Dairy News 11 November 2025

Is dairy in or out of Indian FTA? PAGE 3

WINDSTORM CARNAGE

Culverden farmer Fran Gunn says toppled irrigation pivots will impact pasture growth in the coming weeks. PAGE 4

SUDESH KISSUN

sudeshk@ruralnews

Windstorm takes toll on farms

THE EFFECTS of the big windstorm of late October will be felt in lost production in coming weeks as repair crews work through the backlog of toppled irrigation pivots, says Culverden dairy farmer Fran Gunn.

“They’re going to try and reuse the bits that aren’t damaged, so they’re just doing inventory of what they need to fix each one.”

The unprecedented storm caused widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure and power supplies across a large swath of the country, including the Culverden basin, a dairying area with a high reliance on irrigation.

Gunn is contract milking about 900 cows on 240 hectares irrigated to the west of the Culverden township. The storm brought down many trees on the farm, blocking her access road and preventing milk pickup for one day. It also destroyed an implement shed and several spans of two irrigation pivots, which means she has lost about 70ha of irrigation.

“It’s definitely going

to affect the grass growth. We’re just trying to plan for that now. We’ve still got good growth at the moment but it’s going to get dry, especially since there’s not a lot of rain in the forecast,” she said.

“It has stopped blowing such strong nor’west, which is good because that’s slowed down the drying out. But obviously we’ve got hot days now, so it’s going to change quickly.”

Gunn said the impact on production would come in three weeks or a month’s time if her irrigation isn’t back on by then.

“I guess the person they fix first will be back on, but it depends who the person they fix first is,” she adds with a smile.

Teams from her supplier, Waterforce, were working hard but had a lot to do.

“They’re going to try and reuse the bits that aren’t damaged, so they’re just doing inventory of what they need to fix each one. And then obviously the

A shed on Fran Gunn’s farm in Culverden demolished by the windstorm.

stuff that’s easy to get or is more important to put on - like the effluent pivots - they’ll fix sooner, just because it’s important to get that on.”

Waterforce Christchurch manager Paul Fairbrother said they had teams initially carrying out assessments

IRRIGATORS DAMAGED

IRRIGATIONNZ SAID it had heard of up to 500 to 700 irrigator spans damaged, but was still working to form a clearer picture of numbers, as that was important to determine what extra support needed to be pulled in.

“Right now, we are facilitating relevant conversations with both government and suppliers to ensure farmers can get up and running as quickly as possiblethere’s a joined focus on getting farmers ready for irrigation season, which is effectively now,” said Irrigation NZ communications manager Kathryn Healy.

and stripping damaged irrigators. In some cases, rebuilds had already begun and would continue in coming weeks.

Gunn said the wind seemed to come down

a channel across the Culverden basin and a lot of people in certain parts had lost pivots. But probably no-one escaped without damage of some kind.

She said that at the height of the storm it was too dusty to see what was happening.

“When the wind calmed down, everything was everywhere.”

She said her farm has a lot of trees so probably looks worse than many farms without.

“If you look at the trees, like, they’re big old trees, they’ve seen a lot of wind and for them to fall over takes a bit of a push.”

INSURANCE CLAIMS

THE NEW Zealand Insurance Council reported around 5300 individual claims lodged across New Zealand as of November 3, with more expected as people continued to assess damage to their properties.

Many of the claims were for windrelated damage such as torn roofs, broken windows, and flying debris impacting buildings and vehicles.

The Insurance Council said insurers were working closely with those affected to support their recovery.

It said the wild weather was unlikely to have an immediate impact on premiums.

“However, insurers have consistently highlighted that as severe weather events become more frequent and intense, a collaborative effort led by government is needed to invest in risk reduction. This will help protect communities and ensure insurance remains accessible into the future.”

The executive general manager

claims for AMI, State and NZI, Stephannie Ferris, said the three companies had received over 3000 claims across Southland, Otago, Canterbury and Wellington, including for smashed windows and doors, flying roofs and sheds, and also spoiled food as a result of power outages.

“For our rural customers, we’ve seen plenty of wind damage to farm buildings and a number of irrigators. At this stage, it’s too early to put a cost to these events,” she said.

Mother nature delivers powerful message to milking sheds

THE RECENT windstorm that cut power to dairy farms across Southland for days has taught farmers one lesson – keep a generator handy on each farm.

Power is restored on almost all farms. But Southland Federated Farmers vice president Kass Rauber says in the few days following the windstorm on Thursday, October 23, there was mayhem.

Rauber, whose family dairy farm is at Hedgehope, about 25km northeast of Invercargill, says there was a scramble for generators as about 500 farms were left without power.

“Now Southland has a very reliable power grid,” he told Dairy News

“In our family cowshed, in 25 years we haven’t missed a milking due to power outage,” he says. “Another farmer told me this is the first time since 1994 that he lost power in the cow shed.”

Rauber says the practice among many Southland dairy farmers is to share generators between family and friends.

“And a lot of people own generators also in a partnership or a group, where generators might be owned by four people who have pitched in together to buy the generator.

“Or in some cases even five people and people with bigger farming operations might have one or two generators to go through their farming operation.”

Rauber says with so many cow sheds without power, suddenly there weren’t enough generators to keep all cow sheds milking.

On his farm, he switched to milking oncea-day for three days.

“So, there are some big learnings from this event: mother nature is unpredictable,” he says.

“We bought a generator straight away for our farm and so did many other farmers. That’s one of the big learnings from this event.”

Rauber says no one expected a natural disaster of this scale.

“Who would have ever thought of 500 farms losing power at once?

“Normally we would have an idiot driver ram

into a power pole, but the pole and power are up before the morning milking. This time things were very different,” he says.

“The milk tankers were arriving on farm but there was no milk to pick up because people were unable to milk. Also, keeping milk chilled in the vats within industry regulations was a major issue.”

ABUNDANT MILK SENDS PRICES DOWN

PLENTIFUL MILK supplies from key producer countries are weighing down global dairy prices.

Last week’s Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction index fell 2.4% for the sixth consecutive time. Flagship whole milk powder (WMP) prices dropped 2.7% to US$3,503/metric tonne. In August WMP price was selling at US$4,036/MT.

NZX head of dairy insights

Cristina Alvarado says the results came broadly in line with market expectations, confirming the ongoing bearish sentiment across global dairy markets.

“The result reflects a market weighed down by abundant milk supplies from New Zealand, Europe, the US and Argentina, while demand has softened following heavy buying earlier in the season.

“With product deliveries now well aligned to the Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Ramadan periods, buyers appear content with existing coverage, leading to reduced participation and lower clearing prices,” she says.

WMP’s price drop marks the fifth consecutive fall in GDT Events. WMP exports have been

robust, with New Zealand volumes up 12% year on year in September, suggesting that much of the product has already been contracted.

Alvarado says buyers continue to purchase on a hand-to-mouth basis rather than building inventories –a trend consistent with subdued demand from Southeast Asia and Oceania.

North Asia once again dominated the auction, accounting for 53% of total demand (down from 55% at the previous event), while participation from other regions remained limited.

“Farmers like to be resilient and that means having a generator on each farm.”

Rauber believes many farmers now have generators on their farms.

Skim milk powder (SMP) held steady at US$2,559/MT, supported by signs of stabilisation following several months of correction.

Nevertheless, competitive European pricing continues to weigh on sentiment, with SMP from the EU still trading at a discount to New Zealand product, says Alvarado.

The global butter market remains oversupplied, particularly as Europe and the US continue to report strong production and aggressive export activity – US butter exports in July were up a striking 208% year on year.

Overall, the auction outcome underscores the current supplyheavy environment, with ample product in the global pipeline and restrained purchasing from key importers, says Alvarado.

“Futures markets had largely priced in this result, and with milk flows peaking across major exporters, the near-term outlook remains soft.

“Attention will now turn to early 2026 demand signals and potential restocking in the new year to determine when market sentiment might begin to turn.”

Timber’s New Role in Dairy Barn Innovation

In Kaituna Valley, Banks Peninsula, a composting barn at Willesden Farms is redefining dairy infrastructure. Built by Numat Construction and powered by Prolam, this 31m x 185m structure supports a 300-hectare dairy conversion milking 700 cows, cutting the farm’s environmental footprint by 46%. At its heart is laminated timber sourced sustainably from New Zealand plantations by Prolam NZ. Using their PL8 beams, the barn showcases timber’s rise as a durable, cost-effective choice for farmers building resilient, eco-friendly infrastructure.

Timber’s Edge in Dairy Design

Laminated timber is gaining traction in dairy construction. Its ability to withstand the humid, effluent-heavy environment of a composting barn ensures a lifespan exceeding 50 years.

Willesden’s barn, with 64 PL8 glulam beams and 128 poles, supports housing 550 cows in winter and feeding up to 1,000. “We were really attracted to it because it was cost efficient, highly durable,” says farm manager Matt Iremonger. “The construction team found it really good to work with,” he adds, noting the material’s ease of use and warm aesthetic that suits the farm.

The engineered strength of glulam beams allows for large-scale designs without added weight, streamlining installation. Farmers see the appeal: a robust structure that delivers long-term value while fitting the practical needs of modern dairying.

Sustainability Meets Practicality

Dairy farming faces pressure to reduce emissions, with New Zealand setting ambitious methane and nitrogen targets for 2030. Timber, sourced from New Zealand renewable plantations, supports this shift with a lower carbon footprint. At Willesden, the barn’s timber frame enables a composting system that captures effluent, reducing methane and nitrate outputs. “It protects our nutrients and it looks after the cows,” Iremonger explains, tying the design to environmental goals.

The barn’s system keeps cows off paddocks during wet winter months, preserving soil and reducing nitrogen leaching when compared to traditional

grazing. For farmers, this offers a practical way to align with sustainability standards while maintaining productivity, especially during peak wet seasons.

Comfort and Efficiency for Cows and Crew

Timber’s thermal properties create a comfortable barn environment. Glulam retains warmth, keeping cows dry and helping maintain higher body condition scores. The barn aids this by reducing energy loss from cold, wet conditions, preserving reserves that might otherwise drop in exposed paddocks. “It was very reassuring to know the cows were in the barn. They were warm, they were dry,” Iremonger recalls of a stormy night on September 24, 2025. “It just takes a lot of stress away from us as the farm operators, but also from the animals themselves.” This reduces cow stress, supporting higher milk yields.

The barn’s design, with 3,500 cubic metres of woodchip bedding, 740 metres of feedface, clearlight roofing, solar panels, and electric doors, streamlines operations.

Feeding up to 1,000 cows and wintering 550, it offers flexibility for wet or hot weather. “It’s designed for the full eight hundred during adverse weather at any time of the year,” Iremonger says. Staff benefit from easier management, as they can easily check herds under shelter or pick up calves in a dry environment regardless of the outside weather.

A Long-Term Vision

Iremonger’s decision followed extensive research across Waikato, Taranaki, Southland, Canterbury, Australia, and the US. “We looked at how these systems were able to augment our pastoral

system,” he says, aiming to enhance pasture efficiency rather than replace it. The barn, a 50-year-plus investment, delivers a five-year return through reduced grazing costs and higher productivity. “We’ve modelled it as a 50-year piece of infrastructure, but there’s no reason it wouldn’t last significantly longer,” he notes.

Dairy conversions are surging, with Canterbury reporting a fourfold increase in consents last year, driven by milk prices of $9.50-$10 per kg of milk solids. Timber barns fit this wave, offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution for farmers on challenging land. New Zealand’s dairy production, 20% below global costs, remains competitive, and structures like Willesden’s ensure farms stay viable amid climate variability and emissions targets.

A Shift Worth Noticing

The Willesden barn signals a broader shift. Timber, with its blend of durability, affordability, and environmental benefits, is proving itself in dairy infrastructure. It delivers barns that work harder and last longer, rooted in practicality and forwardthinking. Prolam NZ, as a

“It takesjusta lot of STRESS away”

key partner and solutions provider, enabled Numat Construction to deliver this innovative NuSpan solution, supplying beams that combine strength with sustainability for farmers seeking long-term

value. For those eyeing conversions or upgrades, this approach offers a model worth considering. NumatAGRI hosts an open day at Willesden barn on December 2nd. Call 0800 686 119 for details.

Sheep infant formula maker aims to replicate China success

SHEEP INFANT nutrition

maker Blue River Dairy is hoping to use its success in China as a springboard into other markets in future.

Over the last nine years, the Invercargillbased company has grown its market share in China and is the biggest selling brand of sheep infant formula in the country.

Blue River sources quality sheep milk and whey from companies in New Zealand and Europe and blends them into infant formula at the Invercargill plant.

Blue River sales and supply chain manager Gareth Lyness says the sheep infant nutrition market hasn’t gone global yet.

“There are not yet significant volumes consumed outside of China,” he told Dairy News

“Infant formula is a complex and highly regulated product and is consequently very defensible.

“In many markets, sheep milk formula is simply too niche to achieve a viable scale within that single market.

“The exception is China where the market is big enough, and consumers have sufficient appetite for premium products, such that a relatively niche product is still able to achieve the scale to develop efficient production processes and continue innovating, as we have with our sheep range.”

Led by Blue River, the sheep infant nutrition category has grown significantly in size and market share over the last nine years, he adds.

“Success in China will enable sheep infant formula manufacturers to springboard into new markets in future.”

The sheep infant formula market in China is becoming competitive. While Blue River is the biggest selling brand in the category, competitors are following the company into the market.

Lyness says overall sales of their sheep

GOAT, COW FORMULAS

However,

itive categories. Gareth Lyness says

formula range have continued to grow.

“Which against the background of China’s well-publicised diminishing birth rate represents a significant gain in market share for us and for the sheep category.

“We’re very proud to have successfully re-registered our sheep formulations with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in October, as we continue to innovate and improve our products at every opportunity. We have also made significant investments into our plant capacity and technology which have started bearing fruit this year.

“We’re well past the point of leveraging firstmover advantage. Now we are more focused on continued innovation and leveraging the equity in our brand.”

Blue River is owned by the Chen Family from China. They bought the business in 2015 from founder Keith Neylon.

Whey is essential for China registered infant formula and Lyness says the Chinese owners have invested strategically in a European supplier of sheep whey, as the quality and quantity of sheep whey needed for infant formula simply doesn’t exist outside of Europe.

“For sheep milk powder, we leverage that European supply chain as well as the proximity of domestic New Zealand suppliers.

“This dual supply model has many benefits; it maximises freshness from two offset seasons, ensures quality and security of supply by spreading supply, logistical and geopolitical risks across different regions and allows us to respond

rapidly to changes in demand without holding excess inventory.”

New Zealand made food products remain popular in China despite changes in consumer preferences.

Lyness says 10 years ago there was a strong preference among

Chinese consumers for imported brands.

He says now, for several reasons, including the successful growth of some strong domestic manufacturers, the majority of consumers favour Chinese brands.

“There remains a premium appeal for

made in New Zealand products, but that alone is not enough to sell your product; you must have a great product with clear advantages over others, both imported and local, to win discerning Chinese consumers.”

“We

NZ pollies ‘united on global trade’

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

WHEN IT comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour’s trade spokesman Damien O’Connor.

He says the country’s politicians move forward on trade and international relationships in “a harmonious and consistent way”.

He was speaking at the inaugural EU/NZ Business Summit in Auckland recently. The meeting coincided with the visit of

EU Trade Commissioner

Maroš Šefčovič.

A free trade deal between the EU and New Zealand came into force in May last year.

O’Connor, who served as Trade and Export Growth Minister in the previous Labour government, was involved in negotiations

and signed the FTA on behalf of NZ in July 2023.

O’Connor says he wants to assure Europe that trade is one area of NZ politics “where there’s pretty much unity”.

“We may discuss around the edges some of the things that we try harder on, but across all governments for many years, New Zealand, because we are a nation that’s highly dependent upon trade and relationship with others, we’ve got to move forward in a harmonious and consistent way.

“So, we’re not going to do U-turns in terms of trade policy.”

O’Connor recalled that when the prospect of the EU trade agreement was put forward, people were enthusiastic and

positive but thought that NZ was perhaps a little ambitious.

Progress ultimately depended upon trust at every level.

“And I’d have to say as the EU would understand as a bloc of 27 member countries, those relationships are built on trust, and the unity that has been achieved there over so many years is because of trust.

“My job was to build trust, to say that we’re a nation that didn’t want to swamp the EU market with our products, the fact that we could only feed 40 million people in total.

“It was to build trust that we shared values and

EU TRADE GROWING

TWO-WAY goods and services trade between New Zealand and the EU was worth $21.58 billion in the year to June 2025, with NZ exports having increased by $2 billion since the free trade agreement (FTA) entered into force last year.

Trade Minister Todd McClay says the EU is one of New Zealand’s most important and trusted partners.

“There is potential to deepen our relationship across trade, investment, technology and innovation. We have agreed to reduce non-tariff barriers between New Zealand and the 27

that the partnership that we would build would be beneficial for both of us. We couldn’t offer volume, we can offer value.”

O’Connor says the EU FTA is way beyond the expectations of conservative officials.

“Some of the papers that we got really undershot the potential benefits.

“But, once you open the door, once you know that there’s some certainty, then you get on and look for opportunities.

“And that is indeed what has happened with this agreement. On behalf of our exporters, I simply negotiated the opportunity and

member countries of the European Union,” McClay says.

He says EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič’s visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase world-class Kiwi exporters and highlight investment potential in NZ’s fast-growing tech companies.

“We’re seeing strong growth in exports to the EU across sectors – from meat, dairy, honey and forestry to hightech goods and services, pushing us towards the goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years,” McClay says.

Šefčovič and McClay also

we’re grateful. It did come down to literally walking between rooms to negotiate the last thousand tons of beef.”

O’Connor acknowledged that not all primary sectors were happy with the final deal. Dairy and meat exporters complained that the deal provided only modest improvements in access into the EU.

But O’Connor says that that’s the way it works.

“In the end, you must make a call. There are always people who are perhaps disappointed, you know it’s like the teacher school card‘could have done, could have tried harder’.”

discussed the EU’s Deforestation Regulation, which is due to be implemented on 30 December 2025 with exemptions during the first six months.

“I am pleased the Commissioner has recognised that New Zealand is honouring its commitments under the FTA around environmental and climate change and that we contribute to afforestation.

“We have agreed to work together to reduce costs and compliance on Kiwi and European exporters and ensure they continue to have fair access under our trade agreement.”

SOFT UNDERFOOT STRONG OVERHEAD

Peters berates Fonterra decision

become the price taker, not the price maker, and all the added value in the dairy industry could be lost,” he says.

FIRST leader Winston

NZ

Peter has continued his criticism of Fonterra to sell its brand business to the French company Lactalis, saying the move is “utter madness”.

In an exclusive interview with Dairy News, Peters says the deal, which won overwhelming support from Fonterra dairy farmers, doesn’t make long term commercial sense. He says just selling milk powder is not the answer.

“What you have got here is an overseas company who will be in control to the extent that when they make the decision in probably three years’ time about future milk supply, NZ will

He says farmers have taken a ‘sugar hit’ and a brand such as Anchor, which came into being in 1886, will disappear out of NZ hands. He says this and other brands have been very successful over the years.

“Saying it’s too costly to maintain these brands is balderdash.

Edendale is not a billiondollar operation. It is helping, and you have got other partners and companies where their plants are being used by Fonterra, such as the powder packaging plant in Christchurch and end milk processing facility in Hawke’s Bay,” he says.

Peters likens the Fonterra sale to the time when farmers voted to

get rid of the then Wool Board to save money. He says the country has paid dearly for this. He says he does know something about the dairy industry having milked cows when he was still at school. He says since he’s been in parliament, farmers have at various times asked for assistance. One example he cites is when the US currency was very high and that this was damaging the whole farming community.

“When will they ever learn that the economies that understand how to make real wealth ensure that they are as zealous as possible about the income coming from all aspects of their products. They might note that the Irish have never sold their Kerrygold brand,” he says.

Peters says there has been a lack of information about the sale in the public arena and he’s accused Fonterra

of not fronting up to media requests. He’s also accused the mainstream media of being ‘shallow’ in their reporting of the issue.

Peters says this is not just about this generation of dairy farmers, but about the next and the one after that. He says farmers talk a lot about how important they are to the national intertest, but often personal interests take over.

“The only way we are going to succeed is when the national and personal interests are aligned,” he says.

We’ve got Christmas

Strange bedfellows

TWO TYPES of grifters have used the sale of Fonterra’s consumer brands as a platform to push their own agendas – under the guise of ‘caring about the country’. The first and most obvious offenders are the activists at Greenpeace. We can largely discount this crowd’s opinion of dairy though; it doesn’t matter what the dairy industry does, Greenpeace will always say it is “bad”.

They threw it all at Fonterra last week: the price of butter, climate change, water quality, etc etc. Not a single good thing to say about a $4.2 billion capital injection into the economy.

Joining them as an unlikely bedfellow was politician Winston Peters, who is determined to play this sale for his own political gain. Milking It reckons, if Peters finds himself on the same page as the Greenpeace activists, he’s on the wrong page!

Dairy dilemma

LAST WEEK India’s powerful Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in the country for another round of negotiations on a free trade deal.

One word that Goyal used frequently during his public comments was ‘sensitivities’.

With NZ dairy farmers and exporters waiting with bated breath to know either if or when they can export more products to India, Goyal’s comments provided little comfort.

It’s clear that Goyal, a senior member of the ruling BJP in India, has one eye on the 80 million farmers and their families who depend on the Indian dairy sector for their livelihoods.

Upsetting such a large base of voters would be political suicide for Goyal and the party. So dairy shouldn’t have its hopes too high when the FTA is finalised.

Time for action

IF DAVID Seymour’s muchtrumpeted Ministry for Regulation wants a serious job they need look no further than reviewing the rules and regulations governing members of the so-called House of Representatives. Instead of making some effort to help with the governance of the country, which they are actually paid to do – the Māori Party and the Greens in particular are using parliament as a high-profile platform to disrespectfully shout about some of their bizarre causes. It seems that a few of them just come into parliament to yell and scream and then bugger off on full pay to do other things and join other protests around the country – again, at the taxpayers’ expense.

Do they have any respect for the hard-pressed workers of the country who are paying for their extravagances? Milking It suspects not. So, Seymour needs to spark his department into action and return the debating chamber back to a civilised state.

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Resource consent saga

THE GOVERNMENT needs to act now to address consenting issues faced by farmers throughout the country.

Some regional councils are charging exorbitant amounts to process consents. On top of that farmers are forking out thousands of dollars on consultants. Also, some consents, applied five years ago are still being processed.

Remembering Bolger

IS IT now time for the country’s top agricultural university to start thinking about a name change – something that has been mooted in the past?

Do the name and the values of one-time Premier W F Massey resonate with the values of the 21st century? The university makes much of its connection to Māori, yet one could argue that Massey was more aligned with the elite and wealthy and not the people who work the land. Maybe if it is so passionate about its relationship with Māori and farming it could consider a more appropriate name. The name Jim Bolger instantly comes to mind as an individual who worked the land, supported technology, innovation, higher education and who recognised the need to right the wrongs of the people who were colonised by the British. Times have changed and renaming the university after a person who did so much in so many ways and who had a genuine love of the land could be a way forward.

Isn’t it time to move on?

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A recent survey by Federated Farmers shows a consenting process in disarray –farmers facing long delays, excessive costs and unreasonable requests for information. It’s fair to say the results of that survey make sobering reading and highlight the true scale and seriousness of the problem. 38% of respondents applied for a resource consent in the past year, indicating frequent engagement, while 31% applied over five years ago, suggesting varied consent durations.

The average spend on regional councils for consents was $17,400 with Auckland ($24,300) and Canterbury ($25,000) being the most expensive regions.

District council costs averaged $9,000, with Canterbury districts ($15,800) the most expensive.

Those numbers paint a damning picture of a system that simply isn’t working. Farmers are losing faith in a process that seems to prioritise paperwork over environmental outcomes.

Farmers welcome the Government’s intention to reform the Resource Management Act – but that won’t happen overnight. Farmers need solutions now.

With thousands of resource consents due to expire over the coming months, the Government needs to act quickly and decisively to give farmers certainty.

Farmers believe a practical solution would be to roll over all existing resource consents to help bridge the gap between the current rules and their soon-to-be-revealed replacement. This makes sense and let’s hope the Government thinks the same.

AUCKLAND SALES CONTACT: Stephen Pollard Ph 021-963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz

WAIKATO & WELLINGTON SALES CONTACT: Lisa Wise Ph 027-369 9218 lisaw@ruralnews.co.nz

SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland Ph 021-221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz

Beefing up: could this be a blueprint for the sector?

MARK LESLIE

NEARLY HALF of New

Zealand’s four million dairy calves are processed early, representing not just a missed $1.2 billion opportunity, but a reputational risk for our exportdriven agricultural sector.

As highlighted in Rabobank’s recent report, The Strategic Moment for Dairy-beef in New Zealand, unlocking the value of surplus dairy calves presents a strategic opportunity to reshape farming systems, improve profitability, and meet evolving market demands.

For more than three years, Pāmu has been developing a strategic approach to dairy beef, the practice of rearing surplus dairy calves for beef production. We are doing this by combining genetic innovation with practical finishing capability. This season, Pāmu is rearing 73% of calves born to its dairy herds, up from 49% in FY23 and with the target of 85% by FY28.

These gains are not just numbers: they reflect a broader shift in how we think about calf value and farming system integration.

Through our work, we’ve gained valuable insights into genetics, large scale calf rearing, achieving liveweight gains from 100 to 200kg over the first summer,

and once-bred heifer systems. While our connected systems give us an advantage in implementing these ideas, the lessons learned are being shared widely for the benefit of all farmers.

The new crossbred dairy-beef offering Synergizer announced last month, being developed through a partnership between Pāmu, LIC, and Focus Genetics, represents a bold step forward in transforming dairy beef farming. The white calves, landed this spring, bring together the very best of Stabilizer and Charolais genetics, with our breeding programme focused on key traits including short gestation, ease of calving and rearing, strong liveweight gain and meat eating quality.

Balancing the needs of dairy farmers, calf rearers, beef finishers, and processors, with world-class science, rigorous testing, and a shared commitment to excellence, Synergizer is designed to deliver a solution that is profitable, scalable, and future-fit.

This aligns with recommendations in the Rabobank report suggesting that farm system changes are needed to successfully harness dairy beef. Strategic use of superior beef genetics, artificial insemination, and optimised calving and improved growth rates to achieve early slaughter,

will enhance outcomes across the value chain without totally overhauling the dairy herd.

The Rabobank report highlights that calf-rear-

ing is an area of risk in the value chain, and to improve rearing rates and avoid boom-bust cycles, calf rearers need better long-term pricing mechanisms that provide the confidence to invest in infrastructure support.

We know the challenges facing the agricultural sector: price volatility, environmental pressures, global consumer trends, and the need for greater efficiency. Our dairy beef strategy centres on this, genetic innovation, infra-

structure investments and technology advancements. This includes purposebuilt calf-rearing facilities near Taupō, and in the Manawatu, along with converted woolsheds to rear calves on our West Coast farms, which are showing less than threeyear payback periods.

Supported by realtime data from platforms like FarmIQ, and wearable technology, we are seeing improved carcass weights and conception rates. Environmentally AgResearch work has

•

shown fast-finishing systems with dairy-beef animals resulted in a carbon footprint that is 32%-48% lower than the average for traditional beef systems in New Zealand.

What we know from our experience is crosssector collaboration is essential to unlock the full potential of dairy beef and ensure sustainable growth.

Building on this foundation, our integrated dairy beef approach offers a scalable blueprint for New Zealand’s pastoral

sector. To farmers looking for confidence in their dairy-beef systems, Synergizer offers a new way forward. By working together across the sector, we can unlock the full potential of dairy beef and build a more resilient, profitable, and sustainable future for New Zealand agriculture.

• Mark Leslie is chief executive of Pāmu, which is the brand name for Landcorp Farming Limited, a state-owned enterprise that operates more than 100 farms across Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Spotlight on payroll practices

IN A significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.

By ratcheting up the consequences for improper financial dealings between employer and employee, the Government is signalling that exploitation won’t be tolerated.

Welcoming the law change, financial services provider Findex describes the development as a call for scrupulous compliance for farmers and rural employers relying on salaried staff and seasonal migrant workers.

“It’s fair to say the law change won’t affect the vast majority of farmers and rural business owners, who reward their staff in accordance with both the letter and spirit of all employment

laws, and in return for the value created by their employees,” says Lou Baines, HR consultant at Findex.

“However, we know isolated cases of exploitation do occur and for these operators, harsher penalties and more serious consequences should contribute to stamping out inappropriate practices.”

She adds that the rural sector is known for tough jobs, with long hours and

demanding work, often relying on migrant labour.

Exploitation has cast a shadow over agriculture, with a recent example being a 2024 Employment Relations Authority case that saw a Southland dairy farm ordered to pay $215,000 in penalties for breaches against three

Indonesian workers.

Under the new amendment, such cases could now trigger criminal charges, underscoring the need for proactive payroll reviews to protect both businesses and vulnerable employees, says Baines.

The change is the result of New Zealand’s

MIGRANT WORKERS AT RISK

MIGRANT WORKERS, a key at-risk group, are particularly vulnerable due to a limited understanding of their employment rights. According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) statistics, approximately 176,000 work visas were issued in New Zealand during the 2024 calendar year, with many recipients finding employment in agriculture – a sector historically plagued by exploitation issues.

To stay compliant and mitigate risks, HR consultant at Findex Lou Baines recommends that farmers and

rural businesses:

Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill, recently passed into law. In criminalising wage theft, the amendment makes intentional underpayment of staff a form of theft under the Crimes Act. This change introduces potential penalties of up to one

Keep abreast of the current minimum wage and maintain written, up-to-date employment agreements clearly outlining staff entitlements. Ensure payments for availability provisions and overtime as required and seek advice before withholding or deducting wages.

Maintain accurate records of all payments, including wage and time records, as well as holiday and leave records, for six years – even after an employee departs.

Regularly review salaries against

How big is the Cali Thistle problem?

year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine for individuals or fines of up to $30,000 for businesses.

Wage theft is defined as the intentional withholding of wages by employers, with liability requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt of deliberate non-payment. While administrative errors and honest mistakes are excluded, unintentional underpayments remain a financial risk, as employees can claim unpaid wages from the last six years regardless of cause.

actual hours worked, as a common pitfall for salaried staff in farming is exceeding minimum wage thresholds due to extended hours inherent to the industry.

“Payroll can be tricky, but this amendment is a clear signal: intentional wage theft will no longer be tolerated,” Baines says.

“By embedding robust HR practices, rural employers can not only avoid criminal liability but also foster a fairer workplace that supports New Zealand’s vital agricultural workforce.”

Baines says the amendment addresses a previous gap in the law, where intentional underpayment carried no criminal repercussions.

“That left affected workers to seek remedies only through employment dispute resolution,” she notes. “In itself, that is a lengthy process, with the Southland case initiated in 2020 and only seeing resolution by 2024; criminalisation, one hopes, may help accelerate the process, which can be crucial for under-resourced complainants.”

Samuel Whitelock Plant Science Graduate, Lincoln University.

Will NZ dairy farmers give away their $3.2b windfall?

NEW ZEALAND dairy farmers are enjoying one of their most positive years in decades. Fonterra’s record $10/kgMS milk payout and the $3.2 billion capital return from the sale of its consumer division to Lactalis have created a rare moment of financial strength for New Zealand Dairy farmers.

The question now is, how will they spend this money? History shows that when milk prices surge, production often follows. In 2014, similar record prices led to a rapid rise in milk production and, within a year, global dairy prices collapsed. According to Environment Canterbury, at least four new dairy conversion consents have been granted this year; modest numbers, but enough to signal renewed interest in expansion.

Although New Zealand produces only about 3% of the world’s milk, it supplies more than 60% of the

traded whole milk powder. Economic modelling has shown that even a small increase in New Zealand dairy exports can lower world prices. If farmers collectively chase higher production, much of the $3.2 billion capital could quickly evaporate.

But the consequences go beyond economics. More milk means more cows, more feed, and potentially more impact on the environment. Higher stocking rates intensify nutrient runoff and may raise nitrogen and phosphorus levels in waterways that are already under strain.

Many catchments from Canterbury to Southland and parts of Waikato are close to or beyond their nutrient limits. Water quality is improving in some regions, but only slowly, and further intensification risks that progress.

More production also means more greenhouse gases. Methane from livestock accounts for nearly half of New Zealand’s total emissions. Each extra cow adds to the challenge of

big.

meeting the country’s emissions targets. New technologies such as methane-reducing feed additives show promise, but they’re still years away from widespread use in New Zealand’s pasture-based systems.

Rather than focusing on production, farmers now have a chance to use this windfall to build long-term financial, operational, and environmental resilience. Firstly, paying down debt is the most reliable investment delivering an immediate, risk-free return while reducing pressure when milk prices inevitably fall.

Efficiency is the next opportunity.

Smarter irrigation systems, virtual fencing, and digital tools that track cow production, soil moisture and pasture growth can lift profitability while reducing environmental impact. Many of these investments pay back within a few seasons and can help farmers stay ahead of environmental regulations.

The third opportunity lies in improving environmental performance.

Upgrading effluent systems, expanding riparian planting, and fencing waterways all reduce nutrient losses and support dairy social licence to operate. Growing more diverse pasture species can lower methane and nitrogen losses while improving animal health and feed quality. This payout gives the dairy industry the resources to take a step back, not a step up in volume. Expanding

production may deliver short-term gains, but the longer-term benefits will come from stronger balance sheets, cleaner waterways, and lower emissions.

• Dr Nic Lees is a senior lecturer in agribusiness management at Lincoln University. His research focuses on improving the competitive advantage, sustainability, and resilience of agri-food supply chains.

As farmers know, Californian Thistle is incredibly difficult to eradicate. That’s due to its unusually deep root system, which can burrow as deep as 2.4 metres – that’s taller than Samuel Whitelock.

Not only that, left unchecked, each stem can produce up to the length of a footy field in root every year; up to 4,000 kilometres per hectare! And the fact that they are perennials, unlike their annual thistle cousins, means they just keep coming back (as you know too well!).

But you can tackle the problem once and for all, with Tordon PastureBoss.

We recommend following a three-spray programme, with Tordon Pastureboss as the anchor product, followed by a second application of phenoxy (MCPA) and then spot sprays of Tordon PastureBoss, for lasting results.

And of course Tordon PastureBoss can be used on a wide range of other hard-to-kill pasture weeds. See our website for details.

To view the Technical Manual or download the label scan the QR code. Always read the label before use.

Beware of velvetleaf

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

A RECENTLY held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.

Classified as an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act, the invasive weed can produce up to 30,000 seeds that can survive for

50 years, while statistics note that, uncontrolled, it has the potential to reduce yields by up to 70%.

With the current maize planting regime under way in the North Island, disturbed soils offered an ideal environment for what may have been long dormant seeds to germinate.

North Island velvetleaf co-ordinator Sally Linton reminded growers that

given the weed’s potential to decimate the New Zealand cropping sector, the economic “ripple effect” could affect the dairy, food production and export sectors.

“Fighting velvetleaf is a shared responsibility, that everyone needs to be involved with, including the grower, their neighbours, contractors and seed merchants,” said Linton.

An annual weed that is typically active between

October and April, the invasive broad-leaved weed has been identified in over 100 North Island properties, largely in the maize crops of Auckland and the Waikato. Of particular interest to the assembled growers were 13 known incursions in the Horizons region, likely occurring on the arrival of fodder beet to the area following the wider 2016-17 fodder beet incursion in the South Island.

That general incursion occurred in Southland, Otago and Canterbury, traced back to Italian fodder beet seed, imported to feed the growing interest in fodder beet as a winter feed crop.

Emerging as a seedling, the weed quickly matures by around 100 days, identified by large heart-shaped leaves, buttery yellow flowers of about 3cm across and the eventual arrival of

distinctive black seed pods of 2.5cm diameter, made up of 12-15 segments. Of particular concern is the fact that a single mature plant, that might grow to 1.2 to 1.5 metres high, can produce up to 30,000 seeds that can survive for up to 50 years.

moving to the next job.

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Linton said, “Looking at maize crops taken for silage, the seeds are not killed during the heating process of ensiling. Indeed, the use of feed pads, that in turn lead to feed waste and effluent washing, means that viable seeds can easily be spread over a wide area of a property, without realising.”

Linton suggested that anyone buying-in silage, should be inspecting source crops ahead of harvesting and confirm with suppliers that the property was velvetleaffree. They should also confirm from harvesting contractors whether they had worked at infected properties, and if this was the case, were up to speed with appropriate hygiene practices, before

As part of the monitoring programme, regional councils are funding inspections, undertaken by Linton in the North Island, while also being assisted by a highly trained detector dog. The detector dog, Wink, was generally used to inspect properties in Nov/Dec after emergence and again in Jan/ Feb, before harvesting commences.

“However, inspections by councils and with the dog are only to known incursions and where a suspected incursion maybe through tracing of machinery and crop movements,” said Linton.

“You cannot insure against a biosecurity risk, so it’s in all our interests to be proactive in getting on top of this problem. You also need to realise you cannot sell a crop from a property where seeding velvetleaf is present. If you do suspect an incursion, photograph the suspected plant, mark its location and contact MPI via 0800-80-99-66, or your regional council.”

For over 35 years, we’ve helped Kiwi farmers tackle dreaded milk grades. Now Max, our milk grade guru, is available 24/7 to pinpoint problems and guide you to solutions - because grades don’t fix themselves. In Agmax Country, we back you to sort your own shed out.

Selenium pour-on

SELENIUM POUR-ON

is back on the market

due to demand from veterinarians and farmers for the selenium specific veterinary treatment, says animal health company Inovata.

It says that selenium deficiency has long been a silent threat to livestock productivity and animal wellbeing across the country due to New Zealand’s selenium-deficient soils. From poor growth rates to compromised immunity and fertility in livestock, the production consequences are costly.

Inovata supplies veterinarians with a range of treatments designed for New Zealand’s farming conditions.

Through working with veterinarians Inovata developed a single mineral selenium topical trace

element treatment for dairy, beef and deer.

Inovata general manager Steve Judd says Inovata Selenium Pour-On is the only selenium-specific pour-on for dairy, beef cattle and deer available in the New Zealand market –filling a need for strategic supplementation of this critical trace element.

“Simple to use selenium pour-on treatment options, which were once a prevalent tool, have been unavailable in New Zealand for several years, leaving veterinarians and their farmer clients with few convenient solutions to address this key driver of animal health,” Judd says.

“We work closely with vets and their farming clients, and they said they were seeing selenium-

deficient stock and asked us to look at developing a pour-on to add to the tools they could prescribe. We listened and brought Selenium Pour-On back.

“Being a topical product, it is easy to use in cattle and deer which can be difficult to inject or treat orally, or for stock on run-off blocks where farmers can’t supplement via water supply, or where prills in fert were just not doing enough across all stock.

“Inovata Selenium Pour-On is ideal for setting up dairy and beef youngstock as it can be easily and effectively applied to match their changing growth rates and protect them as they grow.”

In trial work on beef cattle Selenium Pour-On elevated selenium levels six weeks after treatment.

The product has nil meat and milk withholding, enabling it to be used in lactating and pregnant dairy cows and animals that may be sent for slaughter.

“It has been developed to be easy for farmers to work into their stock programmes. For example, Selenium Pour-On can also be used as frequently as once every 3 weeks. This gives farmers the flexibility to fit selenium supplementation around their regular drenching and weighing programmes. It is a simple, reliable way to boost selenium levels, especially around critical times like mating and protecting young cattle.”

The product is formulated to provide the ideal dose for treatment of selenium deficiency – 0.15 mg Se per kg in

cattle, 0.3 mg Se per kg in deer, regardless of the weight range of the animal.

“This makes it a good tool for vets to address selenium deficiency and selenium responsive diseases in cattle and deer,” says Judd.

“From a farmer’s point of view Selenium Pour-On is also cost effective. If all you require is selenium supplementation it is cheaper to use a product with only selenium in it because you are not paying for minerals that you may not necessarily need.”

Judd says it is important that farmers work with their veterinarian on the best way to supplement selenium on their farm and what best fits their situation and the stock class to be treated.

Feeding for performance

CHRIS BALEMI

MOST DAIRY goat farmers focus on getting energy, protein, and fibre right, and fair enough –feed drives milk.

But even the best ration won’t deliver if the mineral balance is off. Too little, and production slips. Too much or in the wrong form, and you waste money or risk creating new problems.

Mineral supplementation is about keeping goats productive and healthy through every stage of the season. Why do minerals matter?

Minerals are involved in every system within the body – metabolism, immunity, milk production, bone growth,

and reproduction.

Trace elements, like copper, zinc, selenium, manganese, and iodine, are especially important for fertility, kid survival, and disease resistance.

Research shows that mineral imbalances often first appear as vague issues like poor milk yield, delayed cycling, weak kids, or slower recovery postkidding. These show up long before any signs of deficiency become clear.

Goats are also different from cows and sheep. Their capacity to store minerals, especially copper, is much lower. That means they rely on steady intake, not the occasional top-up.

Performance starts in the minerals

Mineral balance directly affects how well

a goat converts feed into milk solids. Trials have shown that goats receiving consistent trace mineral supplementation (particularly highly bioavailable chelated forms) produce more milk and have stronger immune function than those on standard salts.

Beyond yield, mineral supply also influences milk quality. Elements like calcium, phosphorus, and zinc contribute to milk composition and stability, and small shortfalls can reduce fat and protein percentages, cutting into the return per litre.

Reproduction and longevity are also tied to mineral status. Kiwi soils are often low in selenium and iodine. These two trace minerals support thyroid and metabolic

function, which are the basis of fertility, embryo survival, and kid health. Zinc and manganese help with uterine repair postkidding, while copper supports hormone function.

The effects of mineral imbalance reach far beyond milk loss and into performance for seasons to come.

The tricky part

The thing is, not all mineral sources are equal. Chelated or proteinbound forms are more easily absorbed and less likely to interact with other minerals in the rumen. While oxides and simple salts may look cheaper, they’re less bioavailable and more likely to upset rumen performance, costing you in the long run.

Mineral interaction adds yet another layer of complexity. Too much of one mineral can block another – zinc can suppress copper, as can high sulphur or molybdenum in pasture. Chelated trace elements are less prone to negative interactions in the rumen. Seasonal changes in soil and fertiliser can also cause imbalances.

Goats bring their own quirks, too. They’re selective eaters, often leaving fine mineral powders in the trough. Pelleted or in-shed feeding systems can be more reliable. Our pastures also need to be treated with balanced fertiliser, as many are

naturally low in iodine and selenium.

Another complication is timing. Demand peaks in late pregnancy, early lactation, and during mating. Pasture growth fluctuates with the season. By the time performance drops, reserves are already gone, so we need to be acting to prevent, instead of reacting after the fact.

Feeding for performance

A good mineral programme begins with data. Before you adjust anything, test your pasture or soil and run blood or liver samples. This gives a clear picture of what’s missing and what might already be too high. Testing helps target exactly where support is needed and identifies any antagonisms that could be limiting uptake.

Once you know what you’re dealing with, tailor your mix. The ratio of macro and trace elements

needs to reflect your pasture profile, herd size, and production goals. That’s why customblended minerals can sometimes perform better long term.

Delivery matters as much as formulation. Goats are picky eaters and will often leave behind the mineral powders. Consistent intake makes all the difference, so minerals are best provided in a form they’ll reliably eat, such as pellets, prills, or via in-shed feeding. Keeping intake steady prevents the highs and lows that can undo an otherwise well-designed mineral plan.

Monitoring progress is important – watch milk yield, milk solids, fertility, and kid health through the season.

If performance starts to slide, it’s often the first sign of a mineral imbalance creeping back in. Pasture quality and

environmental conditions change, so retesting regularly helps to refine your approach. Effective mineral nutrition is an ongoing exercise based on what your goats and data are telling you. Finally, think of minerals as an investment. A wellbalanced mineral programme often pays for itself in the form of better feed conversion, fewer health issues, and more consistent production. Even small gains, like a few extra litres of milk solids per doe, or fewer mastitis cases over the season, can make a big difference to the bottom line.

Feeding for performance means feeding the whole system, from soil to rumen, and keeping minerals in balance every step of the way.

• Chris Balemi is managing director of Agvance Nutrition

Grange tillage to bring 75cm spacing to subsurface toolbar

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

FOLLOWING A disappointing UK harvest and severely constrained cereal pricing by grain buyers, many machinery manufacturers are still prepared to invest in product development, with an eye to creating greater efficiency and improved profitability.

In the UK, Yorkshire manufacturer Grange Machinery, whose products are distributed by Carrfields in NZ, has updated the design of its 6m Close Coupled Toolbar (CCT), which will be launched at this week’s Agritechnica 2025.

Designed to be mounted between the tractor and following implement such as a power harrow, cultivator or drill, the CCT is used to loosen soil at depth before the main implement passes over the loosened ground.

Responding to requests from farmers, who typically need a traditional 50cm soil spacing during harvest, but also drill maize and other row crops at 75cm in the spring, the current version has 50cm tine spacing.

The latest version is configured with additional brackets that enables users to alter the spacings of the low disturbance legs to 75cm.

Grange Machinery claims that, combined with a mounted or trailed drill, the 6m CCT enables the removal of soil compaction and the precision drilling of maize in a single pass. The company also notes that while sowing maize in 75cm rows is becoming more common, the standard 50cm version did not appeal to growers with cereal crops and maize – an increasingly popular combination thanks to an increase in anaerobic digesters.

The 6m CCT is designed to operate with mounted and trailed implements

and is fitted with a power take-off (PTO) transmission to allow the use of powered cultivators or drills.

Its versatility also includes shallow subsoiling, correcting compaction in pre-drill and post-harvest passes, or, when combined with a packer roller, can create an ideal pre-drilling seedbed in one pass.

JCB, Lord Bamford celebrate joint 80th birthday

born to the wealthy Bamford family of Staffordshire, who owned Bamfords International Farm Machinery, founded by Samuel Bamford in 1871.

THERE CAN’T be many people who on seeing the distinctive bright yellow and red colour scheme, don’t think ‘JCB’. Indeed, JCB has largely become the generic name for all brands of excavators, not unlike the term Fridge or Hoover.

This year, J C Bamford Excavators celebrates its 80th birthday, but also notes the achievements of current chair, Lord Anthony Bamford, in expanding the company, both in size and global reach.

Most industry watchers know that Joseph Cyril Bamford started the business in a lock-up garage at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire back in 1945. Joseph Bamford didn’t fit the stereotypical image of a penniless soldier who made good, rather he was

Bamfords, as it was generally known, had been building a range of farm machinery before the war, including stationary diesel engines and also developed a range of tractordrawn mowers that it was allowed to produce throughout the war, alongside radar components and armoured scout vehicles.

Returning from service in the Royal Air Force in 1944, Joe Bamford started working for English Electric, then returned to the family firm, but within months left and rented a lock-up garage in Uttoxeter where his first product was a farm trailer built from surplus wartime equipment. Coincidentally, he opened his business on the same day his son Anthony was born, so both celebrated their 80th birthdays on October 23.

Like his father, Lord Anthony Bamford gained hands-on experience in engineering via a three-year apprenticeship with Massey Ferguson in France before returning home to take on management roles within the company. The reason he went to Massey Ferguson might have been the fact that JCB were using Perkins diesel engines, owned by Massey Ferguson at the time. Appointed as chair of JCB in 1975, Anthony Bamford started to expand both its model range and its market reach, alongside the vertical integration of its production.

Two products that were of interest to farmers and heralded the return of JCB to its agricultural beginnings were the Loadall, introduced in 1977, and the Fastrac which arrived in 1991. Both have also been adopted as generic names for the type of machinery they represent – farm materials handlers and high-speed tractors.

Since becoming chair, Lord Bamford

has taken the company global with its latest factory being built at St. Antonio, Texas in 2023, a year that saw the company achieve £6.5b in turnover and the sale of 123,228 machines. Today, JCB has 22 plants around the world and more than 19,000 employees, all of whom were given an extra day off to celebrate the anniversary. As a permanent reminder of the anniversary, Lord

Stihl’s battery-only production site

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

STIHL OUTDOOR

products, especially petrol chainsaws and brushcutters, have always been firm favourites with farmers and rural dwellers.

Early battery powered tools were always a little ho-hum – you either loved them or hated them – but the development of new battery technologies over the last decade or so, means they offer a creditable alternative to petrol.

Today, more than one in four of all Stihl products sold worldwide are battery-powered, with the company aiming to increase this share to approximately 35% by 2027 and 80% by 2035. Those statistics will explain why the Stihl Group has opened its first battery-only production site in Oradea, Romania

to produce battery packs and battery-powered tools.

Covering a total area of over 33-acres, the 10.7acre production building will ramp up operations to produced one million battery packs by 2026. By 2028, output is expected to rise to 1.8 million battery packs, alongside 1.7 million batterypowered tools. The site currently employs around 135 people, with expectations for this to rise to around 700 by 2028.

Production initially focuses on batterypowered blowers and AP battery packs from the professional Stihl range. Over time, the portfolio will expand to include additional batterypowered equipment such as brush cutters and chainsaws.

The new €125 million plant will play a central role in meeting the growing demand for battery-powered products

NEW FOUR-ROTOR RAKE COMING

IN AN already crowded market, Polish machinery manufacturer Samasz is set to unveil a prototype of its Z4-1550 four-rotor rake at Agritechnica.

Said to offer an adjustable working width of 10.5 to 15m, it has a configuration of four 3.8m diameter rotors, each equipped with 15 tine arms.

Standard equipment includes active hydropneumatic suspension, a six-wheel ground-following chassis with adjustable wheel geometry of 180 or 360 degrees, adjustable cam track, and optional tyres in 600, 710 and 800 sections.

ISOBUS control is standard, alongside automatic swath overlap adjustment, an 80-degree pivot hitch for easier turns and automatic frame levelling. An overall transport width of only 3m is achieved without the need to remove any tine arms.

The company has confirmed plans to test eight to ten machines in Europe and Australia in the next season, with the first commercial models expected to be available in 2027.

The Polish manufacturer will also show the new 3.0 and 3.5m KDX plain disc mower series, which replace the current KDTC and KT ranges.

across European markets, while expanding the company’s global network and strengthening its position in the fastgrowing battery segment.

“It is a vital addition that will secure our long-

term competitiveness in Europe and support our customers with highperformance products developed and built for professionals and demanding consumers worldwide,” he adds.

FOUR GREAT REASONS TO CHOOSE A SIP STAR SWATHER:

REASON 1:

Hydro-Pneumatic Rotor Suspension: The advanced rotor suspension system ensures that the rotors maintain a consistent ground pressure no matter the terrain.

REASON 3:

High Arched Chassis: Allows for increased chassis clearance when dealing with bulky crops and ensures plenty of clearance when crossing existing swaths.

REASON 2:

3D + Rotor Mounting: Allows both rotors to move independently of the chassis and each other, ensuring that the tyne arms remain parallel to the ground even on uneven terrain resulting in a clean and even swath.

REASON 4:

420mm Cam Track: The cam track is adjustable +/- 30° to ensure the optimal swath formation, and the large diameter ensures smooth and consistent tyne arm rotation.