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Tuesday, JanuaryJanuary 30, 2024 2024

INSIDE: El Niño losing its grip on the nation P12 JANUARY 2024 EDITION

The Big Feed telethon to raise donations for foodbanks nationwide featured 14 hours of wacky games and challenges. More than 700,600 meals were donated throughout December 2023. Hosts Matt Chisholm and Meat The Need co-founder Wayne Langford bob for apples in buckets of milk. P10-11

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January 2024

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How data connectivity is powering rural New Zealand Fast internet and great connectivity can make the difference for rural communities.

iving and working in rural New Zealand has its advantages, from the beautiful scenery and tranquil surroundings to a closer connection with the land. But over the years, many people in rural areas have had to go without one of the staples of urban life — fast internet. NZ’s rural communities have often faced struggles with connectivity and data availability, leading to unreliable internet across farms, orchards and lifestyle blocks. While many business owners and families have settled for poor connectivity, others have turned to experts for help. Rural internet provider Farmside has worked for more than a decade to bring better internet to rural businesses and homes, helping people get better connections and access to new technology. John and Mary Cusdin, retired deer, sheep and beef farmers in Stratford, have had a Farmside connection for 16 years. Having moved to a 10-acre block in late 2006, the Cusdins realised getting internet wouldn’t be easy. “We’d built this house and wanted to get our landline and internet set up, but struggled. We had a company come and tell us that our area wasn’t connected to the network. So then we contacted Farmside.” “Before we contacted them, we couldn’t use the internet at all,” Mary adds. “We needed it for banking and emails, but there was no one around to help.” Farmside installed a satellite internet connection for the couple, with an aerial on the roof beaming internet into the home through a modem. The fast internet got the Cusdins online, and John went on to buy and run a lawn-mowing business in the Stratford area for several years. Today, they still have the same Farmside aerial on their roof delivering high-speed internet — although the

technology behind it, and internet speeds, have improved vastly over the years. The Cusdins say they’ve received great support from Farmside’s Timaru team since the 2000s. “Since we went with them, a number of companies have been set up. But we wouldn’t consider shifting,” John adds. From households to rural businesses, customers across New Zealand have tapped into Farmside’s expertise. The company has also helped rural communities learn more about the power of internet connectivity and digital tools in recent years. To further enhance rural connectivity across NZ, Farmside has introduced Data Boosters to give customers greater internet capacity. Off-peak Data Boosters give Farmside customers access to unlimited data between the hours of midnight to 5pm, allowing them to download more work

files or entertainment content. The internet provider offers different connection plans to suit data usage needs, and allows customers to track their consumption by the hour. The group also shares handy tips with customers to help them make the most of data allowances. Rosaria Weir, Head of Sales at Farmside, says customers can maximise capped internet plans by making small tweaks, such as switching Netflix to standard definition. “There are so many things you can do to minimise your usage when you are on a capped data plan,” she says. “By changing to standard definition you can save up to two-thirds of your data usage without there being a noticeable difference to your viewing experience.” Farmside also has zero-rated partnerships with companies including BNZ, Westpac, MYOB, and Figured, enabling farmers to access the websites

without using their data allowance. “Even if you’ve run out of data on your plan, you will still be able to access all of these sites,” Weir adds. “That ensures that even if our customers have run out of data, they can still get that important work done, like getting accounts paid.” As rural internet continues to improve, Farmside’s Data Boosters and expert insights will continue to power communities across NZ’s paddocks, farmhouses and lifestyle blocks. ■

Farmside prides itself on delivering excellent customer service. Visit farmside.co.nz or in Butler Street in Timaru.

January 2024

NZ Farmer News 3

Updated all day at

‘This is not just about me’ Three rural leaders representing food and ﬁbre, health, community and conservation were recognised in the New Year honours. By Eve Hyslop.

ormer chief executive and co-founder of New Zealand Merino (NZM) John Brakenridge has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s honours. Recognised for his services to the food and fibre sectors and merino industry, Brakenridge transformed the merino industry from a system-based organisation to an “ecosystem”. This transformation saw NZM break away from wool sold in commodity-driven auctions and instead provide growers with brand contracts; a career highlight for Brakenridge. “Instead of wool going into a faceless auction, it goes into an ecosystem, right to end brands. Those growers get a sense of purpose that you’re connected to an end brand; it could be in Italy with Reda or here in New Zealand with Icebreaker.” Such brands include Loro Piana, Glerups, Allbirds, Ikea, Smartwool and NIKKE. Brakenridge says the honour encourages him to reflect on his counterparts. “It’s about taking one step back and being in the moment to appreciate that this is not just about me. This is about a lot of people, tribes, my family, one of which is the growers, the industry and my colleagues which have been incredible.” Before he entered the wool industry, Brakenridge says merino wool products were hard to find. “You didn’t have the choice. When [NZM] came in, people not only got a choice but [NZ merino wool] actually became a little bit of an icon product.”

Gavin O’Donnell

His love for wool stemmed from family involvement, the alignment of the communities involved and seeing the money go back to the growers. Brakenridge’s 27 years at the helm saw NZM’s annual turnover go from $5 million to $203m, with three successive record years of profit. In 2019, NZM received a Supreme Award at the NZ International Business Awards , to follow an Outstanding Contribution at the same awards in 2013. At the 1999 NZ Marketing Awards Brakenridge received Marketer of the Year. He stood down as chief executive of NZM last April, but continued his work as a founder with Te Hono collaboration. That involves leaders from New Zealand's food and fibre companies, iwi and government agencies in partnership with Stanford University to shift New Zealand from a volume to value producer and marketer of high-consumer-value products. Brakenridge says he is on a “quest for knowledge” around AI, sustainability and human-centred design to further the capabilities of the food and fibre sector as it faces government plans to double New Zealand’s export value in 10 years. He continues to form The Brakenridge Impact Group, which he launched upon leaving NZM. “The notion is to work with a select number of businesses that want to lean into value and disrupt old models. There’s inherent value that is sitting there but it needs new ecosystems and impact.”

Whangamatā medical practitioner Dr Michael Miller

Rural community and conservation leader Gavin O’Donnell For services to the rural community and conservation, Gavin O’Donnell was recognised with a Queen’s Service Medal. O’Donnell has played a key role in many rural initiatives over the last 30 years from leading industry groups to environmental committees and Fire and Emergency assistance. He helped set up the Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Advisory Group and within this time has held various roles with Federated Farmers, including chairperson of the Nelson Ward from 2011 to 2014, alongside treasurer and Meat and Wool representative.

Former chief executive of New Zealand Merino John Brakenridge

He notably provided assistance after the 2017 Cyclone Gita, contacting people affected by flooding and slips in the area. Representing Fire and Emergency NZ and Federated Farmers in the Pigeon Valley fires, he provided on-the-ground information to the Nelson Tasman Primary Cluster Adverse Events Network during the fires. These were just a few of the events marking his contribution as a volunteer firefighter. Today, he is a member of a range of environmental groups across the Nelson and Tasman areas; they include the Tasman Environmental Trust, Waimea Fresh Water and Land Advisory Group, biodiversity forums, regional pest management, and Tasman Bay Guardians. Rural health champion advocate Dr Michael Miller A general practitioner in Whangamatā, Dr Michael Miller has also been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for his rural health advocacy. Championing the use of ultrasound for rural communities, Miller’s work in the sector has been comprehensive. In 1990, he developed Whangamatā’s first built medical facility, Whangamatā Medical Centre. It opened in 1995. Under his leadership, the practice’s medical services were improved by introducing modern, integrated primary health care services. These services included locallydelivered radiology and ultrasound services, which were funded by a charitable trust founded by Miller in 2005, Whangamatā Community Health. The trust also secured funding for afterhours medical care and primary care beds for Whangamatā’s residential aged care facility. His advocacy has also seen 24/7 care sought for rural Whangamatā patients and for training of medical students, postgraduate doctors and GP registrars. He still wears many hats in the rural health sector, as founding member and treasurer of the Rural General Practice Network and the rural electorate representative of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Council. ■

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January 2024

From the Editor Contents 03 New Year Honours

Recipients working in the ag sector recognised

The Big Feed Farmer-led charity raises more than 700,000 meals for foodbanks throughout the country

El Niño El Niño began in spring, peaked in December and is now on the decline

29 Telling the rural story

Stuff takes on two rural interns

National Lamb Day Celebrating the beginning of frozen meat exports

30 Heat stress in stock

Hot weather across the country is cause welfare issues for stock

Contact us NZ FARMER EDITOR Sonita Chandar 027 446 6221 sonita.chandar@stuff.co.nz DESIGN Sam Davenport Kwok Yi Lee Rachel Trevelyan Nina Weil HEAD OF REGIONAL & RURAL MARKETS Kate Boreham 021 279 5361 kate.boreham@stuff.co.nz

Nice work, NZ Sonita Chandar EDITOR

t really is no secret that times are tough for everybody but what a great effort, New Zealand. The total number of meals donated to the Big Feed telethon in December last year may have been down by a substantial amount, but it still showed that the generosity of communities is alive and kicking. The farmer-led charity Meat The Need has been supplying more than 100 foodbanks across the country for several years. But the increases in the cost of living have bitten Kiwis, with just over 700,000 meals donated during the 2023 event compared with the 1.2 million meals raised during the Big Feed in 2022. But 700,000 meals in today’s economic climate is not to be sneezed at. Rents are up, as are mortgage payments, and petrol, food and commodity prices have gone north sharply, so we are now paying three times as much as we did for some items in 2022. The real wages people are earning, what your pay actually buys, has shrunk considerably. And, in December, the Reserve Bank said New Zealand had a 0.3% drop in the gross domestic product in the September quarter. This means it is quite possible we may be in a technical recession by the next quarter.

That is a scary thought and it really is no wonder that many Kiwi families have struggled, and continue to do so, just to live. As well as increasing household and farm costs, low forecast payouts for milk, the low price for sheep and beef, compliance cost and ever-increasing changes to rules and regulations are hurting the back pocket. Estimates have already shown us that 50% of farmers across the industry will make a loss. So 700,000 meal donations is a great achievement whichever way you look at it. Farmers, agribusiness, farming corporates and industry bodies ,as well as the general public, dug deep to donate and ensure hungry families could ﬁll their bellies. The 14-hour live telethon, hosted by Dave Letele, Matt Chisholm and Wayne Langford, was streamed online from 6am to 8pm from The Hub at Lincoln University on December 14. And with wacky challenges, antics and lots of fun, including Chisholm ending the day with a green mohawk and Langford getting a tattoo, it is obvious the Meat The Need team is committed to helping feed those who need a helping hand. We need more of these types of initiatives and programmes, please. Foodbanks are struggling to get donations to distribute to the community. As previously reported, demand for foodbank assistance has increased by 165% over the past three years.

Meat The Need raised more than 700,000 meals for foodbanks across New Zealand during its Big Feed telethon, an amazing achievement considering the cost of living is biting Kiwis hard. Hosts Dave Letele, Wayne Langford and Matt Chisholm prepare for some crazy challenges.

We can all do our part and it doesn’t have to be limited to just one day or a big event. There is a need throughout the year. As Meat The Need general manager Zellara Holden says, it is as little as a cup of takeaway coffee. Forgoing just one coffee will help. Or perhaps you bought the wrong shampoo or sanitary product or what have you, and cannot return it. Consider taking it to your local foodbank to donate. Be it big or small, every little bit helps. Everyone can help make a difference. ■ Get in touch with us at nzfarmer@stuff.co.nz

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Foodbanks are struggling to get donations to distribute to the community. We can all do our part.

January 2024

NZ Editor Farmer 5 Letter to the

Updated all day at

Overseas markets at risk

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s an ag student in the United Kingdom around 1988, I remember the debate on the forthcoming ban on stubble burning. That practice was banned in 1993. Around 2003, I remember ﬁlling in my ﬁrst LERAP form (Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides). This dictated the necessary distance a pesticide could be sprayed next to any open water course. I remember the UK ban on paraquat in 2007. I saw around that time the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. Now 55% of that entire country is designated a NVZ. The maximum N limit in such a zone is 220 KG/HA of N and 180 for barley. That includes both organic and synthetic forms of nitrogen combined. Yet despite all these regulations, some of which New Zealand has not even heard of let alone put into effect, farming continues to be solvent and even prosperous over there. Just now I have learnt that China banned the use of paraquat in 2016. But, most interestingly, China continues to manufacture paraquat for sale to certain backward countries. And that includes us. Now I take issue with Colin Hannah of the Feds, who tells us that, having done the necessary cost analysis himself, Northland Regional Council’s freshwater plan will cost the region $275 million to $300m. He goes on to say that the ‘‘trickle-down

Above: Thanks to Charlotte Heald for this stunning photo of sunflowers. Russell and Charlotte Heald farm organic and regenerative dairy with their three children in Norsewood. Heald Sunflowers was started two years ago as a fun family project and a way for the children to make a little pocket money selling flowers at the gate. The 0.6ha paddock has been a great fundraiser and last year raised nearly $3500 for the WaiSplash Community Pool in Dannevirke. More events are planned this year, including yoga in the sunflowers, Valentine’s Day picnics, a bootcamp to support Rural Change and an open weekend to support WaiSplash.

effect would be more than a billion’’. I wonder if he did the second calculation on a box of matches or just pulled the ﬁgure out of thin air. Colin also calls the stock exclusion area ‘‘a land grab’’. It isn’t. It’s simply excluding stock from a water source such as a river. A policy that many governments around the world have rightly undertaken years ago. Such practice has not devalued the land. Far from it. In some cases quite the reverse. What we are looking at here is gross and sensational exaggeration. Perhaps Colin and the Feds would give us a real budget for the cost of doing nothing about our freshwater. And whilst they are busying themselves with that, perhaps they could do another

budget on the cost of losing our worldwide markets. Because, from an environmental perspective, we are 20 years behind many countries to whom we sell. And I do believe they now know it. Why the hell should we buy from a country that still sprays paraquat everywhere, they ask. It’s a good question. A while ago a senior agricultural bank manager called us ‘‘laggards with siloed thinking’’. Sadly. I ﬁnd more often than not the words of the Feds are disingenuous, sensationalist rubbish that do more harm than good, and the words of that bank manager are harsh but correct in the main. We have to stop moaning and clean up our act. ■ Andrew Luddington, Lincoln,

Have your say Letters to the editor are welcome and should not be more than 250 words. If you have an opinion you would like to share or ideas for what you would like to read in future issues of NZFarmer, get in touch with us at: nzfarmer@stuff.co.nz or write to us at: The Editor, NZ Farmer Level 7 Cider Building, 4 Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021

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January 2024

Opinion

We can do it Water-quality issues have been ongoing for more than 20 years, with many farmers spending thousands of dollars on fencing waterways and riparian planting.

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We do not have to forsake farming in order to achieve the desired environmental goals. Doug Edmeades

VANESSA LAURIE/STUFF

A rational approach to managing water quality is needed, writes soil scientist Doug Edmeades.

‘I

f you can keep your head when all about are losing theirs and blaming it on you.” So begins Rudyard Kipling’s poem If. I think the quote is a useful metaphor which puts into perspective what has happened in the last 20-odd years on the subject of water quality. Farmers have been required to “keep their heads” while all about – the greenies – are ‘‘losing theirs’’ and blaming them for polluting our waterways. A focal point of the issue has been, and still is, nitrate leaching in Canterbury. It is a measure of the destructiveness of the greenies’ cause that their criticisms of farming and farmers do not come with helpful solutions – as far as they are concerned, farming, and especially dairy farming, and especially in Canterbury, should cease forthwith if we are to reduce

the rate of nitrate leaching and hence avoid the possibility of an increase in the incidence of blue baby syndrome. It is their bullish, emotional, singlemindedness that annoys me. Like the Luddites of old, they are happy to destroy an industry to solve, in this case, an environ-mental problem. The concept of the three-legged stool of sustainability: economy, environment and social equity, appears to have escaped their thinking. It is for this reason that I am delighted to see a more rational, scientiﬁc approach beginning to emerge in terms of managing nitrate leaching. I recently read a report entitled The trend in nitrogen loss from Canterbury Dairy Farms, written by Dragonﬂy Data Science, for the company Overseer Ltd. Using the OverseerFM model and data from 1269 farms in Canterbury, over the period 2016-17 to 2021-22, they found that the levels of nitrate N leached per hectare fell by 5.7% per year, or 29% over six years. As far as I can make out from the report, these improvements were not the result of stopping farming, or wholescale destocking, but a consequence of incremental changes in farm management

come to terms with the need for practices – in effect making riparian planting, fencing-off the farm more efficient waterways and developing with respect to nitrogen nutrient management plans. management. This In essence, re-engineering represents a major the farm. At that time the step forward in terms problem looked daunting. of how we manage For my part, I try to environmental problems. keep things in perspective. When I began my There are many historical science career in the late examples where humans 1970s, the motto was to grow have been challenged to solve two blades of grass where one problems, against enormous grew before. Simple? We need Soil scientist odds, and succeeded. We grew to modify this adage to meet Doug Edmeades at best one tonne of wheat per today’s needs. hectare in 1850. Now that same Now the goal should be to hectare can grow 10 to 12 tonnes, thanks grow two blades of grass where one grew to science and technology. before, and at the same time achieve our And so it is with a problem like water environmental goals. Studies such as the quality. Measuring and managing diffuse one mentioned above suggest this will sources of contaminants was always going be possible. We do not have to forsake to be difficult. It takes time to understand farming in order to achieve the desired the problem, to develop the knowledge environmental goals. and to apply the appropriate technologies. We have come a long way. I can recall The recent results from Canterbury how, when water quality issues were suggest we are making progress. We ﬁrst raised 20 or so years ago, farmers should celebrate, and we should always needed to develop a new vocabulary viz: remember that our history shows we can nutrient budgeting, nitrate leaching, P be a clever little ape. ■ runoff, sediments and E.coli etc ... and

The key is to seize opportunities Farmers should focus on opportunities in the industry this year and not just the challenges, says Kate Acland, the Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairperson and a midCanterbury sheep, beef and dairy farmer.

hile having some downtime on the farm at Christmas, I reﬂected on what we need to ensure the rural sector is set up for success in 2024. Last year was extremely tough, with on-farm costs soaring and farmgate prices dropping. The situation was compounded by a wave of ﬂawed and impractical rules and regulations imposed on farmers. With a new Government, I am optimistic we will soon see sound and effective policies that work for farmers and the environment. However, I also believe we need to avoid becoming preoccupied with the challenges and headwinds facing the agricultural sector and instead focus on the opportunities over the next 12 months.

From international trade relations to domestic regulatory shifts, the landscape is evolving rapidly, and we need to be ready to respond as best as we can. As the third-largest global economy by 2030, India presents a strong opportunity for high-quality lamb over time. But success in India requires a sustained, holistic, and strategic approach – this will transcend mere trade relations. Despite efforts efforts to establish a free trade agreement (FTA) since 2010, challenges persist due to high tariff rates and non-tariff measures. It's time for New Zealand to forge a longterm relationship with India. On the European front, recent FTAs with the UK and EU offer offer a chance to boost beef exports. While the EU outcomes may have been disappointing, increased access under the UK FTA opens doors for sustainable,

high-quality New Zealand meat. Back home, the Government's initiative to replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management is a positive step, addressing the inadequacies of existing rules. However, the effectiveness of these changes hinges on halting regional planning processes. Certainty is paramount for farmers, and further advocacy is needed for related freshwater Certainty is rules, including paramount certified certified freshwater for farmers, farm plans, stock says Kate exclusion and winter Acland. grazing. Amid these challenges, the resilience of sheep and beef farmers will come to the forefront. Drawing from data spanning 70 years, Beef + Lamb New Zealand has identified identified the key characteristics of farmers successfully navigating financial financial turbulence. Productivity remains the cornerstone, with incremental improvements across various

aspects such as lambing percentages, stock losses and feed management all critical. B+LNZ has a range of programmes and initiatives underway to support farmers to lift their productivity and profitability and I encourage them to keep an eye out for sessions in their area or online. Research and development projects such as the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme, which aims to enhance the beef sector’s profits through sustainable practices and improved production efficiency, and research into facial eczema, will also be critical to drive the industry forward. Our funding and support for these programmes underscores our commitment to understanding and addressing these challenges. A growing global conversation around the emissions efficiency of the food we eat also presents a fantastic opportunity for farmers. We’re already one of the most efficient producers of red-meat protein in the world, with exciting developments in research and genetics meaning we have the opportunity to make further gains and capture the market returns that eventuate. A strategic blend of international diplomacy, domestic resilience, innovation and effective marketing will define our sector's trajectory this year. It's a time for the industry to not just weather storms, but to chart a course towards sustainable growth. ■

January 2024

NZ Farmer 7 Opinion

Updated all day at

A year on from Cyclone Gabrielle

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Nadine Tunley says a great deal of work remains to be done after the cyclone wreaked destruction across parts of the North Island.

This Esk Valley orchard suffered widespread damage. DAVID UNWIN/THE POST

Cyclone’s aftermath: An apple tree sprouts a toy rake and a fence grows onions.

JOHN COWPLAND/STUFF

Nadine Tunley with apples at Hoddy’s Orchard warehouse. PATRICK HAMILTON/STUFF

range across infrastructure, managed retreat from flood-prone areas, flexibility in land use, protection of highly productive land, water consent timeframes and investment in water storage. We have also called for the removal of a number of legislative and regulatory barriers, including to the employment of people, and for the lowering of tariffs and swifter access to new export markets. All these steps will further support the process of recovery and development of the industry in the most severely affected areas. We welcome the appointment of Nicola Grigg as associate minister of agriculture with responsibility for horticulture. This dedicated portfolio represents a milestone for the sector and reflects the importance of producing nutritious New Zealandgrown fresh fruit and vegetables for New Zealanders. The ongoing work of the sector is

underpinned by the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan launched last February. Two years in development, it is the culmination of extensive consultation with the partners of industry, science, Māori and government. It is a blueprint ultimately to double farmgate values and achieve $12 billion in revenue by 2035 in a way that improves prosperity for our people and protects our environment along the way. It provides clear and agreed outcomes and goals and associated actions and resources, building on previous success while being conscious that much has changed and will continue to change. Its ﬁrst outcome area concentrates on improving sustainability and mitigating climate change through prioritising the adoption of optimised and environmentally positive growing practices. That will include ensuring water resilience – in terms of availability and storage – and increasing crop protection, management and biosecurity tools. The plan focus also includes optimising

land-use adaptation through appropriate conversion to horticulture crops, building the domestic market, diversifying market access and facilitating trade, value chain innovation, greater use of digital tools, the breeding of new cultivars to meet future growing needs and a very strong emphasis on investing in people and training. It outlines the steps to ensure Māori are strong in horticulture, including pathways to increasing Māori-owned land in highvalue horticulture, accessing capital for investment and supporting greater Māori ownership and control across the whole value chain. The horticulture sector plays a critical role in our country and our economy. It employs more than 40,000 people and the benefits from growing operations flow into the wider community in so many of our rural and often remote communities. On a national level, it makes a significant contribution to growing a prosperous and sustainable economy, exporting to 125 markets, while ensuring food security for New Zealanders. Our vision and intent is to increase that contribution significantly. We welcome the indication that the new Government intends to provide a constructive and collaborative environment that will support businesses in those key growing areas to rise again in the wake of the devastation of the past year. And we look forward to working with the Government to develop policy and practice that creates an enduring environment where all growers thrive and New Zealand prospers. ■

NZ-27171_210246

t is now almost a year since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated businesses and communities, particularly across Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Northland, the Bay of Plenty and northern Manawatū. It is important not to forget those still working to recover and to build resilience to such extreme weather events. The rebuild and renewal process is expected to take a generation. For many in the horticulture sector, there are mountains that still need to be climbed – there are growing areas and infrastructure in a dire state and the investment required to enable it to again thrive will be significant. So, it was heartening to see the new coalition Government signal in its 100-Day Plan that it means business when it comes to supporting that recovery. No 6 on the list is to ‘‘meet councils and communities to establish regional requirements for recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle and other recent major flooding events’’. No 7 is to ‘‘make any additional Orders in Council needed to speed up cyclone and flood recovery efforts’’. The efforts the industry and the communities in these regions have already made to recover from the crushing blows inflicted by Gabrielle and other extreme storm events has been nothing short of Herculean – but more help is needed. Primary sector leaders have already developed a plan to address immediate needs, as well as the long-term recovery of the affected regions. As the frequency and severity of adverse weather events increase, steps to mitigate or reduce damage have become even more crucial. But the horticulture sector has made it clear to the Government the changes we would like to see in policy settings. These

January 2024

8 Opinion NZ Farmer

Back to the future using regenerative systems

Economist Gordon Stuart, of ﬁnancial services company Chaperon, asks could New Zealand use regenerative agricultural systems to boost productivity on farms?

ew Zealand is facing an economic reset and reality is dawning with each passing day. This reset involves some pain, but also opportunity. One variable to watch during the reset will be the drive to lift productivity and innovation. We need to pull many levers and look for new ideas. An example that offers potential could be regenerative agricultural systems. Reality is sinking in Our economic model has been built around importing people, and we have been lucky enough to see export prices rise faster than import prices over recent decades as food outperformed good manufacturing prices. We face a geopolitical world where security is trumping economics in trade and our largest export destination, China, has a fragile economy, adding risk and lower demand. Farmers are doing it tough, facing: ■ Increased regulatory costs, including river planting and fencing and measurement of carbon sequestration etc. ■ Essential freshwater reforms including a 190 kgN/ha/year cap. ■ Leaching of nitrate and phosphorus polluting waterways. ■ Greenhouse gas/methane emission pressures.

Economist Gordon Stuart

■ Land-use challenges with councils. ■ Higher farm input costs combined with lower commodity prices for dairy beef and lamb. ■ Severe weather in 2023 negatively affected horticulture volumes and quality. The arrival of El Niño has seen a rise in sheep slaughter numbers in Australia by more than 20% in the third quarter. Beef + Lamb forecast farm proﬁts for 2023-24 down 31%, after a 32% decline in 2022-23. These challenges are material and will not go away overnight. They require a combination of better policy, science, innovation, a national export strategy for a different world environment and a ruthless obsession with lifting farm performance. Soil fertility around the world is under pressure from high acidity levels, poor nutrient composition, erosion of depth and unfavourable soil structure, caused by the use of fertilisers, pesticides, continuous cultivation and deforestation. We need solutions to many problems but let’s look at soil. Common factors affecting soil acidity An acid releases hydrogen ions (H+). Conversely, a base releases hydroxyl ions (OH-). A pH of 7 is neutral. Nitric acid is a

strong acid (releases hydrogen ions easily) with a pH of 1, whereas carbonic acid is a weak acid with a pH of 5.6. Nitrogen – sources fertilisers, manures, legumes – contains or forms ammonium. This increases soil acidity unless the plant directly absorbs the ammonium ions. The greater the nitrogen fertilisation rate, the greater the soil acidification. As ammonium is converted to nitrate in the soil (nitrification), H ions are released. High rainfall contributes to a soil’s acidity. Water (H₂O) combines with carbon dioxide (CO₂) to form a weak acid – carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). The weak acid ionises, releasing hydrogen (H+). It also displace calcium that is leached from the soil. When subsoil pHs drop below 5.0, some soils may be toxic to plant growth. Dolomitic lime (Ca Mg (CO₃)²) can help neutralise the soil, it hydrolyses (dissolves in water) to a strong base and a weak acid. The strong base lifts the soil pH. It also supplies essential nutrients, Ca and Mg, and makes other essential nutrients more available. This unfortunately becomes a high-cost treadmill. Maybe it’s time to go back to the past to look for ways to boost productivity and reduce environmental impacts. In home gardens we use compost/organic matter to help provide good soil structure and waterholding capacity. Increasing organic matter in soil also promotes water infiltration and helps protect farm soil from erosion and compaction. Regenerative agricultural systems may provide a productivity and environmental solution A number of studies have identified that lower intensity ‘regenerative” agricultural systems may offer alternatives that can be incorporated into existing farms, particularly near waterways. Multispecies pastures are being investigated. Benefits found have included increased

dry matter production throughout an entire season, increased milk yields and lower environmental losses. Likewise, combining both soil mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial soil bacteria into a single soil additive has been found to boost productivity, enhance soil health and reduce nutrient losses. Dr Jeff Brown, a former senior environmental scientist with Fonterra and now at FarmEnviro, recently shared with me some of his promising latest findings using regenerative systems. “In addition to the very high pasture dry matter production, the nutrient uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus was very high. This is of great interest to me, in terms of on-farm nutrient management, as it facilitates compliance with RMA consent compliance conditions and greatly lowers the environment impact from the grazing of such pastures. The high rates of nutrient uptake show the RespondBio active biologics in the mix facilitate the uptake of nutrients from the soil. We applied only 110 kgN/ha via effluent, yet withdrew around 475 kgN/ha, showing the combination of added soil bacteria and nitrogen-fixing legumes in the pasture mix were capable of adding approx. 365 kgN/ha fixed from the air or taken from the soil. A similar story existed for phosphorus, where the mycorrhizal fungi and high growth rates of the multispecies pastures extracted more than double the amount of phosphorus from the soils than in the control paddocks.” Conclusion These findings indicate significant potential to improve dry matter production, nutrient uptake and stocking rates and provide environmental savings for pastoral and dairy farms across NZ, where soil P levels are often too high and pose a risk to freshwater. Some farms may be able to greatly reduce or even cease phosphate fertiliser inputs for many years, resulting in large cost savings over time. ■

How best to navigate the El Niño weather patterns Ballance Agri-nutrients science strategy manager Warwick Catto looks at the challenges farmers face from El Niño.

n a recent webinar hosted by Ballance Agri-Nutrients (Ballance) with MetService and Dairy Women’s Network, both meteorologists and on-farm experts delved into the implications of El Niño weather patterns for Kiwi farmers and growers. As MetService scientists analysed historical and present-day data, the various challenges summer through to autumn will bring are increasingly apparent.

Our season so far The most notable forecasted impact in spring was the wind, accompanied by periodic rain – a favourable factor in maintaining soil moisture levels to aid pasture or crop growth. However, this benign weather certainly prompted questions about the authenticity of El Niño. Had we cried wolf? As the science strategy manager at Ballance, I have to rely on the weather experts who can back up their claims with data. What are the standouts for New Zealand? For Kiwis, the most irregular period in

pasture production arises post-Christmas, which can range from a wet to a dry period. The message remains clear: farmers and growers need to build feed, conserve resources or establish their crops to ride out the seasonal challenges. As most meteorologists state, no El Niño event is the same. Various climateinfluencing factors are at play, such as the Indian Ocean Dipole or the Southern Annular Mode, making forecast certainty difficult. Yet, the consensus is this is a strong El Niño with potentially significant impacts. Amid these uncertainties, proactive management within our sphere of influence is crucial, even as low returns for farmers complicate their on-farm responses. While many prefer to avoid the cost of conserving additional feed or planting crops, an alternative and more viable option may be using deferred grazing. What about the rest of the world? The reach of El Niño extends beyond New Zealand, impacting regions such as Southeast Asia, South America and the United States. Its expected impact on rice production in Southeast Asia and concerns about India’s monsoon season illustrate its reach and varied consequences. A 2017 Journal of International Economics paper found that, from a macroeconomic perspective, El Niños have short-lived negative effects on economic activity in countries such as Australia, Chile, South

when the supply of these feeds goes Africa and New Zealand, contrasting down or their price goes up as a with the growth-enhancing consequence. impacts seen in the United Some commentators will States and Europe. also be watching the trade According to another impact from the Panama researcher, the El Niño Canal, which has had Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to reduce the degree of pattern can explain 10% shipping due to the drought to 20% of GDP growth in this region, impacting on and inflation variation in the canal’s ability to function. G7 countries. It is a global phenomenon, and for exportA window to the future? focused countries like New As the world ponders rising Zealand, market impacts can A 2017 paper found that global temperatures of 1.5 to 2 influence the value derived El Niños have short-lived degrees, El Niño’s forecasted from our goods and services negative effects on anomalies may serve as a abroad. economic activity in the preview of what our future The changes in spending likes of New Zealand, “normal” could look like, its power are affected by factors writes Warwick Catto. impact on the environment such as competition from other and how it could manifest itself products in the market. Our across different regions. red meat sector is facing a similar challenge The rising temperatures also prompt due to the increase in Australian red meat discussions on adapting farming practices, supply caused by the drought-induced evolving pasture foundations, and quitting of stock by farmers. advocating for greater water storage that This situation may have a short-term will benefit farmers and growers, as well as negative impact, but it could have a longerthe health of our rivers and streams. term positive effect on supply and demand Ultimately, the conversations and the when they rebuild flocks or herds. context of this potential weather event may A 2017 Agriculture and Forestry Journal have long-term impacts depending on how article claims that ENSO can account for it expresses itself. A positive that we can take respectively 70% and 30% of pan-American from this, however, is that we are having maize and soybean production variability. these discussions about the short-term These changes in crop production driven impacts now. ■ by ENSOs could impact global milk supply

January 2024

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January 2024

10 NZ Farmer News

Meat The Need Rural telethon raises more meals for nation’s foodbanks

Main: The Big Feed, hosted by Matt Chisholm, Wayne Langford and Dave Letele, raised 700,600 meals for foodbanks throughout the country to help families in need. Below: Camera and technical support crew take a break from filming the many antics, interviews and chats during the Big Feed.

The Big Feed telethon in December raised more than 700,000 meals to ﬁll the bellies of hungry families. By Sonita Chandar.

lthough The Big Feed fell well short of the 1.2 million meals it raised during the 2022 telethon, organisers say they are delighted with the result and it will still help fill the bellies of hungry families. Last month’s telethon raised 700,600 milk and mince meals for foodbanks nationwide. “We did get less than the previous event but I think it is just a sign of the times,” Meat The Need general manager Zellara Holden says. “But people have been extremely generous, given the economic climate that is tough for everyone no matter who you are. Everyone is feeling the effects of the downturn in the economy.” Increases in the price of groceries and interest rates have seen demand for foodbank assistance rise by 165% in the past three years. A Foodbank survey held last year, showed more and more people were turning to charities for assistance, with the majority citing the cost of living crisis as the reason for seeking help. Foodbanks rely on donations to keep the shelves stocked but say they can no longer keep up. “We have been blown away by the increased demand,’’ says Holden. “Meat The Need supplies meals to more than 110 foodbanks across the country. They have told us their needs have increased and could take double what we provide over the year.” Holden says the cost of living crisis has hit Kiwis including those who did not need assistance previously. Some may not reach out as there is perception about those who go to foodbanks. But she says the reality is that it is a variety of people who are asking for assistance. “We are seeing more and more elderly who are on the pension but the amount they receive doesn’t cut it any more. “It could be anyone. It could be your friends, relatives or even your neighbour. We have the case of a donor who has always been generous and donated to a local foodbanks but now finds himself in the position where he has to ask for help.’’ Holden says Meat The Need is working hard to remove that stigma so that people can ask for help without feeling any embarrassment. “We have had other cases in which both parents are working and, once all the bills such as the rent and power are paid, do not have enough to cover food.” She says Meat The Need is a unique charity that provides quality protein mince and milk meals to foodbank. “Without us, many foodbanks would not be able to supply meat to the community.” The 14-hour live telethon, hosted by Dave Letele, Matt Chisholm and Wayne Langford, was streamed online from 6am to 8pm from The Hub at Lincoln University. Langford, a Meat The Need co-founder says it was an incredible day and a heartwarming result, despite it being a tough financial time for farmers and communities up and down the country.

“It was fantastic to get to over 700,000 mince and milk meals for the event.” Organisers say that with 14 hours of interviews, entertainment, challenges, competitions and discussions, fundraising events and The Hickey Tour (an attempt to hitch-hike from South Auckland to Lincoln in a day), it made it hard to choose just one highlight from the telethon. “It was a great day and so much fun,’’ Holden says. ‘‘This was my first telethon and I am open to the experience with all the hard work that was put in behind the scenes. “It really hit home and reminded us why we do this, hearing the emotional stories like Leasso from Salvation Army, to hear first-hand accounts of how difficult it is and what it means to receive support. It was great to have foodbanks play a part in the telethon, to raise awareness of how much demand there is out there.” Seven challenges throughout the day provided extra entertainment for the viewers, including Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor riding a bike, pulling The Black Ferns off the training field outside and getting them in on the couch, and a competitive battle between Langford and Chisholm. Langford insists Chisholm “flat out cheated during this”. North Waikato farmer and Meat The Need champion Colin Hickey hit the road on his “Hickey Tour” to spread the message and collect donations along the way as he hitched from Te Kauwhata to Lincoln for The Big Feed. He started his journey at 4am, thumbing his way down the country for The Big Feed live rural telethon. “I became involved because it is a noble cause and the Hickey Tour was about making people aware of why it’s needed,” Hickey says. Processor ANZCO supported Hickey and pledged to donate one tonne of mince for every landmark he arrived at. All he had to do was stand in front of the statue and take a photo. “I was completely and utterly blown away by the donation. It was quite overwhelming really,’’ a speechless Hickey said when told of the challenge. “I just have so much gratitude for ANZCO right now, one tonne of mince is a massive donation, let alone for every landmark I got to. “I thought the tour was going to be an entertaining hitch-hike down the country to raise awareness of the telethon, but the challenge was a whole lot of responsibility to make it work and get to as many places as I could.’’ A spokesperson for ANZCO said t it was extremely proud to be involved with Meat The Need’s The Big Feed by donating mince packs to foodbanks. “ANZCO acknowledges that the demand for protein is significant and is pleased to be able to support an initiative impacting the growing number of people around the country who need assistance to feed their families.’’ Hickey’s first landmark was the farming family statue in Victoria St, Hamilton.

Salvation Army workers get an update from the Big Feed team on donations.

North Waikato farmer Colin Hickey embarked on the “Hickey Tour”, leaving home at 4am, and thumbed his way to Lincoln for the Big Feed. ANZCO challenged him to visit certain landmarks along the way and take a photo. For every landmark he visited, it donated one tonne of mince to the charity.

January 2024

NZ Farmer News 11

Updated all day at

“

People have been extremely generous, given the economic climate that is tough for everyone no matter who you are.” Zellara Holden Meat The Need general manager

Celebrity TV host Matt Chisholm, Meat The Need co-founder Wayne Langford, events manager Vikki Kircher, partnerships manager Sandra Alfeld and operations manager Sarah Gagliardi at last year’s The Big Feed telethon.

His efforts raised 13 tonnes of mince, which is 104,000 meals. Farm Right’s managed farms gave a cow from every farm – a $30,000 donation – Fonterra and Miraka made dairy donations and Silver Fern Farms, chipped in twice during the day, donating 75,000 meals.

The Federated Farmers board emptied their own pockets to the tune of $10,000 on condition Langford got a cow tattoo. Chisholm didn’t get off lightly, ending the day with a green mohawk, thanks to a similar condition from Ballance AgriNutrients.

“Seeing the country support the cause and ﬁll foodbanks throughout the country was quite emotional to witness and be a part of,” Langford says. “We live in a country that produces so much food, it ﬁlls me with pride to see our communities seeing the need, to Meat The Need and help try to make sure no-one goes hungry.” Donations will now be distributed to foodbanks throughout the year. “We supply over 70,000 mince meals to foodbanks each month,” Holden says. “We know what each foodbank needs but as lot of them are quite small and don’t have the freezer space, we support them monthly.” She says many people do not realise the charity has two brands, Meat The Need, which is the collection and distribution of mince, and Feed Out, which collects and distributes milk. “People need to know that 100% of what they donate is supplied to the foodbanks. We apply for grants for other things, such as administration costs,” she says. “The Big Feed is to raise awareness and highlight the increase of people across New Zealand who need some help to keep their families fed. “It is an amazing privilege to be involved and we can’t wait to continue to make an impact his year.” ■

January 2024

Regional Roundup

El Niño losing its grip The weather pattern has peaked and it’s likely there will be rain in the months ahead, writes Sonita Chandar.

A screenshot showing variations in the sea caused by El Niño. It is warmer than usual.

n a scale of things, El Niño which has parts of the country in its grip, is about a ﬁve out of 10, but globally, it is about an eight, according to Philip Duncan, head forecaster of WeatherWatch. “New Zealand has experienced worse El Niño events previously. We have also recently had three La Niña events, which are the opposite of El Niño,” he says. “Only two actually felt like La Niña though, as our location on Earth means we don’t always get caught up in it all.” El Niño is a naturally occurring global climate cycle known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, and inﬂuences rainfall, temperature and wind patterns. It occurs every few years.

Duncan says El Niño officially kicked off last spring and was expected to peak about the end of December, then fade gradually across autumn 2024. So far, this is on track. “El Niño is measured at the Equator – and with New Zealand halfway between the Equator and Antarctica, it doesn’t always give New Zealand the ‘textbook experience’ many news outlets and government forecasters expected last year with the nonstop ‘hot and dry’ talk. “We’re two small islands partially in the Roaring Forties. El Niño can encourage more westerly-driven weather, but it doesn’t mean every event is hot, dry and windy. The Southern Ocean belt of weather is arguably a more powerful force of nature than El Niño

BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY

dominating the country.” According to forecasters at the Bureau of Meteorology, by winter El Niño will probably be gone and it is likely there will be rain in the months ahead. The South Island is experiencing the more typical pattern associated with El Niño – heavy rain on the West Coast, cooler weather for Southland and Otago, and drier and windier conditions for Canterbury and Marlborough. This is due to high pressure being further south with this El Niño. As a result, this has helped create a less typical pattern for the North Island – more variety with winds and calm weather as well as isolated downpours. “New Zealand has the ‘Swiss cheese’ effect right now – the

soil moisture maps show blobs of blue and orange (wet and dry) across the country, as well as within regions. “The driest areas are in the east of the South Island from Dunedin to Marlborough, and across the lower half of the North Island. Elsewhere, it’s not as bad.” Duncan says there are ways to mitigate the effects of El Niño, but to do this, people need to understand it. “Those who understand that El Niño adds a personality to the forecast rather than it being the forecast tend to manage it better. “Keeping your ﬁnger on the pulse of how dry it’s becoming, how early or late that dry is in the season compared to normal, and keeping a close eye on the 10-to-14-day forecast for the next surge of weather.” It has been a mixed bag for farmers this season. “It appears that most are coping with it. Those who are dry are saying it’s not worse than a usual dry summer can be but they are very keen for rain soon to ensure it doesn’t get worse. “Most farmers we’re hearing from, especially in the North Island, are quite happy with the weather. Farmers in Southland haven’t been so impressed with the wind, cloud and lower temps. “There is a lot of movement of highs and lows around us at the moment, which means a variety which most farmers like.” Duncan is not a fan of super-long-range forecasts, saying: “If forecasters can’t perfectly nail 10 days, it’s foolish to think we can lock in 10 weeks. “The variety in our weather pattern looks to continue. The long data we trust most does suggest rainmakers will be all around New Zealand and may brush us with enough regularity to keep some places wetter than usual. “Wind direction is key. If it’s westerlydriven, then those dry eastern areas still won’t get the relief they want.” ■

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January 2024

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key part of consistency is finding a supplement that smooths out the seasonal peaks and troughs of pasture quality, ensuring cows get what they need year-round to produce milk efficiently and profitably. For Morrinsville farmer Geoff Irwin, consistency is everything. He milks 340 cows on 90ha effective, with the herd achieving a consistent production figure of 203,000kgMS for the past three years. The majority of Geoff’s herd is autumncalving, milked year-round to take advantage of winter milk premiums. As such, the herd is fully fed yearround with grass silage and maize silage, of which 600 tonnes is grown on the farm annually – the crop covers 30% of the farm. Geoff says they have been using a mixer wagon to distribute feed for the past nine years. At the start, they found they needed to add protein to the herd’s diet during the winter, when the energy levels in the pasture decrease. “We added Urea to the mix, but we found the herd became agitated and unsettled,” he says. “On our search for a more slow-release protein, we found OPTISYNC™.” Supplementation with OPTISYNC promotes the multiplication of rumen bacteria by ensuring they receive enough nitrogen to meet their growth requirements. OPTISYNC safely drip-feeds the rumen bacteria with the best nitrogen source, in a controlled-release fashion. Greater microbial populations in the rumen mean more fibre breakdown in the diet, which translates to increased feed intake, greater energy release from the diet, and increased energy available for milk production. OPTISYNC comes in prill form for mixing with forages and feeds in a mixer wagon or on a feed pad, and for incorporation in dairy meal and pellets. “We found OPTISYNC was much more cow-friendly,” Geoff says. “And no part of Geoff Irwin's Morrinsville farm, where he milks 340 cows on 90ha effective, with the herd achieving a consistent production figure of 203,000kgMS for the past three years.

Morrinsville farmer Geoff Irwin

the product is bypassed by the cow; it is fully utilised.” Geoff and the farm team keep a close eye on their pasture’s energy values, in conjunction with the milk urea level of the herd. “We can monitor any increases or decreases and decide the level at which we need to feed OPTISYNC,” he says. “We don’t feed what we have available – we feed what we need to, in order to achieve consistent production.” Consistent milk production throughout the dairy season is a big driver behind success, but it is often one of the most challenging aspects of the industry. Seasonal variations in pasture conditions can significantly impact cows’ nutrition and farmers’ bottom line. Increased daylight and heat in spring and summer cause pasture to move from a vegetative state to a reproductive stage in order to protect itself. This leads to a drop in grass quality, with grass becoming high in neutral detergent fibre

(NDF) and lower in protein and energy. Protein is a vital nutrient for maintenance, growth, health, reproduction and lactation in dairy cattle. Protein supplies the microbes in the gut – rumen bugs – the ammonia and nitrogen sources they need to function. Under these pasture conditions, the bacteria that digest the feed in the cow’s rumen also receive less energy and protein, which limits their growth and numbers – with the result being lower feed conversion, and therefore reduction in milk yield. OPTISYNC ensures a farm business remains profitable, no matter what time of year it is – all the while maintaining cows’ milk production, pregnancy and body condition score. Not only does it optimise milk production, but it helps maintain performance during periods of heat stress; reduces reliance on plant protein sources that fluctuate in quality, price and availability; eliminates uncertainty

over nutritional variation in protein sources and increases profitability by generating additional income through better performance. “OPTISYNC is a great option, and there’s nothing on the market that matches it,” Geoff says. Don’t let cows drop milk production or lose BCS when there is so much potential for profit by feeding OPTISYNC. OPTISYNC - helping real farmers achieve tangible results in their pursuit for healthy dairy cattle and profitability. ■

Call Alltech’s local Area Sales Manager or the Alltech Office on 0800 ALLTECH or visit alltech.com for more information.

January 2024

18 Forestry NZ Farmer

Tree toppling - advice on how to identify and mitigating the risks

ith the events of the past year still at the forefront of its mind, PF Olsen has been looking into ways it can position its clients to best adapt to the ever-changing future and secure the best value tree crop, with the lowest risk possible. Part of this has been investigating ways it can offer wind risk mitigation strategies to its clients, with special regard to the early parts of the rotation. While forest ﬁres will make news headlines, the risk of damage from wind events is often under appreciated. Tree crops planted on ex-pasture sites often exhibit high growth rates. These high growth rates are what New Zealand is known for; however, they present a risk as trees grow tall and bushy with minimal root structure in the initial years of the tree crop. This combined with New Zealand’s weather patterns consisting of rain and wind often lead to a phenomenon known as toppling occurring. Toppling is when trees, after a weather event, attain a lean (of varying severity). Toppling can be very severe in some cases with tree mortality possible. Two key options PF Olsen can help clients understand, which may reduce the risk of toppling include:

Sail Pruning Sail pruning has become one of PF Olsen’s leading options, where branches are removed in the tree canopy area which reduces the area that the wind force applies to on a tree. The photos with this story are an example of sail pruning. The first tree has been sail pruned while the second tree has not. This operation can be implemented across an entire forest or just on areas deemed “high-risk”. Alternate tree stock options Different tree stock options exhibit different attributes out in the field. Some of these attributes may help mitigate the risk of topple in your forest. Insurance Insuring your tree crop against damage from wind is also an option. However, like all insurance this is becoming more expensive, and insurance companies are often capping the level of cover. With insurance not always possible in some regions and across certain ageclasses, sail pruning or tree selection may provide a method for reducing the risk profile of your investment. To find out more, contact with your forest manager, or one of PF Olsen’s technical staff, and learn more about how you can reduce wind risk within your forest. ■

Sail pruning, where branches are removed in the tree canopy area which reduces the area that the wind force applies to on a tree, is one way forest block owners can protect against tree toppling. In this example, the tree on the left hs been sail pruned, the tree on the right hasn’t.

Forestry can help you grow your farming business in the face of economic, environmental and policy challenges

PF Olsen can assist you to better understand how adding forestry to your farming mix can improve farm resilience and profitability. If you’ve ever wondered how forestry can complement your farming model, PF Olsen can help you understand what areas of your farm are most suitable and what the potential returns could be. Farming + Forestry = Farming for the future Farmlands shareholders can access a discount for our services.

FREE CONSULTATION CALL 03 961 6560 for a free discussion with a Forestry Specialist to find out if forestry is a good fit for your farm. Visit our website nz.pfolsen.com

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January 2024

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January 2024

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EVERYONE'S WELCOME

January 2024

NZEvents Farmer 23

Updated all day at

● February 7 and 8, DairyNZ

Effluent Tour, Balclutha and Taieri Are you on track to meet the effluent consent deadlines (Plan change 8)? Here’s your chance to get up to speed and hear from farmers that have been through the process with our farm tour. Info at dairyevents.co.nz

● February 7, DairyNZ

Gassing Up To Go: The Open Country Emissions Journey, Waverley Understanding our emissions hoofprint and identifying the on-farm levers that can be used to improve the sustainability of our farm businesses is essential for farming well into the future. Info at dairyevents.co.nz

● February 9 and 27, Dairy Women’s Network

Today’s calf, Tomorrow’s cow, Northland and Waikato Our ‘Today’s calf, Tomorrow’s cow’ workshop is BACK, with fresh perspectives, updated research and a live farmer’s panel. Feel prepared and ready for the calf rearing season as SealesWinslow and AgriVantage take you through best practice to maximise calves’ potential right from day one. With new presenters and a farmer panel to share different practices and real life experiences. Info at dwn.co.nz/events

● February 13 and 15, B+LNZ

On-farm Body Condition Scoring and Feedsmart workshops, Glen Murray and Te Kuiti Join us to learn about BSC in ewes prior to mating. Minimising body

condition loss between lambing and mating and having animals at target BCS has been shown to enhance reproductive parameters. You will learn why BCS is important, when you should do it, where the gains are made in doing so, and how to BCS. We will also cover feed requirements of a ewe throughout the year, tools to calculate feed requirements, pasture assessment, and measuring. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about these key tools and how they can benefit your flock. Info at beeflambnz.com/events

● February 14 and 16, Southern Field Days

Field Days 2024, Waimumu, Gore Head along to the Southern Field Days where the latest in innovation, rural technology, equipment and ideas from New Zealand and around the world will be on display. Head along and watch all the fun of the tractor pull, Young Farmers fencing, speed shear competitions and more. Info at southernﬁelddays.co.nz

● February 14 and 16, B+LNZ

Food & Fibre Discovery Challenge, Waimumu Discover the diverse world of Food & Fibre careers through the Food & Fibre Discovery Challenge. Beef + Lamb New Zealand has partnered with New Zealand Young Farmers to bring back the Food and Fibre Discovery Challenge to deliver an exciting challenge for attendees of the Southern Field Days. Our ‘Food & Fibre Discovery Challenge’ is designed to showcase career opportunities across the sector, aimed

at secondary school pupils, leavers and career changers, with a smaller challenge for primary students. Info at beeﬂambnz.com/events

● February 16, B+LNZ

Wormwise Workshop, Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay Wormwise is the national worm management strategy. It aims to help farmers and their advisors manage internal parasites in sheep and beef. This workshop presents the latest information and research on internal parasite control. It is divided into sections dealing with worm biology, drenches and drench resistance. Info at beeﬂambnz.com/events

● February 19 and 20, Rabobank

Rabobank Financial Skills workshop, Nelson and Takaka This complimentary workshop will give you an introduction to reading and understanding your ﬁnancial statements and explore how banks assess you and your business. Open to all farmers no matter who you bank with. Info at rabobankaunz.eventsair.com

● February 20, B+LNZ

B+LNZ & NZ Herefords Power of the Beef Cow Field Day, Matakanui Station This field day will highlight the ability to improve the profitability of cattle within your farm systems, discussing in detail how to improve your own cattle performance. Info at beeflambnz.com/events

● February 21 and 22, Farmstrong

Comedy Night Show, Te Aroha and Pukekohe Grab your mates, neighbours or treat your team to a great night of comedy. Enjoy an all-star line-up featuring Tarun Mohanbhai, Courtney Dawson, Pax Assadi nd John Carr. Tickets cost $20, which includes food for attendees. Info at farmstrong.co.nz

● February 22, B+LNZ

AgResearch Trial Site and Alternative Pasture Species Open Day, Ruakura, Hamilton Our seasons seem to be less predictable and by using a range of pasture species on farm we can better manage our feed availability throughout the year to make our systems more resilient to unfamiliar seasonal changes. Info at beeﬂambnz.com/events

● February 25, Farmstrong

Te Puke Cricket, Te Puke Domain Dairyvs Hort If you are in the Te Puke region, come along for an afternoon of cricket and fun. Start time: 1.00pm All gear and uniforms supplied. Info at farmstrong.co.nz

● February, DairyNZ

DTL Contract Milking, various dates and locations Learn about contract milking responsibilities, assess the viability of contracts, and navigate potential risks, to set up for success in your selfemployment journey. Info at dairyevents.co.nz ■

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January 2024

24 Health NZ Farmer and Safety

Safer vehicle use needed on farms Most farm fatalities are vehicle-related: It’s time to take stock and control the risks of quad bikes, writes Stephen Esposito.

ver the last few weeks, a number of farmers and farmer organisations have taken to social media, advocating for increased caution and care when using quad bikes. This call to action stems from a series of quad bike fatalities throughout the country. Farmers’ collective willingness to address this serious issue showcases the signiﬁcant progress in the sector's commitment to improve health and safety. We applaud this rallying cry, but, despite extensive work to prevent vehicle harm, lives are still being lost and families devastated. It is inherent in our DNA to safeguard one another. This year, we must translate that intention into action. Last year, Safer Farms launched the Half Arsed Stops Here campaign, uniting the sector to acknowledge that complacency about safety on farms is no longer acceptable. The Farm Without Harm strategy introduces a fresh approach to designing risks out of the system. Our ultimate goal is to have farm vehicles designed to ensure the safe return of our farmers every day. So, what can farmers on the ground do to help? Safer Farms, in collaboration with its members, is urging a fundamental reconsideration of how farm quad bikes are used. Meaningful changes are necessary to have any hope of reducing this tragic toll. First, we all need to consider whether the vehicle we’re about to use is the right one

for the job. In the case of a quad bike, many farmers are asking themselves one key question: How am I effectively managing the risk of a quad-bike fatality on my farm? Safety systems, such as warning alarms for operating parameters and protective gear like helmets and crush protection devices, all minimise risks. Many farmers are rolling out regular training and ensuring vehicles are regularly maintained. Some have opted for alternative vehicles like two-wheelers, side-by-sides, tractors, utes or even drones. They’re seeing positive results. However, achieving a lasting impact will require every quad-bike rider to commit to changing how they do some things on the farm, such as getting around. As we look ahead to a busy year, let’s have open discussions about quad bikes, and consider the possibility of an accident and the impact of one on your family. Identify concrete actions to reduce the risk of quad-bike accidents on your farm. Furthermore, let’s not limit our focus to quad bikes. WorkSafe data reveals that the majority of farm fatalities are vehiclerelated. This underscores the need for comprehensive and sustained efforts to enhance safety in all aspects of farm operations. By coming together and accepting we’re not prepared to lose another friend, relative or colleague, we can ensure the wellbeing of our farming community. Make a decision today to improve your chances of surviving a quad-bike accident and contribute to a safer farming future.

In early December 2023, there were three deaths on farms involving quad bikes. Lindy Nelson, who chairs Safer Farms, the sectorled organisation dedicated to designing harm out of farming for good, says: “We’re pleading with the community and the sector to stop and take stock of their farm vehicles. “We’re calling on farmers, their families and their communities to stop and ask: ‘how am I controlling the risk of a quad bike fatality on my farm?’ “We need ﬁt-for-purpose farm vehicles that ensure our farmers come home safe every day. We need vehicles that allow our farmers to fail safely. “If we put the same amount of energy into farm vehicles that we do into developing state-of-art safety features in our road vehicles, we can save some lives.” Safer Farms is calling on all farmers to stop and discuss: ■ Whether this could happen to you. ■ What would it mean to your family? ■ One action you can take to reduce the chances of a quad-bike accident happening on your farm or with your people. ■

Farm fatalities In the 19 months from January 2022 to July last year, there were 11 fatalities on farms involving four-wheel motorbikes. WorkSafe data shows most fatalities on farms are vehicle-related.

Stephen Esposito is the chief executive of Safer Farms. Resources and support materials are available at saferfarms.co.nz/ manageyourrisks

Inset: Safer Farms chief executive Stephen Esposito. Main: Some farmers are opting for alternative vehicles to quad bikes. STUFF

January 2024

Facial Eczema (FE) is one of the biggest animal health risks over summer.

Avoid Facial Eczema with ZincCheck With temperatures heating up, the risk of Facial Eczema (FE) is on the rise. Farm Source’s ZincCheck service allows Fonterra Suppliers to proactively avoid this summer menace.

ost North Island dairy farmers will be familiar with FE – one of the biggest animal health risks over summer. Caused by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum growing on dead plant material, particularly ryegrass, FE causes toxic liver injury in animals, and hot spots and lesions to appear on skin that is exposed to the sun (ultraviolet light) meaning the animal has clinical FE. Often by the time a lesion has appeared, the damage has already been done internally and not all animals will show signs. It is estimated that for every clinical case of FE (where a cow shows signs of distress), there will be 10 cows with sub-clinical FE (not showing signs). Left undetected, FE can severely impact milk production, and in acute cases, lead to culls. There is no cure for FE so prevention is the key.

Best practice

Zinc is the best measure to fortify your herd against FE. Best practice is to dose your herd at least two to three weeks before the spore growth danger period. DairyNZ recommends weighing a representative sample of your herd (at least 20 cows) to calculate the dose of zinc required. Then fully dose cows either by an intraruminal bolus such as a Time Capsule, drenching with zinc oxide, or

administer via feed or water. Farm Source has a range of products available to suit. Note, zinc is toxic in high doses so care should be taken in calculating dose rates.

Easy monitoring with ZincCheck

Farm Source’s exclusive milk test product ZincCheck offers Fonterra farmers a non-invasive and cost effective way of monitoring herds. A bulk milk sample is tested to determine if at least 70% of the herd has enough zinc in their blood to have an impact against FE. It offers an alternative to having vets undertaking blood tests on animals and is simple to organise: • Request a ZincCheck test online by visiting nzfarmsource.co.nz • Once your booking date arrives your bulk milk sample is tested • Results are emailed within 10 days of Waikato farmer Sue Bruce has been farming for 40 years and says using Farm Source's ZincCheck has been easy and effective.

the test, showing you how confident you can be that your zinc dosing is achieving optimal risk mitigation. • We recommend testing once you start your full zinc dosing regime and then test again following any corrective actions.

“I definitely recommend it.”

Waikato farmer Sue Bruce has been farming for more than 40 years and is acutely aware of the dangers of facial eczema. The Bruce family’s 100 hectare farm in Walton has upwards of 310 cows milked daily and they have found Farm Source’s ZincCheck a great addition to their on farm management toolkit. “To replace a cow is a very expensive exercise nowadays so you don’t want to be losing any to facial eczema if you can avoid it. Having Farm Source’s ZincCheck

facility has been great. I definitely recommend it. It was such a painless exercise,” she says. “You need to know what is going into your cows. If you look after them, they look after you. You can put in the recommended amount of zinc to your cows but you need to know exactly how its impacting them. ZincCheck gives you confirmation that it’s working.”

Book your free ZincCheck test now by visiting nzfarmsource.co.nz or contact your local Farm Source TSR to find out more.

January 2024

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January 2024

NZ Farmer 27 Opinion

Updated all day at

ummer is a busy season on many farms, but one industry in particular swings into action during the hottest months. Shearing is an essential part of life on sheep farms and the men and women who ply their trade in local shearing gangs work long hours in sometimes sweltering conditions. It is tough, physically and mentally, and requires a level of fitness and concentration that few other occupations can match. As farmers, we know shearing is also important for the welfare of the animal. If sheep are not regularly shorn, their wool can become too long and dense. This can lead to issues such as overheating and an increased risk of diseases and parasites. Although wool prices have been depressed for some time, interest in the quality of wool is growing – it’s naturally biodegradable, flame-resistant, stainresistant and looks and feels great. But once all the farm shearing is done, the shearing community do not just head home to put their feet up. Summer signals the start of a busy shearing competition calendar where all levels of experience, quality and speed can pit their skills against each other. Some shearers spend months preparing for the gruelling prospect of tackling a world record. This summer has seen an abundance of world records attempted in New Zealand, led by talented women. King Country shearer Sacha Bond smashed the women’s nine-hour lamb record in mid-December, shearing 720 lambs to become the first female to break through the 700 mark. Also in December, Gore cousins Megan Whitehead and Hannah McCall shore 1293 lambs in eight hours, a world record for a female shearing duo. Shearing at Nukuhakari Station in coastal King Country saw one of shearing’s “most stunning displays”; 34-year-old mum-oftwo Catherine Mullooly set a solo women’s

Smashing shearing records

Shearing is tough both physically and mentally, but New Zealand shearers show they are at the top of their game. By Andrew Stewart.

Shearing is a demanding job, and on top of that some shearers spend months preparing for the gruelling prospect of tackling world records. STUFF

eight-hour strong wool ewe record of 465. The male records have been tumbling, too. The Forde Winders shearing team of Trevor Holland, Max Winders, Trent Hewes, Ben Boyle and Josef Winders shore a staggering 3236 strong wool lambs in eight hours to smash the previous ﬁve-stand shearing record by 326 lambs. For anyone who has not witnessed a record attempt, I would encourage you to get along to one. I can vividly recall a two-stand record that was broken in our Rangitīkei woolshed back in 1999. Local

shearers and brothers Stacey and Hayden Te Huia were attempting to break the eight-hour strong wool ewe record using our Romney hill country sheep. As farmers, our family had no real idea what went into a record challenge but were happy to help. It started weeks before by drafting and selecting the “best” sheep for the attempt by the shearing team. Knowing they would need about 1000 sheep meant they needed to select from double that number, so the ones chosen were consistent and uniform. And that was probably the easy part, as

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during the days leading up to the record, sheep had to be test shorn to ensure quality and weight in the fleece. The day itself was organised chaos to enable the sheep to be shorn more easily, the catching pens were streamlined so it required the least amount of effort to tip each sheep over, a makeshift grandstand was whipped up for the crowd and a hangi was dug out in the paddock in preparation for an after party. The boys themselves spent months running and at the gym on top of the shearing to hit peak fitness for the challenge. And so, with everything in place after months of preparation, it was time for action. Although shearing records are largely about challenging the clock, there has to be a very high level of quality as well. Judges are on hand to scrutinise the shorn sheep, with any sub-par shearing penalised and the sheep deducted from the tally. From memory, they were also only allowed up to five sheep penalised in the eight-hour attempt for the whole effort to be disqualified, which certainly added an extra level of tension in the shed. Hayden and Stacey put on a stunning sibling shearing display to set a two-stand record of 986 ewes, with Hayden also grabbing the single-stand record with 495, just pipping his brother’s tally of 491. So, to all the shearers, rousies and shed hands throughout the country, I salute you on behalf of all farmers for your dedication and hard work. And if anyone wants to witness some incredible sportspeople in action over summer, head to your local shearing sports or world record attempt if you can. You won’t be disappointed. ■ Andrew Stewart is a fourth-generation sheep and beef farmer in Rangitīkei. He and wife Kylie also run Rangitīkei Farmstay and The Mudder on the family farm.

January 2024

Bad news for pasture pests the RGT18 endophyte is here Think back to 2006. Justin Timberlake was bringing sexy back. Facebook was just becoming a thing. The world said “farewell cobber” to the crocodile hunter. And the RAGT novel endophyte journey was just getting started. Today it’s ﬁnally commercially available to farmers with RGT18 novel endophyte combined with Hustle perennial ryegrass. As part of NZPBRA (New Zealand Plant Breeding and Research Association) RGT18 went through a range of protocols for testing; a multiyear process that included agronomic, insect, and animal safety trials. It’s an essential process in order for a new endophyte to be recognised by the industry. In the most recent NFVT (National Forage Variety Trials) tables, Hustle RGT18 came in as a top tier player, reinforcing the significant investment in not only novel endophyte but in the genetic development that RAGT has made. Why is choosing a good endophyte important? It’s all about a ryegrass plant’s ability to persist and grow in the face of pressures such as insect attack. Take peren-

nial ryegrass for instance. It’s the main pasture species used in New Zealand, but increasingly it’s challenged by black beetles, and Argentine stem weevil. That’s why perennial ryegrasses should be combined with novel endophyte. Endophyte is a type of fungus that lives naturally in the plant (found in the seed, and base of the plant as it germinates and

grows) and produces chemicals (alkaloids) that can ward off insects. Some alkaloids the endophyte produces can be bad for animal performance though, which is why seed companies develop ‘novel endophytes’ – selecting strains of the known chemical compounds with the aim being a higher proportion of the good ones that protect against pests

and help improve persistence, and no or limited amounts of the bad ones that impact animals. Farmers and reps should select the endophyte they need based on what pest proﬁle they have on-farm. Hustle has already proven itself as one of New Zealand’s top performing perennial ryegrasses. Now with RGT18 endophyte, it’s

got even better pest protection and the ability to be utilised in more environments. RGT18’s stronger pest protection improves productivity and persistence. RAGT New Zealand’s Commercial Manager James White says, “our novel endophyte programme has been a significant investment by RAGT – which has taken close to the duration that we have operated in New Zealand - but it’s a crucially important technology for us and we are very pleased to commercially release RGT18. This technology will be equally important for farmers, who are facing ever-increasing pressures economically, environmentally and socially. At RAGT New Zealand, it’s our mission to be the partner of the agricultural world to create innovative solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Being part of one of the world’s leading seed groups, we’re able to offer farmers comprehensive seed technology advancements that are the result of world-leading R&D and extensive local trials and testing. The RGT18 endophyte is proof of this.”

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January 2024

NZFarmer Farmer 29 NZ

Updated all day at

A day to reflect and celebrate NZ lamb There’s sizzling excitement for an industry kick-started by an 1882 shipment of frozen meat. By Bethwyn Littler.

M Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Shawarma Lamb Salad.

Jon Pemberton, left, and Peter McDonald, of Ag Proud NZ.

ore than a century ago New Zealand farmers sent their first shipment of frozen meat across the globe. The 5000 sheep carcasses left Port Chalmers aboard the Dunedin on February 15, 1882. The successful three-month voyage is the origin story for National Lamb Day and this year the event is gaining momentum. Ag Proud NZ chairperson Jon Pemberton says the 2024 National Lamb Day will take place on February 15 to coincide with Southern Field Days in Waimumu. In other years it has fallen on May 24 to commemorate the arrival of the first shipment in the United Kingdom. “This was the beginning of a multibillion-dollar industry,” says Pemberton. “As a country we have all benefited from it.” Southern Field Days is welcoming National Lamb Day as part of the three-day field days from February 14 to

National Lamb Day 2024 will be part of Southern Field Days. ALEX ROKE

16. To showcase New Zealand lamb renowned chefs Ethan Flack and David Hicks, aka Rad Dad, will cook for the public outside the supplier tents before and after lunch. Flack recently returned to Southland from a successful international career and is passionate about celebrating the abundance of New Zealand produce. When Ag Proud NZ trustee Peter McDonald reflects on the long history of the New Zealand lamb industry he sees success built on innovation and farmers’ willingness to change. “That first shipment started a process in this country that before frozen shipment of lamb wasn’t bankable,” he says. “Farmers went in and out of business very quickly. “Once the first shipment proved to be a success we had a market that could take as much as we could put on the water. It turned farming into the bankable and fully supported industry that we know today.” As part of the launch, Ag Proud will host a lunch for politicians

in Wellington on February 13, in conjunction with Beef & Lamb New Zealand, to promote National Lamb Day. “We will be trying to drum up some political interest,” says McDonald. But he is clear about the purpose of the day. “National Lamb Day is about reﬂection and a celebration. Sometimes we have to give ourselves a wee pat on the back and say we’ve come a long way.” “It’s like when you make a beautiful job of your lawns. Before you put your mower away you turn around to have a good look, or a farmer ploughing a paddock, before shutting the gate looking back and saying, yeah, I did a really good job. Sometimes we are not very good at reﬂecting on our own success.” McDonald says New Zealand sheep farmers are aware of the huge campaign Australia launches for National Lamb day every year. “New Zealand is known for our sheep and our sheep meat so maybe we should be doing similar, we can’t be letting the Aussies beat us!” He sees lots of people wanting to become part of National Lamb Day and is hoping the energy from this year will lead to bigger and better things. “I’m seeing the excitement and interest now leading up to it,” he says. “Out of the National Lamb Day, we are really keen to establish a working group to start imagining what next year and the year after could be like. A group that could build on our overall vision for the future.” ■

DIANNE BISHOP

Investing in grassroots journalism Stuff has boosted its commitment and connection to the rural community with two new interns. By Sonita Chandar.

here have been many times over the years when I have lamented with fellow agri journalists that there are not enough and no new recruits coming through to shine the spotlight on the industry that is our nation’s largest export earner, with a GDP amounting to over $13.5 billion a year. The consensus among agri journalists has been that we are not glamorous enough. Many graduates of journalism courses tend to head straight into newsrooms where they can seek glory catching the next big breaking news story. But we at Stuff continue to grow our commitment to rural New Zealand through partnering with Our Land and Water National Science Challenge to develop a rural intern programme and are pleased to welcome two new interns through the partnership. Stuff reaches more rural people than any other media company and last year, we signiﬁcantly boosted its rural offering with the relaunch of NZ Farmer, New

Zealand’s largest rural newspaper. NZ Farmer has a strong and enduring connection with rural communities and complements Stuff’s extensive reach across print and digital channels. It features stories that matter to people in the rural sector – from future-focused research, sustainability and innovation to travel and real estate. Eve Hyslop, a recent graduate of the University of Canterbury, joins the Christchurch newsroom. She has completed three years’ study for a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in journalism. Hailing from a sheep, beef and cropping farm near Timaru, she is comfortable with rural life. “I can’t wait to give back to the background that raised me, report on the issues that matter most to the agricultural sector and connect with those at the heart of it: the farmers, the growers and the community holding it together,” she says. Bethwyn Littler, a recent Massey University graduate, has joined Stuff’s Waikato newsroom. She has a background in retail and early childhood education, along with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Waikato and a Diploma in Teaching. Looking for a change in career, she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism in 2023. “I’m looking forward to getting out and about producing rural content,” she says. Our land and water communications director Annabel McAleer says rural news is an under-rated pathway for graduate

Eve Hyslop

Bethwyn Littler

journalists, but a rich opportunity to build skills in reporting business, climate change, science, environment, politics, food and beverages – all in one beat. “Our goal in sponsoring these cadetships is to encourage talented graduate journalists to spend a year or more covering rural news, building contacts and knowledge about the opportunities and risks that are increasingly forcing a fast pace of change in our primary sector. “Even if these cadets don’t stick with rural reporting throughout their career, they will take a much deeper understanding of the realities and pressures of rural life into their future reporting, supporting our future newsrooms to report with empathy on issues affecting rural New Zealand.” Both interns will be at ﬁeld days, conferences and other various rural events getting their boots muddy while honing their agri-media skills writing rural content for Stuff’s daily mastheads and NZ Farmer. The pair will be mentored by their local newsroom teams, alongside myself, NZ Farmer editor, and Stuff’s editor-in-chief national, Bernadette Courtney. Courtney says the rural sector is a key audience for Stuff, and she is excited to welcome Littler and Hyslop to the team. “They’ll have the opportunity to learn from some of our country’s best journalists and gain invaluable career experience at New Zealand’s biggest media organisation, while building important connections across rural New Zealand.” ■

January 2024

30 On NZ Farmer the Farm

Watch out for heat stress in summer

Temperatures have soared across the country – a cause for concern around animal welfare. By Eve Hyslop.

s we head into the last month of a summer which has been hot and humid in parts of the country, farmers are reminded of what interventions they can undertake to protect their animals from heat stress. DairyNZ’s ongoing research on heat stress has given it conﬁdence in farmers’ mitigation practices against heat stress, says lead adviser for animal care Penny Timmers-Arends. “Farmers are adapting to the changing environment and we know that the majority of them have management strategies that do work.” Dunsandel dairy farmers Chris and Pauline Prattley use HerdHomes – barnlike shades – to protect their herds from heat stress. Their hottest day so far has been 32°C and their three HerdHomes visibly provided relief for their cows. “We’d take them out to the paddock and they’d just walk in on their own.” As well as their HerdHomes, the Prattleys say they’ve found their Allﬂex monitoring collars useful to track heat stress, eating, breathing patterns and rumination in their cows. Data from the collars have shown that while in the HerdHomes, their cows are much cooler than when in the paddock. Chris says the shelters have put them one step ahead of increased welfare regulations and also protected their cows from the winter elements. North Island HerdHomes representative Rex Butterworth says the shelters almost eliminate the issue of heat stress by turning a 30C day into 22C. Sheep outside Oxford. ALDEN WILLIAMS/STUFF

“It has become more important recently to meet and exceed best farming practice against heat stress and it’s virtually impossible to do that without some form of shelter.” Butterworth installed two HerdHomes on his own farm in Waikato in 2010 before joining the HerdHomes team in 2021. “We installed our ﬁrst and then the second about three weeks later. It was that quick we saw the impact it had on our herds that we chose to build another.” Butterworth says there’s been a 20% to 25% production increase in herds who use HerdHomes, but this is only a result if the right practices are used in alignment. Without such shade or heat protection, milk yields can fall by 20% ,alongside fertility reduction and embryo loss. This could cost a dairy farmer $12,000 for a 300-cow herd at $6.80 per kilogram of milk solids, according to Owl Farm. In recent hot weather, the Prattleys recorded a loss of 50-75kg of milk solids a day. But since utilising their HerdHomes, they no longer see this loss in their milk vat. Timmers-Arends says that a heatstressed dairy cow will be breathing faster, eating less, drinking more, hanging around troughs, walking more slowly and producing less milk. DairyNZ says farmers can use in-shed sprinklers, but it’s essential the water runs off the cow as still water increases humidity. Fans can be used to help this, but the forecast for cooler air ﬂows may be just as useful. Timmers-Arends says farmers should be tactical with their milking times according

Dairy farmers Pauline and Chris Prattley say they have less heat stress in their dairy stock now that they use HerdHomes shelters. IAIN MCGREGOR/THE PRESS

to the hottest parts of the day and to graze cows closer to the shed to minimise walking distance. Once milked, there should be a water trough in the exit race to cool the cows rumen. Paddocks should have at least 5 square metres of shade per animal and DairyNZ suggests planting trees outside pivot boundaries, around paddock fencelines and on ungrazed embankments. Beef + Lamb New Zealand says it’s best to plant trees that have wide-spreading branches and leaves that are safe to eat, like a poplar, elm or willow. For dairy farmers new to the game, Timmers-Arends says DairyNZ has plenty of resources to help mitigate heat stress. As for sheep, Beef + Lamb NZ’s senior adviser for biosecurity and animal welfare, Will Halliday, says the most obvious interventions are shade and ensuring water systems are capable of delivering in high demand. He says that heat stress in sheep is more of an issue when moving them or when they aren’t shorn at the right time, so it’s

important that farmers manage these practices. “While the best interventions are shade and plenty of water, it’s important that if farmers are moving animals they’re avoiding the heat in the day by shifting in the early morning or evening and that they have organised shearing times. “A heat-stressed sheep will be panting, with an open mouth, actively seeking water and shade, or lying down without movement.” Philip Duncan, head forecaster at Weather Watch, says that while temperatures are leaning towards warmer than average, it’s not as extreme as expected. Fewer nor-westerlies coming from Australia, and rain and cloud cover should provide relief. He says animals inland and to the east face the highest risk of heat this summer. “We do expect to see some of the highest temperatures in places like Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough – those regions that tend to be pretty exposed and sunny when you’ve got nor-westerly winds.” ■

January 2024

Updated all day at

Farmer OnNZ the Farm 31

“

It was that quick we saw the impact HerdHomes had on our herds that we chose to build another.

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January 2024

32 NZ OnFarmer the Farm

Restoring the land An Auckland farming couple have been on their land in Kaipara Hills for only a few years, but are already working to leave it in a better state than when they took it over. By Steve Macmillan.

dverse weather events in the past few years, including Cyclone Gabrielle, have made their mark on farms, properties and infrastructure across the country. Farmers Hayley and Geoff Clayton purchased their 135-hectare farm in Kaipara Hills in 2021 and began remedial work in 2022. But it was the heavy rains over Auckland Anniversary Weekend that started the immense damage to their hillsides. After receiving 185mm of rain in just ﬁve hours on January 27, 2023, dozens of slips appeared all over their property – many of them substantial. “We lost 1.5km of fencing and raceways. Sinkholes appeared which were precursors to more slips when Gabrielle hit. As I was driving home through my paddocks, I could see the slips coming down above me,” Geoff says. As a result, they are determined to boost the environmental outcomes of the property and have aligned themselves with the Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme (KMR) as a ‘Navigator’ project. As part of this, they are putting in place an ecological restoration plan by excluding stock from rivers and streams, retiring some of the farm’s steepest land, and undertaking restoration planting to reduce sediment losses into the Kaipara Moana. The couple are doing so by undertaking large-scale fencing of gullies, waterways, wetlands and highly erodible hillsides. They planted 15,000 natives in partnership with KMR in 2023, in addition to 2000 mānuka donated by Comvita as part of the New Zealand company’s support for cyclone-affected landowners. The Claytons had funded the planting of 5000 natives in 2022, alongside 1000 natives that same year which were funded by KMR through the Forest Bridge Trust.

KMR also funded a substantial amount of fencing in 2022. Thanks to KMR’s 2023 winter Flood and Cyclone Recovery Fund, damaged planting and fencing has been replaced, expanded or relocated to help reduce risk from future adverse weather events. Despite the storm damage, the couple say their gameplan was always to retire marginal hillsides, and they are grateful that the KMR Navigator project is helping fast-track that plan of retiring 80ha of their farmland in years to come. The couple appreciate the immense support they have received from the KMR team and Forest Bridge Trust. They are also grateful for the generosity of KMR’s third-party commercial co-investor, Comvita, which partnered with KMR to gift the couple 2000 mānuka in the aftermath of the 2023 storms to plant on the worst affected of the slip faces to help stabilise the now fragile land. “KMR has been fundamental in helping us to work towards achieving our goal of nurturing our land back into an ecologically diverse farm,” the pair say. “Post-Cyclone Gabrielle, which was an incredibly stressful and devastating event, KMR were there to not only reinstate fencing that we had lost but provide support and funding for how we could address and remedy the massive number of land slips we had suffered. ‘‘We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with KMR and the Forest Bridge Trust, and the additional support from Comvita.” And they are looking forward to planting larger slips with a mix of natives and 1360 Tasmanian blackwoods. One of the major slips will end up with more than 1000 blackwoods alone and that area will become a permanent forest. From this year on, thousands more natives will be planted on the property, along with a handful of oaks. Having grown up in Kaukapakapa,

Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread damage to farms, building and infrastructure across the North Island.

VINCE COCURULLO/STUFF

Geoff says he always had a leaning towards plants and natives. “Despite the damage to the farm, we love it here because the property has so much going for it. “Where else could we go to create this satisfaction of giving back to the land and the environment. “We love the concept of what we will be leaving our children with something that is doing good for the planet.” ■

Above: Auckland farmers Hayley and Geoff Clayton bought their 135-hectare farm in Kaipara Hills in 2021 and are determined to improve the property so it is in a better condition than when they took it over. Main: Cyclone Gabrielle last year left its mark on the Claytons’ farm but remedial work is well underway. STUFF

January 2024

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January 2024

34 Travel NZ Farmer

Autumn leaves and Christmas in Japan

apan holds a prominent position on the travel bucket list for many Kiwi adventurers. Whether it's immersing in the vibrant city lights, embracing the captivating culture, indulging in a diverse range of culinary delights, admiring the enchanting cherry blossoms, or gliding through fresh powder at renowned ski resorts - Japan offers an abundance of awe-inspiring experiences.

Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji framed by autumn leaves.

Getting around When it comes to getting around in Japan, Kiwis are in for a unique treat. The country is renowned for its high-speed Shinkansen (bullet trains), among the fastest in the world. Not only will you enjoy a thrilling and smooth high-speed ride, but you'll also reach your destination in record time. For instance, it takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes from Tokyo to Kyoto, 2 hours and 45 minutes to Osaka, just over 4 hours to Hokkaido, and just under 4 hours to Hiroshima. However, if you plan on catching a train,

be forewarned - delays are almost unheard of. There are more than 30,000km of rail lines in Japan and they carry over 9 billion passenger trips each year. The average delay for a Shinkansen train across an entire year is less than a minute. So, if you're running late, don't expect the train to be waiting for you! And don’t forget to obey the rules of etiquette. Speaking on the phone is a strict no no as you are disturbing those who surround you. Listening to loud music, placing your bags on the seat next to you or not giving it up to the elderly, sick or pregnant are also severely frowned upon. Turnover a new leaf Japan's autumn leaves, rivalling the renowned spring cherry blossoms, have become a captivating attraction in their own right. As summer transitions to autumn (known as Aki), the cooler weather unveils a breathtaking display of vibrant colours. The vivid reds, oranges, and yellows of the foliage create a mesmerizing spectacle

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January 2024

NZ Farmer Travel 35

Travel

Updated all day at

Japan is renowned for its high-speed Shinkansen (bullet trains), among the fastest in the world.

Seeing the changing colours of the leaves at Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple, nestled among the trees, is an absolute delight.

throughout the country. Categorized as Koyo (foliage with red and yellow colours) or Momiji (intensely red maple leaves), the viewing season for autumn leaves, known as Momijigari, has inspired artists and poets for centuries. This period is celebrated as a key festival, with friends and families coming together to enjoy maple-ﬂavoured foods, drinks, and decorations. Throughout autumn, Japan's maple trees paint gardens and mountain sides with shades of red and gold. Nagano Prefecture and the Tohoku region are particularly delightful for experiencing Japan's colorful autumn scenery. Additionally, witnessing the changing colours of the leaves at Nikko's Toshogu Shrine and Kyoto's Kiyomizudera Temple, nestled among the trees, is an absolute delight. Signiﬁcantly, in the Buddhist faith, this period holds spiritual and symbolic

on Christmas Day has become a beloved tradition for many Japanese. Life-sized statues of Colonel Sanders dressed in red and white Santa Claus regalia can be found positioned outside most KFC outlets, symbolizing the Nippon-style Christmas. In a nation known for its refined cuisine, it may come as a surprise that KFC appeals to the sophisticated Japanese palate. Legend has it that the Japanese people first embraced the Colonel Sanders Christmas tradition following a successful marketing campaign in the mid-1970s. Today, KFC sales during the Christmas season, from December 23 to 25, account for nearly 5% of the annual takings. On Christmas Eve, you'll find long queues forming outside KFC outlets, and even Japan Airlines has served KFC as its inflight meal during this festive season. If you feel like you've had enough KFC in your home town, don't worry - there's

importance, reminding us of the transient nature of life and inspiring intentions and wishes. To fully immerse yourself in this fascinating natural wonder, consider joining an expert-led tour, such as Wendy Wu Tours. The best viewing opportunities typically span from early October to early December, sometimes starting as early as mid-September in the north, depending on local conditions. Christmas cheer Despite Shintoism being the official national religion, with only 1% of the population identifying as Christians, Japan wholeheartedly embraces the sentimental and commercial aspects of Christmas. If you ask someone who has experienced Christmas Day in Japan, they are likely to mention Colonel Sanders before Santa! Yes, forget turkey and triﬂe - eating KFC

plenty more to explore and experience in Japan during Christmas. Embark on a Wendy Wu Tours Christmas in Japan Tour and you'll spend your Christmas Day exploring Kyoto's temples before taking the bullet train to Hiroshima for a special dinner cruise on Hiroshima Bay. Start planning The advice from Paul Dymond, Managing Director at Wendy Wu Tours, is plan ahead. He says travelling for Cherry blossom this year is pretty much sold out, so people need to be looking at travel in 2025. Cherry blossom season generally starts in the last week of March and runs for around three weeks. Paul says 2025 will be a busy, exciting year for travel to Japan with Osaka hosting the 2025 World Expo from April 13 to October 13, straight after the traditional Cherry Blossom season. ■

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January 2024

FOR SALE • Situated on the edge of Tokomaru is this very productive 112Ha flat farm. • Consisting of four titles with two road frontages and excellent layout, it is home to a stud dairy herd, and stud beef herd. • This farm has a history of high production and is supported with a great mix of infrastructure including two family homes, modern 30 aside herringbone dairy, two large calf/machinery sheds, a concrete floor hay shed and a 300 cow feed pad. • The soils are silt loam and Opiki type peat, along with open drainage and flat contour. • The property has milked up to 300 cows and over time has decreased cow numbers to around 220, increased their beef stock and brought the heifers home to graze. • Your chance to own a great farm in a good location that produces. • Call Les to inspect on 0274 420 582.

Sallan Realty

Google ‘Sallan Realty’ Your Farm Sales Specialist

MARLBOROUGH 212 Ronga Road, Rai Valley

NZ-50470_315315

OUTSTANDING DAIRY OPERATION

0800 SALLAN Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Price by Negotiation Over $5,150,000 +GST (if any)

Climate, lifestyle and so much bang for your buck! This extremely well appointed and productive dairy farm offers 125 Ha milking platform, currently producing an average of 170,000 MS per annum, with a further 40 Ha approx. of support or dry stock land. This is a real opportunity for a buyer to benefit from all the current owners hard work and capital improvements from the large concrete feed pad, upgraded 44 bale rotary shed including in bale auto teat spray and in shed feeding, upgraded weeping wall effluent system and huge storage pond, effluent irrigation as well as 80HA of K Line irrigation, upgraded lane ways, extensive re grassing and capital fert application. Accommodation is via 2 dwellings with the main being a large 4 bed, 2 bathroom family home that has also undergone some renovations.

TOBY RANDALL 027 233 9170 toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

Platinum Blue Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

January 2024

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2024

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CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH PROPERTY FOR 25 YEARS Bayleys’ Country is New Zealand’s premier rural property portfolio showcasing quality farms, horticulture, viticulture, forestry and lifestyle properties for sale throughout New Zealand. This year marks 25 years of Country and 25 years of delivering greater audience reach, more qualified and engaged buyers, and ultimately more sales—all within a highly cost-effective model.

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Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services

January 2024

Rural Directory Connect your business with over 91,000 rural households across the country

Money doesn't grow on trees.

HIGH COUNTRY JOURNEYS

SIS BALL COCK VALVE

Drive from station to station and experience the majestic South Island High Country TWO STUNNING 4WD SELF DRIVE OPTIONS

Price $99.50 +GST EACH

Freight free anywhere in NZ

Trees produce truffles at around year 7, producing up to 1kg a year by year 15. Currently black truffles are selling at $2,500-$3,000 per kg, with high demand.

Great stock shade and shelter with 0% loss of grazing land. Stock protector options are available for cattle, sheep & deer.

STAY SAFE IN THE OUTDOORS

Fantastic stock feed which is low tannin and high in carbohydrates. Produces up to 1 ton of acorns per tree each year.

For tree availability call 021 327 637 or visit truffles.nz

$15 - 1 day $30 - 3 days $40 - 7 days

$30 for every week after your first week of hire

ONLY $ 515

Including P&P Comes with a heavy duty pouch

90 Outlets throughout NZ. FREE Trusted by Kiwis nationwide. DELIVERY

03 226 6341 or 027 412 2925 www.locatorbeacons.co.nz

The Great Explorer Self drive from Lake Ohau to Cardrona through the majestic high country and Tussocklands of the Mackenzie Basin, Central Otago and Northern Southland with this 5 day 6 night tour.

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2025 SEASON Limited spaces available for 2024 Contact John Mullholland Phone 027 228 8152 • RANFURLY info@highcountryjourneys.co.nz

0800 111 354

www.highcountryjourneys.co.nz

Be Adult Boutique ....

It’s important to realise that sexuality needs to be nurtured, and a healthy sex life has a positive effect on n people’s relationships. Until you have a conversation you may not even be aware off what you want. Don’t be shy, call me and have a chat or order online tod day

Kathy - OWNER

We have the latest models available at NZ’s cheapest prices available online. Check out our website to see our great deals!

NZ-37901_287504

8 Locations including Waverley, Whanganui, Feilding, Palmerston North & Levin gmc-chiropractors.co.nz

WWW.BKINKY.CO.NZ

SPECIAL ACR ResQLink PLB - 400

Extremely resilient. Fire resistant, stabilises erosion, frost & snow resistant to -9 degrees. Drought & heat tolerant over 40 degrees. Add value far into the future. Trees last over 200 years. Cork harvest income at year 25, then every 10 years. Potential carbon credits at 30% with a minimum 1ha canopy cover.

NZ-37374_249631

Only available direct from manufacturer

Shipping NZ Wide NZ-45733_292371

CORK OAK TRUFFLE TREES

www.sisballcock.co.nz 0800 175 720

NZ-31119_225202

It grows under them.

NZ-36744_247691

• Buy 10, receive 12 and 2x service kits • 3 models available - all the one price • Nearly indestructible • Only New Zealand manufacturer providing a lifetime guarantee on the body of the ballcock

South Island High Country Grand Slam Self drive your own 4WD from Blenheim to Cardrona in Central Otago through a network of high country tracks including Molesworth on this 7 day 8 night tour.

NZ-50649_316436

GMC Chiropractic your local Chiropractors supporting your community

Phone 03 545 9997

117 Hardy Street (Montgomery Arcade) Nelson Open 7 days and by appointment

Reach more New Zealand farmers NZFarmer has the largest rural reach of any print publication in New Zealand. Reaching over 91,000* Rural Delivery mailboxes free each month including farm income-dependent households.

Advertise in NZFarmer’s Rural Directory Contact nzfarmeradvertising@stuff.co.nz

*Stuff Distribution Figures 2023.

BIO LOO THE SPECIALISTS IN COMPOSTING TOILETS

“The call of nature can be kind to nature” NO POWER NO WATER NO CHEMICALS NO POLLUTION

Toilet Building at your cost. These toilets are the good looking, sensible answer to human organic waste management. Environmentally friendly, they are economical easy to install and require little maintenance. Toilets are vented so there are no unpleasant odours, no need for toilet cleaners or room deodoriser. They meet all required NZ Standards and building codes and are in use by DOC and regional councils. Cheaper to purchase and install compared to other systems, right from the start. You can leave the system to work for you and in the end will have safe, composted material that can be used in your gardens.

Great for you and Better for the planet!

CALL US NOW ON 0800 246 566 WWW.BIOLOO.CO.NZ

NZ-41381_222643

ORDER NOW

January 2024

NZ Farmer 39 Markets

Updated all day at

Tough times ahead as supply and welfare issues come to fore Rising costs are another challenge for the farming community. Compiled by Sonita Chandar. Sheep and beef The 2023 Lamb Crop Report, released by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, shows farmers have successfully navigated challenges to deliver a great lambing, in which the expected lamb crop will increase by 2.6% on last year, to 20.9 million head. This result bucks the trend of the last few years. Signiﬁcant weather challenges in early 2023 and a good autumn ensured breeding ewes were in prime condition and yielded good pregnancy scanning results throughout the country. In spring, there were favourable conditions, leading to a strong lambing percentage of 129.9%, which offset a reduction in the number of ewes of 1% to produce a strong lamb crop. However, the optimism stemming from these ﬁgures is dampened by the stark

ﬁnancial reality faced by New Zealand sheep and beef farmers at present. On-farm costs remain high and rises in sheep meat prices, in particular, are still stubbornly low due to oversupply from Australia and weak conditions in key markets like China, which means many farmers will not make a proﬁt this year. Beef remains steady.

Supply Agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank believes escalating tensions in the Red Sea, which are disrupting global trade, could pose challenges for trade logistics in New Zealand’s agricultural sector. However, there are also potential upsides for the country’s export competitiveness into the Asian market, the bank says. RaboResearch general manager Stefan Vogel says ocean shipping companies are now diverting more vessels away from the Suez Canal to avoid attacks by Houthi militants and the escalating military action against them in the Red Sea. Navigating the Suez Canal brings a risk of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels but the alternative is a nine to 15-day detour around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. Diverting around the canal means importers face higher freight costs, which leads to increased costs for imported goods such as day-to-day household items and agricultural inputs including certain fertilisers, ag chemicals and machinery parts. Most fertilisers used on New Zealand

farms are imported or rely on imported raw materials. Nitrogen and compound fertiliser supplies should be less affected, because they come from Asia and the Middle East. Phosphate rock, however, stems to a signiﬁcant share from Morocco. And potash largely comes from North America and Europe. Some of those shipments could be impacted by the attacks and re-routing of vessels.” Vogel says the elevated freight costs are not expected to reach the Covid-related highs seen during the 2021 freight crisis when New Zealand struggled to ﬁnd sufficient containers for exports as shipping companies favoured major global routes.

Pork In 2023, more than 40,000 metric tonnes (MT) of pork farmed in 22 countries was imported into New Zealand. Two-thirds of pork consumed in New Zealand is imported. NZ Pork carried out an analysis of imports between January andOctober 2023,which showed 7336 metric tonnes imported was from the United States. This is an increase of 128% from the same period in 2022. Canada was the next highest, at 6238MT, up from 3824MT, followed by Spain whose volume was down to 6047MT compared to 9685MT in 2022. Imports from Australia (3551MT) and the Netherlands (3418MT) also increased. The next highest were Germany (2962MT), a signiﬁcant decrease from 10,042MT last year, Finland (2775MT), Poland (2406MT),

Denmark (2360MT) and Sweden (1623MT). Most imported pork comes from countries that allow pig farming practices that are banned in New Zealand and there is no requirement for the products to meet New Zealand’s rigorous pig welfare standards. Gestation stalls are banned in New Zealand but in Canada and most European countries, sows can be confined in the stalls for the first four weeks of pregnancy. In the US they can be confined for their entire pregnancy. Domestically, sows are housed in farrowing systems only when it is time to give birth and care for their piglets, with a maximum of five days pre-farrowing and 28 days after. But most EU countries and the US have no limit on how long a sow can be confined in a farrowing system, either before or after giving birth. Canada allows up to six weeks. Piglets are not castrated here but are in Europe, the US and Canada. And in Spain, Poland and the US it is done without pain relief. The EU is currently reviewing animal welfare legislation and new and proposed legislation around pig farming there is making it difficult, leading to a decline in volumes from large European producers. These have been replaced by product from the US and Canada. NZPork is calling for regulatory change from the Government to demonstrate its commitment to animal welfare, the environment and local farming by subjecting imported pork to the same stringent standards that are applied to Kiwi farmers. ■

Imported pork is failing to meet New Zealand animal welfare standards.

Rising tensions in the Red Sea could lead to trade logistics challenges in the agriculture sector and an increased cost for goods.

Farm efficiency starts here…

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Maximize your farm’s productivity with Te Pari Livestock Handling Equipment!

www.tepari.com

January 2024

D I V E R S I F Y YO U R I N V ES TM EN T S B E YO N D T H E F I EL D S !

Invest beyond the fields Secure a prosperous future with our 3-bedroom luxury central city Christchurch townhouses – a smart off-farm investment for financial stability! Key benefits: • Diversify your portfolio: break free from farm financial constraints and add to your rural investments. • Steady income stream: Build a robust retirement foundation. • Airbnb & long-term rental potential: Monetise your townhouse when not in use. Choose between short-term gains with Airbnb or long-term stability with a rental. Show home available to view by appointment Discover the epitome of comfort! Schedule an appointment to explore our exquisite show home. Designed and built by Growcott Freer Property Experience quality craftsmanship! Our townhouses are designed and built by Growcott Freer Property, delivering over 150 townhouses in Christchurch. Address: 248 Manchester Street Explore the heart of the city! Our townhouses are strategically located on the corner of Manchester Street and Kilmore Street for your convenience. Only one block from the Town Hall and the new Te Kaha Stadium!

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Secure your financial harvest Avoid retirement uncertainties! Our townhouses offer a solution, building a steady income stream for you and empowering your children, not to mention projected high capital gains being in the central city. Be inspired to look into the city Explore off-farm investments today! Farming may be volatile but, but your investments don’t have to be!

For more information or to schedule a show home viewing, contact Vaughan from Growcott Freer Property or visit our website. Invest in the future – beyond the fields.

www.growcottfreerproperty.co.nz C O N TACT VAU G H A N E L L I S 027 266 1472 | vaughan@gfproperty.co.nz