Farmers Weekly NZ October 20 2025

MyFarm sours on HB Rockit apple venture

Richard Rennie & Annette Scott NEWS

ROCKIT apple’s woes continue with confirmation that the directors of MyFarm’s Rākete Rockit apple orchard have moved to place the operation into voluntary administration.

MyFarm director and founder Andrew Watters confirmed to Farmers Weekly that the move had taken place.

We take a longterm view, and from the discussions that we have had with Rockit, we’re still comfortable around their strategy.

Gavin Tayles FarmRight

The decision was initiated by directors who have appointed Rees Logan and George Bannerman of BDO (Auckland) as the administrators.

The Rākete Partnership formed between MyFarm and Rockit Global leased and funded the planting of 55 hectares of Rockit apples across six orchards in three distinct growing areas of Hawke’s Bay. The total investment is valued at $17.39m.

While reluctant to comment on record, Watters told Farmers Weekly there are multiple privately owned Rockit orchard businesses in Hawke’s Bay under stress due to low returns for the past two years.

Watters confirmed that despite a partnership arrangement, MyFarm did not have any influence over Rockit’s marketing efforts, with Rockit having full sales rights.

Other growers have told Farmers Weekly two seasons with returns well under the $1.10 per “tube” of five apples required to break even were compelling them to consider pulling out Rockit apple trees to remain viable as orchard operators.

The Rockit venture with MyFarm was launched in late 2017 and closed oversubscribed for the $13m it had sought from investors. At that stage Rockit was unable to meet global demand for its miniature apples, selling out 10 weeks earlier than anticipated that year.

Farmers Weekly understands MyFarm sought a further injection of capital recently into the Rockit business to close the gap between expenses and revenue but failed to gain further investor interest.

Despite Rockit undertaking to pay growers 60-90c a tube this year, many are anticipating payment as low as 50c.

MyFarm also has further exposure to Rockit apples with

Continued page 4

Molesworth: a station for the nation

The vast expanse of Molesworth Station has captured the hearts of visitors who have enjoyed it thanks to generous public access. Former long-time manager Jim Ward outlines his vision for his beloved station’s future. NEWS 5

Garry Moore coming to terms with PGW chair axing. NEWS 3

A fun look at on-farm objects

Comedian Te Radar and his wife, humorist Ruth Spencer, have written a folksy book on rural life in New Zealand, taking in everything from plastic letter boxes to the humble Toyota Hilux.

NEWS 16

New methane targets remain a challenge for farmers. NEWS 8

Quitting Paris Accord would breach a major trade pact.

MEETING THE MARKET 13

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News in brief

Wool interest

Restocking amid a shortage of wool continues to push record-breaking auction sales.

The South Island wool auction at Christchurch earlier this month saw the market carry on its record-breaking run in steepening wool returns to growers. PGG Wrightson South Island auction manager Dave Burridge said all wool types have risen steeply on the rising tide from low supplies, especially into China.

Tractor sales up

New Tractor and Machinery Association data shows tentative signs of growth in the farm machinery industry, with September figures indicating a 9% lift on last year. The 2153 tractor deliveries for the September year to date are indicative of overall primary sector grower and contractor increased confidence, TAMA president Jaiden Drought said.

Brooks leaving

Poultry Industry Association New Zealand executive director Michael Brooks is stepping aside.

Chicken consumption increased by an average of 20% per year since Brooks began his role 23 years ago. Brooks said New Zealand is free of the major poultry diseases, such as Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza, and maintained that status during his tenure. Fiona MacMillan will replace Brooks.

Edward appointed

Sheep dairy farmer and chartered accountant Malcolm Edward has been named CEO of Maui Milk, taking over from Greg Hamill.

Edward said it is a privilege to take the role of CEO at both Maui Milk and its genetics programme, Southern Cross Dairy Sheep Technology. He has experience in commercial management of high-value exports and dairy logistics, before swapping corporate life to go sheep milk farming in Waikato.

PGW chair blindsided by sudden ouster

Annette Scott NEWS Agribusiness

AMORNING spent shooting Canada geese has been “very therapeutic” for ousted PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore as he comes to grips with the left-field move that threw the company’s board into turmoil.

Following the Annual Shareholders Meeting in Christchurch on Tuesday, October 14, PGG Wrightson announced that shareholders had voted against the re-election of independent chair Moore and independent deputy chair Sarah Brown.

Both of PGW’s two largest shareholders, Agria with a 40% stake and ASX-listed Elders with a 12.4% stake, voted against the re-elections, with no immediately apparent reason for doing so. Moore and Brown received 14.5% support for their reelection, while 85% voted against them.

PGW went into an immediate trading halt following the meeting, given that the board, comprising only three directors, did not meet the NZX listing rule requirements, and nor did it have the minimum of four directors required under PGW’s constitution.

Moore told Farmers Weekly he had not been expecting any surprises, given that “the company was going really well”.

“It’s come very left field; I’m absolutely poleaxed by it. I’m keeping my head high and acting with good grace, but this is not the way things are done in NZ,” Moore said.

“I met with Agria’s Alan [Lai] just four days earlier and he told me he was happy with the company’s performance and to expect no surprises at the meeting.

“This is a blow to the guts, and as far as I am concerned there is no reason. I did not pick any clue.

“This is the bit that I am bewildered by: why Agria and Elders have joined action when nothing was wrong.

“Whether they are up to anything, I don’t know, and I’m reluctant to speculate.”

Moore referenced back to February last year and Agria’s failed attempt to remove independents, which included Moore and Brown, from the board, replacing them with its own independents and reinstalling its own chair.

“I think this is a bit of revenge from [the] embarrassment back then. I’m off the board, I’m out of the loop, I can only guess.”

Commenting on the appointment of former PGW director John Nichol to a directorship, Moore said “he will have his own reasons for accepting” a position back at the board table.

The future now for Moore?

“Perhaps I’m being punished for being too independent. There are plenty of other good companies in New Zealand that I may be able to help.

“I am proud of what we achieved in some trying times over the past three years, and I am heartened by the support calls I have had from many.

“I will say it [PGW] is a good business with wonderful management and very loyal customers. I wish them all well.”

A third director, Meng Foon, did not stand for re-election, with the remaining three, U Kean Seng, Charlotte Severne and Wilson Liu, convening on Tuesday afternoon and resolved to reappoint Nichol to the board.

It’s come very left field; I’m absolutely poleaxed by it. I’m keeping my head high and acting with good grace.

Garry Moore Former PGW chair

A chartered accountant, Nichol has held several governance and executive management roles in the agricultural sector.

He was a director of the NZ Dairy Board prior to the formation of Fonterra and chair of the NZ Merino Company until 2011, and has chaired the audit committee for a number of boards on which he has served.

Nichol’s appointment assisted the governance requirements in

compliance with the NZX listing rules, and in accordance with PGW’s constitution. Trading in

PUNISHMENT: Former PGG Wrightson chair Garry

says perhaps he is ‘being punished for being too independent’.

securities resumed from market open on Wednesday, October 15 2025.

John Nichol named new independent chair

Annette Scott NEWS Agribusiness

THE PGG Wrightson Board has appointed John Nichol as its independent chair, replacing Garry Moore, who was ousted from the chair at the annual shareholders meeting last week.

Following the meeting, PGW’s major shareholders, Agria Singapore and Elders, were approached to seek clarification on the rationale and strategic intent behind the directorship changes effected at the meeting.

Alan Lai, on behalf of Agria, responded.

“We view the recent developments as an opportunity to refresh the board, with a focus on driving improvement and enhancing shareholder value.

“Agria remains committed to its long-term investment in PGW and will continue to support the company, its board, and management in our efforts to increase the value of our investment,” Lai said.

Nichol said the PGW board remains committed to maintaining transparency and strong

governance practices.

“We will continue to engage constructively with all shareholders and stakeholders to ensure confidence in the company’s governance and strategic direction.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to rejoin the board and serve as chair. The agricultural sector is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy, and PGW plays a vital role in supporting the success of our farmers and growers.

“I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to help foster that

legacy and contribute to PGW’s continued growth.

“I have great confidence in the management team and feel strongly supported in stepping into this role. Without that confidence, I would not have accepted the appointment.”

The board also confirmed that Wilson Liu, an independent director and current audit committee member, will assume the role of audit committee chair. Liu will be joined by U Kean Seng and Nichol, both of whom have previously served on PGW’s audit committee.

Lamb prices soar on procurement pressure

Annette Scott NEWS Production

EXPORT markets continue to react favourably to New Zealand’s lower lamb production, pushing farmgate prices upwards of $11 a kilogram as the finished lamb price continues to be a moving target.

Senior agri analyst at AgriHQ Mel Croad said the recent procurement pressure on lamb has been a key driver for the soaring farmgate prices, as export markets respond to lower production out of NZ.

While one or two processors have this week pushed over the $11/kg mark, lamb prices are generally sitting at $10.75/kg$10.80/kg across the country –still up compared to this time last year. Prices back then were $7.85/ kg in the North Island and $8.10/ kg in the South Island, the south stronger due to very tight kill numbers, Croad said.

Mutton prices are starting to make some ground now at $5.65/ kg and $5.75/kg, with expectations of pushing over $6/kg.

Figures released last week saw the 2024-2025 season for lamb exports drop to a two-year low at 290,000 tonnes, with 108,000t going to Europe, and despite lower volume, lifting European Union exports by 8000t.

Lamb exports to China, at 95,000t, are down 15,000t on the previous season.

The bigger marked difference came in beef, finishing the season at 495,000t, the lowest beef exports in six years, having not dropped below 500,000t since the 2018-2019 season.

It’s just phenomenal, even meat companies are not ringing alarm bells.

Mel Croad AgriHQ

Beef exports to China at 128,000t were back 35,000t on the previous season with 187,000t going to the United States.

Croad said while plants are near full in the South Island, prices keep climbing the ladder.

“There’s a lot more lamb coming into South Island plants, currently

at 125,000 a week, up from 100,000 this time last year, but in line with a more regular end of season and running neck and neck with the North.

“Still, we are looking at a 17 million lamb processing total for the 2024-2025 season, the lowest ever seen.”

Beef is tracking a similar pattern in price and volume over the export season with North Island prime beef at $9.35/kg and South Island at $9.05/kg, up on the same time last year at $7.00 and $6.80 respectively.

Bull prices in the North at $9.00/ kg and the South at $8.40/kg are up on the same time last year at $7.10 and $6.55 respectively.

“It’s not that we are storing, it’s just what’s being produced because of the lower kill.

“As a result we have not been truly able to take advantage of the high export rates because volumes being killed have been reduced.

“We do have to be realistic. It comes back to competition – there is a lot of additional export value going into the farmgate price.

“The key now is how high export values continue into the new season. We may possibly see a lull

now through to mid-November.”

But still, Croad said, there’s a lot of confidence in the lamb space with on-farm lamb sales coming in a week earlier than normal in the North Island and the first of the new season’s 3000-lamb yarding at Stortford Lodge on Thursday fetching either side of $6/kg, up almost $2/kg on the comparative first yarding last year.

Meanwhile, export markets

continue to look fairly rosy with overseas buyers willing to maintain current price levels given the limited volume of supply of lamb and mutton on the market from both NZ and Australia.

“It’s just phenomenal, even meat companies are not ringing alarm bells. Definitely not the same tone as usual, we’re not hearing the usual ‘don’t expect this to last’,” Croad said.

FALLEN: MyFarm’s Rockit apple partnership has gone into voluntary administration due to a shortfall between income and expenses after two years of low returns.

Continued from page 1

20ha in Gisborne and 13ha at Heretaunga, Hawke’s Bay.

Further south, planting of Rockit apples continues unabated by FarmRight, the portfolio manager for the SuperFund farm assets. Last month FarmRight chief operating office Gavin Tayles expressed confidence in the variety, despite Hawke’s Bay growers raising issues about low returns.

He is overseeing the fund’s Torea Orchard at Pendarves near Ashburton, which includes 125ha

Walking the talk has earned us the trust of farmers across New Zealand. Give us a chance to earn yours.

of Rockit apple variety.

He told Farmers Weekly the demise of one business does not signal an industry collapse.

“From our perspective nothing has changed in respect to our view on Rockit,” he said.

“We take a long-term view, and from the discussions that we have had with Rockit we’re still comfortable around their strategy and continue to check in with them.

“What’s sitting behind other business outcomes is not necessarily for us to comment on.”

Tayles said FarmRight remains

upbeat and it’s full steam ahead for the Torea Orchard development.

By October next year, 900,000 trees will be in the ground with the apples initially going to Nelson for grading and packing. Plans include the development of a packhouse at the Ashburton site.

“We are acting on behalf of the NZ Superannuation Fund and we’re keeping in close contact with both Rockit and the NZSF on how we are progressing and we will adapt accordingly if we see the need, but there’s no need at this stage.”

Molesworth: a station for the whole nation

The vast expanse of New Zealand’s biggest landholding has captured the hearts of visitors who have enjoyed it, thanks to generous public access. But Pāmu’s lease on it is up soon, leaving the station’s future uncertain. Long-time manager Jim Ward, who left unexpectedly this year, has a vision for his beloved station’s future. He shared it exclusively with Richard Rennie.

JIM Ward is humble enough to admit his grand design for Molesworth Station was not entirely his idea.

Rather it came from a latenight dinner conversation among an assortment of businesspeople and ex-politicians visiting the station homestead.

“They had all been out for a walk around part of the place and were buzzing about it, and we started talking about its future. The worst case they could see happening was the land being retired from farming, shut up like St James Station next door.”

More conversation and more wine saw a future for Molesworth sketched out. It is one where it remains a “farm owned by 5.4 million” , open to all New Zealanders to continue visiting, and even expanding the public access it offers.

“We quickly came to see the solution was to run Molesworth

as a not-for-profit operation, with heritage protection.”

He leaned heavily on his sister for advice; she runs a successful not-for-profit, KidsXpress in Sydney, providing therapy to children and young people.

It’s always been about Mum, Dad and the kids being able to take their 4WD to enjoy the outdoors at no cost, and it should remain that way.

Jim Ward Former Molesworth

manager

“She said be broad in your definition, keep your initial plan short. We did. It is a one-pager. We have presented it as NZ’s largest not-for-profit farm, and the idea is starting to gain traction.”

Ward said the response from the

conservation minister has been “quite positive”, as are the views of head staff at the Department of Conservation, the current owner of Molesworth.

To raise the profile of his proposal Ward has an as-yetunidentified high-profile patron heading up the project.

He is also confident a wealthy philanthropic investor will pick up the $7 million price tag on the station’s stock, plant and assets.

Initial hopes were that crowd funding would secure these, but “stock prices have soared and we believe there are individuals out there who would fund it”.

For Ward the project simply reinforces what he has always felt about the place.

That it is “a farm that has 5 million-plus owners” with the right to enjoy access to it over summer months, whether for hunting, fishing, tramping, cycling or camping.

“It’s always been about Mum, Dad and the kids being able to take their 4WD to enjoy the outdoors at no cost, and it should remain that way.”

He reiterates what Helen Clark told him back in 2003 when the station became a permanently protected high country park under DoC’s management.

“She said public access should be increased where it is compatible with farming.

IMAGINATION: Jim Ward’s proposal for Molesworth is one he believes would capture Kiwis’ imagination in a country where links to farming have frayed with greater urbanisation.

VISION: ExMolesworth manager Jim Ward believes the station is one all Kiwis would want preserved for access and universal enjoyment.

“At that stage the road was only open six weeks a year, it was like downtown Auckland.”

Now the 65km station access road is open October 1 to Easter, significantly smoothing daily traffic volumes.

He appreciated Clark’s deep understanding of the station’s farm operations, and her commitment to seeing more Kiwis enjoying it.

“She gave us the mandate, and we have been on that road ever since.”

The past few months have been tough for Ward, who admits feeling more than a little battered after his unexpected departure from his 24-year post as Molesworth manager.

Aspects of that departure cannot be discussed but the hurt shows for him and his wife Tracey, who, along with their two children, have worked the property and loved it like their own.

Another possible contender for Molesworth’s lease is Ngāi Tahu.

But Ward cautioned that whoever takes over the property would need not only the $7m up front to acquire stock and plant, they would have to settle for a low rate of return, and some significant maintenance and input expenses nearing $2m a year.

There are rumours Molesworth will be planted in pines.

“That would only provide fuel for a fire you would never be able to put out.”

Ward’s proposal for Molesworth is one he believes would capture Kiwis’ imagination in a country where links to farming have frayed with greater urbanisation.

Far from being an anti-social, stoic high-country character, Ward’s warmth towards Molesworth visitors is as genuine as his love for the vast estate.

“It really gets into your blood, but it’s not just ours, its everyone’s.”

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Organic groups renew opposition to GE Bill

NEW Zealand’s organic farming groups and opposition political parties have reiterated their call for the government to halt the Gene Technology Bill, which has come back from the Health Select Committee.

The legislation now moves back to the House for its second reading.

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand, the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand and the country’s largest organic certification body, BioGro New Zealand, opposed the bill.

Soil & Health Association chair Charles Hyland said the legislation would still allow GE into farms, gardens and food, risking contamination, loss of organic certification, lawsuits and Aotearoa’s GE-free status.

“Anyone who doesn’t want GE could face difficulties avoiding it.”

BioGro New Zealand warned that the legislation could expose property owners and primary producers to unintended liability

risks and weaken New Zealand’s longstanding GE-free brand advantage.

“If a farmer’s pasture becomes contaminated with GE ryegrass, they could be deemed to be ‘using’ a patented organism – even without intent – and therefore required to hold a licence,” BioGro New Zealand chief strategy officer Donald Nordeng said.

Although recommending it be passed, the committee proposed amendments to the legislation.

New Zealand has a pre-eminent position in markets as a ‘GE Free Nation’ and this should not be traded lightly.

These relate to kaitiaki relationships with indigenous and non-indigenous species, the role of the Bill’s Gene Technology Regulator, non-regulated organisms and technologies, and exemptions, information sharing and access and medical authorisations and enforcement provisions.

The committee said it supports submitters who said the Bill should be amended to secure the independence of the regulator and set parameters for the role of the minister, who they say holds too much sway in the Bill’s current form.

Coalition partner New Zealand First opposed the Bill along with Labour and the Green Party.

It is supported by ACT and the National Party.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said his party’s coalition agreement with National states it is open to liberalising genetic engineering laws while ensuring strong protections for human health and the environment.

“New Zealand has a pre-eminent position in markets as a ‘GE Free Nation’ and this should not be traded lightly.

“New Zealand First is not against a responsible, safe, and pragmatic pathway to genetic modification technology utilisation.

“But the Bill as it stands is far too liberal, beyond our key trading partners, and lacks strong safeguards and protections. We will continue to work with and discuss our concerns with our

NO SUPPORT: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand does not support the recommendations in the select committee’s report on the Gene Technology Bill.

coalition partners,” he said.

MPs will debate the Bill in its second reading and vote on whether it moves forward. If the vote is lost, it goes no further.

Life Sciences Network president Dr William Rolleston said Peters as well as other political parties opposing the Bill should look to the regulations within the legislation to create protections for human health and the environment.

He said the way the legislation has come back to the House puts it a decade behind Australia.

This is because of its inclusion of strict liabilities for importers

at the border around declaring whether a product is gene edited or not.

That is a hard thing for them to know because the country the product comes from often has deregulated gene laws, which reduce the paper trail of the product

The consequences are that importers would not want to import because it was not worth the risk of a large fine if they got it wrong, he said.

“New Zealand’s too small a market for them to bother so those sorts of rules are going to be quite chilling on even conventional agriculture.”

Ag sector sees sense in new methane targets

Staff reporter NEWS Climate change

THE government’s revised biogenic methane reduction target has not let agriculture off the hook and will still be challenging for farmers to achieve, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland.

The government announced last week it will cut the biogenic methane reduction target to 1424% below 2017 levels by 2050, reflecting the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024.

Agriculture and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay said the government has worked closely with industry and accepted a range of advice to determine a “practical target”.

“Today we’re delivering a practical, fair pathway that recognises New Zealand agriculture efficiency, protects jobs and production, and upholds our climate commitments.”

The government had earlier ended a plan to put a price on agricultural emissions including methane produced by sheep and cattle.

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said the lower range will give farmers certainty while keeping the country on track to meet its other climate commitments.

“It is really, really important

as a government that we want to provide certainty to our agricultural sector and the adjustment that we’re making in terms of changing the methane target to 14-24% is fair and pragmatic,” he said In weighing up a new target, the government had to decide whether to embrace a “no additional warming” approach – cutting just enough to hold methane’s heating effect steady at a fixed point – or hold the line on more ambitious cuts brought in by the former Labour government.

The move has been welcomed by the agriculture sector, with leaders saying the revised targets better reflect the science, although the new targets will still be a stretch.

Acland said BLNZ has long argued for New Zealand’s methane targets to be amended in line with the principle of no additional warming.

“The previous targets were arbitrarily based on ranges used in an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that explicitly stated those ranges should not be used to set national targets.

“The revised targets better reflect the science around the different warming impact of shortand long-lived gases. Methane should only be asked to do what is expected of other gases, which is to achieve no additional warming.”

Acland said New Zealand’s red meat is already among the most climate-efficient in the world,

It is important

that the target range better reflects the latest science [and the] practical realities farmers face on farm.

Tracy Brown DairyNZ

thanks to pasture-based farming systems.

“While our sector has made significant progress on reducing warming emissions, the revised targets, particularly the upper end of the range, will still be very challenging.

“This is by no means letting agriculture off the hook.”

Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy said the revised targets are sensible and more achievable.

“They are grounded in science and strike the right balance between lowering emissions and maintaining food production.

“Importantly, they give our international customers

confidence that New Zealand remains committed to doing its part on climate change.”

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown said the new target range aligns closely with the recent Independent Methane Science and Target Review, conducted by leading NZ scientists including Professor Dave Frame and climate and farm systems expert Professor Nicola Shadbolt.

The review recommended that New Zealand cut biogenic methane emissions by 14-24% by 2050 to achieve no additional warming from 2017 levels, acknowledging the different effects of short- vs long-lived greenhouse gases.

“It is important that the target range better reflects the latest science on methane’s warming impact, while also acknowledging the practical realities farmers face on farm,” said Brown.

“Farmers have already made progress, with agricultural emissions stabilising over the past decade through efficiency gains and environmental improvements.

Methane emissions from dairy

Science slates shift as ‘backtracking’

THE government’s new methane targets do not take into consideration free trade agreements, pricing carbon or the planet, says the science community.

The government announced it will cut the biogenic methane reduction target to 14-24% below 2017 levels by 2050, reflecting the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024.

Dr Jocelyn Turnbull, principal scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, said the new methane targets put New Zealand in the “stabilise methane in the atmosphere” camp, rather than the more ambitious “reduce methane in the atmosphere” camp.

On the international stage this move could impact on the country’s “clean and green” image that helps it command a premium on its products, Turnbull said.

Professor James Renwick from the Victoria University of Wellington said the announcement represents a major

step backwards in ambition and in climate action.

“The idea of ‘no additional warming’ seems to have won the day, in terms of scientific advice to government,” he said.

“This approach goes easy on the agriculture sector and in no way does it represent our ‘highest possible ambition’ as laid out in Article 4 of the Paris Agreement, to which New Zealand is a signatory.

“Our trading partners are unlikely to smile on this reduction in ambition.”

FALLING SHORT:

The revised methane goals are being criticised by scientists who warn they fall short of global expectations.

Renwick said carbon dioxide emission reductions are the No 1 target, and must get to zero as soon as possible, but methane emissions are the next most important.

Dr Christina Hood, independent climate change and energy policy expert at Compass Climate, said New Zealand is now backtracking and she is not aware of any government that has weakened an existing legislated domestic climate target.

Hood said the independent

Climate Change Commission found that rapid emissions reductions are feasible and affordable, and set New Zealand up to be competitive in a future low-carbon world.

Dave Frame, Professor of Physics at the University of Canterbury, said the unavoidable fact is that the world will soon go zooming past 1.5degC.

“Global agricultural methane emissions have risen by 4.1% since 2015, while to stay under 1.5% they ought to have dropped by at least several percent by now.

“Consequently, there is a question that New Zealanders need to think about: ‘What is it reasonable for us to do, given the observed lack of action elsewhere?’

The revision is this government’s answer to that question.

“I’m disappointed the government seems to be ruling out a price on methane emissions. Centre-right governments understand in their bones that if you want less of something, one of the very best tools is to make it more expensive.

“This decision will almost certainly be revisited by a future

ON TRACK: Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the lower range will give farmers certainty while keeping the country on track to meet its other climate commitments.

cattle are down 4.1% since 2017.

“We know that at the top end, 24% will be extremely challenging without new mitigation technologies. It’s important there is accelerated investment in research and that tools to farmers are fast-tracked to ensure targets can be achieved over time.”

Federated Farmers said the changes are long overdue and a practical step that will be well received by farmers.

“Kiwi farmers have been bogged down in completely unscientific, unaffordable and unrealistic climate policy for far too long,” said Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford.

This week’s poll question:

Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll Are you satisfied with the government’s reduction of methane targets?

This approach goes easy on agriculture and in no way does it represent our ‘highest possible ambition’ as laid out in the Paris Agreement.

Prof James Renwick Victoria University of Wellington

Labour government who will want to create a price to drive further emissions reductions.”

Distinguished Professor Robert McLachlan at Massey’s School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences said the European UnionNZ Free Trade Agreement includes the obligation to “refrain from any action or omission that materially defeats the object and purpose of the Paris Agreement” and includes the provision that parties may take “appropriate measures” in the event of such acts or omissions.

Dawn sweetens deal by up to $25 million

Gerhard Uys NEWS Production

LLIANCE shareholders

Awill receive an additional $20-$25 million as dividends if they vote yes to a deal with Dawn Meats later this month.

Irish meat company Dawn Meats is offering $250 million for a 65% stake in the Alliance meat co-operative.

In an advisory sent to Alliance shareholders on Wednesday, Alliance chief executive Willie Wiese said as part of the purchase price negotiation with Dawn Meats Group in July 2025, the coop had to commit to a year-end

CLIMATE PLAN: Nestlé says it remains ‘steadfast’ in delivering against the objectives of its climate plan after discontinuing its membership of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance.

profit and net debt target.

“During the negotiations, both Alliance and Dawn acknowledged the volatility of the last quarter of the year and how this could impact the predicted full-year profitability and net debt position, therefore an adjustment mechanism was agreed.”

Wiese said because Alliance’s unaudited year-end profit projection of between $18m and $24m is above the forecast profit target and the net debt position is lower, under the agreed adjustment mechanism, Dawn Meats will be investing an additional $20-$25m into the joint venture, he said.

The additional $20-$25m will be distributed through a dividend from the joint venture to the new

Alliance Investment Co-operative. This payment is in addition to an already agreed $40m in loyalty payments, bringing the total dividend distribution amount to the new co-operative to more than $60m.

Wiese said that would effectively bring Dawn Meats’ total cash investment to about $270 million.

Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne and Wiese wrapped the last of 24 roadshow meetings last week.

Shareholders have up to October 20 to vote on the Dawn Meats deal. So far, 62% of issued shares have voted, Wiese said.

Wiese said at one of the roadshows that non votes are counted as no votes.

PAYS DIVIDENDS:

In an advisory to Alliance shareholders, chief executive Willie Wiese says because the co-op showed a profit, Dawn Meats has put an extra $20$25 million on the table as part of a previously agreed adjustment mechanism.

Nestlé quits Dairy Methane Action Alliance

Gerald Piddock NEWS Dairy

ONE of the New Zealand dairy industry’s biggest global customers, Nestlé, has withdrawn from an international partnership aimed at reducing dairy emissions.

Nestlé announced it is withdrawing from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance.

A spokesperson from the food giant said it regularly reviews

its membership of external organisations.

“As part of this process, we have decided to discontinue our membership of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance. We appreciate the alliance’s ongoing work on methane emissions reductions in the dairy industry.

“Nestlé remains steadfast in delivering against the objectives in our dairy climate plan and net zero roadmap. These strategies continue to guide our efforts to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, throughout our supply chain.”

The Dairy Methane Action Alliance was launched by the Environmental Defence Fund in December 2023 to accelerate action in reducing global emissions of methane in the food and dairy sectors.

Its members commit to publicly measure and disclose methane emissions from their dairy supply chains and publish action plans to

reduce those emissions over time.

New Zealand’s largest dairy company, Fonterra, is not a member of the alliance. In a statement, Fonterra director of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford said: “Fonterra and Nestlé remain committed to working together to support farmers to reduce their emissions through the Net Zero Pilot Dairy farm and customer incentives.

“Fonterra and Nestlé remain committed to their targets and net zero by 2050 ambition.”

THEY’RE OFF:

This top draft from Brooklands Station, Puketapu, sold for $188.50 per head and the sale averaged $165, up $47 on the previous year.

New season lambs hit the ground running

THE much-anticipated start of the new season lamb market lived up to all expectations and more.

Record prices were reached at the Stortford Lodge saleyards last Wednesday followed by a repeat performance at Waikareao Station on-farm sale in Te Aute on Thursday.

At this time of year there is always a waiting game for new season lambs, not just for those wanting to put them in their paddocks to take advantage of early-finishing lambs, but also from those who have lambs to sell and want a gauge of the market.

Processor schedules and outlooks provide some clarity on pricing, but it is never until the first lambs have tested the water that farmers feel confident putting a peg in the sand on their own lambs.

The trailblazers this year were

four main vendors – three of which sold via the Stortford Lodge saleyards on Wednesday, while the fourth held an on-farm sale.

A huge turnout of spectators and buyers lined the rails at Stortford Lodge, to see close to 4000 lambs go under the hammer. The air was buzzing with plenty of talk about recent rain tallies and what the season will bring.

The ice has broken in a significant way for the new season lamb market.

The spotlight, however, was on the impressive yarding of lambs in the pens, which were either blackface terminal-cross, or Poll Dorset-cross, and offered in mixed-sex lines.

From the first pen to the last, prices were exceptional and only variable on the size of the lambs, as strong competition from Taupō, Manawatū and locally meant each pen had several people placing bids.

Prices lifted $47 per head on the

start of the 2024 season with the sale averaging $165.

Brooklands Station in Puketapu offered up 1900 blackface lambs, which sold for $122-$188.50 per head and Mangatapiri Station, Elsthorpe, sold 1455 blackface lambs at $130-$189.50. Natusch Partnership, Maraekakaho, had a smaller entry of 465 Poll Dorsetcross lambs and topped the sale at $202.50 per head with the second and third drafts making $150-$172.

Selling action then shifted to Waikareao Station, Te Aute on Thursday, where 2500 South Down-cross mixed-sex lambs sold in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Armed with results from the previous day, price levels were easier to find, and the six lines sold reached $127-$196 to mainly local buyers.

The ice has broken in a significant way for the new season lamb market, and lamb supply will flow with regularity now into the saleyards and on farm, as farmers look to take advantage of what is set to be a standout season.

Spring bulls bounce higher in the south

Hugh Stringleman MARKETS Livestock

YEARLING bull prices are maintaining their high levels with very good clearances in the South Island spring sales calendar.

Top price last week was $22,000 paid by Te Atarangi Angus in Northland for Rockley V023, sold in a Helmsman auction in Balfour, Southland.

Te Atarangi principal Chris Biddles said he would not bring the bull on the long truck journey the length of the country until preparation for next year’s mating, as mating has already begun up north.

V023 is out of a cow sold to Rockley by Te Atarangi as a heifer five years ago.

Rockley sold 32 of 32 bulls offered and the average price was $6200.

Also in the south, Westholm stud at Kane Farms, Tapanui, sold all 47 Herefords with an average of $3081 and a top of $6000, plus 15 of 16 Angus, averaging $3000 and topping out at $4600.

In Canterbury Silverstream

Charolais, Banks Peninsula, sold all 25 bulls, six of them autumnborn, averaging $8000, and 19 spring-born, averaging $6381. Top price was $11,250 for Silverstream Vogel V92, purchased by Cam Clayton, Pukerau Charolais, Te Aroha.

The Fisher family also sold a bull to Rimu Charolais, Taumarunui, for $11,000, and one to Richard Christiansen in Manawatū for $9500.

Nearby on the same day Sudeley Angus, Christchurch, sold 28 of 29, averaging $4821 with a top of $9000.

Further north, Matariki Hereford, Clarence Bridge, sold all 28 lots with an average of $4771 and a top of $11,000 paid by Tawanui Hereford, Stratford.

On the same day Woodbank Angus sold all 35 bulls with an average of $5875 and a top of $10,000 paid by Hillcroft Angus, Ohinewai.

Staying in North Canterbury, Te Mania Angus, Conway Flat, sold 35 of 36 with an average of $6971 and a top price of $10,500 for Te Mania NZ 24113 paid by Horizon Farming.

SPRING-BORN: The Silverstream Charolais yearling bulls averaged $6381 this season, compared with $3900 last year.

The polarising politics of protein heat up

Neal Wallace in Bussels MARKETS

Food and fibre

DEFENDING the nutritional merits of eating animal products is brutal. Just ask Frédéric Leroy.

The University of Brussels professor of food science and biotechnology says the debate has moved beyond scientific discussion on the nutritional merits of animal products, with advocates targeted by motivated, organised and well-resourced opponents.

Leroy told Farmers Weekly that fellow scientists have declined to co-author studies on the dietary role of animal products, fearing the damage opponents could inflict on their reputations.

“They know that if they raise their voice they will provoke a backlash,” said Leroy.

An academic debate at a United States nutrition conference scheduled between him and plant protein advocate was cancelled due to fears over rising tensions.

“We were not allowed to talk

about one of the most important food groups because of political connotations,” he said.

About six years ago a firestorm erupted over plans to publish in the Annals of Internal Medicine science journal an article to which Leroy contributed.

It questioned evidence linking red meat consumption with cardiovascular disease and cancer, saying the evidence was too weak to recommend adults eat less meat.

Before the journal was released a co-ordinated response flooded the editor’s inbox with 2000 emails in half an hour pressuring her not to publish the article.

A subsequent investigation by JAMA, a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association, found the deluge was initiated by the True Health Initiative, a nonprofit organisation.

“We’ve published a lot on firearm injury prevention,” Annals Editorin-Chief Christine Laine told JAMA at the time.

“The response from the NRA [National Rifle Association] was less vitriolic than the response from the True Health Initiative.”

In 2019 several groups opposed to consuming animal products petitioned US state and federal agencies to investigate what they labelled “potential reckless endangerment,” citing a published report by a group of scientists recommending adults continue with their current consumption levels of meat.

“We are seeing scientific literature becoming selective and certain lines are being filtered out of anything that is inconvenient,” he said.

Leroy was involved in writing the Dublin Declaration and Denver Call For Action, in which 1200 scientists called on governments to recognise the importance of livestock farming to society and for human nutrition.

As a scientist Leroy is satisfied the evidence supports animal products as essential to a wellbalanced diet.

But about a decade ago he noticed the debate was becoming polarised following reaction to a study on processed meat.

Curious, he looked into who was leading the criticism and its implications and realised that professionally he could not ignore what he saw.

“That curiosity evolved into concern because it started to impact public policy and public discussion about how science was funded.”

Despite the hype, Leroy said evidence is that consumers do not like plant-based mock food.

Laboratory-gown meat is also unlikely to be successful as production cannot be easily scaled and the process is inefficient and requires enormous amounts of energy.

There is also its unappealing taste and appearance, what he called the “yuk factor”.

“Whatever the push, imitation

DAMAGE: Frédéric Leroy, a professor of food science and biotechnology at the University of Brussels, says fellow scientists have declined to co-author studies on the dietary role of animal products, fearing the damage opponents could inflict on their reputations.

food is not working, people do not want it.”

The only way diets will change is through government policy forcing the issue, such as through a tax on meat.

That view is acknowledged by the World Economic Forum, which Leroy said is advocating for more control over agricultural production, and EAT Lancet, which promotes a grain- and vegetabledominant diet for the health of people and the planet.

Leroy said Generation Z, considered receptive to plantbased diets, is turning its back, realising the importance to health of animal protein.

“Data is not showing a decline in the consumption of red meat.”

Of greater concern to him are the health impacts of eating excessive amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPF).

In the United Kingdom and US between 50 and 60% of a child’s daily calorie intake comes from UPF.

In Italy, which still largely follows a traditional diet based on natural foods, it is 20%.

Leroy said the US federal government has launched a Make America Healthy Again

programme to try to arrest a looming health crisis.

Leroy has co-authored a new Nourishment Table based on nutrient density and food processing levels to provide guidelines for a balanced diet.

To ensure adequate nutrient intake, he advocates 25-30% of daily calories and half of daily protein come from animal products.

Leroy said livestock farmers need to reclaim their role as providers of valuable nutrition.

“They need to be more visible in the public domain, that they’re providing valuable food and that if they disappear what would be the implication for our diets?”

• Wallace’s Meeting the Market tour has been made possible with grants from Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms, Rabobank, Zespri, Alliance Group, Meat Industry Association, Wools of NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, NZ Merino, the European Union and Gallagher.

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/ meeting-the-market/

massey.ac.nz contact@massey.ac.nz

On climate action, it’s Paris or bust

NEW Zealand would be in breach of its free trade agreement with the European Union if it were to leave the Paris Accord on climate change.

That is the view of EU officials who said New Zealand is considered principled on issues such as the environment and human rights, and should it withdraw from the global agreement, questions could be asked.

Farm lobby group Groundswell wants NZ to leave, while ACT NZ believes it should withdraw unless more “realistic, affordable, and scientifically-based” targets are established.

Compliance with agreements such as the accord are a requirement of the NZ-EU free trade agree agreement, which became active on May 1 last year.

It allowed 99.5% of NZ exports to immediately be duty free while providing additional quotas and lower tariffs.

The value of NZ meat exported into the EU increased from $1.15 billion in 2023 to $1.39bn in 2025 while dairy rose from $308.8 million to $442.6m over the same period.

New Zealand signed up to the Paris Accord in April 2016 and it requires a 51-55% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050.

Officials note there is scope for nuanced changes within the parameters of such global agreements.

In response to shifting geopolitical positions, the EU is pursuing policies to provide greater security for defence, energy and food. That reset also involves broaden-

Any exemption for NZ having to comply with the EU’s deforestation policy is unlikely but simpler compliance could be discussed.

ing the range of its trading partnerships, improving economic security and competitiveness and securing sources of critical minerals.

It recently concluded an FTA with Indonesia, hopes to make progress with India by the end of this year and is working on Mexico and Australia.

It has taken 20 years to negotiate but the EU is close to ratifying an FTA with four Mercosur countries, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, for deforestation-free agricultural products.

Over seven years beef imports of 99,000 tonnes can enter the EU with a 7.5% duty of which 55% will be fresh or chilled meat and the balance frozen.

The agreement includes a safeguard clause in case increased beef imports damage or threaten to damage relevant EU sectors, something not included as part of NZ’s FTA.

For some Mercosur dairy products, zero duties will gradually apply within quotas and the agreement will allow 45,000 tonnes of duty-free honey phased-in over five years.

In her state of the nation address earlier this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said farmers need fair competition and a level playing field.

“This is why we have robust safeguards in our trade deal with Mercosur backed up by funding if compensation is needed.”

The EU is also working with

like-minded nations such as NZ to restore the World Trade Organisation and a rule-based global trading system.

Any exemption for NZ having to comply with the EU’s deforestation policy is unlikely but simpler compliance could be discussed at a meeting later this year of the Trade Committee, which regularly meets to discuss the FTA.

The Deforestation Regulation was to be implemented on January 1 this year but was delayed and will not come into force until the end of 2026.

It requires exporters of certain products, including beef and leather, to prove their production did not result in deforestation.

The delay has been caused by the need for the EU to update IT systems to manage the policy.

• Wallace’s Meeting the Market tour has been made possible with grants from Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms, Rabobank, Zespri, Alliance Group, Meat Industry Association, Wools of NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, NZ Merino, the European Union and Gallagher.

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/ meeting-the-market/

Silver Fern Farms is pleased to invite current and prospective suppliers and shareholders to our 2025 Plate to Pasture Supplier Roadshow

Join us for an opportunity to catch up with some of Silver Fern Farms’ directors and executives. We’ll be talking about the markets, company strategy, farmgate outlook, plus an opportunity to have your questions answered directly We’ll also enjoy a delicious red meat meal.

We hope you’re able to join us. Please RSVP for catering purposes by scanning the QR code, or talk to your local Livestock Representative.

Jumping through hoops to get to NZ lamb

JUST getting the correct regulatory approval is the first challenge for Norwegian meat importer Christian August Lunde.

In a busy year his company, Ultimat, can import between 200 and 600 tonnes of lamb from Silver Fern Farms (SFF), but before he places an order, he has to enter an auction to secure a quota that means he pays a lower tariff of about 6.5%.

“Every year I go to an auction

in November to buy quota which gives me a reduced tariff which makes it possible to import meat from NZ.”

Consumers recognise and seek the consistent quality NZ lamb, he said.

He has been a customer of SFF for 30 years and said if he had to pay a full tariff, for beef it would be about 330%, and although less on sheepmeat, it was still significant.

Lunde, speaking to Farmers Weekly at the Anuga Food Fair in Cologne, Germany, said the policy is designed to protect Norway’s domestic sheep and beef farmers, who produce about 90,000 tonnes

EUROPE’S CHANGING LANDSCAPE

of beef a year and 60,000 tonnes of sheepmeat.

“Norwegians are lamb eaters compared to other Nordic countries,” he said.

The Norwegian government protects its domestic livestock industry to ensure a geographic spread of domestically produced meat.

Farms are small and typically run cattle, pigs and sheep.

The government restricts numbers on each farm, up to 100 cattle and 200 sheep, meaning about half the country’s 14,000 sheep and beef farmers require a secondary job.

“It’s a very costly policy for the Norwegian government and we as taxpayers,” said Lunde.

Sheep graze on Norway’s mountains from June to September before being housed in sheds from December until late March.

Cattle, which have traditionally been based on dairy breeds, are similarly kept outdoors over the warmer months before being housed.

Beef breeders are starting to introduce beef breed genetics.

After easing for five or six years,

Lunde said red meat sales have recently started to grow by up to 1% a year, driven by a desire for natural food and young people seeking protein.

“We have this workout, fitness, body image trend and these young people need protein so are turning to red meat.”

Consumers in Saudi Arabia want high quality cuts of NZ lamb and buy forequarters, French racks, legs and loin, said Mazan Danob. He started buying meat from PPCS in the 1990s and the large food importing company he works for, Almunajen Foods, remains a customer primarily for lamb.

It takes up to 5000t a year alongside imported dairy, chicken, frozen foods and seafood.

While Saudi Arabia is a key market for chicken, Danob said lamb is increasing in popularity where it is traditionally eaten with rice.

• Wallace’s Meeting the Market tour has been made possible with grants from Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms, Rabobank, Zespri, Alliance Group, Meat Industry Association, Wools of NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, NZ Merino, the European Union and Gallagher.

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/ meeting-the-market/

AgriSea nanocellulose refinery a world first

Gerald Piddock NEWS Technology

AGRISEA has opened the world’s first biorefinery facility that converts a seaweed process byproduct into nanocellulose, a material with countless applications in agriculture and industry.

The seaweed-derived bio stimulants and feed additives that the Paeroa-based business makes as its core business produce a byproduct that, until now, was dried and converted into lowvalue products.

Converting it to nanocellulose has turned it into material with exceptional properties, making it valuable in various applications across multiple industries.

It is a tasteless, odourless material, resembling putty or a gel, depending on its water content. Its use as an environmentally friendly carrying agent for chemical and biological matter is what makes it so valuable.

It has high water holding capacity, can disperse heat extremely quickly, is biodegradable and non-toxic, has high mechanical strength and can cover a large surface area with a tiny amount.

AgriSea CEO Clare Bradley said it had been like discovering plastic for the first time.

“What it does is that it takes our waste and ‘ten X’s’ the value.

“When it is dried, you can put it into a whole range of materials, the opportunities are so vast that it’s overwhelming.”

The range of properties means it can potentially be used in electronics, heavy industry, cosmetics and healthcare.

Bradley said AgriSea managed to “crack the code” to be able to produce nanocellulose at scale. Until now it has only been possible to produce it in small amounts in a laboratory.

Most of the world’s nanocellulose is currently produced using chemically treated wood pulp, which is extremely expensive.

In general terms, Bradley describes their process as stripping everything but the cellulose from the seaweed.

“It’s a batch process that includes some washing, some cooking and some de-watering.”

The project started six years ago when Bradley by chance met a group of Scion scientists at an event in Rotorua, where she was told it was possible to use seaweed to make nanocellulose crystals that can be used in electronics.

AgriSea decided to explore the feasibility of this by successfully applying for a government Smart Ideas grant to see if that waste product could be turned into crystals.

Researchers successfully made the crystals and applied them in electronics and then looked to the next step, which was producing them at scale.

With help from Scion, the Bio Processing Alliance and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, the company was able to build the biorefinery.

For the farming sector,

nanocellulose could be used in horticulture, applying it to late planted spring crops to help the plant’s roots better retain moisture as temperatures rise, for example.

Another application is mixing it with agrichemicals such as a weedkiller. It would reduce the application rate because it allows the acting chemical to stick to the targeted plant more effectively. It could also be used to coat fertiliser to slow its release into the soil, Bradley said.

You can put it into a whole range of materials, the opportunities are so vast that it’s overwhelming.

Clare Bradley AgriSea

Other possible uses outside of agriculture could be in cosmetics, mask filtration and improving the efficiency of batteries.

Initially, AgriSea will produce around 1600kg of nanocellulose a week.

Bioeconomy Science Institute general manager for forests to biobased products Florian Graichen said its wide use of applications is why people globally are so excited about nanocellulose.

“If you were to design a platform product that you could branch out into other markets, it would be very hard to design something that is more suitable than nanocellulose.”

It is remarkable that it was able to be achieved in New Zealand,

given its limited resources. It could create a new sector and industry, he said.

“The potential market is enormous.

“The global seaweed cultivation

industry is projected to reach US$69.5 billion by 2034. The broader biorefinery market is forecast to expand at nearly 8% annually, topping US$392bn in the next 10 years.”

New mayors sweep into half country’s councils

Hugh Stringleman POLITICS Local government

HALF of New Zealand’s 66 territorial and unitary councils are to have new mayors, 17 of them through defeat for the incumbent mayors and a further 16 newcomers where the previous mayors did not seek re-election.

Preliminary results for the 2025 local government elections include 33 sitting mayors who were re-elected, 20 in the North Island and 13 in the South Island.

Mayor Mahe Drysdale in Tauranga did not face election.

The proportion of newcomers to mayoral office, either by defeating the incumbents or winning the race for vacancies, was similar in both North and South Islands.

However, there were regional upsets, where two or more sitting mayors were defeated, in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and West Coast.

With special votes still to be counted, the new mayors who defeated incumbents in North Island constituencies are dairy farmer Ken Couper in Whangārei; senior manager Peter Revell in

Thames-Coromandel; former business owner Aksel Bech in Waikato District; panel beater and former mayor Ash Tanner in Matamata Piako; teacher Mike Pettit in Waipa District; helicopter rescue pilot John Funnell in Taupō; former Green MP Nandor Tanczos in Whakatāne; health sector worker Russell McaGrath in Napier; farming leader Will Foley

in Central Hawke’s Bay; training professional Scott Gilmour in Tararua District; and transport and climate change adviser Peri Zee in Upper Hutt.

In the south, the winning disruptors are mining executive Chris Russell in Buller; 82-year-old Hokitika business owner Jacquie Grant in Westland District, who looks set to become, in her words,

“the oldest tranny mayor in the world”; farmer Lydia Gliddon in Selwyn; a business executive John Glover in Queenstown-Lakes; tourism operator Sophie Barker in Dunedin; and farmer Greg Horler in the Chathams.

Local Government NZ has lost considerable experience at its top table as Foley unseated rural sector chair Alex Walker, Gliddon beat LGNZ president Sam Broughton, Couper is ahead of metro sector representative Vince Cocurullo in a close contest, and Barker beat metro sector rep Jules Radich.

Three-term New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom, LGNZ provincial sector chair, did not see re-election and is being replaced by Max Brough.

Four-term Member of Parliament Tim Macindoe is the new mayor of Hamilton, business owner Rodney Dow is mayor of Otorohanga, and business owner Wendy Schollum is now Hastings mayor.

Former deputy mayor in Manawatū District, Michael Ford, was elected unopposed as mayor as the only declared candidate when nominations closed in August.

In the south of the North Island

six of eight councils have new mayors, the only two re-elected being Janet Holborow in Kāpiti Coast and Anita Baker in Porirua City.

The mayoral newcomers are former MP Fran Wilde, South Wairarapa; former deputy mayor Bex Johnson in Masterton; former deputy Steve Cretney replacing Ron Mark in Carterton; Peri Zee in Upper Hutt; the country’s first Pasifika mayor, Ken Laban, in Lower Hutt; and former Labour Party leader and minister Andrew Little in Wellington.

In the south of the North Island six of eight councils have new mayors.

In the South Island the winning mayoral candidates where the incumbents retired are former deputy mayor Liz McMillan in Ashburton; councillor Scott Aronsen in the Mackenzie District; three-term councillor Melanie Tavendale in Waitaki; shearing contractor Jock Martin in Clutha; and former Tiwai Point executive and deputy mayor Tom Campbell in Invercargill.

A fun look at iconic on-farm objects

Hugh Stringleman PEOPLE On farm

COMPERE and comedian Te Radar and his wife Ruth Spencer have written a folksy tour of rural life in New Zealand with considerable entertainment value.

Drawing on their own rural backgrounds, the book, published this month by HarperCollins, is called Kiwi Country – Rural New Zealand in 100 objects.

The touring structure comes from 10 consecutive zones on a Kiwi farm as chapters, each containing 10 objects with little pen drawings by illustrator Joseph Carrington followed by two or three pages of fact, fable and whimsy.

The chapters are Homestead, Paddock, Orchard, Livestock, Shed, Cowshed, Creek, Backblocks, Smoko and Road.

This geographical approach is pitched to appeal, in whole or in part, to readers who have spent time on farms. It also makes an authentic patchwork of rural life. Objects that have gone out of use come boldly back, like the meat safe, the cream separator or the Gunter chain, a tool of imperial land measurement before metrics. Out of use does not mean gone forever, as Te Radar reminds readers his father, former Waikato

Federated Farmers leader Malcolm Lumsden, never got rid of anything that may be put to use in future.

A worthy minority of objects were invented and/or made on the farm and spread into widespread, even worldwide use, like Bill Gallagher’s power fencing and Ron Sharp’s herringbone milking shed.

As the book moves towards the back of the farm more natural objects appear, like the rope swing, whitebait fritter, trig station, camp oven and the Swanndri bush shirt.

Quirky objects, like the Country Women’s Institute badge, Barry Crump’s 1982 Toyota Hilux, the Trekka rural vehicle, the SCHOOL BUS TURNS sign and the ubiquitous Wilson Plastics letterboxes come into view.

Each of 100 objects has a story of origin, purpose, trial and error, widespread acclaim and often iconic status.

Some things perhaps notable by their absence include tractors or combine harvesters because, as Spencer said, people who know about them know a great deal more than would fit into this book. She said a major source of origin and anecdote has been the National Library online archive Papers Past, the wordsearchable digitisation of millions of old articles from provincial newspapers and magazines.

Delving into that resource is like casting a cryptographical lure and marvelling at the details that come to the surface.

Spencer and Radar added the narrative, sociological context and the humour, very consistently maintained through more than 300 pages.

You find this whole back story and realise you knew nothing at all.

Te Radar Kiwi Country – Rural New Zealand in 100 objects

Radar needs no introduction after numerous television programmes, Young Farmer contests and National Fieldays.

Spencer is an actor and performer and now researches and writes articles, television and stage shows.

They have collaborated for the past two decades on writing scripts and humorous miscellany.

The publisher pitched the book as a record of No 8 wire NZ ingenuity but that has been done well in the past.

“We wanted to write a folk history with sociology, free to go off on tangents and delve into the archives,” Spencer said.

Radar said the objects chosen have something funny or fascinating to tell us, some curious origin story or unexpected impact.

“Each of them revealed a world of characters, weird tales, fun facts and mysterious lore that we couldn’t have expected going in.

“An object or incident will start you looking, and then you discover the people stories behind them.

“There are so many things on the farm I thought I knew about, then you find this whole back story and realise you knew nothing at all.”

His current stage show is called Cookbookery, a comedic celebration of food and cookbooks of the past, which may lead to a book in the same genre as Kiwi Country.

The dynamics of collaborating

on a book in marital harmony dictated they work in different rooms and communicate by email.

“We have entirely different ways of working – before coming together with Ruth I had hour-long shows that didn’t exist on paper.

“She brings the discipline

required. I remember the joy of turning up to perform a show with a script!”

Kiwi Country – Rural New Zealand in 100 objects, by Te Radar and Ruth Spencer, is published by HarperCollins, recommended retail price $39.99.

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Weak NZ dollar boosts export incomes

Hugh Stringleman NEWS Exports

COMMODITY prices and export returns are benefitting from weakness in the New Zealand dollar, down 6-8% against our trading currencies over the past year.

The lower NZD enhances what are already very good commodity prices for red meat, dairy products, apples and kiwifruit, which make up the bulk of our primary exports.

We think the NZD will return to nearer US60c next year because that is its fair value.

ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly, in his Commodity Price Index commentary published in early October, said the NZ index had risen 14% over the past 12 months and the world price index is up 6.2%.

The 8% difference between those

two numbers results from the current NZD weakness.

ANZ tracks world dairy prices, meat and fibre prices, horticultural prices, timber prices and aluminium prices in its trade-weighted indexes.

Dilly said the world index is made up of in-market prices in local currencies weighted for our export tonnages in the past calendar year.

Commenting on reasons for the NZD weakness, he said the Reserve Bank of New Zealand monetary policy and its cutting of the official cash rate by 50 basis points has produced negativity about the NZ economy.

Also, world trade uncertainties, particularly the United StatesChina tariff escalation, are weighing heavily on our export outlook.

The NZD had fresh lows every month since July and at US57.2c currently is in danger of returning to the Liberation Day 55c in April.

ASB also publishes commodity price indexes, in NZD and US dollar terms.

In the October 3 Commodity Weekly publication, ASB said the NZD index was up 11.6% year on year and the USD index was up 5.5%.

The currency effect was therefore plus 6%, senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown said.

The strongest influence on the commodity index has been lamb and beef prices, up 23% in USD over the past year, plus the exchange rate benefit, totalling 32%.

Dairy prices were up a more modest 2.5% USD plus the currency boost.

Tennent-Brown said the causes of the NZD weakness included our terms of trade, lower interest rates and poor economic growth.

None of these are dragging down farmgate prices, which are generating a double benefit for farmers and regional economies.

“Normally strong commodity prices would cause the NZD to rise but it remains weak for other reasons.

“Fonterra will be prolonging the benefits by hedging its currency exchanges and they should be well through that process for the current season.”

ASB has a farmgate milk price forecast of $9.75 with some NZD strengthening factored in.

“We think the NZD will return to nearer US60c next year because that is its fair value,” he said.

Scheme helps generate ETS credits from scrub, bush

Gerhard Uys NEWS Carbon credits

CARRFIELDS is giving hill country farmers the opportunity to monetise existing scrub and bush through carbon credits.

Carbonfields, a joint venture between Carrfields, Geoff Ross of Lake Hāwea Station and venture investor Kerry McIntosh, assesses farms using satellite and aerial imagery, which measures vegetation change.

It assesses all vegetation, including scrub, bush, unharvested plantations, willows and poplars.

All farmers need to provide are their Rapid number, the name on the title, and approximate total hectares, Ross said.

Carbonfields then locates the full farm holding and, using artificial intelligence, analyses available satellite and aerial imagery to determine vegetation change.

Eligible areas must be 1 hectare or more, have emerged post-1989, and contain species that grow over 5 metres in height.

The first 100 farms have already been submitted into the ETS, generating additional income for properties across the country.

Ross told Farmers Weekly the carbon credits sit within the ETS. Typically the operators in this space have come from a forestry background and are experts in pines, but not a lot of farmers know you can merge scrub, or even willows and poplars into the ETS because there hasn’t been anyone measuring it, he said.

In many cases there aren’t

ROUGHER: Geoff Ross of Lake Hāwea Station says the kind of farms that have the most cash opportunity are typically rougher farms that have been fighting scrub for years, often giving up.

In our view, this is a more sustainable and balanced model.

Craig Carr Carrfields

any planting costs because the vegetation is already there, he said.

Many farmers also don’t realise they can still graze in and around emerging scrub and bush taken into such schemes.

Ross said this is because the Carbonfields team just needs to show that the scrub sections have been growing over the last 20 years and that they are not being degraded.

In many cases it also does not need to be fenced, he said.

POLISHING THE APPLE: The lower New Zealand dollar enhances what are already very good commodity prices for the key exports of red meat, dairy products, apples and kiwifruit.

Fieldays seeks help from government

Gerald Piddock NEWS Fieldays

THE New Zealand National Fieldays Society has invited the government to enter into a strategic partnership to ensure Fieldays remains a world-class event.

The society hosted a function at Parliament on October 7 with government decision-makers to highlight the need for investment in its site at Mystery Creek.

Fieldays CEO Richard Lindroos said it has to be done to maintain the site as a fit-for-purpose place to hold events, have world-class facilities and attract more people to Fieldays, both exhibitors and the public.

That requires investment in its water infrastructure, energy usage, buildings and roading.

“We have started this process and as part of that we realised that we can make a small change every year, or you can make transformational change quicker by partnering up with government,” Lindroos said.

The society has funded its own growth for 57 years. It has been in discussions with the government since Lindroos came on board as CEO this year.

The kind of the farms that have the most cash opportunity are typically rougher farms that have been fighting scrub for years, often giving up, Ross said.

Carbonfields does not take any upfront fees, but takes a share of the credits once they’re issued.

Income is received annually once credits are sold, with many farmers viewing it as passive income from areas that are not producing.

Group managing director of Carrfields Craig Carr said this balanced approach of pastoral farming alongside income from existing vegetation is a far better alternative than full pine conversions.

“It’s better for our country’s export earnings, for rural communities, and for biodiversity. In our view, this is a more sustainable and balanced model.”

“We know we’re a national asset of significance, we hear that we are, any measure tells us that we are, so we need government to support us on that.

“We’re funding our own growth,

but we need government to make it transformational change.”

While he acknowledged that the government has made a point of cutting back on funding and services as part of its attempt to drive the economy, he pointed out that it has funded infrastructure “shovel-ready” projects.

“We have lots of them at Fieldays.”

It is also an investment for an event that has a $500 million a year contribution to the economy.

“If you could make it easier to contribute more, why wouldn’t you?”

The required level of funding for it to achieve its long-term goals is around $50m a year.

Much of that would go towards improving “boring stuff” such as toilets, roading, parking and buildings, but it is necessary to make Mystery Creek a world-class, resilient venue, he said.

The government has also funded regional infrastructure, and partnering with Fieldays would allow it to hit its economic growth targets.

“Agribusiness is the only show in town. It pays the rent and more and we regard Fieldays as a national strategic asset.

“They have listened, we have had good discussions and we’re formulating a plan on how we propose a model going forward.”

Such a partnership would not affect the society’s charity status or shift it away from its core purpose, he said.

From the Editor

Doing a bit extra for climate change

TCraig Page Deputy editor

HEY say you should never discuss politics or religion at dinner parties.

Depending on who your dining companions are, you might want to add New Zealand’s revised methane targets to the list of banned topics.

The government last week announced it will almost halve the country’s methane reduction target to 14-24% below 2017 levels by 2050. The new target reflects the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024.

As expected, the announcement has already caused heated debate, and that is likely to continue for some time.

The decision was, not surprisingly, met with joy by the oganisations representing those the reductions impact most, the farmers of New Zealand.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland said they have long argued for methane targets to be amended in line with

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULT

the principle of no additional warming.

She said the revised targets better reflect the science around the different warming impact of short- and long-lived gases.

“Methane should only be asked to do what is expected of other gases, which is to achieve no additional warming.”

Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy said the revised targets are grounded in science and strike the right balance between lowering emissions and maintaining food production.

But those who have spent their careers studying the impact of climate change have labelled the reduction a step backwards in ambition and climate action.

Their concern is New Zealand will no longer be doing its fair share to address climate change.

Instead, they say, we now appear happy to trundle along and simply focus on preventing any additional global warming.

Dr Jocelyn Turnbull, principal scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, said the new targets put New Zealand in the “stabilise methane in the atmosphere” camp, rather than the more ambitious “reduce methane in the atmosphere” camp.

There are concerns this stance could impact the country’s “clean and green” image, which has helped it command a premium on its products.

Professor James Renwick from the Victoria University of Wellington said “our

Sixty-three percent of voters said a reduction in the frequency of rural mail deliveries will have an impact on them.

One agricultural business owner said it will mean having trucks off the road longer as they wait for parts to arrive. “This will have major financial implications. Currently it isn’t practical to drive to the city for parts, they never have parts in stock in the city anyway and order from Auckland or Australia. It is always an overnight delivery and we have them delivered via our mailman to site within two days.”

“Absolutely,” said another. “We believe they’re an essential service to keep the our farming community operating. Which in turn helps feed the rest of the country and world. We rely on the regular deliveries of goods, mail and newspapers to keep us up with what is going on in the world.”

Those who voted no said they received little in the post these days. “Rarely get any business-related mail via post. Most media now online. Parcel delivery is intermittent.”

trading partners are unlikely to smile on this reduction in ambition”.

As Farmers Weekly managing editor Bryan Gibson wrote last week, the decision suggests the farming sector – renowned for its can-do attitude – is not so sure it wants to help solve the challenge of climate change.

How far are we, as individuals, prepared to go to protect the environment for future generations?

“This is happening in a farming world where a number of major producers are tackling the challenge head-on, and are fast passing us as leaders in sustainability.”

The question we now need to ask ourselves is how far are we, as individuals, prepared to go to protect the environment for future generations?

The government may have dropped the target but the revised levels can still be challenged by those who wish to. Those farmers with an eye to the future could instead use the new 14-24% levels as the bare minimum target, while striving to achieve an even greater reduction, but on their own terms.

That’s a conversation worth having around the dinner table.

Last week’s question: Will a reduction in the frequency of rural mail deliveries have a big impact on you?

Letters of the week

Vote yes on Dawn deal

Heath Kingston Hawke’s Bay

I WAS disappointed to see a very small group of Alliance shareholders are still promoting an alternative option that has no support from the banks and no financial credibility.

This option risks costing all shareholders millions of dollars.

Right now, we need to be realistic.

There will be no dividend, and quite possibly no company, if shareholders don’t back the Dawn Meats proposal.

The other idea being talked about has no merit, no bank backing, and is nothing more than a last-minute fantasy.

It only confuses shareholders and undermines the serious work the Alliance board has done to secure what looks to me to be a strong opportunity for the company’s future.

I urge all shareholders to look at the facts and vote yes so Alliance can move forward in a positive direction.

The lot of a Kiwi farmer

Doug Lineham Cambridge

I RECEIVED my Farmers Weekly today and I cannot believe what I read. Let’s work our way through the jungle of life in farming.

The government wants rural New Zealand to:

• Ensure all of the environmental requirements of the world are met.

• Commit to the animal welfare standards acceptable to the wider world.

• Live in the rural hinterland and work hard to operate their lives with fewer services available on a daily basis than their urban friends get.

• Live with the threat of trees taking over the skyline.

• Work as many days as it takes to ensure maximum best production for overseas funds and the advancement of New Zealand.

• All of the contributing service industries to strive every day to be essential, of value and high regard to rural communities.

• To love the government, support the party with their vote, and be good citizens.

In return for all of this the government is going to give rural mail delivery timetables a haircut.

In actual fact, Mr Luxon, you should be looking to load every service into the NZ Post equation possible to make this become an important service again and run every day, thus making the farming community feel as though you have their back. Methinks, Mr Luxon, you need to stay at home a bit more and really get to know the people who are making the big bucks for this country of ours.

Keep up the good work, rural New Zealand.

This week’s poll question (see page 8):

Are you satisfied with the government’s reduction of methane targets?

Dr Seuss can teach us a lot about our soil

Eating the

DR SEUSS, the renowned children’s author, published one of his most famous books, The Lorax, in 1971. The Lorax is a fable of environmentalism vs environmental destruction seen through the eyes of a creature called the Lorax.

The Lorax “speaks for the trees” and he tries to save the them, and the wildlife that inhabits the forest, from the Once-ler. The Once-ler is concerned only with growing his business – claiming “business is business and business must grow”.

By the book’s end, the Once-ler finally grasps the Lorax’s message and is remorseful about the

destruction he has wrought on the environment.

Over the years, The Lorax has become a powerful metaphor for environmental devastation. This story came to mind recently when driving through the sprawl of Rolleston and Lincoln where it would appear that humans are indeed consuming the earth. It made me wonder, where is our Lorax?

The above-mentioned places, like many towns and cities across New Zealand, are located on or close to some of our most productive soils. This makes sense, as in the early days urban centres needed to be close to foodproducing soils.

The urban sprawl experienced across New Zealand over the past 20 years is of serious concern. Soils are an overlooked but essential part of our economy. Soils are formed on a geological time scale, typically 0.5mm per year in temperate environments. That’s 300 years to make 15cm of topsoil. Our productive soils are also a superpower: New Zealand holds the world record for wheat yields – an incredible 17.398 tonnes per hectare. We also have the highest average potato yields at 50.9 tonnes per hectare. New Zealand apple yields are amongst the highest with top performing orchards producing 80-110t/ha, and pastoral productivity in dairy and meat is renowned.

The list goes on, and it’s

thanks to our precious soils.

The loss of New Zealand’s productive soils is a symptom of a global phenomenon – the seemingly uncontrolled growth of urban areas. Europe, for example, according to a recent article in the Guardian, is losing the equivalent of 420 rugby fields’ of agricultural and natural lands every day. That’s the permanent loss of 153,000ha per year.

Comparable New Zealand statistics are hard to find, but using Stats New Zealand’s “highly productive land” numbers, a rough calculation suggests that we are losing the equivalent of 11 rugby fields per day, or 4000ha each year to urbanisation, lifestyle blocks and infrastructure.

For a small country that’s a lot and what’s interesting is that on a per capita basis, NZ land losses are nearly four times greater than Europe’s.

So, who is the Lorax for our productive soils? Who is the Onceler? In whose interest is it to allow the loss of our most productive soils? Surely not New Zealand’s – we need agriculture more than ever.

It’s not the farming sector, which laments the loss of NZ’s most productive soils and must compete with developers for productive land.

It’s not the residents in those regions – they are sick of congestion, degrading roads, inadequate public services to meet

the demand of a rapidly growing population. It’s not the families who lack access to schooling and whose children attend mega-sized primary and secondary schools. We could blame the councils who approve changes to zoning laws and allow the subdivision of productive land. However, the local government model we have can’t fund itself; it requires perpetual rate increases and a growing ratepayer base. Then, paradoxically, councils can’t afford the infrastructure required to service the growth. All these people and groups need the Lorax. In any value chain there is usually a business that takes a bigger cut of the profits than others. In the commercial and residential property sector this

is the developer. While it is true that councils regularly review developer contributions for infrastructure, the calculation ignores land values.

There are benefits through favourable taxes – the treatment of GST and the lack of capital gains tax. This creates the incentive to continuously acquire more land to develop. To change the model to protect our productive lands, the incentives need to change. So, who then are the Oncelers, those responsible for the irreversible loss of New Zealand’s productive soils? It’s actually all of us, and to quote the remorseful Once-ler “UNLESS someone like you cares, a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Selling out to Dawn will cost farmers dearly

In my view

AS ALLIANCE shareholders, my family and I have voted no. New Zealand’s rural sector is facing a pivotal moment. The proposed deal between Alliance Group and Irish processor Dawn Meats, where Dawn would acquire a 65% stake in Alliance for $250 million, is being pitched as a strategic partnership. But for many farmers and growers, it feels more like a sellout than a step forward. A group of Southland farmers has proposed a credible alternative: a three-year recapitalisation plan that would raise $188m without selling control. Their plan includes: $50m from shareholder capital injection, $20m from processing sheet retentions, $33m from profits, $20m from asset sales. This approach keeps Alliance in farmer hands and is based on improving operational performance, not selling out. It’s a plan that reflects confidence in the sector and a belief in the value of co-operative ownership.

The recently released report, New Zealand Co-operative Economy Report 2025, highlights that “New Zealand’s co-ops outlast the average shareholder company by almost a factor of five”. So let’s keep this one in our farmers’ hands.

As someone who works closely with farmers every day, I believe

it’s vital to unpack what this deal really means and why it’s not in the best interests of New Zealand’s primary producers.

Alliance Group is the last major meat processor in New Zealand that is 100% farmer-owned. This deal would hand over majority control to Dawn Meats, a foreign entity with its own commercial priorities. Unlike Silver Fern Farms’ 50/50 model, this proposal gives Dawn Meats the power to dictate strategy, governance and investment decisions.

That means New Zealand farmers, who built Alliance from the ground up, would no longer have the final say in how their co-operative is run. The risk is clear: decisions could be made that prioritise offshore profits over local resilience.

There’s growing concern that Dawn Meats may look to strip assets from Alliance to boost short-term profitability. Internal commentary suggests that selling off processing plants or land could be on the cards, moves that farmers themselves could initiate without giving up ownership, as proposed in the alternative option by the group of Southland farmers.

Once control is ceded, there’s no guarantee that jobs, infrastructure, or community investment will

remain in New Zealand. The long-term impact on rural towns and supply chains could be devastating.

While the $250m injection may sound attractive, it comes with strings attached. Firstly, there are livestock supply volumes that have to be met before the $40m to farmers is released. Currently there is no indication on what those targets are. Secondly, Dawn Meats will expect a return on its investment, likely through dividends funded by farmer suppliers.

That’s akin to paying interest on a loan, but without the benefit of retaining ownership.

In practical terms, this could mean lower returns for farmers, higher processing costs, and reduced reinvestment in local operations. It’s a financial model that benefits shareholders, not suppliers.

New Zealand’s agricultural sector is built on trust, community and long-term stewardship.

There’s concern that Dawn Meats’ priorities may not align with these values. Farmers fear a shift toward corporatisation, where decisions are made in boardrooms far removed from the realities of farming life.

Alliance could be turned around

without foreign ownership. The sector is already showing signs of recovery; now is the time to double down on local leadership, not outsource it.

This deal is more than a financial transaction, it’s a decision about the future of New Zealand farming. Do we want to retain control over our supply chains, our cooperatives, and our communities? Or do we hand over the reins to offshore investors and hope for the best?

Farmers have the power to shape this outcome. By asking hard questions, exploring alternatives (as is currently being done), and standing together, we can ensure that the future of Alliance, and the wider sector, remains in Kiwi hands.

Selling a majority stake in Alliance Group may offer shortterm relief, but it risks long-term regret. NZ farmers deserve better than a deal that compromises ownership, control and community investment. Let’s back ourselves, not sell ourselves short. My family and I have voted no to this deal.

MORE: See page 22

Dairy sector finally finds its balance

Meaty matters

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

RECENT developments have seen significant evolution towards what appears to be a sensible structure for the New Zealand dairy industry, although three big questions remain.

In the past few months Fonterra has announced its desire to get rid of its consumer brand business and agreed a deal with French dairy company Lactalis which will see it receive $4.2 billion in return, plus a long-term supply agreement.

The first question, which will be resolved one way or another, is whether the shareholders will vote in favour and the Overseas Investment Office will approve the deal. The outcome will be known in the first half of next year.

The next question, which will not be answered for several years, is the future of the Mainland and Anchor brands.

Lactalis will not feel the same sense of commitment to those brands, unless they perform to expectations, despite the large sum of money invested in buying them.

This inevitably means Lactalis

will want to achieve a better return on capital than Fonterra traditionally has from its consumer division.

Also, corporate manoeuvres frequently entail developments not anticipated at the time of the original deal.

Does this really matter in the long run, always provided New Zealand dairy farmers continue to supply the milk? It is possible the price of milk and butter to the consumer will increase, depending on Lactalis’s production efficiency and profit objectives.

It will be interesting to see if Lactalis doesn’t like the regulated price and how Fonterra reacts. It would be ironic if the Commerce Commission, supposed defender of the consumer, had to intervene to protect Fonterra’s raw material pricing structure.

My last question is whether the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act is still fit for purpose nearly 25 years after Fonterra was formed from the merger of NZ Dairy Group, Kiwi Dairies and the Dairy Board, which gave the co-operative an estimated 96% of the industry supply.

Only Westland and Tatua elected to remain independent of Fonterra. Westland, unable to survive as a co-operative, is now in Chinese ownership, whereas Tatua continues on its merry way, always posting the highest industry payout to its limited number of shareholders.

Since 2000 several other dairy companies have been formed, all of which have remained outside Fonterra, including Open Country, a2 Milk, Synlait, Mataura Valley, Miraka and Oceania. As a result, Fonterra’s share of milk supply has fallen to about 80%, still comfortably the largest, but less like the virtual monopoly it was at the beginning.

Open Country has established itself as the clear second-largest processor in the country with an estimated 13% share.

The original justification for forming Fonterra was to be the champion of New Zealand dairy internationally, creating sufficient scale to compete further down the value chain on equal terms with businesses like Nestlé and Danone. Fonterra’s decision to abandon consumer brands and concentrate on ingredients and foodservice is essentially an admission it has failed to realise this ambition.

Open Country has established itself as the clear second-largest processor in the country with an estimated 13% share following the acquisition of Mataura Valley and Miraka. Chief executive Mark de Lautour told me Open Country wants to be the most efficient, lowest cost dairy processor of high value ingredients similar to Fonterra, whose new approach he says he can’t argue with.

De Lautour maintains it is

virtually impossible to compete without a certain scale in New Zealand, unless a company has a specific market niche like Tatua and a2.

He considers the acquisition of Mataura Valley and Miraka is good for New Zealand, as they remain viable businesses in 100% New Zealand ownership. Both will be able to retain their own brand and culture as they transition to new ownership.

Both plants are strategically beneficial. Mataura Valley is in Southland which is a major area of focus for Open Country, being located near Awarua, which is already the company’s largest site. Miraka sits well geographically between the Waikato and Whanganui plants.

Synlait has struggled in recent years but has obtained a large injection of funds from its two major shareholders, while concluding the sale of its underutilised Pōkeno plant to pharmaceutical company Abbot Laboratories, the sole customer.

After 25 years subcontracting all its production to Synlait, a2 Milk has bought Yashili’s Pōkeno plant, which will reduce its dependence on Synlait as well as bringing

It’s D-Day for Dawn Meats deal

In my view

Mark Wynne Wynne is chair of Alliance Group

THERE’S been plenty of commentary about Alliance’s proposed $250 million strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats Group.

That’s to be expected – Alliance has a proud 77-year history and our farmer-shareholders care about the company.

Over the past fortnight, we’ve held roadshow meetings across the country, from Southland to Hawke’s Bay, speaking directly with around 1000 farmer-shareholders.

We’ve had tough, honest conversations and we’ve answered every question put to us.

Many farmers came well prepared after reading the full Scheme Booklet, joining one of our webinars or speaking to a farmer-director or livestock representative.

We’ve been open about the

reality of Alliance’s financial position. Our banks have been clear: the $188m debt must be repaid in full, in cash, by December 19 – with no extensions.

Over the past two years, we’ve explored every conceivable option to raise the necessary capital –through banks, food companies, sovereign wealth funds, private equity and direct farmer investment.

Only one option met the scale, timing and conditions required to meet the bank’s deadline.

That’s why the board is unanimously recommending the strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats Group.

The independent report from Northington Partners confirms that the proposal delivers the capital Alliance needs now, strengthens our balance sheet and safeguards thousands of jobs.

I’m aware of some commentary questioning Dawn’s intentions. Let’s be clear: those claims are not supported by evidence.

We’ve undertaken extensive due diligence and spent considerable

time with the Dawn team. They’re not strangers to Alliance – they’ve been a valued customer for years – and they have a proven record of building long-term and successful partnerships.

Dawn is a family-owned company founded by farmers. They share our values and respect for rural communities.

Wherever they’ve invested, they’ve expanded operations, created jobs and increased market share. They’re investing in Alliance because they believe in our future, not because they want to dismantle it.

Having outgrown their home markets in Ireland and the United Kingdom, New Zealand is a natural next step in Dawn’s global growth. They bring capital, processing expertise and access to new markets that Alliance cannot reach alone.

Alliance will continue to have a strong voice. Twenty key “reserve matters” – including budgets, major investments and divestments – will require agreement from both partners.

And to be absolutely clear, this partnership is not about cutting livestock prices. Dawn has built its success by being a competitive livestock buyer – you don’t grow to their scale by paying below the market.

Alliance has been transparent at every stage of this process. It is disappointing to see, from time to time, unfounded claims or speculation circulated without supporting facts.

Our door has been open and we’ve shared as much information as we can.

Farmers leaving a roadshow meeting over the past few weeks may be unhappy with the current situation facing Alliance, but I hope they were satisfied with the answers.

If you’re an Alliance shareholder who hasn’t attended a meeting, logged onto a webinar or studied the proposal in detail, there’s still time to read the detailed Scheme Booklet or talk to a farmer-director.

This is an important decision –one that will determine Alliance’s

SHARE: Since 2000 several other dairy companies have been formed, all of which have remained outside Fonterra. As a result, Fonterra’s share of milk supply has fallen to about 80% – less like the virtual monopoly it once was.

with it two valuable China Label Infant Milk Formula product registrations. This acquisition casts doubt on the long-term relationship with Synlait despite a2’s 19.83% shareholding, although meanwhile it will continue buying its product.

Apart from Tatua, a2 has arguably the best market position of the whole sector with its singleminded focus on the A2 protein which has enabled it to gain a substantial market share of the Chinese infant formula market, as well as in North America, Australia and locally.

However, further market diversification is necessary to prevent too much reliance on China.

The New Zealand dairy sector, given its history, appears well balanced: one major company, a strong follower, and a small number of specialist companies each with a narrow product range. Provided the dairy price remains firm, each of these companies can enjoy a profitable future.

One further question is whether New Zealand consumers will feel well served by this stable state or still moan about the price of butter.

HARD TALK: In its cross-country road show, Alliance spoke directly with around 1000 farmer-shareholders, says chair Mark Wynne – ‘tough, honest conversations [in which] we’ve answered every question put to us’.

strength for the next generation of New Zealand farmers.

I encourage every Alliance farmer-shareholder to have their say and cast their vote at or before the Special General Meeting in Invercargill today.

Sector Focus

From counting kiwifruit to top hort prize

Richard Rennie PEOPLE Horticulture

PHOEBE Scherer, from kiwifruit company Apata, admits she felt the weight of competitive legacy on her shoulders working her way through the many challenges that ultimately had her crowned the horticultural sector’s young grower of the year.

“I had been given a bit of nudge to take on the competition by my boss Erin Atkinson, who is a previous winner of the same award.

“Apata has quite a reputation for women doing well in the competition, and this was certainly a chance to step outside my comfort zone.”

The Bay of Plenty technical lab manager soon found herself getting up to speed with some fundamental orchard skills, including learning to drive a tractor and know her way around systems including irrigation and orchard layout.

Her homework paid off, and the first-time competitor found

herself among regional finalists competing at Lincoln in the two-day event, which provided a collegial network of new industry contacts.

The self-proclaimed city girl who grew up in Tauranga and graduated with a degree in genetics and evolution from Auckland University said she had not considered a career in the industry until she returned from voluntary environmental field work in Namibia, southern Africa.

“Horticulture was a bit of an accident. I needed a job when I came back and ended up counting kiwifruit for a summer job, which became a fulltime one.”

That morphed into work helping to determine the feasibility of orchard conversions and land use shifts to orcharding in areas as varied as south Taranaki and Gisborne.

Having been with Apata for 18 months now, Scherer’s work as a technical lab manager has her overseeing a team required to sample kiwifruit for harvest readiness over the intense harvest months of February to June.

During that period her crew

swells from only three in the off season to more than 40 as timecritical brix testing is deployed across orchards.

Other work includes taking soil samples for growers to assess orchard fertility and working with them to optimise harvest dates within orchard blocks.

“I love the lab environment, and have always liked data and

New Northland crop studies on tap

Hugh Stringleman NEWS Horticulture

SEVEN new crops for Northland have been assessed in a market opportunity study for Northland Inc, the regional development agency.

These are banana, pineapple, moringa, soybean, sunflower, ginger and turmeric.

The 15 most promising forms of consuming the crops were selected and the economic feasibilities completed with a qualitative framework with growers, processors and marketers.

When combined, the crop diversities were estimated to need 480ha to 790ha and they would generate aggregated gross profit between $3 million and $4.6m annually.

“While modest at a regional scale, this does not preclude niche operators from succeeding commercially under favourable conditions,” report author and analysts Scarlatti said.

A segment of consumers seeks out domestic fruit and vegetables and products made from these, placing value on provenance, traceability, freshness and quality.

Intending growers must know where and how they can charge premium prices over those for imported products grown where labour is much cheaper.

Northland growers may also need to access the larger Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty

regions where 50% of New Zealand’s population lives.

“Diversification requires more than just recognising an opportunity,” the report says.

It requires sufficient value through the supply chain to attract premium prices, some value-add processing at sufficient scale, and management of risks like yield variability, labour, adverse weather and regulation.

The three perennial crops, banana, pineapple and moringa, would require $40,000 to $240,000 capital expenditure per hectare and only pineapple was assessed by Scarlatti to meet a required gross profit and a 6% rate of return. That was because bananas and moringa oleifera (for consumption of fresh or dried leaves and oil from seeds) have high opportunity costs.

The four annual crops, soybean, sunflower, ginger and turmeric, had moderate to low opportunity costs, even very low in the case of ginger (which grows as a weed

UNDERWAY: The domestic banana industry has grown to 250 hectares planted but it is still accounting for only 2.5% of consumption.

throughout the north).

Soybeans and sunflowers would require larger areas of land, whereas ginger and turmeric can be grown on a small scale.

“It can take several years for new crop systems to build in maturity to achieve target yields and quality,” accounting firm BDO said.

“With an absence of local capability, at least initially, prospective growers should plan for several years of learning (for example variety choice, planting density, management approach, etcetera) before reaching the steady commercial performance modelled throughout this report.”

Bananas are already grown in Northland with an estimated 100ha under crop, and about 10ha of pineapples are also grown. Up to 400ha of sunflowers are grown annually in Canterbury, but not commercially in Northland.

The study was commissioned by the Tuputupu Grow Northland Initiative launched by Northland Inc in 2023.

accuracy, so it’s a good fit. Getting the best information possible for making good decisions means it’s good to be part of that cycle of field work being collected, coming to the lab, and being analysed for good decision making.”

She is excited by the technological developments she’s witnessing on almost a daily basis.

That includes the likes of big

I love the lab environment, and have always liked data and accuracy, so it’s a good fit.

Phoebe Scherer Young Grower of the Year

data gathered from within orchard environments now playing a bigger role than the “she looks a bit dry” approach, when making decisions such as when to irrigate.

“Growers are now really getting into tech, including the likes of remote monitors and smartphonebased tech, with more work being done on non-destructive testing methods like infra-red scanning.”

As a young woman advancing through the industry, she said the only pushback has come when growers insist on digging fertiliser sampling holes for her when she visits orchards.

“It can be difficult to get your foot in the door if you do not have pre-existing connections in the sector, but I am finding the more I progress, the less of that I see.”

Papaya shows promise up north

Hugh Stringleman NEWS Horticulture

NEW mango and papaya plantings have the potential to deliver the Northland regional economy over $3 million annually, an economic study says.

Accounting firm BDO made the study of the potential for sub-tropical fruit growing, on behalf of Northland Inc, the regional development organisation.

Another report on seven further crops was concurrently written by the analytical firm Scarlatti for the Tuputupu Grow Northland Project (see accompanying story).

BDO said almost all mangoes consumed in this country are imported from Australia, Mexico and Peru and the import value in 2024 was $11.5m.

Papayas come from the Philippines and Fiji, and imports were worth $2m last year.

There are growing markets for processed fruit – dried mangoes and papaya powders and supplements – which are being supplied by a small number of local growers pioneering these crops. The establishment of a local industry faces several significant challenges, BDO said, including the high costs of new plants and protective orchard shelter.

Fruit losses up to 20% are

common and B-grade fruit is hard to sell.

NZ-grown fruit is more expensive than imported fruit, limiting competitiveness in supermarkets and confining market opportunities to premium and niche segments.

BDO’s economic analysis assumed for mangoes a 20ha orchard with yield of 7tonnes/ha and revenue around $390,000.

For papaya a similar 20ha would produce 800t and $2.5m of revenue while creating 13 new jobs.

“The higher yields, stronger processing opportunities, and consumer demand for papayabased products all point toward papaya as the more viable commercial prospect.

“While there may be a small niche consumer market willing to pay a premium for locally grown mangoes, the overall outlook for growers and processors is unlikely to be feasible at a broader consumer market level.”

Tuputupu Grow Northland project lead Luke Beehre said papayas and bananas showed the most promise at present because of the early development in orchard plantings up to 250ha in the province, crop management and market outlets.

Tuputupu is working on a business case for a food manufacturing facility in Northland, probably at the Ngawha Business Hub.

FEDERATED FARMERS

Government ends methane madness

Federated Farmers is welcoming major changes to New Zealand’s climate policy as a long overdue and practical step that will be well received by farmers.

“Kiwi farmers have been bogged down in completely unscientific, unaffordable and unrealistic climate policy for far too long,” says Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford.

“At times it’s felt like absolute madness that we’d even be talking about policies that would shut down farms, send production offshore, and completely undermine New Zealand’s economy.

“Unfortunately, that’s exactly where we found ourselves as a country, losing sight of the fact our farmers are the most climate-friendly producers of milk and meat in the world.

“The impact on farmer confidence can’t be overstated. Farming families have been under huge pressure for a long time now – but it looks like that’s finally coming to an end.”

On October 12, the Government announced the current methane target of 24-47% will be significantly reduced to a much more realistic target of 14-24% below 2017 levels by 2050.

It said that target reflects the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024.

“We’ve accepted a range of advice and worked closely with industry to agree a practical target that protects food production whilst substantially reducing New Zealand’s farm

emissions,” Agriculture and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says.

“Today we’re delivering a practical, fair pathway that recognises New Zealand agriculture efficiency, protects jobs and production, and upholds our climate commitments.”

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the Government remains committed to New Zealand’s domestic and international climate change commitments, including net zero by 2050.

“Agriculture will continue to make an important and fair contribution to achieving this reduction.”

Langford says the target of 2447% has lacked any credible science to underpin it and left farmers scratching their heads wondering where those numbers came from.

“It was an entirely political and ideologically driven decision that placed an unfair burden on farmers

and rural communities, while pulling the handbrake on the economy at the same time.

“This new target brings New Zealand’s climate policy in line with what the research tells us is actually required to stop Kiwi farmers contributing to further warming.”

Federated Farmers made reviewing New Zealand’s methane reduction targets one of its 12 top policy priorities to help restore farmer confidence before the 2023 General Election.

“Today the Government has also categorically ruled out unfairly putting a price on agricultural emissions like methane,” Langford says.

“This is a major step forward and will be a huge relief for farming families who have had the threat of a massive tax hanging over our heads threatening the viability of our businesses.

“A methane tax would have achieved the opposite of its intent – forcing the closure of Kiwi farms, driving production to less efficient countries, and increasing global emissions.”

Federated Farmers is also welcoming news that New Zealand’s climate laws will be rewritten to align with the wording of the Paris Agreement and ensure food production is protected.

“The world’s growing population is desperate for healthy, nutritious and affordable food. New Zealand can play a significant role in meeting that need,” Langford says.

“It makes absolutely no sense to add unnecessary costs to food production, or unfairly punish farmers, when that was never the intention of the Paris Agreement.”

As part of its policy reset on methane the Government has also committed to investigate

HARD PRESSED: Farmers have felt the squeeze under unrealistic climate policy but the Government’s announcement, made in a Waikato woolshed on October 12, will finally ease the pressure.

setting a split-gas target for all future international climate change commitments.

Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says New Zealand has already recognised the short-lived nature and different warming impact of methane domestically.

“So it’s long overdue that we look into whether this same approach is appropriate in our international commitments.”

Langford agrees, saying it’s only logical that we would take the same split-gas approach with our international targets.

“Why would we take one approach here at home and then another on the world stage?

“Federated Farmers has long campaigned for the Government to take this approach to international targets, so we’ll keep pushing hard to make sure this happens.”

Certainty needed for school buses

Consequently, families have been left with uncertainty, and in remote rural areas routes are being quietly trimmed or chopped altogether.

School transport began more than a century ago, when New Zealand shifted from small schoolhouses to larger central schools.

Children suddenly had to travel much further, and the then Department of Education stepped in.

That founding promise – to get Kiwi kids to school – still stands. Access to learning shouldn’t depend on how far away our neighbours are or the length of a gravel road.

The ultimate goal was – and remains - to have strong rural schools and thriving rural communities.

Rural schools are the beating heart of our communities, and the school bus is the artery that keeps them alive.

But the system is complex, and not all schools can, or should, be treated the same.

Currently, the Ministry spends about $250 million each year transporting roughly 51,000 students.

Two major reviews – in 2003 and 2010 – identified problems, yet nothing changed.

Federated Farmers is working with its members, and with the New Zealand Rural Schools Leadership Association and Rural Women New Zealand, to develop a long-term solution.

Rural schools are the beating heart of our communities, and the school bus is the artery that keeps them alive.

Richard Dawkins Federated Farmers rural education spokesperson

One potential framework is a base route that remains stable despite temporary shifts in roll numbers.

A moving line in the sand creates anxiety for rural families. A national network, reviewed on a predictable cycle and adjusted only where evidence supports it, would provide certainty.

Funding settings must be honest and transparent. For this to happen we need a frank conversation about why the most isolated families are

seeing a reduction in services. The Ministry is reducing its support, and its current method of addressing this issue is untenable.

In towns, public transportation is based on local settings, with fares and rates. Rural school transport is a national entitlement, and the two systems serve different purposes.

A practical approach is to establish a clear national baseline with Ministry support, then allow for flexible local delivery within that framework. Hybrid models exist, where community-run vans are supported by the Ministry. This could be expanded where appropriate, but any partnership should protect families from unreasonable costs while keeping the network reliable and viable.

Choice also matters. Parents should be able to select the school that best suits their child, not just the nearest one.

That’s why Transport Entitlement Zones and the ‘nearest school’ criteria must be clear and workable.

Current thresholds require students in Years 1 to 8 to live at

least 3.2 kilometres away, and those from Years 9 up must live at least 4.8 kilometres away, with no suitable alternative public transport available.

Those neat numbers don’t reflect rural reality. Logging traffic, steep inclines, and roads with no shoulder can turn a short distance into a real risk.

Eligibility should consider safety, actual travel conditions, and preferred schools – not just kilometres.

Another issue is the ongoing debate about adults on school buses. Some parents prefer a child-only service, while others see responsible adults as a safety and behaviour support. Ride-sharing may lower costs, but the safety concerns are obvious.

For some families, boarding schools are the only workable option, and they may have a boarding allowance to help them. That support must be insulated from bus policy changes, so children who need to board can do so.

Success looks like this: a stable base network, clear settings that

ROAD TO FAIRNESS: Cuts and confusion are leaving some rural families stranded – farmers want a school transport system that’s stable and reliable.

reflect safety and access, and flexible options like vans, direct resourcing and conveyance allowances to bridge small gaps. It also includes transparent funding and certainty of routes, so parents and principals know where they stand.

School bus cuts affect real people, such as the farm manager and their family who won’t move to an area due to the lack of service, or the community that now must fund its own van to get kids to the new bus stop.

This is a complex and difficult issue, but that’s not an excuse for inaction – like we’ve seen up until now.

We need the courage to understand the system, fix it, and move forward.

Federated Farmers is proud to be pushing hard for real solutions by working with our members and partners.

We’re rolling up our sleeves to ensure rural kids have certainty on the bus, but this might require some hard conversations among our community first.

Homekill boom is serving up bigger opportunities

Homekill operators say they’re busier than ever — but there’s still plenty of meat on the bone.

Edgecumbe butcher and homekill specialist Toby Barkla is in the process of establishing a regulated mobile abattoir, which he sees as a way to expand his business while also benefiting his community.

“We’ve never been so busy. Everyone’s getting homekill done and going hunting because of the cost of meat.

“But there are much bigger opportunities for us rural butchers in setting up as micro and mobile abattoirs.

“Me and two other staff are sitting our meat inspector course and I’m going to build a new mobile abattoir unit built to MPI food safety requirements.

“It means everything we kill will be fully regulated and inspected, so we can utilise and sell every part of the animal — all those hearts, livers,

kidneys, and tripe, as well as the meat,” Barkla says.

At present, unless certified as a micro abattoir, homekill operators can process meat and by-products only for the animal’s owner.

The rules are strict — it can’t be sold, bartered or traded — leaving butchers like Barkla restricted despite strong customer demand.

Barkla, who owns Plains Butchery and is a member of Federated Farmers’ rural butcher executive, says transitioning to a micro abattoir isn’t cheap or simple, but he sees the investment as necessary.

“The cost and training are all about keeping food safety at the highest level, so no one gets sick. I’m all in favour of that.

“The micro abattoir space is really exciting, and it’s a chance for smaller operators to step up and show what we can do for our communities.

“When we’re fully operational, people can literally ring up and order

DILEMMA: Disposing of by-product like offal, organs, and bones has become increasingly challenging for homekill operators like Mike Hanson, from Netherby Meats in Ashburton.

a whole or half beast, fully legal. You’re eating the best New Zealand has to offer. It’s a real goer.”

Ashburton butcher Mike Hanson, who runs Netherby Meats and is on Federated Farmers rural butcher executive, also says business is humming.

Like Barkla, he’s excited by the opportunities but says he’d like to see the rules eased so it’s easier to set up as a micro abattoir.

“As rural butchers and homekill specialists, we want to keep serving our communities, but it’s very expensive and complicated to get a micro or mobile abattoir off the ground,” Hanson says.

“With so many small abattoirs shutting down, farmers will soon really struggle to get stock killed locally. Unless rules change, there’s no way to legally sell or trade local meat in those areas.”

One of the main hurdles is the inspection requirement. Current meat inspection qualifications were designed for large-scale export plants, not small rural businesses.

To get qualified, operators face around $30,000 in costs and six months of part-time study — a barrier too high for most small-scale butchers.

“If they don’t have the qualification, they must pay a veterinarian to inspect each animal before slaughter,” Hanson explains.

“That quickly becomes too costly for businesses operating at a small scale.”

Federated Farmers has been working with New Zealand Food Safety and AsureQuality to find practical solutions.

The organisations have jointly recommended an alternative set of qualifications tailored to small-scale domestic operations — skills that

maintain food safety while removing unnecessary barriers.

“Getting these rules right would give butchers, farmers and local communities more control,” Hanson says.

“It would let new businesses get off the ground and help communities feed themselves without having to rely only on big meat works miles away.”

Another hot topic is what happens to by-products such as offal, organs, and bones. Disposal has become increasingly expensive as commercial collection services decline.

“By-product disposal is a real challenge,” Hanson says.

“Offal, especially pork, is expensive to get rid of because the rendering plants won’t take it in some areas. A lot ends up going to landfill, which feels like such a waste.”

Barkla says mobile abattoirs provide a safe, legal solution.

“With homekill, you can’t use dog bones or offal because it’s unregulated. There’s good reason for that — none of it is tested, and if people took it home to cook, they could get crook if the animal had an infection.

“With a mobile abattoir, everything is done in a regulated, clean environment, so we can safely use all parts of the animal.”

Federated Farmers is exploring a model where homekill operators could carry out initial inspection onfarm, return the meat to the client, and send offal to a regulated pet food processor — maintaining food safety while reducing waste.

For both Hanson and Barkla, the goal is simple: rules that work for small-scale rural operations, support local communities, and ensure every part of the animal is put to good use.

“Micro and mobile abattoirs have the potential to transform our industry,” Barkla says.

Farmers relieved – but some in limbo

Ian Strahan says it’s fitting that Horizons Regional Council’s decision to delay its One Plan review was announced during Mental Health Awareness Week.

“For that piece of news to come out in Mental Health Awareness Week is really quite apt,” the Federated Farmers Manawatū-Rangitikei president says.

“It’s a huge weight off farmers’ minds because the proposed water quality targets were causing major stress for rural families.

“Farming would have ground to a halt in some districts if such unrealistic regulations had been bedded in.

“That sort of threat to your livelihood and significant investment in your farm and food production is hugely stressful – and these wranglings over the One Plan have been going on for years now.”

Horizons Regional Council announced its Oranga Wai One Plan review will be pushed out to 2028.

The One Plan review was launched in 2022 in response to the Labour Government’s 2020 Essential Freshwater package, including the much-criticised Te Mana o Te Wai concept and National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

Federated Farmers ManawatūRangitikei elected leaders and staff have spent countless hours fighting the One Plan proposals, lodging multiple written submissions in 2023 and 2024.

“In particular, our message about balancing environmental progress with economic and employment factors really hit home with councillors,” Strahan says.

“Farming is one of the largest industries in the Horizons region, and it’s the major economic driver in the Whanganui, Ruapehu and Tararua districts.

“The land use restrictions and changes in One Plan would have seriously undercut that. We’ve been pointing out the lack of robust economic analysis in the previous review documents and proposals.”

Our message about balancing environmental progress with economic and employment factors really hit home with councillors.

Ian Strahan Federated Farmers ManawatūRangitikei president

Strahan says draft One Plan water quality targets requiring 50-100% reductions of nitrogen, phosphorus, E. coli and water-borne sediment across the region were totally unworkable.

Horizons agreed last year to do more work on the economic impacts of its water quality and other targets but for various reasons this hasn’t happened.

The One Plan review, originally due

to come into force last year, has now been pushed out three times.

Pivotal to that has been moves by the National-led Government to overhaul the Resource Management Act and prepare new freshwater management directions to councils.

“Federated Farmers asked for both those things in the lead-up to the last election, so we’re pleased the Government is taking action to bring back some common sense,” Strahan says.

The Government recently passed legislation requiring most council plan-making processes to be paused until 31 December 2027.

The pause is to stop local authorities undertaking costly plan changes and reviews that could end up conflicting with the new resource management laws being written.

Some exemptions to this ‘Plan Stop’ order are possible – including for issues relating to natural hazards

STRESS RELIEF:

Ian Strahan says it’s a real relief to local farmers that Horizons Regional Council’s One Plan review is on hold until 2028, when new resource management legislation will be in place.

– and Horizons is yet to decide whether it will apply for exemption.

Strahan says it’s very unfortunate that the stop order doesn’t apply to Horizons One Plan Plan Change 2 and nitrogen discharge thresholds set under the ‘old’ One Plan.

“There’s an existing legal process underway that has to run its course,” he says.

“But it’s left 167 dairy farmers in limbo. They haven’t been able to renew consents since 2017.

“It’s a preposterous position for those farming families to be in.”

When Overseer was updated in 2017 and nitrogen discharge calculations were revised, many farmers who had previously been compliant found themselves unable to meet the new thresholds.

“What totally gobsmacks us is that it looks like a software change by a third-party provider – especially one that an independent report to

the previous Government called unsuitable for informing regulatory decisions – has left these farmers inadvertently breaking the law as unconsented,” Strahan says.

In its appeal, Federated Farmers supported an alternative approval pathway for the affected farmers.

“We’re not sure if the Environment Court will go along with the alternatives, but if it does, it’s likely there’ll be a limited time window for the farmers to apply,” Strahan says.

“So, we’re getting ready now, alongside Horizons and all the other industry groups, to get the right message out to farmers quickly, depending on what the Court’s decision requires.

“If the decision is against our interests, we may yet be calling on the Government to step in again and end this highly bureaucratic nightmare.”

KARAPIRO, WAIKATO 4/366 Karapiro Road

Premium Cambridge Further Opportunities

Massive possibilities abound with this 168.4889 hectare (more or less) farm, 12km from Cambridge.

The rolling contour and neighbouring land use changes highlight the farm's versatility, with use for conversion to dry stock, equine, kiwifruit, or lifestyle development

Confirmation of six (6) Environmental Benefit Lot entitlements in exchange for the protection of a total of 16.38 hectares of bush and restoration areas is a key element with this property given its fantastic locality.

The elevated immaculately presented four-bedroom homestead built in 2010 and recently refurbished offers comfort and style in a peaceful rural setting.

Currently operating as a productive dairy unit, this farm has been astutely managed to maximise output and soil fertility. With an average production of 256,856kg MS over the past six seasons. Currently milking 450 cows. 44 ASHB, 600 cow feed pad with flood wash, feed bunkers - 550T capacity. Extensive specimen tree planting throughout this property complements its excellent location.

pggwre.co.nz/TEK42183

AUCTION

NGAHINAPOURI, WAIKATO 911 Kakaramea Road

Dairy Farm - 92.3322 hectares (more or less)

Strategically positioned in the heart of the Waikato, with excellent access to Hamilton, Te Awamutu, and surrounding rural services.

This well-located, flat-contour dairy farm offers a compelling opportunity for purchasers seeking a productive and well-maintained property in a highly regarded dairying district. The farm has been leased in recent years and is currently presented to a high standard by the existing leaseholders.

Milking 250 cows. Production: 104,785 kg MS in the 2023/24 season.

Infrastructure & Improvements: Three dwellings - all accessed from Kakaramea Road, 20 ASHB dairy shed, covered herd home - recently established, four-bay calf rearing shed, three hangars/storage facilities, dedicated PKE bunker, two silage pits, and new effluent pondpart of recent capital investment

This property combines scale, location, and infrastructure, making it a highly attractive option for owner-operators, investors, or those seeking to expand their existing operations. With four titles and three dwellings, it offers great flexibility

TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior)

Closes 3.00pm, Thursday 13 November

VIEW 10.00-12.00pm Mon 20 Oct, Tue 28 Oct and Mon 3 Nov

Peter Wylie pggwre.co.nz/TEK42123

M 027 473 5855

E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

Richard Wright

M 027 454 6000

E richardwright@pggwrightson.co.nz

Peter Wylie

M 027 473 5855

AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 11.00am, Wednesday 26 November VIEW 10.00-11.00am Wednesday 29 October E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

WHAREPAPA SOUTH, WAIKATO 318 Aotearoa Road

'Tullymore Farms' - 176ha Premium Dairy Opportunity

Superbly presented and meticulously maintained Tullymore Farms offers a turnkey dairy operation with outstanding infrastructure and a strong track record of performance. Set on 176ha of predominantly rolling, fertile land and currently milking 400 cows, with additional livestock including 30 beef cattle and 88 calves. Production has shown consistent growth over the past three seasons, production of 193,903 kg/MS (373 cows) in 2022/23, 202,360 kg/MS (390 cows) in 2023/24 and 205,664 kg/MS (395 cows) in 2024/25. Infrastructure includes a 40 ASHB cowshed, Protrack drafting system, a vet race and a removable AB race. Effluent management is handled by a 2020-built lined pond (40m x 40m x 4m), a weeping wall and a travelling irrigator. Feeding facilities feature a 400-cow feed pad with flood wash, two 300-tonne concrete feed bunkers, one 25-tonne concrete bunker, and a 125-tonne concrete tilt panels and concrete grass silage bunker. Supplementary feed includes 577 tonnes of maize and palm kernel purchased, with grass silage made on the farm. The main home, built in 2022, is a 132m² three bedroom residence Additional dwellings include two three bedroom homes. The vendors have continually invested in improvements, ensuring the farm remains highly efficient and ready for the new owners.

pggwre.co.nz/CAM42329

Hectare Dairy Unit,

AUCTION (Unless Sold Prior)

11am, Wednesday 19 November PGGWRE, 87 Duke St, Cambridge VIEW 12.00-1.30pm, Monday 20, 27 Oct & 3 Nov

scott.borland@pggwrightson.co.nz

Wylie

E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

NEW LISTING

MATAMATA, WAIKATO 5325A SH 29

Blue Chip Location With Options

AUCTION

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior)

Located in the popular Hinuera this property of 60.6 hectares (more or less) will appeal to a multitude of buyers. Currently milking 150 cows through an aged 12 ASHB shed, producing a 5 year average of 40,900kg MS on an all-grass system. Contour is mainly flat with balance of medium hill at the rear of the property. The soils are fertile, free-draining sandy loam soils with a central lane servicing approximately 60 paddocks. An all-weather disused horse training track at the front of the property A prime opportunity to secure a blue-chip asset in the heart of rural Waikato.

pggwre.co.nz/MAT42361

NEW LISTING

11.00am, Wednesday 19 November VIEW 11.00-1.00pm Thursday 23 & 30 October E trevor kenny@pggwrightson.co nz

OTOROHANGA 126 Tauraroa Valley Road

Large-Scale Dairy & Support

21km from Otorohanga, this fully self-contained dairy unit offers 323ha across three titles. Dairy platform 170ha, wintering 580 cows on-farm, strong five-year average 212,000kg milk solids. 105ha support block. Wintering 110 replacements, C/O and extra beef trade cattle The land is predominantly easy rolling in contour with flats at the front and some steeper sidings on the support Infrastructure features 40-bail ASHB dairy shed with adjoining feed pad. Reliable water system supplied via two bores. Three dwellings on-site, including a manager’s house and two cottages.

pggwre.co.nz/TEK42389

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 11.00am, Friday 14 November

10.00-12.00pm, Tuesday 21, 28 October & 4 November

AUCTION

PIARERE, WAIKATO 310 Paparamu Road

Large Scale Dairy with Location

Consisting of 214 hectares (more or less) with approximately 186 hectares effective dairy platform. The balance is fertile flats ideal for maize and grass silage production with the balance in steeper sildings ideally set up for dairy heifer grazing. Current production is from approximately 500 MA spring calving cows milking a three year average of 187,000kg MS through a 44 ASHB dairy shed, with inshed feeders. Other supporting buildings Tracks and fencing are well maintained. Two well presented dwellings support the farm.

pggwre.co.nz/MAT42279

NEW LISTING

AUCTION

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 11.00am, Wednesday 19 November VIEW 11.00-1.00pm Friday 24 & 31 October

Trevor Kenny

M 021 791 643

E trevor.kenny@pggwrightson.co.nz

ARIA, WAITOMO 878 Mokauiti Road

Exceptional Piopio Drystock Property

A rare opportunity to secure a high-performing livestock operation in a stunning natural setting. This 569.8171-hectare (more or less) farm offers approximately 490 hectares of effective grazing land, with the balance in native bush teeming with birdlife. Four bedroom home with outstanding northfacing views, set well back from the road for privacy and with stunning views. This is a well-balanced productive farm with scale, excellent infrastructure, and natural beauty Ideal for those seeking a turnkey operation with proven performance.

AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 11.00am, Friday 28 November VIEW 10.00-11.00am Thursday 30 October and 06 & 13 November

Peter Wylie

M 027 473 5855

E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

Accelerating Success.

A Family Legacy Ready For The Next Generation

531 Parklands Road, Rotoorangi

For Sale by Tender closing 4pm, Tuesday 18th November 2025 (unless sold prior)

Colliers presents 531 Parklands Road, Rotoorangi, Cambridge, a 194-hectare property offered to the market for the first time in over 96 years Held by one family for nearly a century, this farm represents an exceptional opportunity in a proven Waikato district

Featuring around 166 hectares of effective grazing, the land offers a balanced mix of flat to rolling and steeper contour suited to finishing, grazing, or cropping Improvements include good fencing, a reticulated water system, a three-stand woolshed with yards, quality cattle yards, and an airstrip with a 65-tonne fertiliser bin.

A five-bedroom homestead with pool and a separate threebedroom home add comfort and flexibility Combining scale, contour diversity, and strong infrastructure, this is a standout rural offering

James Burke 021 824 145

Chris Meban 027 484 4574

Clint Brereton 027 897 1161

Central Hawke's Bay 683 Bush Road, Wallingford

1,083

hectare breeding/finishing property

The Estate of AW Parsons offers a genuine sheep and beef breeding/finishing property Situated 37km southeast of Waipukurau with the school bus at the gate, only 24km to Flemington Primary School Currently run as one unit, the estate is split into three separate blocks The main landholding of 869ha provides the easy to medium/steeper breeding platform with a very good standard of fencing, subdivision and laneways Three large dams form the source of the extensive reticulated water system Improvements include the four bedroom manager’s residence, staff accommodation, and a four stand woolshed complex The 43ha bottom finishing block of flat to easy contour includes cattle yards The Awahiwi Road block of 169ha can be purchased separately to the main farm and comprises easy contour, sheep and cattle yards, and an all weather airstrip bayleys co nz/2854191

1,083 ha

Tender Closing 4pm, Thu 20 Nov 2025

15 Havelock Road, Havelock North View by appointment

Andy Hunter 027 449 5827 andy hunter@bayleys co nz

Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253

tony rasmussen@bayleys co nz

EASTERN

Boundary lines are indicative only

Mangatangi 83 Miller Road

Proven dairying with infrastructure and scope

Set over 257 hectares (more or less) this Mangatangi dairy farm offers scale and consistency with a wellestablished layout The land shifts from flats to gentle hills with around 100 paddocks enabling efficient grazing Soils are ash on the hills and clay on the flats recognised for production and resilience A bore installed in 2022 secures reliable water strengthening the farm’s base alongside its contour and subdivision Infrastructure includes a 50 ASHB shed at the core, a 400-cow feed pad for flexibility, and a range of implement sheds, hay barns, and storage Four homes provide accommodation for family, staff, or support Located in North Waikato, Mangatangi connects easily to the Hauraki Plains, Pokeno, and south Auckland The district’s farming heritage and the backdrop of the Mangatangi Dam and ranges enhance both strength and appeal bayleys co nz/2630147

Riverbank Station, prime land and prime location

Rarely does a property of this scale, quality and contour come to the market Located approximately 27 kilometres west of Hawke’s Bay Airport, Riverbank Station totals 833 hectares (in five titles) and boasts large portions of easy contour Providing over 40 kilometres of new conventional fencing, new cattle and sheep yards and investment in pasture renewal, this farm is set to go to another level There is consent to irrigate up to 45 hectares of flats Well subdivided with excellent laneways and 6 0 kilometres of road frontage provides for excellent vehicle and stock movement Improvements include three dwellings, refurbished shearers quarters, a four stand woolshed, new sheepyards, refurbished central cattle yards and new steel cattle yards This is truly a trophy farm that has seen significant capital investment which the new owner will reap the rewards from bayleys co nz/2854153

257 4587 ha

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 13 Nov 2025

96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 11am-12pm Thu 23 Oct

Karl Davis 027 496 4633

karl davis@bayleys co nz

Sam Aislabie 027 429 5410

sam aislabie@bayleys co nz

Closing 4pm, Wed 12 Nov 2025 15 Havelock Road, Havelock North View by appointment

Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253

tony rasmussen@bayleys co nz

James Macpherson 021 488 018

james macpherson@bayleys co nz

Rangitikei 268 Wanganui Road, Marton

Craigend – 114 hectares (more or less)

Located just outside of Marton, Craigend offers productive Marton and Halcombe silt loam soils and sound infrastructure across 114 hectares (more or less) A flat to easy rolling contour has supported cropping finishing heifer grazing and more recently sheep and beef grazing Fertiliser history and extensive tile and NovaFlow drainage underpin consistent performance and versatility Infrastructure includes reticulated spring water steel cattle yards sheep yards a woolshed and sheds plus a laneway Impressive riparian planting adds to both the aesthetics and environmental value of the property The four-bedroom home with a modern kitchen and spacious living is set privately behind mature trees with established gardens fruit trees and vegetable gardens Well located near Marton with Palmerston North and Whanganui in easy reach bayleys co nz/3053165

799 ha

Tender (will not be sold prior)

Closing 1pm, Wed 12 Nov 2025

49 Manchester Street, Feilding

Phone for viewing times

Jack Monckton 027 394 3705

jack monckton@bayleys co nz

Mark Monckton 021 724 833

mark monckton@bayleys co nz

Interest rate relief sets the scene for rural expansion

As most will already appreciate the NZ Official Cash Rate is a benchmark interest rate set by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand which this month was reduced to 2.5%, marking its lowest level since August 2022 and in a historical context represents a very favourable growth setting for primary sector exporters, particularly given this season’s very favourable exchange rate as the broader NZ economy battles on.

The difference in farmer interest rates today, compared to the same time last year, for those servicing a decent mortgage, represents a saving equivalent to the entire annual fertiliser bill! As we soon roll into the 2026 financial year, operational gains paired with the strong commodity cycle are expected to translate into a record tax take from our Primary sector.

What does all this mean for our rural property market?

Well, for those with a growth mindset, it’s not hard to envisage the motivation to take advantage of the current bank appetite for affordable rural credit and grow your business, rather than pay a record tax bills.

Particularly when rural land values are starting to rise again, notably dairy, and buyers are showing up with bank support on favourable terms. The rural divisions of most banks are expected to be strong drivers of new business performance by financial year end 2026.

Dairy farm sales this season are expected to match the 300+ sales achieved 10 years ago over the 2013/14 season. Hill Country valuations have now reset and expected to hold or improve post the downward correction in valuations following the forestry bubble and the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle in recent seasons.

Why go to market this season?

You might consider selling your farm this season due to strong buyer demand, solid farm values, and greater confidence in the outlook

Selling now affords the option to benefit from a very favourable market window ahead of the uncertainty of 2026/27 and all that goes with an election year

The other important consideration is what do I do with my money when I sell?

Right now, the residential market has bottomed making the option to sell on high and buy a property closer to town more affordable than ever.

Don’t take our word for it, just look at our market results. We have had record rural sales results for July, August and September – October is shaping up to drive a similar outcome. I’d like to sincerely acknowledge our vendors for their continued support. Their confidence in us is a big responsibility and one we are very proud to own

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell your farm or lifestyle property, our True Team is here to exceed your expectations. With a perfect blend of energy and experience on your side, you can’t go wrong with Property Brokers.

Call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz

Rangiwahia 925 Main South Road

Outstanding dairy farm

A rare opportunity to secure a large-scale, well-equipped dairy operation combining proven production, advanced technology, and long-term sustainability. Set across 511 ha (approx.) the farm offers an excellent balance of scale infrastructure, and natural resources. The 212 ha effective milking platform produces up to 220,000 kgMS, supported by free-draining soils and strong pasture growth. A modern 40-bail rotary cowshed with ACRs, auto drafting, and Halter technology streamlines management, complemented by excellent calf-rearing facilities, support buildings, quality farm tracks and three dwellings. The balance provides support for young stock, wintering, supplements, or beef finishing, plus forestry blocks with ETS registration. The property has multiple purchasing options available.

Scale, performance & lifestyle

An exceptional opportunity to secure a proven, large-scale dairy operation offering excellent infrastructure, strong production, and lifestyle appeal in a highly regarded district. Covering 333 ha, this summer-safe farm benefits from reliable rainfall, free-draining soils, and strong natural contour, making it highly productive and resilient The 249 ha milking platform produces up to 275,000 kgMS, supported by quality soils and pasture. Infrastructure includes a 50-bail rotary cowshed with automatic systems, feed pad silage bunkers calf-rearing facilities reliable water supply, and multiple support buildings. Accommodation comprises three comfortable homes, ideal for owners, staff, or managers. Adding unique lifestyle appeal, the Oroua River borders the property, offering fishing and hunting A genuine turnkey operation with scale, performance, and natural advantages a smart investment for the future.

Tender closes 1.00pm, Wed 19th Nov, 2025, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding View Wed 22 Oct 11.00 - 11.30am Thu 30 Oct 11.00 - 11.30am Web pb.co.nz/FR207472

Ted Shannon M 021 833 536 E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Blair Cottrill M 027 354 5419 E blair@pb.co.nz

Tender closes 1.00pm, Wed 19th Nov, 2025, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding

View Wed 22 Oct 1.00 - 1.30pm Thu 30 Oct 1.00 - 1.30pm

Web pb.co.nz/FR210864

Blair Cottrill M 027 354 5419 E blair@pb.co.nz

Ted Shannon M 021 833 536 E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Kimbolton 402 Junction Road

Complete farming package - 202 ha

Tender

402 Junction Road North offers an outstanding opportunity to secure a well-balanced and visually appealing 202 hectare farm in the heart of the Manawatu Located just 10 minutes from Kimbolton and 30 minutes from Feilding this property combines scale, strong infrastructure, and versatility, all set in a private and picturesque setting The land features a desirable mix of contour-approximately one-third flat with the balance in easy to medium hill countrymaking it ideal as a standalone unit or as a valuable addition to an existing operation. The pastures are in excellent heart, with regular fertiliser history and soils comprising Kiwitea loam and Whetakura sandy loam. Fencing is to a high standard with 40 well-subdivided paddocks and a reliable gravity-fed water supply from the Kiwitea scheme.

Kairanga 1063 Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road

Tender

Premium soils, proven performance, prime location

This highly productive dairy unit offers scale, quality infrastructure, and some of the Manawatu’s best soils. The flat Te Arakura and Kairanga silt loams are known for their fertility and year-round growth. Supported by a 107m stock water bore, strong fencing, and well-formed races, the farm is designed for efficiency and consistent performance Currently peak milking 820 cows under a System 3 model, it features a 50-bail rotary cowshed calf and implement sheds feedpad, standoff pads, silage bunkers, and a twin-pond effluent system with 90 days’ storage Cows are wintered on farm, with maize and grass silage – some maize grown on farm and grass silage brought in Excellent internal fencing and races support stock management. Accommodation includes a five-bedroom homestead and three additional homes, allowing for family or staff needs With proven production, fertile soils, and prime location near Palmerston North, this is a rare large-scale dairy opportunity.

Tender closes 11.00am, Thu 13th Nov, 2025, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding View Thu 23 Oct 11.00 - 11.30am Web pb.co.nz/FR188374

Ted Shannon M 021 833 536 E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Blair Cottrill M 027 354 5419 E blair@pb.co.nz

Tender closes 11.00am, Tue 18th Nov, 2025, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding View Tue 21 Oct 12.30 - 1.00pm Web pb.co.nz/FR213183

Blair Cottrill M 027 354 5419 E blair@pb.co.nz

Ted Shannon M 021 833 536 E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Dannevirke 467 Waitahora Valley Road

Waitarere - 369 ha

Located just 20 minutes from Dannevirke in the sought after Waitahora farming district, Waitarere presents an exceptional opportunity with its prime location and significant farming improvements The property boasts approximately 80 ha of cultivatable land with 60 ha utilised for harvesting supplements The remaining effective area is mainly easy to medium limestone hill with the ineffective area (34 ha) made up of ETS registered woodlots and native Notable improvements on the farm include a well-equipped four-stand woolshed and yards, cattle yards, satellite yards and reticulated water across the majority of the property. Two large modern implement sheds provide ample storage for both supplements and implements. The main summit stone home features four large bedrooms with the second two-bedroom cottage providing ample accommodation or secondary income as required Seldom do properties of this quality come to the market with an excellent level of improvements

Tender closes 2.00pm, Wed 19th Nov, 2025, Property Brokers, 4 Stanley Street Dannevirke View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/PR207533

Jared Brock M 027 449 5496 E jared@pb.co.nz

Sam McNair M 027 264 0002 E sam.mcnair@pb.co.nz

Self

with

Comprising

dairy sheds, it produced over 234 0 0 0kg/MS in 2 024/25 from 650–70 0 cows Includes prime s oils, four homes, multiple sheds, bore and council water, and strong supplement production

A U C T I O N

243 Te Awa Road, Kiwitea

Potential is the word that defines this 122-hectare freehold dairy farm in the sought-after Kiwitea district of the Manawatu. This dairy farm offers a chance to step into a well-established operation with genuine scope to significantly lift production and profitability

Key Features include: Two adjoining leases totalling a further 125 effective ha (approx 30 ha milked on). This allows the farm to be fully self-contained and versatile for rearing replacements, harvesting silage and wintering Current OAD milking policy on a low input management system has averaged 79,600 kg MS A shift to TAD could unlock substantial production gains - this farm has a whole lot more to give! Modern 4 bedroom home with extensive decking along with plenty of recreational fun to be had bordering the edge of the Oroua river rwfeilding.co.nz/FEL30412

Trophy Finishing & Fattening Farm

Glendore is a much admired property.

During the Vendors family 106 tenure the property has been extensively drained, contoured and cultivated resulting in a highly productive sheep and cattle finishing block. Excellent traditional infrastructure, very good fertility, reticulated water scheme. Beautifully sited Homestead overlooks Glendore, one of the district’s finest vistas. Approximately 2/3 cultivatable and mowable, Glendore has the flexibility to offer many land use options of lamb fattening, cattle finishing and dairy support. A rarity in the marketplace Glendore is so well situated only 6kms from Dannevirke.

A Superb Property

For Sale by Tender

Auction Tues 25 Nov at 1:30pm

•

• Pivot irrigator and K Line.

• 26 aside Herringbone shed.

• Four bedroom home. Call me today for more information & to book your appointment to

Tender closing 4.00pm Thursday 20th November 2025 www.forfarms.co.nz - Property ID FF4070

• 664 Ngahape Road, Ngahape, R D 3, Te Awamutu

• 210 58 hectares - 5 titles; attractive with a scattering of mature specimen trees

• flat to easy rolling contour with some sidlings

• soil types include free -draining mairoa ash + heavier soils in lower lying areas

• v g water reticulation sourced from deepwell bores + roof collection of rainwater

• substantial homestead, 3 brm + office, modernised with ensuite, new kitchen & bthrm; attached triple gge; dble basement gge; pool + tennis court; sep new dble gge/storage

• 3 additional dwellings for farm support families

• approx 900 cows currently being milked: 750 spring calving cows, 100 autumn calving cows; 50 in -milk carry-over cows

• production 2024/25: 427,670 kgs milk solids, 3 year average: 418,657 kgs milk solids

• 50 bale rotary dairy shed; auto cup removers; Protrack system for auto drafting, heat detection etc ; adjoining 400-cow covered feed pad with flood wash system; quality effluent system with solids separation & large lined effluent pond; v g implement sheds & calf rearing facilities; lge concrete silage bunkers for maize & imported feeds

• excellent lo cation with easy access to a range of options for schooling

Larger Scale Dairy

• 3 x large concrete silage bunkers; variety of utility

•

If you want peace of mind when it comes to your young stock, we are the people to see. Operated by a dairy farmer who understands the importance of growing the future of your herd to their potential, giving them the best start at calving. We have the facilities to weigh and track growth and will work with you to formulate an animal health plan. Located near Upper Hutt, we offer competitive rates and have an open gate policy.

To discuss your grazing requirements today phone (027) 233 1274 or email: totararoaddairies@outlook.com

able pricing. Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

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

EURO CE CERTIFIED offgrid solar systems for sale under 10k! Includes eight high-power panels, 10.2kw lithium battery, and all accessories. Ideal to power irrigation pumps, electric fencing with option to connect to wind-hybrid too. All stocks in Auckland, ex-warehouse basis. Contact greenwoodnzltd@ gmail.com

3-YEAR-OLD black and tan Huntaway. Suit cattle farm or one owner cattle farm. Phone 027 243 8541. HEADING BITCH. Tri coloured. 5 months, excellent type and nature. Working at hand. Well bred. Phone 027 474 5273.

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

FORESTRY

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

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.

HORSES FOR SALE

15 HANDS BAY gelding. 11 years old. Good natured farm hack. Hawke’s Bay. Phone 027 688 7535.

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

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY

LADY seeking love/ companionship. A lover of the land and searching for her soulmate. 5’3, 55kgs with blonde hair and green eyes. Interests include swimming, hiking, travel & good old-fashioned cooking. Call 0800 315 311 to make contact today.

PUMPS

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

RAMS FOR SALE

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

WORD ONLY

ADVERTISING. Phone 0800 85 25 80.

SALE TALK

A NAKED MAN with a naked girl on his back goes to a fancy dress party. The host opens the door and says, “This is a fancy dress party, you can’t come in like that!” The man protests “I am in fancy dress; I’ve come as a snail.” The host says, “but you’ve got a naked girl on your back.” The man says, “Oh that’s Michelle.”

TRAVEL

INDIA & SRI-LANKA package tours. Visit www. maharajahtours.co.nz or email india@xtra.co.nz or call Craig on 021 193 0091 for details.

TREES FOR FARMS

ADDITIONAL INCOME. Stock shelter, erosion control, Truffle income, animal fodder, fireproof cork and Natives. 021garden.co.nz Litherland Truffles 021 327 637.

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.

NATIVE LOGS WANTED. Salvage logs and Green standing trees, all species. Top prices paid. We acquire all necessary MPI and Council consents. All enquiries welcome. Phone Mike 027 458 5250.

On farm at 154 Whakamaru Road, SH 30, Whakamaru. Approximately 130 rams for sale by Auc tion 11am rams penned ready for viewing. Livestreamed on

Looking for Sales Talk?

Marketplace Classifieds

STOCK REQUIRED

Ewes with Lambs at Foot

Fries/Here Bull Calves Nov/Dec del

1YR Ang & Exotic Hfrs 270–320kg

1YR Fries Bulls 250 - 320kg

2YR Heifers 380–450kg

1 or 2YR Angus AX Steers >400kg

1 & 2YR Beef or Fries Bulls 380–520kg

info@dyerlivestock co nz www dyerlivestock co nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

• Premium Terminal Sire

• Early maturing lambs

• Absolutely delicious to eat

Contact Robin Blackwell 027 242 1565

Richard Giddy 021 756 800

183 Mangotea Road, Ratapiko, Taranaki

Proven performers in a range of conditions

• Excellent maternal instincts

• Vigorous, fast-growing lambs

• Robust and well-muscled

• Minimal inputs

• Sound feet

• Solid and well-balanced

Pre-Sale Ram viewing day

November 19th 2025, 1-4pm, 157 Georges Road, Waipara

Ram Auction

November 24th 2025, 1pm, 27 Darnley Road, Waipara

w w w.mtcass.co.nz

Contact:

Dave Wooldridge Mt Cass Station: 027 259 4859

Callum Dunnett Hazlett Livestock: 027 462 0126

Simon Eddington PGG Wrightson Livestock: 027 590 8612

fertility, survival, worm tolerance, longevity, hogget fertility

• Facial Eczema flock testing at 0.44mg/kg sporodesmin

• Stabilised breeding programme –better fertility, better structure

• Offering faster growth rates and higher meat yield •

Romani Coopworths

High

Excellent

Less

ECZEMA TOLERANT ROMNEYS

RAMGUARD TESTING SINCE 1985

• 5 star rating

• Bred on challenging hill country

• Robust functional sheep that survive

• Structurally sound

• Selecting for parasite tolerance and less dags

• No ewes worm drenched, dipped or vaccinated

KEITH ABBOTT, RAGLAN 027 463 9859 | www.waiteikaromneys.co.nz @waiteikaromneys

R a u p u h a S t u d s

Where every day is an open day

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

Start your genetic progress here.

FE Gold breeders have made a long term commitment to producing the top FE genetics in NZ

Testing for a minimum of 10 years, testing rams at the highest level ( 0.6mg/kg )

Scan the QR code to find a breeder in your area

The time to start incorporating FE Genetics is NOW. www.fegold.co.nz

RAUPUHA

Follow the leader #1 Suffolk and Suftex terminal 2ths are available

Perendales & Romdales are

PERENDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0 6 ROMDALE 2TH RAMS TESTED 0 6

Raupuha Shorthorn bulls are available for sale

Please enquire for more info

Russell and Mavis Proffit: 2033 State Highway 3, RD, Mahoenui 3978 M 027 355 2927 | E: raupuhastud@gmail com | www raupuhastud co nz ON FARM SALE Tues 18th Nov 2025 at 12

Tackle FE head on with NZ’s leading genetics.

Genetic selection for parasite resistance is a sustainable long term solution to worm challenges and drench resistance.

Coalgate brings out the sunny smiles

Weather plays ball for a welcome day off farm of T-shirts, shorts and cattle in top condition.

TFiona Quarrie MARKETS Livestock

HE only box left unticked at the Coalgate Prime Beef Competition last year was a bit of sunshine.

This year the fifth annual event, held on October 9, took place on one of the warmest days of the season so far. Where beanies and raincoats were a staple last year, it was T-shirts and wide-brim hats for the 2025 edition. This all worked to make for an enjoyable day off farm for local vendors.

As usual, the competition was divided into four classes: beef steers, beef heifers, dairy-beef steers and dairy-beef heifers. Each entry required a minimum of four head. There was a total of 41 pens, which equated to 211-head. The largest class by far was the beefbred heifers.

Buyers have come to expect topclass cattle at this event, finished to perfection and worthy of the top dollar. Once again, vendors didn’t disappoint, and the quality of the cattle was a credit to them.

A pen of four Charolaiscross steers, entered by Tom Chamberlain, took out the top prize in Class 1. At an average of 658kg, they were not the heaviest or the top earners at $5.26/kg, but judges picked them out as top of their class. Most of this section traded from $5.20/kg to $5.30/kg.

The largest class of the competition, beef-bred heifers, was dominated by exotic breeding in the first half. Charolais-cross and Simmental-cross were common but it was Limousin, supplied by Wok and Cece James, that came out on top for both per kilogram and competition placings.

At $5.42/kg, they topped the sale, and the next best made $5.38/kg, which earned second and third placings for vendors Bruce and Erin Wild and S&A Truscott respectively.

The largest class of the competition, beef-bred heifers, was dominated by exotic breeding in the first half.

It was Sam Truscott who also received the Philip Shaw Award for these 646kg Angus heifers. Weight trumped all in Class 3: dairy-beef steers, and AngusFriesian from Lyn and Chris Crozier carried a lot of condition at 714kg. They earned $5.27/ kg and red Hereford-Friesian were a close second at 658kg and $5.24/kg. The rest of the section typically realised $4.92-$5.04/kg.

The best was saved for last in Class 4 and the final pen of the competition, Hereford-Friesian heifers at 666kg, earning the vendor Richard Murray $4.90/

 3 way or 5 way options available

 Trailer options available

kg. It was a tight range of returns for the group, which all managed $4.82-$4.90/kg.

This sale also acts as a year-onyear benchmarking opportunity for the prime cattle market in Canterbury. The different circumstances this year meant a decent lift in returns was expected, but as it turned out, the improvement was roughly $1.50/ kg. To put this into perspective, the Angus-Friesian steers that fetched $3763 in Class 3 would have realised $2556 on last year’s money.

The fun didn’t end when the final hammer fell, and efforts from organisers meant a good old barbecue was enjoyed while final judging decisions were made. While it is a great opportunity to put a large selection of quality cattle in front of buyers, the main purpose of this sale it to get people off farm. Times may be better now, but when this competition was established, it was a different story. As the red meat sector tends to follow cycles, it is important that these types of events are continued so the support network is always in place.

Of course, there is often a driving force behind these events and Hazlett agent Phil Manera is a strong believer in the benefits of getting off farm. It also wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors: local transport companies Frews, Ellesmere, GVT, Ryal Bush, Rural,

Cattle Sheep Deer

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

Feilding | October 10 | 1681 cattle, 763 sheep

Boner Friesian cows, 525kg

Mixed-age ewes & lambs, all

Store mixed-sex hoggets, most

Store finewool mixed-sex hoggets, most

Prime ewes, most

All about the westerly flow as summer nears

Philip Duncan NEWS Weather

THE persistent westerly flow since late winter and through spring is doing something to the soil moisture maps – splitting the country in half from west to east.

In the east things are drying out gradually, while in the west many have had more rain than usual. When week after week feels similar, it’s easy to ask if this will ever end. To answer that we zoom out of NZ and look at what is happening overall.

One thing starting to show up is that high pressure is increasingly affecting northern NZ and the overall belt of worst westerlies are not always blasting the entire country now. Put simply, spring is showing signs of maybe changing down a gear as we head closer to summer.

I don’t have an answer on how summer is likely to shape up this year, but if spring is anything to go by it may be a traditional slide towards it all with westerlies likely continuing into November – but hopefully showing signs of easing further.

Don’t expect November to have a switch flicked – we still see changeable weather with long range modelling showing some bigger highs moving towards NZ, but in Australia that polar airflow looks to again brush their southern coastline, ensuring the

topsy turvy spring westerly continues.

It’s worth keeping in mind that even with all this volatility the days get longer and our UV rays increase.

Summer is coming even if the summer weather is harder to lock in.

This means the windy westerlies will be hotter in the weeks ahead, even if we do get more polar air over New Zealand. We’ve already seen some hot weather in the east, so pushing past 30degC at times would be possible.

We’re also seeing a few lows around –so overall the spring-like weather, the changeability, may be quite good for many regions, but I do think we need to very closely monitor eastern NZ. A traditional spring often dries out the east and this year that wind is more enhanced.

With so much rain still falling in the west, and the main divides, there will be some eastern spillover, especially into some eastern catchments/ waterways.

But that is for the remainder of October. We will have to wait a couple more weeks to see if November’s pattern shows any signals for how summer may be panning out.

There are many moving parts for us to monitor in the South Pacific – and sometimes all of that makes for fairly normal spring weather. Our mountains and ranges will always make some places too wet, others too dry, no matter how perfect the forecasting is.

Average Rainfall 9am 30/09/2025 to 9am 15/10/2025 (Based on a 30 year climatology: 1991-2020)

As for too wet, at the time of writing this column the 15-day rainfall map to the start of November was for a lot of West Coast rain (300mm+ for some) and in the North Island

Observed Rainfall 9am 30/09/2025 to 9am 15/10/2025

between Hamilton and Horowhenua another 70 to 100mm possible, with over 200mm potential for the central North Island mountains and the Tararua Range.