Rural News 18 August 2026

NEWS

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Deer farmer fights suspension.

Autonomous robot set to transform veggie growing.

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MANAGEMENT Partnership in practice. PAGE 12

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS AUGUST 18, 2026: ISSUE 857

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Apple growers eye Asia SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

THE APPLE sector is working with the Government to unlock access to two key markets that could bring millions in revenue for apple growers. Japan and South Korea import almost no apples from New Zealand. At the recent NZ Apples and Pears conference, calls were made for the

Government to open access to these two lucrative markets. NZAPI chief executive Danielle Adsett told Rural News that New Zealand currently has market access for apples to Japan, however it is limited by strict technical requirements. Japan is an important market for New Zealand exporters and New Zealand supplies fruit in the counter

season to Japan, which supports domestic production and keeps prices stable year-round, she says. “Improving access conditions to Japan would result in better diversification for New Zealand exporters and would allow our exporters to continue building strong and enduring relationships in the market. “In the meantime, NZAPI will

continue to work with MPI to provide robust technical data to support our request for improved access conditions.” With South Korea, it’s not just the apple sector that is waiting for market access. New Zealand has had a free trade agreement with the Republic of Korea since 2015, however this excludes market access for apples and pears.

TINY BUT MIGHTY! IT’S NOT every school that can fit their entire student body, plus the teacher, inside a shipping container, and with room to spare. For tiny Lee Stream School in rural Otago, it was easy as pie. The moment happened during a two-week visit from Campaign for Wool New Zealand’s Wool in Schools programme, which brings a fully kitted-out container of hands-on wool education to schools around the country. At Lee Stream, where the roll stands at just 12 students, the whole school got to experience wool, and each other, all at once. Principal Kate Martin notes that there aren’t too many other schools that could fit their entire roll inside a Wool in Schools container.

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The FTA has not been reviewed and this leaves many of our primary products shut out of the market. Rural News understands the South Koreans aren’t keen on reviewing the FTA. Adsett says, currently, Korea does not import apples from any country, however we remain interested in partnering with Korea should an opportunity arise. “Again, this would be with aspirations to complement their domestic supply, not to compete with local growers. “The New Zealand apple and pear industry has a lot in common with these markets – we all grow moderate volumes of premium apples, we all have passionate growers who are committed to innovation, and we are island nations dedicated to robust biosecurity practices to protect our crops from unwanted pest and disease. “Our relationships in Japan and Korea run far deeper than just the export of apples and we are excited to continue exploring avenues to engage.” She says the New Zealand apple and pear industry supports any endeavours to improve access for New Zealand apples to Japan, as well as any steps to secure access to South Korea. “We do however acknowledge that these are complex issues to tackle and change won’t happen overnight.”

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

NEWS 3 ISSUE 857

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Cool Beef targets emissions NIGEL MALTHUS

NEWS ���������������������������������������� 1-7 HOUND, EDNA �������������������������8 CONTACTS ��������������������������������8 OPINION ��������������������������������8-11 MANAGEMENT ���������������� 12-13 ANIMAL HEALTH ������������������� 15 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS ������������������������16-18 RURAL TRADER ��������������������� 19

HEAD OFFICE Lower Ground Floor, 29 Northcroft Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone: 09-307 0399 Fax: 09-307 0122 POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Inkwise NZ Ltd CONTACTS Editorial: editor@ruralnews.co.nz Advertising material: beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz Rural News online: www.ruralnews.co.nz Subscriptions: subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz

BEEF+LAMB NEW Zealand and the Ag Emissions Centre have launched a new research project aimed at helping beef farmers reduce methane emissions without impacting productivity or profitability. Labelled “Cool Beef”, the fouryear programme will explore the relationships between feed efficiency, methane emissions, and production traits. The aim is to come up with new breeding tools to produce cattle that reduce methane by utilising feed more efficiently. The Ag Emissions Centre has come on board to fund the programme, which will be led by Beef+Lamb NZ. Following about three years of pilot work, the programme was officially launched last week at the Te Mania Angus Stud on the North Canterbury coast near Cheviot, which will be one of the two main research sites, the

Jason Archer

other being Pāmu’s Kepler farm near Taupo. Speaking at the launch, Beef+Lamb chair Kate Acland said it had the potential to deliver practical benefits for New Zealand beef farmers. “Understanding how efficiently cattle convert feed into production has real value for us in our farm businesses and that’s what makes this programme so important.” The goal was to generate robust

science and data needed to support future breeding tools. Acland said that every farm has different breeding objectives, selecting animals for productivity, fertility or profitability. “Cool Beef will build on that by exploring whether additional information around feed efficiency and methane traits can help support future breeding decisions.” She said that having breeders contribute animals for the research would ensure the results would be grounded in real New Zealand farming systems. Dr Jason Archer, head of Beef+Lamb NZ Genetics, said the challenge was in balancing three things – feed efficiency (the relationship between feed intake and production); methane intensity (how many kilos of meat are produced per unit of methane); and how much methane is produced per kilo of feed eaten. “That’s something that we really want to work on.”

Archer said there were many research questions to be asked. “What’s the opportunity to reduce methane yield and improve feed efficiency together? Is it one or the other or both? We obviously hope the outcomes are both.” Some of the methodology comes from the ongoing Cool Sheep programme, which started in 2006 with similar aims. That uses trailermounted Portable Accumulation Chambers (PACs) to measure individual animals’ methane and other emissions by shutting animals in and monitoring gas levels over a short period of time. Cattle-sized PACs have been installed at Te Mania and Kepler, with animals to be provided by Te Mania and Kepler and about another eight breeders around the country. The programme will work with Hereford, Angus, and Hereford-Angus crosses, because they represent about 80% of the national beef herd.

disruption, elevated input costs, and the potential impact of El Niño conditions present risks. In addition, election-year dynamics may contribute to a degree of caution in parts of the rural economy, particularly the rural property market. Viticulture and arable farming are also expected to remain challenging in the near term. Guerin says spring is key for his company as 80% of sales occur between September to December. “The forward orders in place look very good but a lot will depend on customer confidence and weather,” he told Rural News.

PGW will provide a market update when it releases its first quarter results in October. For the 2026 financial year, PGW’s retail & water group achieved record revenue and growth across most business units. Operating revenue increased 10% to $851.2 million, while operating EBITDA increased 6% to $44.5 million. Improved confidence across the sheep, beef, dairy, and horticulture sectors, particularly kiwifruit, supported increased customer spending and investment throughout the year, says PGW.

SOLID RESULT FOR PGW SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

AFTER DELIVERING a strong financial performance last financial year, rural trader PGG Wrightson says the coming months will depend on customer confidence and weather. The listed company reported operating revenue of $1.1 billion, the first time since it crossed the billion dollar mark since 2019 when it sold its seed business. Net profit jumped 46% on the previous year to $15.6m for the year ending June 2026. PGW chief executive Stephen Guerin

says NZ’s agricultural sector enters the 2027 financial year from a position of relative strength, supported by healthy international demand and favourable conditions across many key sectors. Strong returns in red meat, dairy, and horticulture continue to provide positive momentum for rural New Zealand, supporting farm and orchard profitability, increasing investment and driving growth. But he says that while the outlook is positive and we have seen a pleasing start to FY27, some areas of challenge remain. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

4 NEWS

Deer farmer fights suspension NIGEL MALTHUS

A SPAT within the ranks of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association has resulted in the suspension of outspoken North Canterbury farmer Barry Cuttance. Members were invited to attend a Special General Meeting of the association, due to be held in Christchurch earlier this week as this issue of Rural News went to print. The sole purpose of the meeting was to confirm or reject the suspension, decided on by the NZDFA Executive Committee under Rule 10.3, which allows for suspension for misconduct. The notice sent to members said the committee considered

that grounds for suspension had been met, because Cuttance had “behaved in a manner prejudicial to the objects of the Association and has brought the Association into disrepute”. It said the committee’s decision was based on “unacceptable conduct relating to the Canterbury West Coast Branch Committee, including persistent, unsolicited, and inflammatory correspondence including personal attacks against individuals; and harassing behaviour towards DINZ personnel (which has involved legal action by DINZ personnel).” NZDFA chairman Evan Potter said that it was an internal matter for the Association to resolve.

“If you have read the notice, that is all I will be commenting on,” Evans told Rural News. A two-thirds majority was required to confirm the suspension; otherwise Cuttance would return to full membership. Cuttance, who is a branch committee member and previously stood unsuccessfully for the national board, also declined to go on the record prior to the meeting. However, in previous correspondence with Rural News, Cuttance has questioned the value of the levy system, not just within deer farming but New Zealand agriculture generally, which he said squandered tens of millions of dollars annually. He said that deer farmers now numbered

Deer industry farmers are trying to resolve a spat within the ranks.

less than 1500, down from 4500 in 1999, yet paid $7.7 million in annual levies to support a DINZ staff of 15 full

and part-timers and a board of eight. It also spent on programmes he considered a waste of money, including the

current North American Retail Accelerator programme. Cuttance farms near Oxford in North

Canterbury, exporting deer velvet-based products, predominantly to the North American veterinary market.

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

NEWS 5

NZ exporters must focus more on resilience PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

SUPPLY CHAIN problems, growing protectionism and a move to greater food security are some of the key challenges facing NZ exporters, according to our top trade negotiator, Vangelis Vitalis. Speaking at the recent HortNZ conference he said that the geopolitical tensions between the US and China and the wars in the Middle East and Russia are having a

significant impact on NZ’s trade. He added that the supply chain challenges that have emerged are a refreshing reminder of what we faced during covid. Vitalis says in the future NZ needs to be more focused on resilience and how that needs to be handled in an international context. He says this is so that the supply and value chains that we have developed and rely on to export can be sustained. “The second big

Vangelis Vitalis

feature in the trade policy sense is rising protectionism and that is well and truly back. I think there was a time when some of us were briefly optimistic

that protectionism was reducing and the future was looking good for agricultural exporters, but unfortunately, it’s not possible to be quite so optimistic anymore,” he says. The other issue he noted was the rise in nontariff trade barriers. It’s well known that many economies are finding novel and interesting ways to protect their ag sector, often to the detriment of NZ. One example of this is the USA which has for

MORE TECH ON THE WAY MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WHILE GPS and guidance have become the norm and yield mapping and variable application continues to gain traction, most agricultural machinery manufacturers continue to expand their technology offerings, amalgamating the vast amounts of data being collected to streamline real-time and ongoing management decisions. That data may include location, date and time, weather conditions, fuel consumption, hours worked, individual bale weights and dry matter. They are also likely to encompass operating parameters on individual and fleets of machines, looking at location, preloaded job details and the ability to pass details and data between machines on the go. A recent visit to Australasia by CNH’s chief technology officer, Jay Schroeder, allowed Rural News the opportunity to understand where technology might be heading. Schroeder leads the company’s global R&D community which includes technology, innovation, vehicle & implements, precision technology, user experience and powertrain. Having visited CNH’s breaking new ground event in Phoenix Arizona in 2022, which showcased where the multi-national might be heading in the tech space, Rural News asked Schroeder which of the ideas we were shown had reached commercialisation. Currently, those include autonomous operation of prime movers, tandem operation of machine, green on green targeted

spraying operations and a greater interest in electrically powered tractors and tractors featuring generators to power electrically driven implements. Schroeder also spoke about the group’s flagship combine harvesters, which featured impressive technology to maximise output and remove mundane tasking away from the operator. After setting pre-loaded harvesting parameters around losses, the machines are now able to autonomously look at the standing crop, then adjust forward speed drum and cleaning systems to meet the desired parameters, over real-time changing crop conditions. Noting that CNH invested around US$750 million annually on R&D, around 25% was focused on agriculture. He also compared adoption rates of the latest technologies. “In North America, we see adoption rates of around 95%, it sits at about 75% across much of Europe and currently, we see about 50% adoption in New Zealand,” he said. Given that NZ is a largely pastoral landscape, Rural News asked how the latest technology could help livestock farmers justify a sizeable investment. Schroeder explained, “I understand the reluctance, as my father is an 80-year old dairy farmer back in the US. Even using basic systems such as row guidance and maybe automated steering can save up to 30% of input costs of fertiliser or sprays, when compared to application by eye.” At the same time, Schroeder pointed out reduced operator

whatever reason imposed 12.5% tariffs on many of our exports. Other countries have from time to time made last minute ‘technical changes’ such as new food labelling rules which delay or prevent exports reach destinations. Vitalis says another factor that NZ is having to deal with is a focus by some key export

destinations on the issue of food security. With problems in the Middle East, jurisdictions such as the EU are now thinking about what they call ‘strategic autonomy’ – code for protectionism and food security. “So given all these things, the jungle has grown back and there will be more disorder and uncertainty,” he says.

Vitalis says NZ’s trade strategy is now about getting a more rules-based trading environment, developing resilience and innovating to try and mitigate the problems we face. He says we are a small country and need to be creative in developing new free trade agreements and dealing with the plethora of nontariff trade barriers.

MORE FTAS TRADE MINISTER Todd McClay says he’ll be making a concerted effort over the next five years to obtain more FTAs. He says the process has already begun with Switzerland with agreement to establish a Trade And Investment Dialogue. He says Switzerland is an important partner for NZ and one of the world’s most innovative and advanced economies. Two-way trade between the two countries was worth NZ$1.88 billion as at the end of last year. McClay says the Trade and Investment Dialogue will lead to closer economic cooperation and enhanced collaboration,

through bilateral trade and international forums like the World Trade Organization, the OECD and the FIT Partnership. “At a time of growing global economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever that like-minded countries work together to strengthen trade and investment,” he says. Beside Switzerland, McClay says Brazil and Columbia are high on the agenda for trade talks, as are Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – the latter country which has 170 million people has done a trade deal with the USA. He says NZ is also looking towards Africa and in particular Rwanda and Nigeria.

Jay Schroeder

stress, alongside peripheral savings in fuel and operating hours and a payback on the investment of typically around three years. As me move into the increasing realm of artificial intelligence (AI) noted the role of the technology played in designing and developing new products more quickly and highlighted by the recent substantial investment at its San Matteo R&D hub in Modena, Italy. As well as optimising supply chain logistics through highspeed robotics, a new simulation hub establishes a virtual-first methodology, meaning it identifies machine design anomalies early in the product lifecycle, reducing time-to-market by over 30%. The operation, as an integrated digital twin, is said to minimise engineering risks, optimise field validation, and reduces testing emissions across three technological pillars, including a Dynamic Simulator, Multi-Dyno Test Cell and an Advanced Sensor Test Track. At the same time, Schroeder acknowledged the apparent risks of access to its systems but confirmed that a dedicated resource team had establish secure and robust procedures and firewalls to thwart unauthorised use.

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

6 NEWS

Great time to be an ag grad PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

INDUSTRY IS crying out for graduates with agricultural related degrees. That’s the view of Professor Paul Kenyon, head of Massey Universities School of Agriculture and the Environment, who told Rural News that graduates from his school are in high demand by employers. He says some students who will graduate in October already have confirmed jobs. He says those with ag related degrees have no problem getting jobs, especially if they are prepared to work in the regions and not the cities. Kenyon says the Ministry of Business, Innovation

and Employment (MBIE) has done some modelling which shows that people with an agricultural or horticultural degree will, in their lifetime, earn a million dollars more than those who don’t have one of these degrees. Kenyon says

enrolments in the School of Agriculture and the Environment have risen steadily over the last three years and now stand at around 370. But he says the option of doing a degree by distance is now proving very popular

and that about 40% of the students enrolled in courses are doing it this way, which he says makes perfect sense. “If you live in the regions and work in an industry that you are passionate about, why wouldn’t you do your

GRADUATE DIPLOMA TO MEET the changing needs of industry, Professor Paul Kenyon says in 2027 Massey is offering what is called a graduate diploma in either agriculture or horticulture. He says this is aimed at people who already have a degree, such as accountancy, and are working for a company in the primary sector and who would like to gain a better understanding of agriculture or horticulture. “So, they don’t want to do a whole degree, but they would like some upskilling. In which case they might do a set of second year horticulture courses and graduate

with a diploma in horticulture. This will help them understand the ins and outs of the industry and what the drivers are, relating to productivity and profitability,” he says Kenyon says they may get support from employers but others may do it off their own bat. Overall, there is an upsurge in young people looking to make a career in some aspect of the primary sector. This is already being reflected in secondary schools where there’s been a high demand for subjects in agriculture, horticulture and agribusiness.

degree over five years rather than coming to the Massey campus full time? “What we are seeing more of is people who have been out of school for a year or two taking the distance learning option. Those that come directly from school tend to do their degree full time at the university,” he says. Kenyon says a significant number of those working in the horticulture sector go for the distance option, but they also get students in various agribusiness occupations doing this. He says gone are days when 10 years ago a significant number of the students that did ag, hort or agri business came from, and were going back to, a farm, orchard or garden.

Professor Paul Kenyon

“Now they are coming from right across the value chain, including some who are working on farms or orchards. There will be those who are working in the service industries such as exporting, banks and the like,” he says.

There is no formal time limit on how long a student has to complete their degree by distance, but Kenyon says the hope is that they would do this in about six years – double the time it would take a full time student to do the same degree.

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

NEWS 7

Ag aviators urge farmers to plan as El Niño looms peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

PLAN AHEAD and be patient. That’s the message to farmers and horticulturalists from the chairman of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association, Kent Weir. His comments come as fears grow about what affect the El Nino weather system may have on the primary sector, and in this case on the unpredictable challenges facing fixed wing and rotary pilots applying fertiliser and spray on properties. Weir says people are now starting to think seriously about El Nino which traditionally brings dry conditions on the east coast and strong winds and rain on the west coast. Fertiliser companies are already telling farmers that they should expect greater variability in the weather and fewer ideal application windows. This warning is already being taken seriously – especially it would appear by owners of larger farming operations who are

placing orders for fertiliser well in advance of when they may be needed. According to Weir, farmers need to engage early with his members to be ready for what may evolve in the coming months. He says farmers need to book in early and also be aware that it may take longer than normal to get fertiliser applied because of high winds. “The other thing that will come into play this season is on-farm facilities and, in the case of fixed wing aircraft, airstrip access and serviceability are key. Have you got a bin and is it dry and weatherproof and can you put your fertiliser in it and have it stored through two or three weeks of showers and wind? “This is important so that we as an industry can make the most of the narrow weather windows we are expecting to see. In the spray game, with helicopters and fixed wing as well, the spray windows are going to be narrow,” he says Weir says they

DEMAND FOR FERT KENT WEIR says overall his members are seeing reasonably strong demand for late winter, early spring nitrogen applications. He says the weather event that went through the Wairarapa recently probably dulled that somewhat. But he says there is certainly plenty of demand to get fertiliser on now and build up good supplies of feed for what looks to be strong lambing percentages. “But effectively we are in a market that is still very much in the recovery from the downturn,” he says. The price of fuel forms a large part of the cost of aerial spraying and topdressing, but Kent Weir says farmers understand the need for a fuel surcharge. He says most realised that when the Middle East crisis is resolved, prices will return to some normality. “Right now, what we are asking from our customers is to understand that as an industry we are operating in some very narrow windows. Whilst it might be fine at your place today, the chances are that we are still trying to get through the stuff that was ordered and we were supposed to do last wee

are asking farmers to be patient and understanding given the conditions that are likely to prevail. He says some farmers have their eyes open and are thinking of going

early, realising they need to get fertiliser on before it gets too dry. He says if they get fert on soon and soil does dry out, it will be there and ready to be effective when the rains come.

Kent Weir

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

8 OPINION EDITORIAL

EDNA

Time to boost organics THE TIME has come for the Government to back the organic sector. It’s time to finalise the National Organic Standard, unlock export growth, implement a fair model for certification and support growers and producers wishing to transition into organics. Last week the Government launched consultation on how to future-proof and grow the organic sector by ensuring there is a strong and modern regulatory framework. New Zealand is introducing a national system to regulate organic products. The aim is to make organic claims more consistent, build consumer confidence, and give businesses clearer rules. But as Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says, let’s not lose time debating whether organics works. The time has come match policy with performance, to back the sector that is delivering economic growth, environmental restoration, and social resilience. In just four years, the value of New Zealand’s organic sector has grown from NZ$723 million to $1.18 billion. Exports now total $606.7 million, growing at more than twice the rate of total primary sector exports. Organic dairy and kiwifruit continue to lead the charge, but significant opportunities remain in organic wine, lamb, beef, wool, and horticulture. With targeted support, these product groups can generate higher value returns from the same land area, returns that are proven and recognised in key markets. The global opportunity is enormous. Consumers in the US, Europe, China and across Asia Pacific are seeking food that is safe, healthy, traceable and ethically produced. These markets increasingly demand verified sustainability and organic certification offers that they can trust. The global organic food and beverage market is expected to reach US$650 billion by 2033. As OANZ says, New Zealand is well positioned to meet that demand, but only if we act now to remove the policy and trade barriers holding us back. Only 89,500 hectares, less than 1% of agricultural land, is certified organic. Certification costs remain a significant burden, particularly for small and medium-sized producers. And the regulatory infrastructure is incomplete, with no finalised National Organic Standard. The consultation launched last week is a good start. Working with organic sector stakeholders, the Government can turn the fledgling sector into a high-value, low-impact contributor to NZ’s future.

RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Phone 09-307 0399 PUBLISHER: Brian Hight .......................................... Ph 09 307 0399 GENERAL MANAGER: Adam Fricker ....................................... Ph 021-842 226 EDITOR: Sudesh Kissun ...................................... Ph 021-963 177 sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

“No way – Winston’s never been more in charge!”

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THE HOUND No sunlight

More from Gore

‘Deep throat’

Cry wolf!

A CALL to put some sunlight on the use of levy funds in the last Hound column has stirred things up. The call came from no less than Mike Chapman, former boss of levy-funded Hort NZ. He challenged farmers and growers to put their levy-funded industry bodies under the same scrutiny as fertiliser, electricity, labour and freight. “A levy is still a cost of production.” A mate of yours truly noted that at least Beef+Lamb and DairyNZ put their levy to the vote, which it scrapes through each time. Not so Deer Industry NZ (DINZ), he says. “DINZ has never put the question of the levy take back to the levy payers since the levy inception.” For his efforts to canvas the DINZ levy issue he has apparently been suspended from the NZDFA for “bringing the organisation into disrepute”.

THE FIGHT for democratic representation and property rights at regional level continues with Groundswell mounting a petition to “protect property rights from council overreach”. It follows their Environment Court appeal to stop Gore District Council’s use of Section 6 of the RMA to “micromanage land and give iwi cultural values priority over local decision making”. This is not just about Gore and Mataura. Gore’s proposed district plan applies broad Ngāi Tahu cultural values to land-use consent decisions across the entire district. Opponents of such overreach are told they’re ignorant, are overreacting and are racist. However, resisting the precedent this would set is worth copping a few insults for. Any council could follow the same approach, and the RMA replacement bills keep the basic Section 6 framework that allows it. It’s Gore today, but your town tomorrow.

SO, A NZ Herald hack gets a call from the janitor at National Party HQ claiming Nat MPs are “running the numbers” to roll Prime Minister Luxon and ‘nek minute’, here we go again with the bloody media frenzy, which revealed – absolutely nothing! The Herald kicked off the frenzy with a headline saying Chris Penk was working the phones for Erica Stanford, according to an anonymous source (presumably, the janitor). The very next morning, with no apparent shame, they ran the opposite headline, basically saying ‘Penk backs Luxon, despite what source (the janitor) said’. Then of course, Luxon retains the leadership, unchallenged. This old mutt has seen this pattern repeat more times than a Friday night curry and beers but suspects it won’t be the last time the media gets a late-night call from the janitor!

YOUR OLD mate wonders how many more times the mainstream media can cry wolf without losing what’s left of their credibility. Commentator and lawyer Liam Hehir summed up the latest feeding frenzy over National’s leadership nicely – calling out the bad habit the press has of seeing what they want, then trying to make it real. “You can point to all the caveats and hedges that you want,” he wrote. “But you only had to be on Twitter last night to see how completely convinced and certain news addicts were that Luxon was going to lose the leadership to see the cumulative effect of news coverage based on speculation and gossip that turned out to be wrong. That’s a failure on the part of the people who say their job is to keep us informed. No pretending otherwise.”

EDITOR-AT-LARGE: Peter Burke ........................... Ph 021 224 2184 peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

OPINION 9

Lies, damned lies, and statistics IN THE 1980s, concern was expressed The researchers concluded that higher in West Germany about the falling nitrate concentrations in drinking water birth rate. Some simple analysis were associated with increased odds of was performed by Professor Helmut PTB. Under a causal assumption, their Sies, physician and biochemist at analysis suggested approximately 120 or Dusseldorf University. His letter ‘A 4% PTB per year were attributable to new parameter for sex education’ was nitrate exposure. published in Nature in 1988: Examination of various reports does SIR – There is concern in West not support the suggestion. COMMENT Germany over the falling birth rate. The Champion Centre based in Jacqueline Rowarth The accompanying graph might suggest Christchurch concluded that South a solution that every child knows makes Island’s West Coast, the North Island’s sense. Does this indicate that storks MidCentral district and the Tairawhiti In the 1980s concern was expressed in West Germany about the falling birth rate. Some HELMUT SIES – Institut fur really do bring babies? coast were most likely to have PTB. simple analysis was performed by Professor physician The andMinistry biochemist Physiologische Chemie 1, Universitiit Or is it asHelmut much of Sies, an indication of Health at New Zealand Dusseldorf University. His new parameter for sex as education’ was published in Nature Dusseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, letter D-4000 ‘Athat correlation is not causation the data indicate that percentage of PTB Dusseldorf, FRG relationship between nitrate in drinking is highest in MidCentral (9.2%), Hutt in 1988: Professor Sies’ medical and water and preterm babies? Valley (8.8%), Canterbury (8.2%) and biochemical training enabled him Media coverage has focused on West Coast (8.1%). The Earth Sciences SIR-There is concern in West Germany over the falling birth rate. The accompanying graph to show the relationship between the recent paper from researchers NitrateWatch Citizen Science project mightthesuggest solution childseveral knows sense. falling a human birth that rate every and from Newmakes Zealand universities has a map showing nitrate. Greenpeace HELMUT SIES in breeding storks… resulting from a collaboration in a and one of the authors of the new paper the decline approximately 94% of the birth rate 1, national cohort study on preterm births were involved in sample collection. The Institut fur Physiologische Chemie is directly associated. (PTB)5, and nitrate inDusseldorf, drinking water.FRG red spots (indicating high nitrate) are Universitiit Dusseldorf, Moorenstrasse D-4000 certainly in Canterbury – but they are also in Southland and the Waikato… and do not appear in Tairawhiti or Upper Hutt. The overall figure for PTB in New Zealand is 7.9%, but ethnicity has an effect. For Māori it’s 9%, Pacific Island it is 8.1% and for Pākehā it is 7.1%. There are clearly more things to investigate than nitrate in drinking water. The stork and baby data come from a paper published in the Journal of Humanistic Mathematics in 2023, with the title Where do Babies Come From. It warned that “correlation simply means that there is a relationship between two factors that tells nothing about the direction of the relationship, if any. Another possibility is simple coincidence”. Or perhaps researchers should look more deeply for causes before the alarm is raised. Figure – correlation between the pairs of breeding storks and the millions of Figure – correlation between the pairs of breeding storks and the millions of newborn babies newborn babies in West Germany between 1965 and 1988. So, these words are for you – the

in West Germany between 1965 and 1950. 1988

There are clearly more things to investigate than nitrate in drinking water, caused by dairying.

rural reader wondering if your attempt at making a living by producing the food that fortifies peoples’ bodies has really caused all the problems of the world, including degrading the waterways and making people sick. It hasn’t. There are more people being fed to a better state of nutrition than ever before. Humans are living longer, healthier lives. They are able to have greater work-life balance than in earlier times. Your work in increasing productivity from the land has enabled society’s well-being. Because of you and the efforts you make in increasing productivity from your assets, lifestyles have improved. StatsNZ has the data. The productivity gains in agriculture have outstripped most other sectors in the economic cycles since 1978 when records began. Multifactor productivity, which takes into account labour, has been exceeded only by Information Media and Telecommunications (IMT) in the time period since 1978 (agriculture 2.5, IMT 2.7) with most sectors barely reaching 1. On the foundation of the export economy, New Zealanders report a life satisfaction of 7.6 where the OECD average is 7.28. Further, New Zealand tops the index (created by Remote – a global

employment assistance company) in having the best work-life balance of 60 countries because of a “high minimum wage and generous leave”. New Zealand is a pretty good place to live. But listen to the media reports and one might be persuaded that many things are going to wrack and ruin. The sad fact is that agriculture is often the first thing blamed. A paper in 2023 in the Journal of Humanistic Mathematics re-examined Where Do Babies Come From and concluded that “Statisticians and mathematicians know that correlation does not imply causation. Still, many conspiracy theories, misconceptions and fake news are based on fallacious arguments that involve spurious correlations”. Almost 99% of the divorce rate in Maine is directly associated with the consumption of margarine. Should you be watching out for butter replacement on the dining table? Or simply keeping a wary eye remembering Mark Twain’s words: There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. • Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is a farmer-elected director of DairyNZ and Ravensdown. She is also a member of the Scientific Council of the World Farmers’ Organisation. jsrowarth@gmail.com

STRIKE FLIES

Professor Sies’ medical and biochemical training enabled him to show the relationship between the falling human birth rate and the decline in breeding storks… approximately 94% of the birth rate is directly associated. Does this indicate that storks really do bring babies? Or is it as much of an indication that correlation is not causation as the relationship between With a precision engineered nitrate in drinking water and preterm babies? PPP Sheep Dipper that’s built to from last researchers from several New Zealand Media coverage has focussed on the recent paper universities resulting from a collaboration in a national cohort study on preterm births (PTB) and nitrate in drinking water. The researchers concluded that higher nitrate concentrations in www.pppindustries.co.nz drinkingsales@pppindustries.co.nz water were associated with increased odds of PTB. Under a causal assumption, their analysis suggested approximately 120 or 4% PTB per year were attributable to nitrate 0800 901 902 exposure. Examination of various reports does not support the suggestion. The Champion Centre based in Christchurch concluded that South Island’s West Coast, the North Island’s MidCentral district and the Tairawhiti coast were most likely to have PTB. The Ministry of Health New Zealand data indicate that percentage of PTB is highest in Engineering precision MidCentral (9.2%), Hutt Valley (8.8%), Canterbury (8.2%) and West Coast (8.1%). The Earth since 1962 Sciences NitrateWatch Citizen Science project has a map showing nitrate. Greenpeace and 1

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

OPINION 11

Election is coming, it’s time for the freebies FLICKING THROUGH some global news headlines just recently, I spotted something tucked away, which in my opinion rather conveniently had less visibility than it deserved. France had admitted that 9 out of 10 of their recent wildfires had been started, many deliberately, by human hands. That’s right. No surprises there for me, nor for the many others like me, who well know the media manipulation that happens behind the scenes to control the climate narrative. Back here at home in our own great little

FARMER’S CHAPLAIN

Colin Miller

country, our national election season is now upon us, like it or not. Parties involved have officially launched their campaigns, so all of the usual that comes with that has now gone public. First up though, surprise, surprise, it looks like the current

coalition Government will make it intact through to the elections in November. Why the surprise, you may wonder? Well, I remember the many voices in the media back in late ‘23 and early ’24 who told us this three party coalition just couldn’t last the three full years up ahead. The handshakes and camera smiles would surely unravel. And there was simply no-way a rookie Prime Minister facing something as complex as this could pull this off. A “ThreeHeaded Monster” like this going the distance? Nope, can’t be done!

I’ll be watching to see if there is any retraction, maybe even a veiled apology from the media, or possibly a conciliatory “well done”, to the three leaders. Now to the election itself. Of course, the usual voter-courting promises will get generously splashed around. That’s the normal for election seasons. Hopefully, most of us have wised up to that by now! Way back as a young fella, I learned that great truth - “actions speak louder than words”. And after all these years, I have never found any reason to change on that.

FRONT CARRIER

Anyone can talk it up at any time. But talk is simply never enough to build trust. People with any life experience and functioning common sense know that. They don’t believe what you say, they believe what you do. And then there will be all the freebies on offer. Of course, the word free in cases like this is really a misnomer. It may be free of charge for the individuals being wooed, but the truth is, some hard-working people somewhere will be paying for it. Yep, it seems governments get to generously spend other

people’s hard-earned money for almost any fantasy of their choosing. Over the last few days, I have been trying to think of something more financially stupid than giving away freebies, which are ultimately paid for with borrowed money. Can you imagine a hard-working local farmer sitting down with his bank manager trying to raise a loan for that one? Or a private business owner for that matter? I’m sure the bank manager would find some way to fit the word ‘stupid’ into the conversation somewhere!

I think it’s important to get out and vote. And I do what I can to stay informed and keep up to speed on the real issues we face as a country. I don’t automatically and thoughtlessly just vote for what’s best for me, but I do try to intelligently weigh up what’s best for the country. Yep, elections surely come with some very real uncertainties and unknowns. The future tends to be like that. Yet I will still sleep well, because of who I know. Keep well and God bless. • To contact Colin Miller, email thefarmerschaplain@ gmail.com.

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

12 MANAGEMENT

Partnership in practice WHEN SIMON Hales discovered triple drench resistance on his Weber farm, it was a catalyst to fast-track farm system change. He leaned on his trusted team, including veterinarian Simon Marshall, to form a parasite management plan and tackle the problem head-on. Kereru Farm is a 940ha (575ha effective) sheep and beef farm in Weber, Tararua district. Hales runs a 50:50 ratio of sheep to cattle at 11 stock units/ha. Today, the sheep enterprise involves 1600 breeding ewes, with no hogget mating, and finishing lambs. They run 140 breeding cows and sell yearling calves. There is a large beef trading component of bulls and steers.

BUILT TOUGH

Despite no indication there was a worm problem on the sheep and beef farm, a routine drench check in 2018 revealed the scale of the issue. Production animal veterinarian with Vet Services Dannevirke, Simon Marshall, describes the result as “scary”, so much so he didn’t believe it at first. A second check proved that drench resistance was indeed present. A full drench reduction test the following season confirmed their fears. At that time, triple drench resistance was known of but hardly spoken about – it was certainly not something you wanted to tell anyone you had. Hales has always been open to change, and he was willing to

do whatever it took to reverse the resistance, even though he wasn’t sure if that was possible. “It was probably the first time I had seen it (triple drench resistance) in reality. There wasn’t a lot around, or it certainly wasn’t commonplace,” Marshall says. They started by going over their system with a fine-tooth comb, eliminating other possible causes, like storage of product or incorrect dosage. Hales was lucky to have a good team around him, particularly Marshall and farm consultant John Cannon. Marshall brought the expertise in animal health and genetics and Cannon was able to run a lens over any possible farm system changes recommended,

to ensure they could still run a profitable business, while tackling drench resistance. “The business still needed to make money and that’s where John could cast a lens over it. A vet can give you best practice, but sometimes that won’t work in terms of returns, so there has to be a middle ground,” Marshall explains. They understood it was not a problem that could be fixed overnight, and it would be a long journey. They came up with scenarios of what could work from a farm system point of view, while implementing best practice to reduce the worm burden. Back then, Hales was running an 80:20 sheep to cattle ratio. He stopped drenching ewes, knowing

TRUSTED EVERYWHERE

Farmer Simon Hales discovered triple drench resistance on his farm, and this prompted him to fast-track system change.

he needed to drop numbers and change the ratio. Stopping drenching allowed him to identify and cull ewes he didn’t want. They analysed the land classes and identified areas that were not returning value from sheep. This allowed them to diversify and make changes to the stock policy, with integrated grazing a core tactic to ease the worm pressure. He also started selling store lambs, only

retaining what he could fatten on the property. “It was about making sure the numbers were right and increasing different stock classes of cattle. Every part of the farm now has different classes of stock go through it.” Feeding stock well was another key factor, reducing ewe numbers and lifting covers to feed every animal to its potential, all year round. Finally, regular monitoring was crucial. The animal health plan

set out regular intervals for drench tests and faecal egg counts (FEC), with decisions made based on information. “Now we are farming far better than we were then. Part of it is regular monitoring through drench checks and FEC but also genetic selection has played a massive role. I select strongly on traits like dag score and worm FEC.” • Article supplied by Zoetis @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

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TODAY, KERERU Farm is proof that drench resistance is not a death sentence. A collaborative approach to farm systems changes led to overall improved farming practices and better productivity outcomes, with minimal reliance on the use of drench. And now, their drench status is good. Discovering drench resistance was a trigger to speed up farm system change that would have happened regardless, Simon Hales says. All the changes made, with drench resistance in mind, have added up to increase production from his sheep flock exponentially, lifting killing weights and increasing production per hectare. It’s been a team effort and Hales is a big campaigner for working alongside your vet. “My vet is a key player in the game of farming. When it came to the drench resistance issue, having that relationship with production animal veterinarian with Vet Services Dannevirke, Simon Marshall, he understood my farm system and everything we put in the animal health plan, he was able to relate back to the issue

Vet Simon Marshall

we had. Everything we do now is still trying to mitigate the situation we had in 2018.” For Marshall, it’s about being open to a conversation with your vet about the big picture, not simply asking for advice on what drench to use. Things like the farm system, genetics, good feeding and regular monitoring can all contribute to lower drench use, and should be taken into account. “We need to be thinking about working with that farmer for the next 50 years, not just the next five years.”

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

MANAGEMENT 13

Fall armyworm: four years on FOUR YEARS since it was first detected in New Zealand, researchers and growers now know much more about management of maize pest fall armyworm (FAW). When FAW arrived, there was considerable uncertainty, Foundation for Arable Research’s biosecurity officer Ash Mills says. “Many assumptions were based on overseas experience. Four years later, we have a much clearer understanding of where the pest fits within our maize production systems and what remains unknown.” First detected in New Zealand in 2022, fall armyworm is one of the world’s most significant maize pests. “The challenge was that while there was a large amount of international information available, very little of it had been tested under New Zealand conditions.” Mills leads a threeyear MPI Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFFF) long-term management project, supported by Vegetables

NZ, which has six months to go. The project focuses on five key questions: where the pest occurs, when it becomes economically important, how it can be managed, how it fits within existing maize pest management, and what research remains necessary. “Our challenge was not simply to control fall armyworm, it was to understand its place within the wider maize ecosystem,” he told the third annual FAW research workshop. The first challenge was knowing where FAW was present and how populations changed over time. To address this, the project established a national surveillance system combining pheromone trapping, field scouting and seasonal monitoring. It also developed identification guides, grower resources and the fallarmyworm.nz website to act as a central information hub. “One important lesson emerged very quickly.

Detecting moths (using pheromone traps) is relatively easy. Predicting crop damage is much harder. “We also learned that effective surveillance depends on growers and advisers regularly inspecting crops, which remains one of the biggest practical challenges.” The project shows that FAW management needs to be incorporated into existing integrated pest management programmes, but timing is earlier than for other maize pests. FAW activity is most economically important during vegetative crop stages, where yield potential remains vulnerable.

“When larvae are detected early, management options are generally effective and straightforward. As larvae grow and move deeper into the plant, control becomes more difficult. “This is why management decisions must be based primarily on crop scouting rather than trap captures alone.” Other species, particularly Helicoverpa armigera, also continue to contribute significantly to economic losses in maize. Volunteer maize and other host plants may also support populations between seasons. While the SFFF project has nearly finished, there is still

Foundation for Arable Research’s biosecurity officer Ash Mills.

plenty of work on FAW going on at research agencies including the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Ash Mills says. “We still don’t fully understand how well fall armyworm overwinters in New Zealand or what drives seasonal population changes. Improving our ability to

CHANGE SOWING TIMES BSI ENTOMOLOGIST Scott Hardwick says that monitoring shows FAW produces three to four generations a year in the Far North, as well as warmer regions such as Gisborne and the East Coast of the North Island. Southern regions produce one to two generations. Far North entomologist Jenny Dymock,

The fall armyworm is one of the world’s most significant maize pests.

who has monitored six FAW bucket pheromone traps and adjacent maize crops near Kaitaia for the last four years, advises maize silage and grain growers in the region to sow crops in November, not December, to avoid larval feeding damage to seedlings and cobs from secondgeneration FAW larvae.

forecast outbreaks remain a key priority. “Another important question is the frequency and origin of new incursions. Without frequent population genetic studies, we can’t determine what

Twelve months’ fetal protection is central to preventing persistently infected (PI) calves and helping break the cycle of BVD. Effective control goes further: INVESTIGATE your herd’s BVD status, ELIMINATE PI animals, and VACCINATE breeding cattle to prevent fetal infection, reduce the risk of future PI calves, and strengthen herd protection. Together, these actions support planned herd management. * Following a third dose (annual vaccination) Bovilis BVD provides 12 months fetal protection. ** CEESA Market Data Q1 2026. AVAILABLE ONLY UNDER VETERINARY AUTHORISATION. ACVM No: A008237. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Ph: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz. Copyright ©2026 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. NZ-BOV-260800004.

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proportion of the FAW population is the result of over-winter survival versus new arrivals from Australia. This has important implications for both biosecurity and insecticide resistance management,” Mills says.

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

ANIMAL HEALTH 15

Layered plan needed to fight BVD ANDREW MACPHERSON

BOVINE VIRAL Diarrhoea (BVD) is sometimes viewed as a dairy industry issue, but the reality is that the disease can have serious consequences for beef breeding herds as well. In fact, a recent New Zealand survey of farmers and veterinarians found that while awareness of BVD is generally high, many farmers rely on a single control measure rather than the more comprehensive approach recommended by veterinarians. The challenge is that BVD often goes unnoticed until it starts affecting reproductive performance, calf health or growth rates. By then, the virus may already be well established within the herd.

Andrew MacPherson

The most significant losses occur in breeding herds. When pregnant cows are exposed to BVD during a critical stage of gestation, the result can be empty cows, abortions, weak calves or the birth of persistently infected (PI) animals. These PI animals are central to the ongoing spread of BVD. They are born carrying the virus and shed it continuously

throughout their lives, exposing other cattle wherever they go. From a beef farming perspective, this is particularly important because PI animals can move through trading, grazing and breeding systems while appearing outwardly normal. A PI calf in a mob may be responsible for infecting numerous other animals before anyone realises there is a problem. BVD can also impact growth rates and overall animal performance. Animals exposed to the virus may experience immune suppression, making them more susceptible to other diseases and reducing productivity. One of the key findings from last year’s survey was that many farmers approach BVD

using a single control method. Some rely primarily on vaccination. Others focus on testing. Some place most of their emphasis on biosecurity. Veterinarians consistently recommended an integrated approach. Rather than relying on one strategy, vets advocated for a layered programme that combines testing, biosecurity, vaccination and ongoing monitoring. This approach recognises that each farm has different risk factors. For example, purchasing breeding stock, introducing bulls, trading cattle, sharing boundaries with neighbouring properties and grazing animals off-farm can all create opportunities for BVD to enter a herd. Understanding these

risks is a critical first step. Producers should work with their veterinarian to establish their herd’s current BVD status and identify where exposures may occur. Testing programmes can help identify infection and detect PI animals, while biosecurity measures can reduce the likelihood of introducing the virus in the future. Protecting breeding animals is another key priority. Vaccination can be an important part of a wider herd health programme, helping reduce the risk of fetal infection and the creation of future PI animals. However, vaccination should not be viewed as a standalone solution. The farms achieving the strongest outcomes are typically those that

take a broader approach and regularly review their BVD management plan. To support those conversations, a practical BVD decision guide has been developed to help farmers assess their current level of risk and identify opportunities for improvement. The guide focuses on four key questions: • Is your herd genuinely closed? • Do you know your herd’s BVD status? • Are breeding animals protected? • Is your BVD control plan complete? Depending on the answers, the guide outlines practical next steps, including monitoring, testing, PI detection, biosecurity improvements and vaccination. The recent survey

reinforces a simple but important message. BVD control is not a one-off decision or a single farm practice. It requires a coordinated approach that reduces risk from multiple angles. For beef farmers, that means looking beyond individual management tools and considering how the different pieces fit together. By working with your veterinarian and adopting a comprehensive strategy, you can reduce the impact of BVD on reproductive performance, calf health and long-term herd productivity. • Andrew MacPherson is veterinary technical advisor, MSD Animal Health @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

SUPPORTING FARMING RESEARCH INNOVATION IS at the heart of rural New Zealand. Our isolation means solutions are found at home. It is amazing what we can solve with a little number 8 wire and a good idea. New Zealanders are the ones who invented the electric fence, refrigerated shipping, and tranquilliser guns. We are still at the forefront of technology with innovations in

genetics, digital soil mapping, drones, and more. Innovation often works to boost the productivity of our farmers and growers, while shrinking their environmental impact. Innovations of today are not generally cobbled together with number 8 wire, but they do grow from good ideas. Just as PGG Wrightson helps to empower farmers and growers, PGG Wrightson also helps to

nurture these ideas. You can, too. Helping farming innovation is as easy as purchasing products you need for your farm. PGG Wrightson’s Growing the Country® programme is supporting future innovation research through the purchase of qualifying animal health and nutrition products from participating suppliers: Seales Winslow, Sgt Dan

Stockfoods, Agritrade, Ecolab, Elanco, MSD, Zoetis, and PGG Wrightson Grain. From now until the end of August, PGG Wrightson is donating $1 for every tonne of qualifying stock food purchased or $500 spent on qualifying animal health products to the Growing the Country Innovation fund (capped to $25,000). This fund will go towards an innovation project

to deliver positive impact for our primary industry. Together, we are making a positive difference and growing the country. • To find out more about the Growing the Country® Innovation programme, our participating suppliers and products, and how you can help fund future innovation research, visit store.pggwrightson.co.nz/ growing-the-countryinnovation. Full terms and conditions about the

PGG Wrightson’s specialist technical team is involved with numerous research projects, such as the research into reducing worm burden and drench use on farm using summer forage crops.

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

16 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Autonomous robot set to transform veggie growing MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

CLAIMED TO be the first autonomous robot for New Zealand vegetables growers, the first Kilter AX-1 unit has arrived in the country. Croplands Equipment Ltd has appointed Fruitfed Supplies as the nationwide distributor, reinforcing a partnership that dates to 1972, with a collaboration to distribute air-blast sprayers to NZ orchardists. Developed specifically for vegetable production, the Kilter AX-1 combines artificial intelligence with advanced robotics to identify and target weeds growing among crops. Utilising patented Single Drop Technology, the robot then applies a droplet precisely onto individual weeds while avoiding the growing crop, helping reduce inputs and intervening earlier in the weed growth cycle. In August and September, a

roadshow across both islands will give growers the opportunity to see the technology operating in field conditions, learn more about its potential to reduce labour pressure and improve weed control outcomes. The lightweight autonomous platform, developed in Norway, has undergone extensive testing in Australian vegetable-growing environments, providing the industry confidence as it introduces the technology to New Zealand growers. Croplands New Zealand regional manager Rob Marshall says NZ vegetable growers are continually looking for ways to improve productivity while addressing ongoing challenges around labour availability, rising input costs and sustainability requirements. “The Kilter AX-1 offers a completely different approach to weed management by combining autonomy and artificial intelligence to deliver highly targeted treatment at the plant level.”

The first autonomous robot for New Zealand vegetables growers - Kilter AX-1 unit - has arrived in the country.

Lessons learned through local testing and grower engagement in Australia helped refine the platform for conditions experienced across both countries. The robot’s AI-powered green-on-green detection is said to be capable of identifying weeds at very early growth stages and accurately targeting them, allowing growers to

act earlier, reduce pressure on labour resources and maintain cleaner crop beds throughout the season. Fruitfed Supplies national product manager - machinery, Richard Flatman, says, “We see strong potential for NZ vegetable growers to benefit from the technology, particularly in highvalue cropping systems where labour

efficiency and precision are critical.” The Kilter AX-1 is suitable for both conventional and organic production systems and supports a broad range of vegetable crops, with ongoing development continuing to expand its capabilities. For roadshow details contact Richard Flatman +64 27 246 6344

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Built on Reliability

Why Phil Hawke Contracting trusts McHale Based out of Matamata in the Waikato, Phil Hawke Contracting has built a strong reputation across the region for delivering quality work and dependable service. With more than 45 years in the agricultural contracting industry, Phil and his team provide a wide range of services including baling, cultivation, drilling, mowing and cartage, supporting farmers through some of the busiest periods of the season. Over the years, Phil Hawke Contracting has worked with a range of baler brands, but for Phil, McHale continues to stand above the rest. “We’ve tried other products over the years, but we keep coming back to McHale,” says Phil. “The quality of bale they produce, the build quality of the machine itself, and the reliability is hard to beat.” For Phil, bale quality is one of the biggest factors when it comes to choosing a baler. In a demanding industry where reputation is built on the quality of the product delivered to customers, consistency matters. “What I look for is bale quality, which the McHale certainly delivers,” he explains. “The quality of the

baler itself is excellent too, they’re reliable, easy to use, and the backup has been fantastic.” Operating multiple round balers across the business, Phil says the team continues to lean toward McHale because of the performance they see in the paddock every day. “We do run four round balers, but McHale continues to impress us with the quality of build and the quality of bale they put out.” Support and service also play a major role in keeping contractors moving through the season, and Phil says having good people behind the machinery makes all the difference. “The backup has been great,” he says. “If I could buy everything through Tim, I certainly would. He’s a good man.” For contractors, uptime and reliability remain critical, and that’s where McHale continues to stand out.

From left, Phil & Ollie Hawke

After several challenging seasons for the agricultural sector, Phil says confidence is finally starting to return across both the dairy and meat industries.

When asked what he would say to someone considering stepping up to a McHale baler, Phil’s answer is simple:

“It’s been a tough few years leading up to last year, but things are definitely on the up. There’s a lot more confidence back in the dairy industry, and the meat sector is looking good as well.”

“If you give them a go, you’ll quickly see the difference in the quality of bale, the build of the machine, and how easy they are to operate. In my opinion, nothing beats a McHale.”

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 17

Performance boost for Puma series MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

CASE IH HAS unveiled its redesigned next generation Puma Series tractors, said to offer improvements in connectivity, operator comfort, fuel efficiency and drivability. Available with a standard wheelbase, the new Puma 155, 165 and 185 horsepower models have been engineered to deliver a better performance through improved transmission efficiency that offers best-in-class fuel consumption. Operators can choose between the advanced 3x1 CVXDrive continuously

variable transmission for improved efficiency, via three fully mechanical points in the set-up, or the ActiveDrive 8 dualclutch transmissionfeaturing 24F/24R speeds for uninterrupted torque, fast shuttle shifts and smart automations. The latter is said to offer the benefits of near CVXstyle operation, or a semi-powershift-style operation, for the likes of loader operation with repetitive shuttling. Independently tested by DLG for fuel consumption, 243 g/ kWhr shows a best-inclass performance, while extended 750/1500-hour engine and transmission service intervals are

said to offer significant operational savings and lower cost of ownership. The new models now offer all the technology previously reserved for the higher horsepower models, adding the latest Case IH precision technology and connectivity features. Optional ISOBUS and Tractor Implement Management (TIM) compatibility support seamless implement integration, with the expandable electronic architecture providing easy connection as new technology arrives. Operators can also access the latest capabilities of Case IH FieldOps, unlocking the benefits of

Connected Services. Ben Mitchell, ag product and portfolio manager ANZ, says the new Puma design offers improved manoeuvrability with a 20% tighter turning radius, by way of a new front axle ‘saddle’ suspension system, with twin hydraulic cylinders, combining to improve high-speed transport safety, roll control and enhanced braking responsiveness. “In the cab, we have a very low 68 dBa noise rating, more comfort, increased storage, upgraded in-cab displays and easier access,” says Mitchell. “There is also a Pro 1200 display,

The redesigned next generation Puma Series tractors.

upgraded MultiController Armrest, improved suspension and the optional semi-active seat designed to enhanced comfort. Externally, a redesigned hood and

lighting package improve forward visibility.” The new Puma 155, 165 and 185 models are available to order and for the foreseeable future will be complemented

by the existing Puma offering, for those operators who only require a more basic configuration. www.caseih.com/ en-nz/newzealand/

1968 SENATOR BACK IN THE PADDOCK MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

FIFTY EIGHT years ago, on the 16th of August 1968, August Claas, the founder of the harvesting company and father of Helmut Claas, personally presented a Claas Senator combine harvester to Scottish farmer John Steven. The presentation represented a milestone for the German company, being the 200,000th Claas combine built. The company had doubled its combine production only six years after celebrating the 100,000th Claas combine in 1962, cementing its position amongst the world’s premier combine manufacturers. Following decades of reliable

1968 Claas Senator

service in Scotland, the veteran machine returned to the Claas UK

headquarters in Saxham, Suffolk in 2025, where the machine was brought

back to life by an enthusiastic service team, helped with parts support from the Claas World Parts centre at Hamm. Restoring the machine to full working order, the team were careful to preserve its patina as a nod to the battle scars it suffered during its decades of service. Claas says the Senator was more than just another new combine model, as alongside its modern styling, it offered a new corporate identity and the introduction of the iconic Seed Green livery. In July 2026, the combine showed it had lost none of its capacity for hard work, heading into a wheat crop in Suffolk and harvesting 20 tonnes of wheat in around five hours.

Later in the month, at Honey Hill Farm at Little Saxham, behind the Claas UK headquarters, three generations of Claas combines worked side by side in the same paddock, with the Senator joined by a 1953 Claas SF and a modern Trion 720. The event showcased the progress of harvesting efficiency with the SF harvesting around four tonnes per hour and the Trion delivering ten times that capacity at around 40 tonnes per hour. Interestingly, Honey Hill Farm is still farmed by the Mann family, where back in the 1930s it served as the original base when Bill Mann first began importing Claas machinery, prior to moving to the extensive current Saxham site.

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

18 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Now compatible with competitors markd@ruralnews.co.nz

KRONE’S XDISC 710 direct-cut header can

Initially released in 2024, the Krone XDisc 710 had a design brief of short set-up times and operational reliability.

REAL WORLD

TOUGH. P.A. Fixed Interest rate Finance^ over a 24-month term. On MY25 and earlier Grizzly 700 EPS 4WD and Grizzly 700 EPS SE.

ZERO DEPOSIT^

ZERO REPAYMENTS FOR FIRST 12 MONTHS^

The 7.1 metre cutting width is a useful upgrade from the original XDisc 620’s 6.2m working width.

Krone X-disc 710-fitted to NH harvester.

MY24 GRIZZLY 700 EPS

$

16,649

EXC. GST

now be used by John Deere and New Holland forage harvesters, as well as the Krone Big X it was originally designed for.

MARK DANIEL

While the first XDisc 710 units had an integrated transport chassis to work exclusively with Krone’s Big X foragers, that has now been replaced with a dedicated transport wagon. The header units feature two Krone EasyCut mower cutter bars, rigidly connected to each other and incorporating drive shafts to a central input gearbox. Each cutter bar is connected to an angular gearbox for positive-drive transmission that the manufacturer says results in a very consistent cut, even at high throughputs, which in turn helps ensure optimum chop quality. Maintaining a consistent crop flow to the forager’s cutterhead, a 900mm diameter auger, height adjustable conveyor system, can be adjusted to match the intake housing speed using a three-speed gearbox. An internal, star ratchet clutch is said to reliably protect the auger conveyor against overloads. On request, the XDisc 710 can be fitted with a crop press roller and sidemounted cutting blades,

the former to optimise crop flow in heavy crops and the latter to cut entangled crops cleanly to minimise losses. Krone claims to have minimised maintenance requirements and extended service life through the inclusion of a positive-mode chain drive with an active central lubrication unit. The newly developed transport wagon has EU type-approval for a maximum authorised speed of 40kph, featuring as standard an integrated overrun brake, an automatic reverse function and a full lighting system. A twoaxle design is aimed at stable handling and good tracking performance, even on tight bends, alongside the header’s unique top-mounting on the transport wagon for ease of use. Four feeder housing mounting brackets are designed to maintain high ground clearance, incorporating hydraulic height adjustment, which also allows easy adaption to harvesters with smaller diameter tyre equipment, or non-standard configuration layouts. See kronenewzealand. co.nz

SAVE $2,000* EXC. GST

Terms and conditions apply: *Advertised savings are on the manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price (RRP) excluding GST and are not redeemable for cash or other products. Offer available between 01/06/26 and 31/08/26 while stocks last through participating authorised Yamaha Motorcycle dealers. $2,000 off the RRP for MY24 and MY23 Grizzly 700 EPS 4WD of $18,649 equates to $16,649; $2,000 off the RRP for MY24 and MY23 Grizzly 700 EPS SE of $19,649 equates to $17,649. Yamaha Motor New Zealand Ltd. NZBN: 9429040177113. ^Finance Disclaimer: Zero deposit and annual repayments only available to asset backed commercial applicants with a NZBN registered for a minimum of 1 year. First repayment due after 12 months. 1.95% p.a. fixed interest rate on 24-month loan term; 2.95% on a 36-month loan term, demo units allowed. Available on MY25 and earlier Grizzly 700 EPS 4WD and Grizzly 700 EPS SE. Offer available between 01/06/26 and 31/08/26 and settled on or before 30/09/26. Credit criteria, fees, charges and conditions apply including an establishment fee of $325, $8.05 PPSR fee and a dealer administration fee may apply. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Finance to approved applicants by Yamaha Motor Finance New Zealand Ltd. (YMFNZ) NZBN 9429036270798 FSP 9622.

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 18, 2026

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CULVERT PIPES www.mckeeplastics.co.nz 300mm x 6 metre ............................ $485.00 400mm x 6 metre ............................ $615.00 500mm x 6 metre ............................ $875.00 600mm x 6 metre .......................... $1170.00 800mm x 6 metre .......................... $1790.00 1000mm x 6 metre ........................ $3025.00 1200mm x 6 metre ........................ $4375.00

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Good seasons don’t wait. Neither should your fertiliser. You can’t control the weather but you can be ready for it. Lock in your fertiliser early and have confidence that when the season arrives, you’ll be ready to make the most of it. With quality products, reliable supply and local support from the Ravensdown team, you can get ahead and stay ahead.

Call 0800 100 123 or talk to your agri manager today.

265 x 390 Rural News - Good Seasons 1

10/08/2026 1:39:54 pm