed permission for oil and gas exploration does not automatically mean we are failing to comply with the terms of the FTA or the Paris Agreement. Norway, one of the EU’s closest partners, refuses to ban oil and gas exploration. It is possible the International Panel on Climate Change target of Net Zero by 2050 and the interim targets for 2030 and 2036 may not be reached exactly as scheduled, but this does not imply we are failing to act. Mitigation technologies are on the way. As an example, a bolus for methane reduction is likely to be available early next year, although its introduction will be gradual, enabling careful testing in the working environment. In 2024 Beef + Lamb NZ conducted research looking at 16 different countries to discover how they treat agricultural emissions as part of their policies on climate change and this was updated in

If agriculture is to get a fair go under a change of government, hopefully Labour is strong enough to resist the more extreme policy wishes of the Greens. Significant findings were: • Only one country (Denmark) is looking to put a price on agricultural emissions, but these costs will be more than offset by the additional subsidies Danish farmers will receive. All other countries were intending to use subsidies or other incentives such as carbon credits to encourage reductions. • Most jurisdictions analysed specifically acknowledge the important role of food production and want to use technology and improved farming practices to achieve emissions reduction goals, instead of reducing production or overall animal numbers. Nearly all jurisdictions analysed are incentivising farmers to integrate trees into their farms and reward the wider environmental benefits. • All jurisdictions except New Zealand had limits on the amount of forestry offsets available to fossil fuel emitters and many have policies aimed at limiting the conversion of productive

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2026. The report found that the changes New Zealand had made in the past couple of years to its agricultural climate change policy were in line with trends globally.

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farms into carbon forestry. (Our government has subsequently announced measures to curb farm sales to carbon farming). BLNZ has long argued for a split gas approach to measuring emissions, recognising methane is a shorter-lived gas than CO2. The FAO division of the United Nations last month released its report Contribution of the Livestock Sector to Food Security and Sustainable Agrifood Systems. Among the conclusions are that grassland-based farming systems contribute to environmental and social sustainability, and the use of the GWP100 metric does not accurately measure the effect of methane in the atmosphere. The alternative measure of GWP star would be far more accurate because it is possible for ruminant food production systems to cease contributing to global warming and to achieve climate change neutrality with the appropriate technologies in place. Nor does biogenic methane add to atmospheric CO2 but replaces it through photosynthetic processes of biomass production. If agriculture is to get a fair go under a change of government, hopefully Labour is strong enough to resist the more extreme policy wishes of the Greens who would do well to read the latest FAO report and the EU Livestock Strategy. More of your favourite opinion pieces now online farmersweekly.co.nz/opinion

18 Hort Focus

Sector Focus

Horticulture

Meet the next Young Horticulturist of the Year

OW in its 21st year, the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition for 2026 will come to a head in Auckland next month, when five finalists will compete in a series of technical,

practical, business and leadership challenges. Run by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust with the support of sponsors Woolworths, T&G Fresh and Fruitfed Horticulture, it showcases

the industry’s most promising young professionals and helps them develop the skills, knowledge and leadership needed to shape the sector’s future. The finalists are:

Phoebe Scherer

Technical representative (kiwifruit), Prospa by EastPack, Tauranga Representing Horticulture NZ Phoebe Scherer, 30, sees the irony in being an award-winning kiwifruit grower yet she isn’t an orchardist. Instead she helps growers improve kiwifruit yield and quality, skills she hopes will set her apart when she competes in the Young Horticulturist of the Year. “I don’t have an orchard, but I am influencing hundreds of growers,” she said. “If I can get a message across to someone about reducing their chemical use, or helping soil biology in a positive way, then hopefully that’s having a bigger impact.” Scherer recently joined grower shareholder organisation East Pack as a technical representative, focused on the Prospa Orchard management team’s kiwifruit growing, liaising on orchard management plans and best practice. “That’s anything from fertilisers to sprays and pest control, to how many fruits should we be hanging, and how do we get the best out of the vines so that they get the most fruit and the best pack out,” she said. Scherer grew up in the Bay of Plenty and planned a career as a

Dane Sales

Arborist, undertaking further study, Auckland Representing NZArb Dane Sales, 31, is so fervent about protecting native trees, the Auckland arborist has even written a guide to urban forests. Working toward his diploma in arboriculture, Sales’s research project on identifying native tree roots prompted him to work full-time to turn his unpublished book into a comprehensive guide. Sales is aiming to include 50 different species in Native Tree Roots of Aotearoa New Zealand. “It will help arborists identify what roots belong to which native – hopefully improving tree preservation

INTERNSHIP: Meg Spittal has recently returned from a nine-month internship in Pennsylvania, working at the internationally-regarded Longwood Gardens.

Meg Spittal

Collections curator, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland Representing Recreation Aotearoa

EVOLUTION: Phoebe Scherer graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in a biology degree in genetics and evolution. scientist in wildlife conservation. While on an OE in Namibia she became disheartened by academia. “I got a job counting kiwifruit with Fruition Horticulture. The people there saw my potential and gave me so many opportunities.” She graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in a biology degree in genetics and evolution. She has worked on the feasibility of orchard conversions and land use.

outcomes on, or adjacent to, development sites. They won’t have to send a sample to a lab for identification or trace the root to the tree and cause more damage,” Sales said. Sales has funding from the Waikato Botanical Society and will do the research at the Waipahihi Botanical Gardens in Taupō. And he is not the first in his family to write books on this genre – his great-uncle Don Bell authored Trees for New Zealand Town and Country, a practical guide for home gardeners. After completing high school on the Gold Coast in Australia, Sales studied outdoor education in Greymouth, but realised that wasn’t the career he wanted.

She is proud to have played a pivotal role in the local horticulture industry, saying: “This season it’s been quite challenging in terms of kiwifruit maturity, but with my suggestions and guidance, we made some good decisions around harvest timing and optimising fruit quality. I get a quick turnaround to see improvements within a season if you’ve interpreted the data the right way.”

So he spent a decade as an artisan bread baker, including working in a cafe in Banff, Canada, so he could go skiing and hiking. The budding conservationist “stumbled upon arboriculture” through a governmentfunded programme, and he moved back to New Zealand to study at Wintec, where he completed levels three to five in arboriculture back to back while also working at Treescape as a climbing arborist. He then secured a monitoring arborist position at Arborlab, in Auckland. “My role was as a monitoring arborist on urban construction sites, ensuring tree protection measures are adhered to, and overseeing any root pruning and root retention.”

Meg Spittal, 27, sees horticulture as art, so much so many of the tattoos she has are species – both wildlife and plant form. On one forearm is a large wētāpunga, and on the other are lush foxgloves. The horticulturist at the 64 hectare Auckland Botanical Gardens fell in love with gardens as a child. “A lot of my memories stem to plants. My parents owned land on the Kaipara Harbour. Weekends were spent hanging out in the bush and making up stories of fairies and trolls.” Initially Spittal thought she would follow her father into engineering but didn’t flourish in physics. She loved biology but didn’t realise horticulture was a viable career. “I got an undergrad bachelor’s in biological sciences, and thought I wanted to do lab work, or conservation and research. But in the final year, a

lecturer told us about a summer gardener role at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. I went for that and discovered I like working outside.” Spittal has recently returned from a nine-month internship in Pennsylvania, working at the internationally regarded Longwood Gardens, where she was immersed in land stewardship and ecology, conservatories and outdoor landscapes. “I love that amenity gardens can bring so much joy. Amenity horticulture is horticulture for the purpose of leisure and beauty. “I’m in a botanic garden setting, which has a higher focus on conservation and research. My job is to look after the gardens and also help with suggesting new plant species that are good for the Auckland climate. “There is a lot of technical knowledge. You’re always learning. I’d be a fool to say that I’ve done my apprenticeships, and now I know it all. I’m just excited to see where life takes me.”

SERENDIPITY: Dane Sales ‘stumbled upon arboriculture’ through a government-funded programme, and he moved back to New Zealand to study at Wintec.

Horticulture

19 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Clayton Hart

Anna Kelland

Propagation manager, Rainbow Nurseries, Auckland Representing NZ Plant Producers Ten years in horticulture is the result of equal measures of tenacity and skill for Aucklander Clayton Hart, 27. He is always seeking ways to develop his career as a plant producer and every job he’s had has come from opening doors, not responding to job vacancies. Horticulture piqued Hart’s interest at a high school careers day, “because they were passionate”. One offered him a job at T&G (Turners & Growers) in the tomato glass houses, where he worked on summer holidays. “It was a high-tech environment. It felt like if I wanted to get to the next level I should go to university and expand my knowledge.” Halfway through a threeyear degree, he realised the course was heading towards an office job of data analysis and cashflow forecasts rather than growing the plants. Hart’s mother knew a local nurseryman and three months there steered him to completing a Bachelor of Agri Science at Massey University in Palmerston North, majoring in horticulture. He “fell into a job” in Palmerston North at a native plant nursery belonging to a friend of his previous employer. Two years later connections helped his move back to Auckland, after his high school sweetheart relocated back there three years ago. Hart contacted the owner

Viticulture technician, Constellation Brands, Marlborough Representing NZ Winegrowers Anna Kelland, 25, was more than a decade away from being legally able to drink when she declared she wanted to be a winemaker when she grew up. “I was seven. At that age you draw a picture of what you want to be, and it was either a pop star or in a lab coat,” she said. “My parents definitely encouraged me. I grew up surrounded by Hawke’s Bay wineries, and while they don’t work in the industry, they do enjoy the product.” Kelland said she was “very much a ‘why’ toddler. Why this? Why that?” And she also asked why not, and pushed boundaries even at primary school. “When they didn’t have a core science competency session in the New Zealand curriculum, I got some intermediate level books and started learning for myself.”

19 That thirst for knowledge has paid off. The viticulture technician won a Constellation Brands scholarship and is now with the company in Marlborough. She is working towards a Master’s in agribusiness at Massey University, and has been involved in several sides of winemaking in the business, including as vintage assistant winemaker, in the lab and in the cellar door – learning about customer palates. Her role involves data collection in the field and analysis in the office, presenting it to senior management and operators, along with yield estimation, pest and disease management and monitoring, and nutrition planning for approximately 500ha of Marlborough sauvignon blanc. “I love the science side,” Kelland said. “I get to run trials, try new technologies, and collect the data, analyse that, and present it. I can find something I think will have potential payback for the business, and see if that is an avenue we can try to improve our operations.”

INTEREST: Horticulture piqued Clayton Hart’s interest at a high school careers day ‘because they were passionate’. of Rainbow Park Nursery, 10 minutes from his parents, and after an interview, started as glasshouse supervisor – checking irrigation, monitoring for pests and disease and overseeing plants from potting. Eighteen months later, the propagation manager was preparing for retirement and Hart was offered a position to help fill his role.

“There’s a lot of new breeding and research – especially in Europe and North America. We import things the best nurseries are growing worldwide.” He loves the breadth of automation: “There’s a new glasshouse that is controlled environment growing – different crops in different stages need different types of light at different intensities. You’re always fine-tuning things.”

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WINEMAKING: Anna Kelland is working towards a Master’s in agribusiness at Massey University, and has been involved in several sides of winemaking.

, There s a new generation of Farmers Weekly readers. Inter-generational succession underpins our best farming and agribusiness enterprises. Last week we were sent this picture of Rufus. He loves his Proud to be a Farmer mug, and his mum and dad are proud Farmers Weekly voluntary subscribers. Rufus and his family are navigating a fastchanging world, and Farmers Weekly helps keep them connected and well informed in a sector that is prosperous and proud. When we’re all on the same page, our sector is more attractive to the next generation of farmers and agribusiness leaders. A voluntary subscription to Farmers Weekly builds trust and supports a useful antidote to the division triggered by social media. Together, we’re helping to inform and unite our powerful food and fibre sector, and helping to create an attractive platform for the next generation. Thank you to the 1304 voluntary subscribers so far. We do this for you and invite more of you who appreciate the value of Farmers Weekly and all that we do, to join the team.

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21 Rural Women

The glue holding rural NZ together Heather Sorensen

CTOBER 15 is a very special day globally. In 1995 it began as World Rural Women’s Day and then in 2007 a United Nations resolution saw it become International Day of Rural Women. It’s a day when all around the world recognition is given to the critical roles and contributions rural women make. It is important to remember that nearly half of the work force in rural areas is women. Women contributing positively to all aspects of rural life are so worthy of celebration. Around our country it is great to see the many ways that people choose to celebrate International Day of Rural Women. I know there were many get togethers in many places of which many were organised by Rural Women New Zealand members: a walk together, a picnic, a morning tea, an afternoon tea, a coffee and chat, and wine and nibbles. How special for groups to get together to celebrate each other. Thanks to the wonderful women who organised these events. Organised events are just one part of acknowledging International Day of Rural Women. For me, it’s about taking some time to reflect on rural women locally, regionally, nationally and globally. For our rural communities to thrive it takes a team of many who contribute to the overall well-being. Yes, our farming women, whether owners, partners, employees or contractors, are very important. I do think it is important to also remember the many others in our rural community: teachers, nurses, doctors, vets, cleaners, shop staff, hairdressers, mechanics, tourist

operators, small business owners and operators, caregivers and so the list goes on. We also need to consider that many of these women are also wives, mums, grandmothers, sisters, aunties, daughters and again the list goes on. Taking time to consider all these women and their many roles reminds me how awesome rural women are. We all know the facts and figures tell us the important role that the rural sector plays in serving as the primary engine for New Zealand’s export economy. That points to the absolute importance of the full range of rural activities in our country – agriculture, horticulture, apiculture, aquaculture, forestry, viticulture, tourism and so on. We know that right across all those areas women are playing important roles at all levels. But the role women play in the rural sector is far greater than that. In so many cases, women are the glue that holds everything together. While women are active in the rural production sector, I want to take some time to consider and celebrate so much more about rural women and how they contribute to our rural communities. We know that women take on many roles to support their families and communities no matter where they are but adding rural into the mix adds a few more elements of expectations. It is important to acknowledge that rural can often mean decreased access to essential services, especially health services. Getting children to and from school is often about school buses and there are situations where it actually means having to send children to boarding school due to lack of appropriate transport services.

SUPPORTIVE: Heather Sorensen says women take on many roles to support their families and communities no matter where they are but adding rural into the mix adds a few more elements of expectations.

For our rural communities to thrive it takes a team of many who contribute to the overall well-being. Being rural often means living on rough roads and being outside the delivery zone for supermarkets and other providers. Postal and delivery services are all more expensive for those living rurally. As rural residents, we learn that’s our lot for now but many of us work on changing what needs to be changed. For me, being a member of

Rural Women New Zealand is very important for this. I have listed just some of the challenges, but I must stress that there are some great upsides to being rural. We get to breathe in fresh air every day. Most of us have a great view to enjoy and easy access to the outdoors to relax and exercise in. Rural neighbours are mindful of each other and provide care and support as needed. Again, as a Rural Women New Zealand member I have a great sense of pride to know how we reach out and support others whether it’s making connections through our branch and group activities or being available with support

at times of need such as when adverse events happen. As I said earlier, International Day of Rural Women is a day of reflection for me as we celebrate our fellow rural women. My challenge to myself this year has been to celebrate by saying thank you to some of the rural women I know. I do hope those that received my handwritten thank you cards enjoyed getting something delivered by the rural postie. Amongst those I thanked were nurses, mums, teachers, coaches, artists, calf rearers and caregivers. Some work in a paid capacity and others are volunteers but importantly they are all very special and awesome rural women.

FEDERATED 22 Feds

FARMERS Vol 4 No 41, October 19, 2026

Feds blasts Labour’s freshwater rule revival

ederated Farmers is warning Labour against using its controversial 2020 freshwater rules as the starting point for future policy, saying the approach would be “disastrous”. The party says if it’s elected to government, it will use the 2020 rules as the foundation for a Select Committee process, with the aim of developing new freshwater regulations. Mark Hooper, Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson, says the proposal raises serious concerns about whether Labour has learned anything from the past. “The 2020 freshwater rules would be a disastrous starting point for Labour – it’s what got them so offside with farmers in the first place. “When former Minister for the Environment David Parker brought these rules in six years ago, they were an absolute nightmare for farmers and led to a strong backlash. “Unfortunately, while the current Government has amended some rules under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and National Environmental Standards, it hasn’t

repealed the NPS-FM itself. “Those rules remain on the books. If Labour have been listening to farmers at all over the last three years, they need to commit to ditching all of the 2020 rules completely.” Hooper says Parker’s 2020 rules failed because they were heavyhanded and overly prescriptive. “They took a one-size-fits-all approach to national bottom lines, failing to account for naturally occurring processes, such as natural nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment levels. “They also failed to consider the costs and benefits of the land-use changes that would have been needed to meet those bottom lines. “It was an incredibly lazy approach that turned farmers against Labour and sparked the cry to get Wellington out of farming.” At the Rural Issues Debate in late September, Labour’s agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton said the party wouldn’t simply reinstate the 2020 rules unchanged, emphasising a Select Committee process would allow farmers and rural communities to have their say.

ALARM BELLS: Labour would use its controversial 2020 freshwater rules as the starting point for developing new regulations, Jo Luxton told the Rural Issues Debate in late September. “The start point is not the end point because whatever we do in the freshwater space, we need to make sure that it is practical and workable for farmers.” She said the approach was intended to show the direction Labour wanted to take, while recognising the need for clean drinking water and swimmable rivers for future generations. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay challenged Luxton on what the eventual policy would look like, arguing farmers were more concerned about the outcome than the process. “I think these people are more interested in the end point. They’ve already dismissed your start point last time because that’s why you were voted out of government. “What’s the end point going to be?” McClay asked at the debate. Luxton reiterated the rules would

go through a full Select Committee process and said Labour wanted to hear from farmers about what was achievable. “We’re not going to say, ‘This is what you must do’. We are going to say, ‘This is where we start, we want to hear from you, find out what’s workable, find out what’s achievable’.” But Hooper says farmers shouldn’t have to begin another policy process from a framework they’ve already rejected outright. “Using the 2020 freshwater water rules as a starting point is akin to assuming farmers are guilty until proven innocent. “It would be far better to start the other way round, with the foundational principle of private property rights. “Labour could then set out to create a workable and collaborative framework managing environmental

fedfarm.org.nz risk and achieving locally agreed ecological health improvements over time.” He says freshwater policy needs to focus on environmental outcomes while allowing farmers flexibility to manage risks and improve water quality on their properties. “The basis for discussion around freshwater should be that all farming is a permitted activity. “Environment limits shouldn’t be hard limits but include provision for narrative limits or aspirational targets over time. “Catchment action plans should include non-regulated pathways to achieve targets. “Farm plans should be tailored to individual properties, demonstrating how environmental risks are being managed and how farmers are working towards catchment targets based on ecological health.” Luxton said Labour believed productive farming and good environmental outcomes could be achieved together. “You can have both productive farming and good environmental outcomes. It’s not one or the other – you can have both.” Debate host Heather du PlessisAllan asked Luxton if Brooking agrees with that thinking – or if she is “David Parker 2.0”. “Rachel Brooking is in agreement with me and, actually, she’s spent the last three years getting out on a farm and getting to understand the intricacies involved in the farming sector,” Luxton replied. “We are singing from the same song book.” Hooper says whoever forms the next Government needs to ensure the new framework gets it right and the existing rules are repealed.

Federated Farmers

23 fedfarm.org.nz – October 19, 2026

Fed Farmers backs major push for water storage

ederated Farmers is welcoming National’s announcement of a scheme to help get water storage projects built, saying reliable access to water is vital for farming’s future and New Zealand’s economic success. Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst says the policy recognises that water storage is critical infrastructure that can help farmers build resilience, grow their businesses and respond to changing land-use opportunities.

If we’re serious about doubling New Zealand’s export value and unlocking all of the economic benefits that will come with that ambition, access to water is critical. Colin Hurst Federated Farmers president “Water storage is such an important strategic enabler of growth for the primary sector, unlocking huge economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities that all New Zealanders benefit from. “Reliable access to water gives farmers more options. It can help them increase production, build resilience through dry periods, or shift to higher value land uses when new opportunities emerge,” Hurst says. “If we’re serious about doubling New Zealand’s export value and

“

unlocking all of the economic benefits that will come with that ambition, access to water is critical.” Hurst says getting projects built requires more than good ideas. “There can be significant hurdles in the early stages of a project, particularly around consenting, construction risk and securing finance. “That’s why initial Government support to help get projects off the ground early is so important.” National’s announcement includes $300 million in concessional loans, a long-term national water infrastructure pipeline, and a national water storage register. Five regions with storage work already underway – Northland, Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Canterbury – will be prioritised. The policy also includes a National Standard for on-farm and other lower-risk off-stream water storage, as well as a National Standard for Irrigation to make consenting easier for farmers and growers. Hurst says the measures align closely with Federated Farmers’ 2026 election priorities, including national standards for on-farm water storage and irrigation, greater flexibility for land use, and support to build new water storage projects. “Farmers are good at adapting to new opportunities – it’s part of our DNA – but we need the tools and infrastructure to do it,” he says. “Just like reliable access to fertiliser and other critical inputs matters, so does having reliable access to water. “These are the foundations that allow farmers to invest, innovate and keep delivering economic benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BONUS: The economic benefits of water storage are huge and the environment benefits too, in that less water needs to be taken from rivers and aquifers when they’re running low. for all Kiwis – funding roads, schools, police and hospitals.” Water storage also benefits rural towns, the wider economy, and the environment. “Having our rural towns running out of water is a big issue, and building more water storage will alleviate that,” Hurst says. “Storing water in times of plenty for when water is short, evens the flow of rivers.

VITAL: Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst says the policy recognises that water storage is critical infrastructure.

“If you’re sucking water out of the river, the levels get low, and then there can be environmental impacts. Having secure water storage prevents that.” Federated Farmers water storage spokesperson Richard Dawkins says the concessional loan component addresses a specific problem Feds has repeatedly raised with the Government. “Projects often get stuck in that awkward period where a bank is hardly going to lend tens of millions while consent and construction risk is still hanging over them,” Dawkins says. “There’s real value in the Government helping bridge that gap, and it is directly aligned with what we’ve been asking for. “The national pipeline, storage register and standards are useful too because they get us closer to treating water storage as a strategic national infrastructure issue, rather than making every community start from scratch.” Dawkins says water storage can deliver significant benefits beyond individual farms – and that access to reliable water is critical if we want to grow our economy. “A new irrigation scheme can add hundreds of millions of dollars to

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the local economy of small rural communities, grow exports, and support families. “We’ve seen that in Canterbury, where the Central Plains irrigation scheme generated $400 million for Canterbury’s GDP in 2025 and supports more than 2,200 full-time jobs. “That’s good for everyone and it matters even more in times like now, when Kiwi families are struggling to put food on the table and fuel in their cars. “New Zealand is never going to be able to tax our way into prosperity, but we might be able to farm our way there. A growing economy means more jobs and higher incomes.” Dawkins says there’s still work to do to make projects investmentready and get more schemes moving, but the Government’s announcement is very positive. “Once up and running, many water storage schemes can be largely funded by water users, but there are major risks and costs in getting projects through early development stages. “National’s announcement responds to a genuine need from the farming sector and is a great step towards getting more projects built.”

fedfarm.org.nz – October 19, 2026

Federated Farmers

Safari call exposes connectivity crisis

hen South Canterbury dairy farmer Jimmy Emmett had a live video call with a friend on safari in Africa, he was impressed – but not for the right reasons. “My mate was showing me these elephants and lions walking around on the Serengeti in real time, and it was with better quality and faster internet than we get here. “My phone couldn’t even keep up with what he was showing me,” Jimmy says. “How can you have faster and more reliable internet on the Serengeti than the Canterbury Plains?” It’s a question that sums up the frustration many rural families are feeling as mobile connectivity deteriorates. Federated Farmers’ 2026 Rural Connectivity Survey shows half of farms surveyed have mobile coverage on less than half of their property. A third of farmers said there was somewhere on their farm that previously worked on 3G but no longer does since the network was switched off in March. Emmett, president of Federated Farmers South Canterbury, says poor connectivity isn’t just an inconvenience – it affects his ability to run a modern farming business. “We’re a mile away from any major cell phone tower, so we don’t get 5G. “Today is a cloudy day and I can’t even get 4G running. I’ve got two bars running, and I’m standing in the middle of the yard because that’s where I know I get reception.” His farm relies on technology including cow collars and other systems in the dairy shed, but connectivity issues can affect their reliability. “We’ve had to move to Starlink for the house so we can actually run a business and keep our teenagers sane,” he says. “All the staff have to use Starlink and even that gets dodgy on a cloudy day because it’s all to do with line of sight.”

RUSTRATED: Jimmy Emmett is one of many farmers who say their ability to make calls and send texts has got worse since the 3G network was switched off.

And the problem isn’t confined to the farm. “Farmers do a lot of work while they’re on the road. For me, that’s when I’m moving between the farm and Ashburton and Timaru, but there’s so many dead spots on State Highway One it’s not even funny,” Jimmy says.

How can you have faster and more reliable internet on the Serengeti than the Canterbury Plains? Jimmy Emmett Federated Farmers South Canterbury president His runoff block, just 12km from home, is another connectivity blackspot. “You more or less have to plan your day around it because there’s no reception there at all. “The farmer who owns the farm has to drive to a certain corner of the farm if he’s not at home.” The connectivity survey found four in five farmers know a stretch of their regular roads where mobile service fails. There are also serious safety

concerns, with nearly two in three farmers saying they can’t rely on reaching 111 from most of their farm. For Emmett, it all adds up to a basic problem: modern farms need reliable connectivity, but too wmany rural businesses can’t depend on it. “It’s not good enough around here in Canterbury. We’re so open – we should have line-of-sight connectivity, but we don’t. “We don’t have fibre, we don’t have the modern-day necessities to run our large businesses that rely on connectivity, and we don’t have certainty.” Another farmer dealing with the problem is Federated Farmers Hauraki-Coromandel president Rob Craw, who farms just down the road from Coromandel township. “From up on our airstrip I can see Auckland’s Sky tower, and I’m looking at a cellphone tower down at Manaia Harbour, but our reception is still woeful. “Since they cut the 3G network, I’ve got a lot more reception dead-spots through the farm. “I pretty much have to go to the top of the hills to make calls and I didn’t have to do that before.” Craw says on a Feds leadership

team Zoom call the other day, he had to re-start the meeting on his phone five times. “That’s become par for the course. I’ll be having a conversation with someone and it’ll just drop out. “We try to get phone work done out on the farm, so we’ve got more time to spend with the family when we get in each evening, but now I often have to go back to the house to join Zoom meetings. “Service reliability was never 100%

but it’s worse now,” Craw says. Federated Farmers is holding urgent meetings with telecommunications providers to identify ways to improve rural connectivity through existing infrastructure and planned investment. The priority is to restore service to at least pre-3G shutdown levels, ensure farmers can reliably make emergency calls wherever they need to, and address the unfair cost of poor coverage.

WOEFUL: Federated Farmers HaurakiCoromandel president Rob Craw says he can see a cellphone tower from his Coromandel property, but reception is still woeful.

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Federated Farmers

fedfarm.org.nz – October 19, 2026

‘Triple whammy’ rates plan fires up Feds

cap on council rates increases must not become an excuse to load more of the rates burden onto farmers, Federated Farmers says. The warning comes as councils consider rating changes that could see some rural ratepayers facing massive increases – including a potential 144% hike for Carterton dairy farmers. Federated Farmers Wairarapa president Robert Hickson says the situation unfolding in Carterton is an example of a council getting it seriously wrong. “We’re all for greater local government cost restraint, but cuts to spending and changes to how council costs are shared must be balanced and fair. “What we’re seeing proposed in Carterton is completely out of line. The council there is considering hitting farmers with a triple whammy of changes that would send their rates bills through the roof.” Farmers in the district are currently on a 0.8 rates differential, meaning

they pay rates on 80% of their property value compared to 100% for urban properties. That recognises their higher property capital values and that many farmers make little or no use of council services like rubbish collection, street lighting or footpaths. But Carterton councillors are considering wiping the concession and reducing the amount collected through uniform charges – the fairest way of spreading costs evenly across all ratepayers – from 29% to 20%. “The third blow is the council wants to introduce a targeted roading rate, collecting much more from forestry and farming, based on the argument that heavy vehicles cause more damage to rural roads,” Hickson says. “It’s a raid on farmers’ wallets because Carterton’s pastoral farmers’ bills will jump an average 18.4%, dairy farmers 144% and forestry properties an eye-watering 793%.” Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra

CLOSE: Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says Feds will be watching councils closely as they work through their budgets and rating proposals.

Faulkner also points to Gore, where farmers are facing a potential rates hike of 28%. She says these cases should be a warning to councils across the country. “The rates cap shouldn’t become a game of moving the costs around until farmers end up picking up the tab. “Councils need to find genuine savings, not simply shift the burden from one group of ratepayers to another.” The Government’s legislation for a 2-4% cap on rates increases passed its first reading in Parliament in August and will go to select committee early in the new term. While the cap wouldn’t take full effect until 2029, councils must factor it in as they confirm their longterm plan budgets next year. Faulkner, a former district councillor, says there’s a common misunderstanding that needs clearing up. “When people hear rates will be capped at 4%, they assume no individual property owner’s rates bill can increase by more than 4%. “But that’s not true because the cap is a cap on the total revenue a council collects through general rates and uniform charges.” Because of the backlog of work on drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, the cap doesn’t apply to those costs. It also doesn’t apply to other charges, such as for resource consents, dog registration, swimming pool entry, and other council fees. “We acknowledge that councils are under financial pressure from rising costs for fuel, insurance, electricity and construction supplies. “However, we’re keeping a very close eye out for any councils talking about fee hikes or changes that sneakily put more of the cost onto rural ratepayers,” Faulkner says. Those concerns are already playing

“Feds contracts are the best you can get on the market.” - Sam Ebbett Taranaki dairy farmer Federated Farmers sharefarmer chair

The trusted voice of farmers

TRUCK TOLL: A Carterton council move to base a new targeted road rate on heavy vehicle use is a short-sighted move that will undermine district prosperity, Robert Hickson says. out in Carterton, where Federated Farmers Wairarapa is pushing back on the proposed changes. The group held a public meeting in September attended by nearly 90 farmers, who challenged figures and assumptions underpinning a consultant’s report on the proposed roading rate.

The rates cap shouldn’t become a game of moving the costs around until farmers end up picking up the tab. Sandra Faulkner Federated Farmers local government spokesperson One concern raised was that freight tonnage is only an indirect proxy for pavement damage, with factors such as axle loading, distances travelled and trip frequency also important. Hickson warned the council needs to get its numbers right before proceeding.

“Farming is a strength of our local economy and it’s short-sighted to slap a bunch of extra costs on us, especially without accurate data and analysis behind it. “Scrapping the rural differential and reducing uniform charges is simply not a fair way to share the general rates burden. “Those tools were put in place to offset the fact that farmers have large properties so they can raise stock. “Farmers’ rates bills easily run into tens of thousands of dollars but they use no more council services than a family in town – in fact, often less. “The council would be far better off focusing on growing Carterton’s economic pie, rather than making ratings changes to extract more from farmers.” Faulkner says Feds will be watching councils closely as they work through their budgets and rating proposals. “Farmers shouldn’t become the easy target when councils are under pressure to contain rates rises.”

26 Real Estate

The West Coast: Where owning your own farm is still very much within reach We talk a lot about getting the next generation on the rural property ladder, but if young farmers want to take opportunities, the West Coast deserves a serious look. Sometimes it pays to look at the numbers, not just your local postcode.

For aspiring farm owners who have built equity, livestock and experience but are finding it hard to secure their first farm, the Coast offers something different. The West Coast offers a quality of life that is hard to compare and needs to be lived to be understood, with most farm businesses being self-contained owner-operator farming businesses. Historically, the West Coast was seen as the place to get a foothold and trade your way up in farming. Dairying on the Coast is underpinned by Westland Milk Products, a proven international dairy company. Last season was very much a nod to the good old days, with 20 West Coast dairy farms changing hands for approximately $63.5 million. Reflecting improved farm profitability, stronger balance sheets, and confidence on the part of rural lenders in the longer-term outlook for the Coast.

The average dairy farm sold last season was 165 effective hectares, producing around 125,000kgMS, with a median sale price of $3.2 million or approximately $19,000 per effective hectare. These numbers illustrate why the West Coast continues to attract attention. There are also different ways to make the move. Alongside dairy units, grazing and finishing opportunities can provide another pathway into land ownership or complement an existing farming business. Buying a farm on the West Coast, like anywhere, requires good due diligence. Location, infrastructure, climatic risk and capital expenditure all matter, and the market is clearly distinguishing between quality properties and those requiring significant investment. Our team can play a big role in ensuring you get good advice on location and climate influences too. The good news is it only rains at night.

“For some, the opportunity may not be where they originally expected to find it.” West Coast dairy farms continue to trade at a substantial discount compared to other established dairy regions, while producing superior operating returns. We are now seeing the next generation viewing this differential as the opportunity to get ahead. At Property Brokers, one of our goals is to help more young New Zealanders take that first step onto the rural property ladder. For some, the opportunity may not be where they originally expected to find it. The West Coast could just be the place to start. Call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz. Conrad Wilkshire, GM Rural for Property Brokers Ltd Q038448

Karamea 302 Kohaihai Road

Proven performer

Karamea 451 Umere Road

273.56 ha

For Sale $4,950,000 + GST (if any) Located in the reliable Karamea farming district, this wellView By appointment established 273 ha dairy unit offers scale, proven production and Web pb.co.nz/WER212521 sound infrastructure. Comprising approx. 260 effective ha, benefitting from a mild coastal climate providing reliable grassgrowing conditions, with the property achieving a three-year average production of 180,455 kgMS, supported by a predominantly pasture-based system. Infrastructure includes a 36 ASHB dairy shed, a 60m x 20m herd home and multiple implement Gareth Cox sheds. Accommodation is well catered for with a four-bed main M 021 250 9714 home, three-bed dwelling and quarters. A well-resourced dairy Paul Murray operation offering proven performance, substantial infrastructure and genuine value. M 027 256 9967

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

Karamu Farm - the complete package

462.65 ha

Offered to the market for the first time in 143 years, Karamu Farm For Sale $4,800,000 + GST (if any) View By appointment presents a rare opportunity to secure a proven, fully integrated Web pb.co.nz/WER208575 dairy operation in the tightly held Karamea district. Comprising 462 ha, including a 186 ha effective milking platform and adjoining 74 ha effective runoff, this self-contained, pasture-based operation milks approximately 460 cows, delivering a six-year production average of 181,787 kgMS. Well-developed infrastructure includes a 30-bail rotary dairy shed, two herd homes, Gareth Cox extensive farm buildings and three well-maintained dwellings. M 021 250 9714 Benefiting from a mild climate, reliable grass growth and a Paul Murray stunning northern Buller location, Karamu offers a proven dairy system. M 027 256 9967

Proud to be here

Gareth & Anna Inchbonnie 3052 Kumara-Inchbonnie Road

Inchbonnie 2699 Lake Brunner Road Tender

Affordable scale - dairy, grazing and finishing

308.96 ha

308 ha farm with 230 ha effective grazing, strategically located at Tender closes 3.00pm, Tue 24th Inchbonnie, just 50 minutes from Greymouth and within two hours Nov, 2026 (unless sold prior), Property Brokers Greymouth, 33 of the Canterbury Plains. Previously operated as a seasonal supply Tainui Street, Greymouth dairy farm and currently utilised for cattle finishing, this versatile View By appointment property offers purchasers the flexibility to reinstate dairy Web pb.co.nz/GYR230962

production or continue as a productive dairy support or finishing operation. An established infrastructure package includes a 40 ASHB dairy shed with rectangular yard and meal feeding system, large concrete feed pad, modern cattle yards, a range of farm buildings and two dwellings. Scale, versatility and genuine potential underpin this farming opportunity.

Gareth Cox M 021 250 9714 Anna Hart M 027 294 9678

Kowhitirangi 212-222 Municipal Road

Highly regarded Kowhitirangi dairy unit Situated just 20 minutes from Hokitika, this 201 ha dairy unit combines proven production, scale and well-established infrastructure in a sought-after West Coast location. Currently milking 380 cows, the property produced 147,000 kgMS in the 2025/26 season, with the herd wintered on farm, offering an established platform for ongoing dairy production. Farm infrastructure is a key feature, including a well-equipped 36 ASHB with ACRs and an in-shed meal feeding system, designed to support efficient milking and day-to-day management. The property also includes a comprehensive range of outbuildings, a fully enclosed workshop and three tidy homes.

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

Tender

Dairy, dairy support, finishing - you choose Offering genuine versatility in a strategic West Coast location, this 198 ha farm located at Inchbonnie presents an excellent opportunity for purchasers seeking a productive and adaptable farming operation. With the option to reinstate the seasonal supply dairy operation or utilise the property as a highly capable dairy support or livestock finishing unit. The property boasts a productive mix of alluvial soils and sound farm infrastructure, including a 30 ASHB dairy shed with a meal feeding system and ACRs, complemented by a permanent-material three-bedroom homestead. Located within 2 hours of the Canterbury Plains and 50 minutes from Greymouth, this versatile farming asset offers potential.

198.7 ha Tender closes 3.00pm, Tue 24th Nov, 2026 (unless sold prior), Property Brokers Greymouth, 33 Tainui Street, Greymouth View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/GYR230961

Gareth Cox M 021 250 9714 Anna Hart M 027 294 9678

Kowhitirangi 192-306 Johnston Road

201.52 ha For Sale From $4,650,000 + GST (if any) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/HKR203892

Gareth Cox M 021 250 9714 Anna Hart M 027 294 9678

Proven platform, production potential

208.62 ha

Situated in the highly sought-after Kowhitirangi Valley, this 208 ha For Sale From $4,690,000 + GST (if dairy unit, comprising approximately 206 ha effective, presents an any) View By appointment outstanding opportunity to secure a well-established and Web pb.co.nz/HKR102662 productive farming operation with scope to lift production. Currently milking 390 cows, the property has achieved a solid threeyear average of 132,000 kgMS. With established infrastructure, quality support facilities and a well-developed farming platform, there is further potential to build on current production levels and Anna Hart unlock the farm's productive capability. Infrastructure is a real M 027 294 9678 strength, featuring a 34 ASHB cowshed with a 350 cow yard and Gareth Cox dedicated AI race, together with a 250 cow herd home. M 021 250 9714

Proud to be here

Whataroa 117 Burrough Road

Whataroa 331 State Highway 6 New Listing

First farm opportunity Positioned on the productive Whataroa Flats in South Westland, this 125.184 ha dairy farm offers an excellent opportunity for first farm buyers or established operators looking to expand their farming business. Featuring productive, free-draining alluvial soils, reliable rainfall and a well-developed dairy platform, the property is currently milking approximately 280 cows, producing 97,484 kgMS in the 2025/26 season. The farm is well laid out, subdivided into 56 paddocks and offers good access. Improvements include a tidy 22 ASHB with in-shed feeding, modern calf rearing facilities and a comfortable four-bedroom home.

125.18 ha For Sale From $2,825,000 + GST (if any) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/HKR235392

Gareth Cox M 021 250 9714 Anna Hart M 027 294 9678

Greenstreet 96 Ashburton Staveley Road

New Listing

Versatile grazing opportunity

112 ha (approx.) bare land, alluvial soils, established laneways, electric fencing and gravity-fed stock water support a productive farming system. Improvements include a three-bedroom, twobathroom home, a substantial engineering workshop with threephase power, and a range of farm sheds. With a proven grazing history, extensive infrastructure and seven separate titles, this is an opportunity with plenty of options.

A substantial property of approximately 36.46 ha offering a quality home, excellent versatility and plenty of scope for its next chapter, all in proximity to town. The impressive four-bedroom homestead provides generous living areas, tasteful finishes and well-maintained grounds. The surrounding land and infrastructure are currently utilised for equine pursuits, including horse training and breeding, alongside lamb and cattle finishing. With irrigation in place, the scale and configuration also provide scope for calf rearing, arable farming, horticulture, stock grazing or a centrally located contractor's base, giving the property broad appeal across several rural enterprises.

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

Anna Hart M 027 294 9678 Gareth Cox M 021 250 9714

Clarendon 49 Phosphate Road Deadline Sale

Enviable lifestyle and versatility

113.89 ha

Deadline Sale closes Wednesday Located just 5 km from Whataroa township, this versatile 113.89 25th November, 2026 at 4.00pm, ha property (80 ha effective) across seven titles offers genuine (unless sold prior) flexibility for grazing, cut and carry or contracting operations. View By appointment Offered as a 1.63 ha lifestyle block inclusive of the homestead, plus Web pb.co.nz/HKR238813

36.46 ha Deadline Sale closes Tuesday 3rd November, 2026 at 12.00pm, (unless sold prior) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/AR224521

Jason Rickard M 027 245 8495

Deadline Sale

Quality dairy unit with genuine upside

283.25 ha

Clarendon Farm presents an outstanding opportunity to secure an Deadline Sale closes Thursday 29th October, 2026 at 12.00pm, (unless established 283.25 ha dairy operation, strategically located sold prior) between Milton and Waihola. Currently milking approximately 570 View By appointment cows, the farm has a proven history of consistent production, Web pb.co.nz/DNR227548 achieving between 225,000 kgMS - 237,500 kgMS over recent seasons. The property comprises approximately 215 ha of effective dairy platform, with a further 46 ha utilised for runoff and John Faulks support grazing, providing a well-balanced, practical farming M 027 452 5800 operation. The property is well equipped with a 38 ASHB, modern Joe Latta two-pond effluent system consented to 2035, feed pad, calving M 027 224 7112 shed and a range of supporting farm infrastructure. Ray Kean M 027 435 7478

Proud to be here

Phil & Paul Kinleith 91 State Highway 30 Auction

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Proven production. Proven returns.

112.7 ha

A high-performing dairy unit combining proven production, excellent infrastructure and a highly desirable location. Set across 112.69 ha in two freehold titles, this predominantly flat, fully irrigated property is just 23 minutes from Rotorua, 30 minutes from Taupo and 20 minutes from Tokoroa. Production tells the story, with a three-year average of 197,164 kgMS from 375 cows, or approximately 1,950 kgMS/ha. The farm includes a 22 ASHB, complete with in-shed feeding. Two Herd Homes with solids bunkers provide ease with wintering management. Three homes provide genuine flexibility for family and staff. This truly is a proven dairy performer in a central location. Properties of this calibre are rarely available. Contact Phil or Paul for further information.

Auction 11.00am, Mon 2nd Nov, 2026, (unless sold prior), Tokoroa Event Centre, 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa 3420 View Thu 22 Oct 11.00 - 12.00pm Thu 29 Oct 11.00 - 12.00pm Web pb.co.nz/RTR225185 Phil Badger M 027 357 5704

E phil.badger@pb.co.nz

Paul O'Sullivan M 027 496 4417

E paulo@pb.co.nz

Whakamaru 850 Sandel Road Auction

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Scale and opportunity Some farms simply work, and this is one of them. Set on a north-westerly aspect at 850 Sandel Road is a selfcontained dairy operation with the scale and opportunity. Held in two separate titles, the property gives you genuine flexibility. Around 277 ha of rolling dairy land is backed by a further 100 ha of dairy support land, while 31 ha of mixed-age pines (outside the ETS) add future income. All animals are wintered on and fully self-contained. At the heart of the farm sits a centrally placed 50-bail rotary, serviced by a well-formed central race network. Two bores supply header tanks that gravity-feed troughs in every paddock. An electric pump in the unlined effluent pond (recent pond drop test on file) spreads the effluent by travelling irrigator over approximately 40 ha. Milking an average of 550 cows, the farm consistently produces around 235,000 kgMS, peaking at 265,000 kgMS, leaving room for more future production.

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

405.44 ha Auction 11.00am, Mon 2nd Nov, 2026, Tokoroa Event Centre, 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa 3420 View Wed 21 Oct 11.00 - 12.00pm Wed 28 Oct 11.00 - 12.00pm Web pb.co.nz/RTR236380 Phil Badger M 027 357 5704

E phil.badger@pb.co.nz

Paul O'Sullivan M 027 496 4417

E paulo@pb.co.nz Proud to be here

Piarere 58 Nicholson Road Auction

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Productive dairy farm with great infrastructure

97.43 ha

58 Nicholson Road is a well-established dairy property offering a great combination of production, infrastructure and accommodation. Our vendors have plans in place and are ready to see this property move to its next chapter. Currently milking around 300 cows through a 30 ASHB, the property is well set up for efficient dairy farming, with an in-shed feed system and automated cup removers with a Bovonic system on every second cup. The infrastructure continues to impress, with a feed pad, maize bunker, three-bay calf shed and four-bay implement shed, providing plenty of space for the day-to-day running of the farm. The property currently has a 50:50 sharemilker who is in his last year and has produced 113,000 kgMS for the 2026 season. The farm’s record production of 125,980 kgMS in 2020 demonstrates its productive capability, particularly given its 97.43 ha (more or less), including approximately 95 ha effective.

Auction 11.00am, Tue 17th Nov, 2026, Onsite, 58 Nicholson Road View Wed 21 Oct 11.00 - 12.30pm Web pb.co.nz/PTR238460 Scott Mathis M 027 298 3318

E scott.mathis@pb.co.nz

Ian Morgan M 027 492 5878

E ian.morgan@pb.co.nz

Halcombe 6 Managhs Road Tender

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Productive country living, perfectly positioned Positioned less than 10 km from Feilding, 6 Managhs Road is an outstanding rural holding combining genuine farming performance with an exceptional family home. The flat to gently rolling contour is approximately 90% cultivable, underpinned by productive Marton loam and Halcombe silt loam soils, complemented by a strong fertiliser history. Thirteen main paddocks, excellent deer fencing, metalled laneways and reliable reticulated water provide a highly functional farming platform. Currently operated as a sheep and beef finishing property, the farm typically finishes 2,000-2,500 lambs annually at 22-23 kg, alongside approximately 80 cattle. Quality infrastructure includes a three-stand woolshed, large implement shed and excellent stock facilities. A true standout is the impressive 298 m² homestead. Privately positioned, this four-bedroom plus office home is surrounded by expansive lawns and manicured gardens.

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

72.42 ha Tender closes 11.00am, Wed 18th Nov, 2026, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/FR237801 Ted Shannon M 021 833 536

E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Blair Cottrill M 027 354 5419

E blair@pb.co.nz Proud to be here

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

AGRIBUSINESS

FOR SALE

DAIRY PLATFORM DELIVERS SCALE & OPPORTUNITY IN KAIPARA 455 WEST COAST ROAD, TE KŌPURU, KAIPARA, NORTHLAND A proven Northland dairy platform is coming to market at 455 West Coast Road, Te Kōpuru, comprising approximately 179.6 hectares with 175 hectares of effective dairy platform. Production reached 306,529 kgMS in 2025/26 from a 507-cow peak herd, up from 283,906 kgMS the previous season. 11.1 tDM/ha of feed grown on the milking platform, supported by an established operating system and infrastructure. Improvements include a 33-aside herringbone dairy shed, centrally located feed pad, 61 main paddocks, limestone races, three bores and two three-bedroom homes. A leased runoff block supporting wintering, young stock and supplement production is also available by negotiation. 455 West Coast Road offers an established dairy operation with a solid production base and scope for an incoming owner to build on its performance.

Clint Brereton

James Burke

Warwick Searle

027 897 1161

021 824 145

021 362 778

FOR SALE BY TENDER, Closing 4pm, Wednesday 4th November 2026 (unless sold prior)

SEARLEAGRI.CO.NZ

Waikato CR Ltd | Forestry Sales Ltd trading as Searle Agribusiness | Colliers Licensed REAA 2008

1637 Parewanui Road, BULLS304.8855 HECTARES ( 753 acres) OPIAKO NEW LISTING

950 cow (peak), 246 hectare / 607 acre dairy farm located in Bulls, the heart of dairy country in the Rangitikei. • With a current lease of 80 ha, the property is 294 hectares effective. • Consented for irrigation which covers approx. 205 hectares. • 46 aside Herringbone shed with in-shed feeder. • Four houses. Invest in dairy, where GREEN is GOLD

Jerome Pitt

Limited edition 85.60 ha (more or less)

Don’t get caught napping. This impressive 86-hectare dairy farm has consistently produced approximately 2100kgs/ms/ha, averaging 180,000 kgs /ms for the last 15 years. The two huge composting barns, location, contour, and presentation all add to this properties appeal. Two dwellings complete the package. The main being a beautifully presented three-bedroom brick home with sleepout.

Enquire today Interested parties must rely solely on their own enquiries. We cannot guarantee or give any warranty about the information provided. All information contained therein is gathered from relevant third party sources.

Matamata Club (unless sold prior) VIEW

Tues 20th & 27th Oct 11am - 12pm AGENTS

Rex Butterworth 021 348 276 Peter Begovich 027 476 5787 AGENCY

LJ Hooker Matamata Link Realty Limited Licensed Agent REA 2008

1480 State Highway 1, GLEN OROUA NEW LISTING

114 hectare / 281 acre flat to easy dairy unit located at Glen Oroua, approx. 33 km Enquire Now! west of Palmerston North. • Currently milking 350 cows. Contact: For Farms (NZ) Ltd • Opiako—304.8855 hectares (753 acres) for Information Memorandum • Irrigation consent in place. • Arguably the most admired sheep and cattle • Pivot irrigator and K Line. finishing farm in the district, only 13km east of Dannevirke • 26 aside Herringbone shed. • Excellent balance of contour, fertile flats, • Four bedroom home.

30 Mangahei Rd, Dannevirke

undulating easy to medium hill Call me today for more • First class improvements and facilities; four information & to book your bedroom homestead, 3 stand woolshed, covered appointment to view yards, cattle yards and satellite yards Jerome Pitt Craig Boyden Graeme Thomson • Price on Application. Rural Lifestyle M: 027 443 2738 M: 027 &450 7681 Specialist

LK0124930©

331 Milliken Road, Richmond Downs AUCTION Thurs 29th Oct 11am

Rural & Lifestyle Specialist 027 242 2199 jeromep@forfarms.co.nz Licensed under the REA 2008

www.forfarms.co.nz - Property ID FF4204

O: 06 374 4105 E: craigb@forfarms.co.nz

O: 06 374 4108027 242 2199 jeromep@forfarms.co.nz E: Graemet@forfarms.co.nz Licensed under the REA 2008

www.forfarms.co.nz 06 374 4104

Cambridge 66 Hopehill Lane

Prestigious Te Miro farm

265.82 ha

Hopehill Farm stands as one of Te Miro's most recognised rural holdings, developed over the years into a high performing dairy grazing and cattle finishing operation. The recent addition of 6.6 canopy hectares of Hayward kiwifruit provides a valuable new income stream, with first harvest scheduled for 2027. 225ha is effective grazing, supported by excellent fertility and contour, while the balance includes 25ha of native bush and plantings and 16ha of blue gum forestry. Infrastructure includes two homes, woolshed, implement shed, workshop, hay barns and yards. Water is sourced from two bores and three dams. Named as a finalist in the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, its environmental stewardship has been formally recognised. With the hard work completed and multiple income streams in place, Hopehill Farm is ready for new owners to reap the rewards.

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 12 Nov 2026 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 12-1pm Wed 21 Oct & Wed 28 Oct Dave Kilbride 027 436 7082 dave.kilbride@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2317166

NEW LISTING

Boundary lines are indicative only

Hawke's Bay 1626 Tikokino Road, Tikokino

182 hectares of quality flat land

182.4 ha

Not often does a sizeable parcel of Class 1, 2 and 3 flat land come to the market. Located only three kilometres from Tikokino and 18 kilometres west of Waipawa township, this land has been faithfully farmed as a sheep and beef finishing unit for 124 years. With fully reticulated water and conventional fencing, this farm has the variation in soil type to cater for the different seasons. Providing a tidy woolshed, covered sheep yards complex and a set of cattle yards, it is the complete farm, perfect as an additional finishing unit or as a standalone farm. An appealing four bedroom bungalow home is nicely set in established gardens and tops off this fantastic flat farming opportunity. Retiring vendor wants it sold.

Auction 12pm, Fri 6 Nov 2026 15 Havelock Road, Havelock North View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz Chris Heenan 027 599 3527 chris.heenan@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/2854714

bayleys.co.nz

EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

NEW LISTING

Boundary lines are indicative only

Bombay 468 Pinnacle Hill Road

Ashburton 405 Upper Downs Road, Mt Somers

Counties Custom Kill

Step into this rare opportunity – a blend of lifestyle and wellestablished income with a solid foundation, excellent community goodwill, and top-tier facilities, Counties Custom Killing is ready for immediate handover. Information pack available on application

Wakare - diverse sustainability

3.06 ha

• Locally and regionally renown as one of the finest, and wellestablished home-kill & recreational butcheries in Auckland • Includes – House and lifestyle on a 3.06ha (more or less) block and business only 6km from SH1 Bombay • Annual processing income exceeding $1,000,000 gross • Dedicated team of experienced butchery staff in situ

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 2pm, Wed 11 Nov 2026 8 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe View by appointment Ben Jameson 021 568 800 ben.jameson@bayleys.co.nz James Macmillan 021 242 9653 james.macmillan@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, PUKEKOHE, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, AUCKLAND CENTRAL, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Set amongst the rolling foothills of the renowned Surrey Hills district, offering a well-balanced mix of productive farmland, extensive infrastructure and providing scale with diversity across multiple livestock enterprises. Significant development in recent years has increased production and revenue across the Angus herd, breeding deer unit and ewe flock with flexibility to respond to market conditions. Quality improvements and developed with a strong focus on productivity and sustainability. A rare opportunity to secure a substantial, proven and highly regarded Mid Canterbury farming property.

1,465.5539 ha Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 19 Nov 2026 3 Deans Avenue, Chch View by appointment Mike Preston 027 430 7041 mike.preston@bayleys.co.nz Rob McConachy 021 823 406 rob.mcconachy@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/5531426

bayleys.co.nz/1973075

NEW POSSIBILITIES

SPRING

Find your perfect rural or lifestyle property in the latest edition of Bayleys’ Country. Showcasing opportunities across New Zealand, this issue connects buyers with the land while exploring key industry insights, including the next generation of farming families approaching succession with greater conﬁdence and more options, and valuable Trans-Tasman lessons as differing market cycles provide fresh perspectives for rural property owners.

For your copy of Bayleys’ Country portfolio, call 0800 BAYLEYS or visit bayleys.co.nz/country LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

The next generation

Farming families are approaching succession with greater conﬁdence and more choices.

Trans-Tasman lessons

Different market cycles are offering valuable insights for rural property owners.

FEATURING FEATURING

89 142

RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND

FARM, SPECIALTY AND LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES FOR PROPERTIES FORSALE SALE ISSUE 2 2– – 2026 2025 ISSUE

Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services

SPRING 2026

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST RURAL LISTINGS! NEW ISSUE OUT NOW SCAN TO READ ONLINE pggwre.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

AUCTION

WAIPUKURAU CENTRAL HAWKE'S BAY 231 Lindsay Road

AUCTION Plus GST (if any) Will not be sold prior 11.00am, Fri 6 Nov Centralines, 17 Couglan Rd, Waipukurau

Productive Bare Land Close to Town Held in three titles on both the northern and southern sides of Lindsay Road, this well positioned 110.0505ha bare land property is located just 3.2km from the Waipukurau town centre. The land is predominantly flat, with a small area of rolling contour. All titles benefit from either direct road frontage or legal right-ofway access.

throughout the property. An additional dam also provides supplementary water.

VIEW 11.00-12.00pm, Thursday 22 October

A proven rural holding in a sought-after location, this property presents an excellent opportunity for farming, finishing, support land or future investment.

Wills Buchanan M 027 462 9716 E wills.buchanan@pggwrightson.co.nz Paul Harper M 027 494 4854 E paul.harper@pggwrightson.co.nz

The property is well fenced to a good conventional standard and is complemented by both two-bay and five-bay hay barns. Water is supplied from a reliable bore and reticulated to troughs pggwre.co.nz/WPK44129

EXCLUSIVE

PUKEHINA Glendene Farms Portfolio • • •

• • • •

Large scale self-contained dairy operation Milking 1,520 cows across two dairy units under System 2 management 1000 cows through a 50-bail rotary with ACR, ATS and in-shed feeding, plus a 40ASHB on the 520-cow unit with extensive accommodation 464ha (approx) support block in Te Kuiti Herd available to purchasers, featuring over 50 years of breeding and genetic development Outstanding investment opportunity rarely seen at this scale in BOP Flexible purchase options available

AUCTION

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 3.00pm, Wednesday 11 November

VIEW As advertised online or phone for viewing times

TE PUKE, BOP 364 Te Matai Road Talk About Dress-Circle! • • • • • •

Tim Gallagher M 027 801 2888 E tim.gallagher@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TEP44081

•

9.2015ha on one title at 85-105m elevation (approx) 4.09ha G3 and 1.08ha R19 all on ag-beam 18,000 plant (approx) tunnel house nursery Sheds, workshop and a concrete loadout pad Four bedroom, two bathroom double-glazed solid brick home The sale includes 2027 crop proceeds and 4.09ha G3 and 1.08ha R19 licences No prior offers. Will not be sold prior to Auction date

AUCTION

Plus GST (if any) Will not be sold prior 1pm, Thur 29 Oct, The Citizens RSA 179 Jellicoe St, Te Puke

VIEW 12.00-1.00pm Tuesday 20 October

Tim Gallagher M 027 801 2888 E tim.gallagher@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TEP44070

NEW ISSUE OUT NOW SCAN TO READ ONLINE PGGWRE.CO.NZ

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Real Estate

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

NEW LISTING

HANMER SPRINGS 163 Woodbank Road 'Rollesby' 325ha Farming Opportunity Positioned minutes from Hanmer Springs, comprising 325 hectares, Rollesby is a standout property combining a proven finishing unit with an exceptional rural lifestyle. Well-balanced and versatile, it has a strong production history and has benefited from ongoing investment and development. It offers appeal for finishing, dairy support or land banking. Reliable infrastructure, extensive farm improvements, a four-bedroom homestead and a tidy two-bedroom cottage complete the package.

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm, 26 November

Peter Crean M 027 434 4002 E pcrean@pggwrightson.co.nz Mark Clyne M 027 531 2964 E mark.clyne@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/RAN44167 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Helping grow the country

Marketplace 37

Marketplace HIGH COUNTRY JOURNEYS

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

LK0125666©

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2027/28 SEASON

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

Contact Fred today

fredsfencing.co.nz

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

Donated by basilwalker27@gmail.com Queenstown

Please refer www.splityourvote for confirmation

Ph: 027 22 88 190

4X4 TAGALONG TOURS Bring your own 4X4 on a guided small group tour to discover Marlborough’s high country.

jobs

✓ Tactical Voting Maximum Impact ✓ Split your Vote Grow your Team ✓ Two Votes Two Different Parties ✓ NO wasted Votes Assist the Election

CONNECTING RURAL EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS

LK0125729©

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

Neutral Critical Election Information

LK0125491©

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

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

All your rural and farm quantity surveying needs – NZ wide.

Tour 1 Molesworth, St James, Rainbow and other stations. Meet farmers, 4-star farm accommodation, hot tubs, chef cuisine. NEW ITINERARY

Molesworth Cycle Tours for group bookings by arrangement

Dates: Feb 8-12, Feb 24-28, March 20-24, April 3-7

Tour 2: Central Otago, Maniototo, historic pubs & trails, local guides to unique places. Meet farmers, farm visits, quality accommodation

E: info@southislandtoursnz.com • www.southislandtoursnz.com

LET’S CUT A DEAL Your destination for quality used machinery available now for immediate delivery.

P: Chris 0274 887 401 E: chris@bycroftgroup.co.nz

70,000

129,900

+ GST

2001 Bateman RB25 Self-Propelled Ashburton

50,000

+ GST

2021 Househam Harrier H4 Ashburton

47,000

+ GST

2007 Fliegl ASW 271 Push Trailer $63,500 + GST Dunedin

360,000

+ GST

2022 AMAZONE UX 3200 Special Timaru

LK0125745©

Ph: 0274 351 955

lk0125664©

Dates: March 4-8, March 16-20

88,000

+ GST

2019 AMAZONE ZA-TS 4200 Ashburton

+ GST

2018 New Holland T7.190 Taranaki

claasharvestcentre.com

53,000

26-215—OCT

49,000

+ GST

2013 Deutz Fahr AGROTRON 610 Northland $59,900 + GST

2018 CLAAS LINER 3600 Bay of Plenty

79,500

+ GST

2014 JCB 418S Taranaki

+ GST

38 MPlace-LStock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Marketplace CLASSIFIEDS ANIMAL HANDLING

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

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

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

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

ATTENTION FARMERS WE BUY MILK! Got rejected milk or surplus milk? Call us today on 027 871 5075. We collect within 1.5 hours drive from Te Awamutu. Farrelly Calves Limited.

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

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

0800 436 566 90¢ BALES / 80¢ FADGES per kg for dags. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 027 458 2727.

DOGS FOR SALE

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

Nomination for Director

Nominations are now open to fill one Director vacancy on the Board of Alliance Co-operative. Current Director, Jared Collie, is retiring by rotation and has advised he will not be standing for re-election. Appointments take effect from the AGM planned for 15 January 2027. The following are the desirable key attributes for the Director of Alliance Cooperative. 1. Alignment to Alliance Group and the co-operative ethos. 2. Sound judgement and commitment to informed, evidence-based decision making. 3. Strategic thinking: ability to assess risks, opportunities, and long-term impacts. 4. High personal integrity and courage: upholding ethical standards and acting in the best interests of the Co-operative. 5. Effective communication: clear, respectful, and influential in a team environment. 6. Commercial acumen: understanding of investment, financial performance, and value creation. 7. Governance experience: prior experience in governance, preferably in substantive entities, and motivation demonstrated by self-development to build capability as a governor. 8. Experience in agribusiness or meat industry is highly desirable. Nominees may be assessed by the current Board and an independent governance adviser. The governance assessment process may involve nominees completing a self-assessment against the criteria listed above, a consideration of strategic reasoning, and governance reference checks. The assessment would then create a summary of the nominee’s profile and ratings against the desired key attributes, with the summaries accompanying the bios prepared by the nominees for voting shareholders. Nominations must be made on the official form, which can be obtained from the Returning Officer. Each nomination form must be signed by the nominee. Nominations must be received by the Returning Officer by 3.00pm on Monday, 9 November 2026. Under Alliance Co-operative’s governance structure, two directors of Alliance Group are appointed from among the directors of Alliance Co-operative. Accordingly, nominees should be aware that, if elected to the Board of Alliance Co-operative, they may be considered for appointment to the Board of Alliance Group. Completed nominations can be emailed to nominations@electionz.com Warwick Lampp Returning Officer - Alliance Co-operative Phone: 0800 666 045 Email: vote@electionz.com

4 MALE BLACK and tan pups. 4 months old. Parents and older sibling are good farm dogs. Phone 0274 351 138.

FLOOR COATING HIGH-IMPACT POLYUREA. Seamless floor coating, chemical resistant bonds to multiple surfaces. Closedcell spray foam ideal for large sheds and warmer drier buildings. Phone 021 217 4428.

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

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

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

PEST CONTROL

enviroMate 100TM The automatic dispensing bait station

SET AND LEAVE To lure • To safely dispense poison to possums , rodents, mustelids & wild cats. Contact Shane: 021 326 563 A/H: 09 405 1376 Email: enviromate100@gmail.com www.enviromate.co.nz

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

SALE TALK A FARMER in the country has a watermelon patch and upon inspection he discovers that some of the local kids have been helping themselves to a feast. The farmer thinks of ways to discourage this profit-eating situation. So he puts up a sign that reads: “WARNING! ONE OF THESE WATERMELONS CONTAINS CYANIDE!” He smiled smugly as he watched the kids run off the next night without eating any of his melons. The farmer returns to the watermelon patch a week later to discover that none of the watermelons have been eaten, but finds another sign that reads: “NOW THERE ARE TWO!”

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

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

Livestock CLEARINGSALE MEADOWFLOWER FARMING FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER - 11AM 251 Brodies Road, Broomfield

Major Machinery Items Claas Rollant 455 Uniwrap Baler (latest model, film on film, private import), Claas Avero 240 Harvester with fold in 5.4m x 4.5m front end (as new, 34 hrs, private import), Claas Axion 810 4WD Tractor (3800hrs) with Claas Disco 3200FC Front Mower and Claas Disco 8500C Contour Back Mower, Duncan Renovator AS3000 Drill (electric calibration) Machinery Claas 640 Arion Tractor (6050hrs), Series 200 Power Harrow, Quick Hitch, 20T Grain Wagon, Seppi Mulcher, Hustler Applic8r LX890 Spray & Boom (as new), Amazone AD303 Super Direct Drill, Deutz Fahr Agrotron 105 4WD Tractor (5147hrs, FED), Grain Bin Smart Easy, Bayliner 2255 Sunbridge Mercruiser V8 Motor Boat & Trailer, Superaxe Wood Splitter, Claas Disco 3000 TC Plus Hay Conditioner Mower, Vogel & Noot Reversible Plough, Croplands Spray Unit & Boom 500L, Claas Disco 3000 AS Hay Conditioner Mower, Briford Tandem Trailer, Pearson Grader Blade, Caterpillar D4D Bulldozer, Heavy Roller 8ft (Water Ballast), Maxam 3300 II Mower, Rata Front Forks, 3.0m Simba X-Press Cultivator, Duncan Uni-Roller 10ft (tyre), Jean de Bru (Kvernland Discs), 103 Trailing Maxitill, Claas Disco 3100 TC Mower Conditioner, Farm King 25ft Grain Auger, Lyco Hydraulic Post Driver with Extending Height Boom, Swing Out Auger & Side Shift, Purivox Bird Scarer (as new) Plant Honda 8 Outboard Motor, Evasure Metal Lathe, Grease Guns, Electric Tools (numerous), Vices, 5 x Stihl Chainsaws, Nail Gun, Ramset Gun, Work Bench, Clay Bird Thrower, Cigweld Welder, Karcher MV5 Premium, Kroll Diesel Burner, Furniture, Karcher Steam Cleaner, Karcher Water Blaster, 1800HD Advantage Feeder, 3 x Shuttle Fish Fert, 1 x Shuttle Ad-Blue, Spanners & Numerous Tools, Life Jackets, Single Bay Dog Motel, Towball Mounted Dog Box, Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual Drone, Brush Cutters, Pruning Saws, Gun Safes, Wood Planer, Pneumo Multi Deer Crush (Pneumtic Air Powered) Sale will be signposted from Douglas Rd, Amberley. Bidr® online bidding option available if you cannot attend the auction. Last 30 lots only. Photos online at www.hazlett.nz – “What’s On”

Conditions of Sale: As applicable to the NZSSAA. Sale will be conducted purchase price plus GST. All intending purchasers must register prior to the sale. Terms are strictly cash or charge unless prior arrangements have been made with the Auctioneers. Depending on coverage EFTPOS (not credit card) facilities may be available.

Further enquiries: Travis Dalzell 027 202 0196 Tim Rutherford 027 462 0135

Cons

PAKI-ITI ROMN • 170 clients last ye PAKI-ITI ROMNEY

rams and ram hog • 170 clients last year purchased or Bred on an 870ha rams and ram• hoggets. up to 637m asl (20 • Bred on an 870ha hard hill countr • (2090ft). Moderate frame, d up to 637m asl

• Traits on • Moderate frame, deepfocused bodied type parasite resistanc • Traits focused on - growth, fertility • Ten years develop parasite resistance, longevity, hog with sires used tes • Ten years developing a Facial Ecz progeny tested at with sires used tested at .6mg/kg progeny tested at .4mg/kg sporod

PAKI-ITI PAKI ITI ROMT • Twelve years deve PAKI-ITI PAKI ITI ROMTEX

program – better f • Twelve years developing a stabiliz • Off ffering f faster program – better fertility, bettergro str

Traits focused • Off ffering f faster• growth rate andon hig parasite resistanc • Traits focused on – growth, fertility • Romtex rams sold parasite resistance, longevity, hog • Romtex rams sold as 22th rams.

Advertise with us

PAKI-ITI SUFTE • Over 500 terminal PAKI-ITI SUFTEX & PAKI-I

leased last season • Over 500 terminal rams and ram h • Fast Growth, High leased last season. BredMeat for hill count • Fast Growth, •Hight Yield and longevity, structura • Bred for hill country use – Modera • Fourteen years of longevity, structural soundness. hill country. • Fourteen years of wintering ram h hill country. • Incorporating mea and pH). • Incorporating meat quality traits (I • Lease Terminal Ra and pH).

Call Andrea 027 602 4925

• Lease Terminal Ram hog ggets ava CONTACT DETAILS

Stewart Morton: Ph (06 CONTACT DETAILS

Andrew Morton: Ph (06 Stewart Morton: Ph (06) 328 5772 Mob (

Andrew Morton: pakiroms@farmside Ph (06) 328 2856 Mob (

pakiroms@farmside.co.nz www.paki-iti.co

www.paki-iti.co.nz

Livestock 39

Livestock

INTERISLAND TRANSPORT

RUATAHA POLL DORSET

North & South Interisland Livestock Transport Competitive pricing Experienced livestock carriers

Taking bookings now! Colin: 027 858 5217 Colin@valleycattle.co.nz

Top cut Rams 25'

It’s all about the females

Top ram hogget - ranked #2 on SIL weaned 20-nov-25 60.5kg - weighed 7-aug-26 94kg

All Rams - SIL Recorded - EMA recorded - IMF recorded

We are focusing on phenotype backed up with SIL data Enquiries to: Phil King 1365 Tikokino Road, Waipawa Ph: 027 221 4816 Email: pgking@xtra.co.nz

Constitution # Structure # Performance stitution # Structure # Performance

NEY

ear purchased or leased Paki-iti ggets. r leased Paki-iti a hard hill country property rising 090ft). ry property rising deep bodied type of sheep.

Constitution # Structure # Performance Constitution # Constitution Structure # Performance # Structure # Performance

PAKI-ITI ROMNEY

fertility, survival, e- growth, of sheep. Constitution # Structure # Performance PAKI-ITI ROMNEY PAKI-ITI ROMNEY ce, longevity, hogget fertility. y, survival, • 170 clients last year• purchased or last leased Paki-iti 170 clients year purchased or leased Paki-iti • 170 clients last year purchased or leased Paki-iti ping a Facial Eczema sub ﬂock gget fertility. rams and ram hoggets. rams and ram hoggets. PAKI-ITI ROMNEY sted at .6mg/kg sporodesmin and • Bred on an 870ha hard hill country property rising rams and ram hoggets. zema sub ﬂock • Bred on anor870ha hill country property rising • 170 clients last year purchased leasedhard Paki-iti .4mg/kg sporodesmin. up to 637m asl (2090ft). up to 637m asl (2090ft). rams and ram hoggets. sporodesmin and • Bred on an 870ha hard hill • Moderate frame,country deep bodiedproperty type of sheep. rising • Bred on an 870ha hill country property desmin. • hard Moderate frame, deeprising bodied type of sheep.

PAKI-ITI SUFTEX AND SUFFOLK – TERMINAL

• Traits on (2090ft). - growth, fertility, survival, up focused to 637m asl up to 637m asl (2090ft). Traits focused - growth, fertility, survival, parasite resistance,• longevity, hogget on fertility.

• Moderate frame, deep bodied type of sheep. • 500 + Suftex parasite resistance, longevity, hogget fertility. withparasite sires used tested at .6mg/kghogget sporodesmin resistance, longevity, fertility. and and Suffolk rams with sires used tested at .6mg/kg sporodesmin and tested at .4mg/kg sporodesmin. Ten years developing a Facial Eczema sub ﬂock on progeny -• growth, fertility, survival, progeny tested at .4mg/kg sporodesmin. TEX • Traits focused with sires used tested at .6mg/kg sporodesmin and – sold/leased parasite resistance, progeny longevity, hogget fertility. tested at .4mg/kg sporodesmin. eloping a stabilized breeding annually fertility, better structure. • Ten years developing a Facial Eczema sub ﬂock zed breeding

Ten years developing a Facialfertility, Eczema sub ﬂock • Traits focused on - type growth, survival, • Moderate frame,• deep bodied of sheep. • Ten years developing a Facial Eczema sub ﬂock

owth rate and higher meat yield. tested ructure. with sires used .6mg/kg sporodesmin and PAKI-ITI PAKI ITIat ROMTEX

• Offering growth, meat yield, survival • Traits on growth –•growth, survival, Off ffering fratefertility, faster growth rate and higher meat yield. • Off ffering f focused faster and higher meat yield. and dark face marking parasite resistance, longevity, hogget fertility.

PAKI-ITI PAKI ITI ROMTEX – growth, survival, gher meat fertility, yield. progeny tested at .4mg/kg sporodesmin. • Twelve years developing a stabilized breeding PAKI-ITI PAKI ITI ROMTEX better structure. program – better fertility, ce, longevity, hogget fertility. • Twelve years developing a stabilized breeding y, survival, • Twelve years developing a stabilized breeding – better fertility, • Off ffering f faster growth program rate and higher meat yield.better structure. program – better fertility, better structure. d as 22th rams. gget fertility. on – growth, fertility, survival, • Traits focused on• – Traits growth,focused fertility, survival,

• Romtex rams sold as parasite 22th rams. resistance, longevity, hogget fertility. parasite resistance, longevity, hogget fertility.

rams sold 22th rams. • as Romtex rams sold as 22th rams. hill country • Bred for• Romtex – moderate frame, PAKI-ITI PAKI ITI ROMTEX EX & PAKI-ITI SUFFOLK longevity, structurally PAKI-ITI SUFTEX & PAKI-ITI SUFFOLK • Twelve years developing a stabilized breeding l rams and ram hoggets sold and ITI SUFFOLK PAKI-ITI SUFTEX & PAKI-ITI SUFFOLK • fertility, Over 500 terminal ramsstructure. and ram hoggets sold and n. sound program – better better PAKI-ITI SUFTEX & PAKI-ITI SUFFOLK hoggets sold and leased last season. • Over 500 terminal rams and ram hoggets sold and

ht Meat Yield and High Survival.

leased last season.

500and terminal rams and ram hoggets sold and • Fast Growth, Hight •Meat Yield High Survival. • Off ffering f faster growth rate andOver higher meat yield.

leased lastand season. • Fast Hightuse Meat Yield High Survival. try use –Survival. Moderate frame, • Bred forGrowth, hill country – Moderate frame, d High forstructural hill country use –Growth, ModerateHight frame, •soundness. Fast Meat Yield and High Survival. al soundness. • Traits focused on longevity, –• Bred growth, fertility, survival, ate frame, longevity, structural soundness. years of wintering ramhill hoggets onuse hard • Bred for country – Moderate frame, f wintering ram hoggetsresistance, on hard • Fourteen • Fourteen years of wintering ram fertility. hoggets on hard parasite longevity, hogget

• 15 years of wintering ram hoggetshill on hard hill country country. longevity, structural soundness. hill country.

• Incorporating meat •quality traits years (IMF, tenderness hoggets on hard Fourteen of wintering ram hoggets on hard • Incorporating meat quality traits (IMF, tenderness at quality• traits (IMF, tenderness Romtex rams soldand aspH).22th rams. hill country.

and pH). meat quality traits (IMF, tenderness and pH) • Incorporating • Lease Terminal Ram ggets available in March. • hog Incorporating meat quality traits (IMF, tenderness

IMF, tenderness am hog ggets available in March.

• Lease Terminal Ram hog ggets available in March.

and pH).

• Lease Terminal Ram hog ggets available in March. • LeaseCONTACT terminal ram hoggets available in March Partners with DETAILS CONTACT DETAILS

Stewart Morton: Ph Ph (06) 328 5772 Stewart Morton: (06) 328 5772Mob Mob(0274) (0274)453 453110 110

Andrew Morton: Ph Ph (06) 328 2856 Andrew Morton: (06) 328 2856Mob Mob(0274) (0274)488 488511 511

Partners with

Partners with CONTACT DETAILS pakiroms@farmside.co.nz 6) 328 5772 Mob (0274) 453 110 pakiroms@farmside.co.nz Stewart Morton: Ph (06) 328 5772 Mob (0274) 453 110 Partners with Andrew Morton: Ph (06) 328 2856 Mob (0274) 488 511 6) 328 2856 Mob (0274) 488 511 www.paki-iti.co.nz www.paki-iti.co.nz (0274) 453 110 pakiroms@farmside.co.nz (0274) 488 511 e.co.nz

Partners with

PAKI-ITI SUFTEX & PAKI-ITI SUFFOLK

• Over 500 terminal rams andwww.paki-iti.co.nz ram hoggets sold and leased last season. Stewart Morton P 06 328 5772 M 027 4453 110 • Fast Growth, Hight Meat Yield and High Survival.

P 06 328 2856 M 027 4488 511 E pakiroms@farmside.co.nz • BredAndrew for hill countryMorton use – Moderate frame, Northern Manawatū longevity, structural soundness. • Fourteen years of wintering ram hoggets on hard hill country.

paki-iti.co.nz

• Incorporating meat quality traits (IMF, tenderness and pH). • Lease Terminal Ram hog ggets available in March.

LK0125127©

ailable in March.

o.nz

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Scott Heasley M: 021 0827 3867 Email: scottheasley@xtra.co.nz

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

BERKSHIRE DUROC FOR SALE

Mt Cass Wiltshires WORM RESISTANT RAMS

Breeding Shedding Sheep Since 2009.

18+ years’ experience breeding resistance to parasites & 35 years of breeding for facial eczema tolerance. Full records are available for our flock with worm egg counts for every stud ram.

Elite Ram Sale 23rd November 2026

Look forward to discussing how our rams can work for you. LK0125760©

Dave Wooldridge 027 259 4859 wiltshirestud@mtcass.co.nz

www.mtcass.co.nz

Justin 027 656 8782 3285 Ohura Road, R.D.1, Ohura 3980 forlongfarming@xtra.co.nz

• Large White and Landrace • All purebred • Sows and boars are bred by USA semen • Berkshire and Duroc carry intermuscular marbling • Fat from AI boars Landrace and Large White are descendants of the Pork Board farm.

For healthier stock, resistant to facial eczema and worms

Genuine enquiries only. Phone 021 166 0888

LK0125761©

400 SIL Recorded Ewes | Low Drench Fertility | Growth | Clean Shedding

MEGA CLEARING SALE! MEGA CLEARING SALE! MEGA CLEARING SALE! EVERYTHING PRICED TO SELL UNRESERVED SALE

Over 20 tractors - predominantly John Deere, Logging Trucks, Silage Trucks, Stock Truck, Diggers, Silage Bins, Vintage Cars, Heavy Duty Workshop Equipment & lots more

Waipounamu Contracting Ltd Clearing Sale

9am Registration & Viewing 11am Workshop & Sundries 1.30pm Main Sale

Thursday 5th November Commencing 11am

Items are GST exclusive | Also online with Bidr Due to the size of the sale all items must be paid for in full on the day with proof of payment prior to uplifting

69 Riversdale-Waikaia Rd, Riversdale

Contact: Adam Whaanga (RLL) - 0274 183 438 | Craig North (RLL) - 0274 730 864 Rob Fowler (RLL) - 0274 730 845 | Graham Young ( Head Mechanic) - 0274 428 374

www.rurallivestock.co.nz

SUFTEX A NEW ERA IN TERMINAL RAMS Pauariki Station

Located just 3kms inland off SH35 Tokomaru Bay (Signposted at the Mata road)

Thursday 29th October - 12 Noon Start 2nd Annual "On Farm" Yearling Cattle Sale

800 Yearling Angus Steers

430 Bred on Farm - 160 Bred on Manga Station (McNeil Farming) 200 Bred on Maraehara Farms (McNeil Farming)

GRUNT

60 Yearling Angus Heifers

Fast growth, high meat yields, meat quality, excellent survival and tough hardy rams

AND THE BREEDERS North to South 1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

200 0

199 5 199 7 199 9 200 1 200 3 200 5 200 7 200 9 2011 201 3 201 5 201 7 201 9 202 1

CENTS

1400

1600

Premier Suftex Flocks NZ Terminal Flocks

Raupuha Kelso Pahiwi Paki-iti Hemingford Longdowns Mount Linton Twin Farm Nithdale Strathallan Run

King Country Hawkes Bay Hawkes Bay Manawatu Nth Canterbury Otago Ohai Gore Gore Wyndham

PREMIER SUFTEX PremierSuftexNZ

To be drafted into 4 weight ranges

027 355 2927 027 437 1550 027 932 1034 027 445 3110 03 315 8689 027 464 3163 021 271 1106 021 384 272 027 418 3423 027 201 7312

2200

401kg + / 400 to 371kg / 370 to 341kg / 340 to 300kg2000 C10 Status - NZFAP - AB free

1800 1600

1400 Top quality steers renowned for their good temperament and shifting ability. 1200

They are on target to average 380kg over the total of 800 Head on Sale day. 1000

They will be sold in their weight ranges with the option of run 800 outs. CENTS

NZ Standard Terminal Worth (NZTW)

600 A 1.5% Rebate will be available to purchasing agents by application. 400

Those in attendance will enjoy "East Coast Hospitality" on 200 the day. 0 Enquiries to Shane Scott - Ph 027 4956031 - www.centrallivestock.co.nz -200 -400 -600 -800

independent livestock agency LK0125200©

PERFORMANCE 1600

Bred on Farm - Approx 320kg The steers are approx 90% Angus & 10% Angus X

Puketoro Station - 11th Annual Sale Thursday 7th January 2027 6000 Ewes & 1100 15mth Cattle

-1000 95 19

Use your phone camera to scan the QR NORTH code � ISLAND - Brandon, Philip & Audrey – O Tap the link forAWAROA full info

RUA PEKA PEKA - Bryant, Maree – Urenu

LONGSPUR - Frank, Wayne – Waitara. P: 0

GREEN ACRES - Jury, Chris – Waitara. P: 0

Perendale 41 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Raupuha Studs LK0125236©

Where every day is an open day

SIL Recorded Flocks 142 & 4847

Russell and Mavis Profﬁt M 027 355 2927 | E: raupuhastud@gmail.com 2033 State Highway 3, RD, Mahoenui 3978 www.raupuhastud.co.nz

The only NZ Perendale & Romdale breeder with rams tested at 0.6!

777ha Rolling Hill Country in Southern Southland

Start your genetic progress here.

2900 Commercial Ewes and 125 Angus Cows • 240 Stud Ewes Unshepherded lambing • Farmed under natural, commercial conditions

RAUPUHA #1 Follow the leader

Warren Ayers 027 226 4290 | Diane Bishop 027 726 4222 413 Waiarikiki Mimihau Road, Wyndham

Perendales & Romdales are

PERENDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0.6 ROMDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0.6

Suffolk and Suftex terminal 2ths are available

Plus *Romdales *Texel Perendales Plus *Romdales *Texel Perendales *Suftex Bred to Yield 4 High Fertility 4 Well Muscled 4 High Yielding 4 Excellent Survivability

ON FARM SALE Tues 17 Nov 2026 at 12 Noon th

Inquiries welcome

LK0125292©

Kerry France phone 027 601 6131 Morgan France phone 027 911 6193 1419 Moa Flat Road, RD 2, Tapanui

OPEN DAY Tuesday 3rd November, 1pm-3pm at SH3, Mahoenui

Perendales | Suffolks | Romdales *HQHWLF 7UHQGV

*( $QDO\VLV

1= 0DWHUQDO :RUWK ZLWK :RROWool DQG 0HDW NZ Maternal Worth with and Meat

&HQWV

'3 Flks )ONV Avg $YJ DP 5SW )ONV $YJ Perendale NZ Flocks

Production and Performance in all environments

3DJH

IRU DOO )ORFNV $QDO\VLV )ORFNV RWKHUV

<($5

NZ MATERNAL WORTH WITH MEAT (MW+M) NZ MATERNAL WORTH WITH MEAT (MW+M)

MEAT + SURVIVAL MEAT + SURVIVAL + GROWTH = $$$

with Meat.

20 20 YEAR

Otorohanga. P: 07 873 6313

ui. P: 06 752 3701

06 754 4311

06 754 6672

South Island Stud superior Maternal Ram Fair Worth with Meat. Gore – 1921 January 2027 17 19 20

www.perendalenz.com AWAROA

RAUPUHA

HERANGI

AWAPIKO

High scanning, ewe efficiency and lamb survival

On farm sale 4th December 2026 Viewing and refreshments from 10am Enquiries welcome

Annabel Tripp 021 639 939

LK0125529©

North Island Ram Sale Leading the way for PERENDALE Te Kuiti – 16 November 2026 NZRAMS flocks with superior 12 NoonLeading theMaternal way Worth

LK0125756©

+ GROWTH = $$$ PERENDALE RAMS

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

AWAROA PERENDALES Flock: 510 EMA Scanned

rs of 23 YeaTesting a Eczem r Rating 5 Sta Sires 2026 @ .60 Dosed

33rd Annual NI Perendale Ram Sale 12 Noon Monday 16th November 2026 Te Kuiti Saleyards

26th Annual NI Perendale Ram Sale 1pm Monday 18th November 2019 Te Kuiti Saleyards

New Venue

70 Top

50 Top Rams for sale by 5 North Island Breeders Rams for sale by 9 North Island Breeders

Rams all selected from top 20% of Vendors Flock Contact:

Ph: 027 501 8182

Philip Brandon

Ph:07 873 6313

Cam Heggie, PGG Wrightson, 027 501 8182

E: pa.brandon@farmside.co.nz

- ASHBY -

Catalogue available online 12th Nov: www.perendalenz.com

Catalogue available online 7th November www.perendalenz.com

LK0125724©

LK0125416©

Philip Brandon 897 Waitomo Valley Rd, RD 7, Otorohanga 3977 Ph: 027 406 4336 Email: pa.brandon@farmside.co.nz

Contact: Sale Secretary, Philip Brandon 027 406 4336 e: pa.brandon@farmside.co.nz Sale Secretary:

Cam Heggie PGG Wrightson

KYLEMORE PERENDALES

From the slopes of the Tararuas Perendale, Cheviot, Romney and Poll Dorset 62 years of breeding For fertility, bone & muscle Conformation & True Breed Type

Do you want Production Performance from your Perendales?

HAUTERE PERENDALES

Fully SIL recorded | Worm resistance tested

Inspection & enquiries welcome

Dave 027 249 6905 | matai.ridges@gmail.com kylemoreperendales

MATAI RIDGES ROMDALES ALSO AVAILABLE

LK0125453©

Enquiries welcome ASHBY Gilbert & Diana Timms 027 348 3365 e: ashbystud@xtra.co.nz Pretoria Rd, RD 4, Palmerston North

Easy care, proven, low input genetics

LK0125441©

• • • •

AWAPIKO PERENDALES & ROMDALES Cheviots available

Born and reared under environmentally challenging commercial conditions in the Pongaroa district under the Puketoi range, the Hautere stud aims to breed prolific, structurally correct meaty sheep of sound constitution, good bone, clean colour and quality wool with meaningful production records to back them up. Constant genetic improvement results in the bar continually being raised. We welcome you to inspect our sheep and their records to form your own opinion as to whether we are on the right track.

Visit us at: 1370 Mairoa Road, RD 1, Piopio 3971 Phone Neil Langlands 07 877 8801 or Dan Langlands 021 042 5660

John Henricksen Ph 06 374 3888 Korora Road, RD 1 Dannevirke j.henricksen@inspire.net.nz

No drenching of adult sheep for 31 years Bred on big hill country for: • Strong constitution • High fertility • Good wool quality Flock No 532

LK0125273©

LK0125061©

Sires facial eczema tolerance tested – SIL recorded

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Mt Guardian Sheep Genetics Est 1954 NZ OLDEST PERFORMANCE RECORDED SHEEP STUD *SIL NO2

Perendales Romdales Coopdales

FARMING IN WHANGAMOMONA SINCE 2015 Our stud consists of 200 SIL recorded mixed-age Perendale ewes.

Black Face Terminals

We aim to breed good, strong boned, well-fleshed sheep that can handle tough conditions. We have done some eczema work as well and are happy with the progress within the stud.

g le lin S ec m D Ra Nov/

Woody Anderson ph. 0274 692 378

Also offering Suffolk Rams for sale. Take a look at last year‘s catalogue with some of our top rams we sold pivotdesign.co.nz/ebooks/2025/Glenochy_Perendales

When opportunities arise, you rise with them – keep smiling

Hardy sheep bred on hard hill that perform on any country Fertile, high yielding, meaty rams with constitution Raupuhalower Studs WormFEC programme for 25 years, less drenching, Where every day is an open day costs Raupuha Studs only NZ Perendale and Romdale Stud ewes haven’t been drenched for 25+The years breeder with tested Where every day israms an open day at 0.6! Start your genetic progress here. Using 5k and 50k DNA technology The only NZ Perendale and Romdale breeder with rams tested at 0.6! Suffolk and Suftex RAUPUHA #1 here. Start your genetic progress Lambing hoggets for 20+ years Raupuha Shorthorn bulls

OPEN DAY – 9TH NOVEMBER, 12-3PM

ON FARM SALE – 23RD NOVEMBER, 3pm start

Follow the leader

terminal 2ths are available

RAUPUHA #1 Suffolk and Suftex Perendales & Romdales are 027 242 9376 Contact: MikeON & Tash McElrea FARM SALE Tues 18Raupuha Nov Shorthorn 2025 at bulls 12 Noon OPEN 4 November, Sean McElrea 027DAY 299 5101 1pm - 3pm ON FARM Tues Nov at 12 Noon Russell and MavisSALE Proffit: 2033 State18 Highway 3, RD,2025 Mahoenui 3978 2129 Tapanui Raes Junction Highway, Edievale, West Otago M 027 355 2927 | E: raupuhastud@gmail.com | www.raupuhastud.co.nz OPEN DAY 4 November, 1pm - 3pm Fraser Darling 0212033 701 Russell and Mavis Proffit: State229 Highway 3, RD, Mahoenui 3978 Follow the leader PERENDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0.6 ROMDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0.6

Ph: James McFarlane 021 091 34798

are available for sale

Please enquire for available more info terminal 2ths are

th are available for sale

Please enquire for more info

Cam Heggie – PGG Wrightson Ltd 027 501 8182 Jeremy Newell Livestock 027 664 8835

LK0125602©

PERENDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0.6 th ROMDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0.6

NZ MATERNAL WORTH WITH MEAT (M

M 027 355 2927 | E: raupuhastud@gmail.com | www.raupuhastud.co.nz

2200

MEAT + SURVIVA NZ MATERNAL WORTH WITH MEAT (MW+M)

2000

Philip Brandon Otorohanga 07 873 6313

1800 1600

MEAT + SURVIVAL PERENDALE RAMS the way + GROWTHLeading = $$$

1200 1000 800 CENTS

Sean Brosnahan Ohope 021 997 519

600

Ian & Bobbie Brickell Wairoa 027 295 7408

400 200

Ashleigh Coppoolse Longview Tutira 021 267 7530

James McFarlane Stratford 06 762 5880

-200

Robyn Harding Woodville 021 133 7533

-400

Warren D‘Ath Palmerston North 06 354 8951

-600

Gilbert Timms Shannon 06 362 7829

-1000 95 19

LAND

Annabel Tripp 5 0210639 7 93909 Darfield 00 0 0

John & Melissa Jebson YEAR Darfield 021 222 9181

07 09 20 20 YEAR

Ken Elliott

superior Maternal Worth with Meat.

Blair & Jane Smith RUA PEKA PEKA - Bryant, Maree – Urenui. P: 06 752 3701

LONGSPUR - Frank, Wayne – Waitara. P: 06 754 4311

Ivan & Julie Evans Oxford 03 312 1585

3 00

Douglas & Dara Robbie Eketahuna 11 13 027 15919 7150 17 19 20 20 20 20 20

Leading the way 05

AWAROA

Akaroa AWAROA - Brandon, Philip & Audrey – Otorohanga. P: 07 873 021 6313221 4185

Tim, Sue & Edward Anderson Cheviot 03 319 2730

1 00

NORTH ISLAND

superior Maternal PERENDALE RAMSWorth with Meat. John & Carey Henricksen Pongaroa 06 374 3888

-800

HERANGI

RAUPUHA

Oamaru 027 432 4154

Morgan France & Kerry France Tapanui 6193 or 027 601 6131 AWAPIKO - Langlands, Neil & Linda – Taumarunui. P: 07027 896911 8660

GREEN ACRES - Jury, Chris – Waitara. P: 06 754 6672

1 01

3 01

Blair Gallagher Ashburton 03 303 9819

Philip Oldfield Geraldine 03 693 9877 on, Philip & Audrey – Otorohanga. P: 07 873 6313

Bryant, Maree – Urenui. P: 06 752 3701

Wilson k, Wayne – Waitara. P: 06Pip754 4311 Gore 027 207 2882

ury, Chris – Waitara. P: 06 754 6672 Hayden & Kate Slee

03 249 9097 nds, Neil & LindaTe–Anau Taumarunui. P: 07 896 8660 Andrew & Karen Mackie

5 01

7 01

9 01

1 02

Mike McElrea & Fraser Darling GLENOCHY James & Rochelle – Whangamamona. P: 06 762 5880 2 2 - MacFarlane, 2

nahan, Sean – Ohope. P: 06 864 North Island Ram4468 Sale – Te Kuiti

16 November 12 Noon yn Harding – Woodville – P: 0212026, 133 7533 & Bobbie – Wairoa. P: 06 838 7398

well, Graeme & Sue – Tutira. P: 06 839 7412

WAIOTANE

Tapanui

RAUPUHA

– Mahoneui. P: 027 027 355 242 2927 9376 or 021 701 229 RUA PEKA PEKA WAIOTANE - Brosnahan, Sean – Ohope. P: 06 864 4468 Scott & Kjersti Walker Tapanui 027 630 5301 GREEN ACRES KERRYDALE - Robyn Harding – Woodville – P: 021 133 7533

OTOI - Brickell, Ian & Bobbie – Wairoa. P: 06 838 7398 Peter Christie & Julie Wilson Gore 03 208 1789 GLENOCHY AWAROA LONGVIEW - Maxwell, Graeme & Sue – Tutira. P: 06 839 7412 Seamus Sullivan THE HEIGHTS - Gaskin, Rob & Heather – Levin. P: 027 481 6924 Gore 027 410 3069

Warren Ayers KAREREVALE - D’Ath, Warren – Palmerston North. P: 06Wyndham 354 8951027 226 4290 McKelvie OTAPAWA - Robbie, Douglas & Dara – Eketahuna. P: 06Dave 376 7765

Wyndham 027 249 6905 AWAPIKO

HERANGI - Spellman, John – Te Awamutu. P: 07 870 1433

TE AWAITI - Wakelin, Sarah – Martinborough. P: 022 607 5968

RUA PEKA PEKA 14 NOVEMBER 2022 South Island Stud Ram Fair – Gore MT GUARDIAN Te Kuiti North Island Ram Sale 19 January 2027 GREEN ACRES

WANGAPEKA

12 PM, Te Kuiti Saleyards

GLENOCHY

BLUFF FARM

BENMORE

OTOI

MEAT + SURVIVAL + GROWTH = $$$ LONGVIEW

HERANGILONGSPUR HAUTERE - Henricksen, John & Carey – Pongaroa. P: 06 374 3888 RAUPUHA

Farlane, James &Otautau Rochelle Whangamamona. P: 06 762 5880 021 210–3381 ASHBY - Timms, Gilbert – Shannon. P: 06 362 7829 – Mahoneui. P: 027 355 2927

AWAPIKO

KERRYDALE

KAREREVALE ASHBY

THE HEIGHTS

WAIOTANE

HAUTERE

OTAPAWA

17 JANUARY

Gore South Island R

10:30 AM, Gore Show

www.perendalenz.com SOUTH ISLAND OTOI

LK0125232©

Wayne Frank Waitara 06 754 6672

+ GROWTH = $$

John Spellman Te Awamutu 07 870 1433 Neil & Linda Langlands Piopio 021 239 1187

1400 Russell & Mavis Proffit Mahoenui 027 355 2927 Maree Bryant Urenui 06 752 3701 Chris Jury Waitara 06 754 6672

LK0125644©

Perendales & Romdales are

MT GUARDIAN - Anderson, Tim, Sue & Edward – Cheviot. P:03 WANGAPEKA - de Vos, Cor & Belia

44 Markets

Markets

Proudly sponsored by

Sun shines on Waikareao lamb sale

These results are a clear sign of quiet confidence in lamb but also may not be sustainable as the season progresses.

Market-launching sale features a well-bred mob of nearly 3000 quality, early-born Southdowns. Alex Coddington

MARKETS Livestock

AIKAREAO’s on-farm sale in Hawke’s Bay is now well-known as the market launcher for new season lamb sales in the North Island. The Island’s two biggest saleyard hubs have only seen a small sample of lambs at this point. So, a well-bred mob of nearly 3000 quality, early-born Southdowns is always a great test. September and early October had been fairly kind to Hawke’s Bay, especially compared to recent years. Dust kicked up through sunbeams in the yards but the backdrop was still green with grass pumping thanks to welltimed rain last month – a rare occurrence in the bay when there are not yet any water restrictions but lambs still have sunshine on their backs. Overall, market expectations going into the sale were tempered by a more uncertain outlook. Less procurement pressure and a lot less confidence from the drier regions were the biggest points of difference, among many others. However, this caution isn’t always

reflected in the results of a firstsale frenzy in an auction setting. The results on the day easily disproved any expectations of cautious demand. The top pen was estimated to be somewhere near 30-32kg and made $234, the second made $216, both going to a buyer in Taupō. Expectations in a confident market to the same level as last year would have looked like $218 for the top line this early in the season or $6.80/kg, making it fair to say this sale easily exceeded expectations and blew last year out of the water. The third pen on the day was a big one, with over 800-head. The thought of filling a truck in today’s economy triggered plenty of action. Bidding started at $175 but pinballed across the yards to a high of $198. Across the entire yarding the average was only a touch under $200 and, according to the estimated weights, a whole lot more expensive than last year’s 56% of the schedule. But timing is everything in this market. Barring any weather or trade shocks, the AgriHQ indicator price for three to four months’ time is currently forecast at $11.00/kg to $10.80/kg respectively.

PLATFORM: The results from Waikareao set a high standard, but have once again set a great platform for the rest of the season. This would shift the outcome for a 22kg cwt lamb not ready until next year closer to $240. The 800 longer-term lambs in this early market landed at a more

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conservative 46% of the current schedule, or an average $160. This level would leave room for a margin for the next trader or to finish on a schedule that’s

expected to decline but still remain historically high. Current farmgate prices are far stronger than last year, but the risks are still there. In the face of so much uncertainty these results are a clear sign of quiet confidence in lamb but also may not be sustainable as the season progresses. Last year, at an estimated weight of 32kg and $6/kg, store lambs had started out at 56% of the schedule, which then was $10.80/kg. This level couldn’t be sustained as Hawke’s Bay turned dry and the supply of lambs just kept growing. By mid-November, 27-32kg lambs were back to making $4.80$4.90/kg, back to a historically low 43% of schedule. The results from Waikareao set a high standard, but have once again set a great platform for the rest of the season. These results are a credit to the vendors and the team behind the sale. Years of effort in producing high-quality lambs that are quick to grow and ready at a great time in the market is reflected in the demand from repeat buyers and the premium they receive at auction. While there is plenty of risk on the radar, there’s no telling what conditions will ultimately shape the lamb market in 2026/27. This will be one of the key markets that AgriHQ Livestock reports will continue to monitor closely every week, keeping farmers actively informed on one of our fastestchanging markets.

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Cattle

Sheep

Deer

Beef

Sheep Meat

Venison

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Last week

Last year

North Island P2 steer (300kg)

10.00

9.30

North Island M2 bull (300kg)

9.75

8.95

North Island M cow (190kg)

7.65

7.30

South Island P2 steer (300kg)

9.90

9.05

South Island M2 bull (300kg)

9.45

8.35

South Island M cow (190kg)

7.55

7.10

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

Last week

Last year

North Island AP stag (60kg)

11.50

10.30

5.65

South Island AP stag (60kg)

11.50

10.30

12.25

10.65

8.25

5.60

Fertiliser Last week

Last year

DAP

1807

1519

Potash (MoP)

947

922

Super

629

507

1284

995

NZ Log Exports (m3)

August

Last year

China

1,620,353

1,431,567

Rest of world

248,790

192,212

Carbon price (NZ$/tonne)

Last week

Last year

51.0

55.8

Last week

Last year

North Island lamb (18kg)

12.20

10.70

North Island mutton (25kg)

8.15

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

Fertiliser

Export markets (NZ$/kg) China lamb flaps

13.38

11.18

Wool

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

13.10

13.44

US domestic 90CL cow

12.68

15.46

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

Steer slaughter price ($/kgCW)

08-Oct

Last year

Crossbred fleece

6.69

3.66

Urea (Coated)

Crossbred 2nd shear

6.07

4.18

Forestry

Courtesy of www.fusca.co.nz

Exports

13.0 12.0

10.0

11.0

9.0

10.0

8.0 7.0

NZ average (NZ$/tonne)

(NZ$/kg clean)

Lamb slaughter price ($/kgCW)

11.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kgCW)

NZU

9.0 Oct

Dec Feb North Isla nd

Apr Jun South Island

Aug

Oct

8.0

Source: AgriHQ

Oct

Dec Feb North Isla nd

Apr Jun South Island

Aug

Oct

Source: AgriHQ

NZ lamb & mutton slaughter (thous. head)

NZ cattle slaughter (thous. head) 70 60 40

700

10.0

500

9.0

400

8.0

300 200

20 10

100

0 04-Jul

04-Aug 04-Sep Last yea r

04-Oct This year

04-Nov 04-Dec 5-yr ave

12.0 11.0

600

Stag Slaughter price ($/kgCW)

0 04-Jul

04-Aug 04-Sep 04-Oct Last yea r This year

Oct

Dec Feb North Isla nd

04-Nov 04-Dec 5-yr Ave

Apr Jun South Island

Aug

Oct

Source: AgriHQ

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

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

Dairy

Data provided by

Milk price futures ($/kgMS)

Listed Agri shares

Canterbury feed wheat & feed barley ($/tonne)

Company

YTD High YTD Low

ArborGen Holdings Limited

0.065

0.132

0.059

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.27

11.9

6.25

Comvita Limited

0.79

0.84

0.505

Delegat Group Limited

4.3

4.78

3.6

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

8.99

9.0

6.138

Foley Wines Limited

0.63

0.64

0.43

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

1.12

1.22

1.0

NZ King Salmon Investments Limited

0.25

0.255

0.189

PGG Wrightson Limited

2.15

2.4

2.0

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.03

0.042

0.025

Sanford Limited (NS)

5.91

8.17

5.9

Scales Corporation Limited

6.3

7.5

5.59

600

10.5 10.0

550

9.5

500

9.0

450

8.5 8.0

Grain

Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

Sep-2027

Jun Sep-2028

Aug

Oct

WMP SMP

3590 3840

Sep

Source: NZX

Nov Jan Feed Wheat

Mar

May Jul Sep Feed Barley Source: NZX

Waikato palm kernel & maize ($/tonne)

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

400

Prior week

4 weeks prior

600

3625

3670

550

3870

3735

AMF

5650

5500

5710

Butter

4600

4550

4650

Milk Price

10.13

10.07

10.00

* price as at close of business on Wednesday

500

Seeka Limited

5.18

5.55

4.4

450

Synlait Milk Limited

0.46

0.66

0.35

400

T&G Global Limited

2.16

2.79

2.16

350

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

17226

17623

15511

S&P/NZX 50 Index

13760

14013

12702

S&P/NZX 10 Index

13623

13863

12194

300

Sep

Nov

Jan PKE

Mar

May Maize

Jul

Sep

Source: NZX

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

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 | October 14 | 470 cattle

Kaikohe | October 14 | 461 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

$/kg or $/hd Yearling steers, 303kg

5.06

Prime exotic-beef steers, 665kg

5.29

Yearling heifers, 316kg

4.90

Prime dairy-beef steers, 630kg

5.25

Prime traditional heifers, 485kg

5.23

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 510kg

5.24

Wellsford | October 12 | 575 cattle

$/kg or $/hd 2-year dairy-beef steers, 560kg

5.16

Boner Friesian cows, 555kg

3.64

Aut-born R2 dairy-beef steers, 390kg

5.31

Boner crossbred cows, 490kg

3.52

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 280kg

5.51

Boner Friesian heifers, 500kg

4.69

Yearling traditional heifers, 270kgg

5.58

Frankton | October 8, 12 | 938 cattle

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 245kg

4.78

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef heifers, 170kg

955

Pukekohe | October 10

$/kg or $/hd 2-year steers, 485kg

4.91

2-year heifers, 467kg

5.00

Yearling steers, 310kg

5.41

Yearling heifers, 293kg

4.85

Prime steers, 613kg

5.15

Prime heifers, 534kg

4.75

Prime ewes, all

200-230

Prime hoggets, all

230

Tuakau | October 8 | 680 cattle

$/kg or $/hd 2-year dairy-beef steers, 505kg

5.34

2-year dairy-beef heifers, 382kg

5.10

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 309kg

4.92

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 305kg

5.80

$/kg or $/hd Aut-born weaner dairy-beef bulls, 163kg

1043

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef heifers, 153kg

853

Weaner dairy-beef bulls, 103kg

858

Weaner Friesian bulls, 103kg

625

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 103kg

705

Frankton | October 13 | 1029 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

HOT PROPERTY: The first substantial line-up of new season lambs were yarded at Stortford Lodge on Wednesday, October 14 and buyer interest was strong. This pen of mixed-sex blackface lambs from Elsthorpe collected $236. Cambridge | October 13 | 665 cattle

2-year dairy-beef steers, 500kg

5.24

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 285kg

5.61

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef steers, 190kg

1185

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 295kg

5.13

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef bulls, 190kg

1275

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef steers, 175kg

6.39

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef heifers, 160kg

1015

Aut-born weaner dairy-beef heifers, 165kg

5.93

Weaner dairy-beef bulls, 110kg

855

Prime dairy-beef steers, 660kg

5.39

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 535kg

5.29

Weaner Friesian bulls, 115kg

860

Boner Friesian cows, 565kg

3.91

Weaner dairy-beef heifers, 110kg

770

Frankton | October 14 | 579 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Rangiuru | October 13 | 470 cattle, 53 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Yearling dairy-beef steers, 285kg

5.24

Yearling Friesian steers, 285kg

3.85

5.74

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 285kg

4.87

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 265kg

4.93

Prime dairy-beef steers, 515kg

5.18

166-228

Prime dairy-beef steers, 625kg

5.27

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 475kg

5.07

230-277

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 510kg

5.22

Boner crossbred cows, 455kg

3.93

2-year dairy-beef steers, 540kg

5.17

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 290kg

5.20

$/kg or $/hd

Yearling traditional bulls, 355kg

Store hoggets, most

162-190

Prime ewes, most Prime hoggets, most

Tuakau | October 12 | 450 sheep

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Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 19, 2026

Te Kuiti | October 9 | 658 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 280kg

4.85

Mixed-age ewes & lambs, most

126-158 120-340

2-year dairy-beef steers, 530kg

5.17

Store hoggets, all

2-year dairy-beef heifers, 435kg

5.04

Feilding | October 12 | 138 cattle, 3595 sheep

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 325kg

4.92

Yearling traditional heifers, 315kg

4.99

Boner Friesian cows, 535kg

3.83

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 305kg

4.79

Boner Friesian heifers, 495kg

4.86

Matawhero | October 9 | 427 sheep

$/kg or $/hd Store mixed-sex hoggets, all

150-190

Taranaki | October 14 | 601 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Prime ewes, most

141-289

Prime male hoggets, all

299-357

Prime mixed-sex hoggets, most

182-376

Rongotea | October 13 | 224 cattle, 17 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

2-year dairy-beef steers, 460kg

5.28

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 295kg

4.83

2-year dairy-beef heifers, 460kg

5.13

Weaner crossbred bulls, 140kg

650

Prime dairy-beef steers, 630kg

5.27

Coalgate | October 8 | 251 cattle, 2154 sheep

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 540kg

5.03

Stortford Lodge | October 12 | 1543 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

$/kg or $/hd Prime dairy-beef steers, 525kg

5.11

Prime traditional heifers, 565kg

5.27

Prime Friesian steers, 515kg

4.84

Boner Friesian cows, 555kg

3.42

Mixed-age ewes & lambs, most

154-168

Store Merino mixed-sex hoggets, most

140-225

Prime ewes, most

240-290

Prime mixed-sex hoggets, most

220-280

Prime ewes, all

174-300

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 490kg

4.80

Prime male hoggets, all

216-308

Boner Friesian cows, 545kg

3.41

Prime ewe hoggets, all

190-318

Boner Friesian heifers, 480kg

4.34

Prime mixed-sex hoggets, all

199-245

Mixed-age ewes & lambs, most

132-210

Prime ewes, all

164-338

Prime hoggets, most

150-360

Stortford Lodge | October 14 | 376 cattle, 3050 sheep

$/kg or $/hd 2-year traditional heifers, 420kg

5.27

Yearling exotic-beef steers, 325kg

6.35

Yearling exotic-beef heifers, 285kg

6.00

Store blackface mixed-sex lambs, all

EXCEPTIONAL: There was a top quality yarding of 2-year traditional steers at Feilding on Friday, October 9. These drafts of homebred Angus from Akitio averaged 567-570kg and earned $5.84/kg and $5.71/kg.

Balclutha | October 14 | 956 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

Canterbury Park | October 13 | 529 cattle, 1656 sheep

$/kg or $/hd

2-year dairy-beef steers, 475kg

5.28

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 310kg

5.05

2-year dairy-beef heifers, 450kg

5.24

151-236

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 285kg

4.53

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 275kg

5.77

Store terminal whiteface wether lambs, all

192.50-233

Prime traditional steers, 555kg

5.33

Yearling Friesian steers, 205kg

4.60

Store terminal whiteface mixed-sex lambs, all

130-240

Prime dairy-beef steers, 525kg

5.17

Yearling Friesian bulls, 240kg

5.38

Prime dairy-beef heifers, 465kg

4.90

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 255kg

5.23

Dannevirke | October 8

$/kg or $/hd

Prime ewes, most

170-366

140-310

Prime hoggets, most

170-378

Prime hoggets, all

Feilding | October 9 | 1806 cattle, 1015 sheep

Temuka | October 8 | 708 cattle

$/kg or $/hd

2-year traditional steers, 520kg

5.69

2-year dairy-beef heifers, 390kg

4.82

2-year exotic-beef steers, 535kg

5.75

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 265kg

5.16

2-year traditional heifers, 465kg

5.49

Yearling Friesian bulls, 290kg

5.01

2-year exotic-beef heifers, 360kg

5.60

Yearling dairy-beef heifers, 260kg

4.75

Yearling dairy-beef steers, 315kg

5.23

Temuka | October 12 | 335 cattle, 3132 sheep

Yearling Friesian bulls, 265kg

5.31

Yearling traditional heifers, 290kg

5.81

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Prime dairy-beef steers, 555kg

Charlton | October 8

$/kg or $/hd Prime ewes, all

125-348

Prime hoggets, all

210-484

Lorneville | October 13

$/kg or $/hd Mixed-age ewes & lambs, all

150-180

Store hoggets, all

150-190

$/kg or $/hd

Prime hoggets, most

250-350

5.18

Prime ewes, most

220-350

Weather

In partnership with ruralweather.co.nz

Mid-spring soil moisture levels dropping Philip Duncan

NEWS

Weather

S WE head into the later part of October we’re starting to see conditions dry out faster over parts of New Zealand, with the North Island leading the way. Northland, eastern BOP and East Cape stand out the most on the NZ soil moisture maps as being a bit drier than usual for this part of spring. We’re also seeing a number of regions with below-normal rainfall, such as large parts of Waikato, the rest of BOP, Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatū. In the South Island it’s Southland that’s perhaps the most surprising. After a bleak, cold, cloudy and wet start to spring, the region has had higher temperatures lately and the soil moisture levels are now flipping the other direction, leaning a little drier than usual. But many other parts of the South Island are looking pretty good,

considering we’re in an El Niño spring. Last week’s polar snap is now a memory as a powerful anticyclone lies near NZ (and was the cause of the cold southerlies last week as it moved towards us from Tasmania). The high is likely to remain centred over the Tasman Sea until at least the middle of this week – meaning some regions will have the southerly for a little longer. By late week it’s possible we’ll have high pressure centred both west and east of NZ. When this happens opposing airflows from the two mostly dry weather systems end up making convergence zones (where the winds bump into each other and force air upwards, creating cloud builds-ups and downpours). These look likely over regions like Waikato and Bay of Plenty possibly on Thursday and Friday. Otherwise, many places have a dry week this week. By Friday these high-

pressure zones move further northwards – one northeast of East Cape, the other west of Northland. This more northern shift in high pressure, coupled with big storms over the Southern Ocean, will bring a return to windy (and possibly hot) nor’westers and westerlies later this week. And this brings us to this weekend – despite the drier and warmer weather coming in this week, we are still only in the middle of spring, so this weekend we do have another colder southerly blowing up the nation and dragging the polar boundary (the colder air that usually is south of NZ) over the South Island and brushing the lower/eastern North Island for a time this Saturday. By Sunday we’re back to where we are at the start of this week – with another high centred smack bang over the central Tasman Sea and drifting in towards Northland by Monday next week. That placement brings a repeat performance of windy,

possibly damaging, west to northwest winds this coming Sunday and into next Monday (sliding northwards up NZ) and bringing some heavy West Coast rain in a week. Longer range, towards the end of October the modelling (which isn’t always reliable, but we have no alternatives) shows that westerly flow still from Tasmania/Victoria over to NZ, bringing surges of wind, rain/showers and further short-lived cold snaps. As I write this column I’m in tropical Queensland and recently drove to Cooktown, which is as far north as Tonga and is where Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour ran aground and almost completely sank. It’s a remarkably isolated part of the world. While NZ can be dry and sometimes very stressful to farm in, seeing cattle walking through endless burnt (and still burning!) gum tree bush and yellow “grass” sure makes you appreciate how bountiful New Zealand is to farm and live in.

You’renotjust milkingaherd. You’rebreedingone. Every herd tells a story of Kiwi farmers thinking beyond today. Shared knowledge and generations of insight helping breed better herds. That’s the strength of a co-operative.

www.lic.co.nz

Soil moisture anomaly (mm) at 9am on 13/10/2026

FASTER: New Zealand continues to dry out from week to week. Image: ESNZ