Rural News 26 August 2025

Export target at risk

THE GOVERNMENT is being warned that some recent bad policy decisions are undermining its target of doubling exports by 2030.

Farmers says that policies like failing to stop productive sheep and beef land conversions into forestry is working against growing exports.

Red meat farmers are fuming about recent changes made to the Emissions Trading Scheme by the environment select committee, which proposes tightening the temporary exemptions that would allow land converted after 4 December 2024 to enter the ETS, but has not fixed the land use class rules – the very section driving most conversions.

The legislation will stop land use capability (LUC) 1-5 land from entering the ETS and cap new registrations on LUC 6 land, but this doesn’t address where the bulk of damage is being done: 89% of whole farm conversions to date have occurred on LUC 6–8 land.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins told Rural News that if these issues aren’t sorted out, there will be serious headwinds for government plans to double exports by 2030.

“Red meat earns about $12 billion a year, prices are strong, and we should be lifting stocking rates through better management and technology so we can bank the gains that are on offer.

“Allowing carbon forestry to roll across LUC 6 and 7 land cuts breed-

ing numbers, drags down processor throughput and strips jobs out of the regions.

“That shrinks the export base just when we need volume and value growth. The growth path is productivity on the right land - genetics, pasture, smart tech - not converting pastoral country that underpins our red meat exports.”

Beef+Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland says planting productive sheep and beef land in trees for carbon “is clogging the arteries of our economy”.

“When we take whole sheep and

beef farms out of production and lock it up in carbon farms, we restrict the flow of exports, jobs and opportunities,” says Acland.

Acland says sheep and beef farmers will be essential to achieving the goal of doubling exports by 2030.

Nearly 20% of the total export earnings – $10.4 billion in 2024 – came from the red meat sector.

“This sector has a proud history of productivity and capturing value; doing more with less,” says Acland.

“Despite a 7% reduction in volume, red meat exports increased by $1.2 bil-

lion last year and the outlook is incredibly positive for the next few years.

There’s a global protein shortage and New Zealand’s farmers are well placed to meet this demand.

“Since 1990, sheep numbers have fallen by over 50%, yet lamb export volumes have remained largely stable – demonstrating decades of efficiency improvements.

“But productivity gains are not infinite. The sector is under increasing pressure from large-scale land use change, particularly the blanket conversion of whole farms into forestry for carbon credits.”

But Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill “delivers the balance we campaigned on”.

“Through consultation we’ve closed the loophole and tightened the ‘intent to plant’ rules so speculative buyers can’t rush into the ETS without a genuine plan or suitable land,” he told Rural News.

The Minister says he shares farmers’ concerns about the loss of productive farmland to carbon-only forestry.

“That’s exactly why this Government is the first to take real action to stop blanket pine planting on our best soils and wind back Labour’s reckless carbon farming incentives.

“For LUC 6 hill country, we’ve introduced a 25% carbon credit cap and strengthened consent requirements – so the days of unfettered whole-farm conversions are over. We’ll monitor the impact closely, and if further action is needed, we won’t hesitate to act.”

On its export target, McClay says sheep and beef farmers are essential to New Zealand’s export growth and the Bill “protects that by ensuring our best farmland stays in food production”.

“Our goal of doubling the value of New Zealand’s exports in 10 years relies on a strong red meat sector, alongside dairy, horticulture, forestry and other industries. That’s why we’re making sure forestry is integrated into the rural economy rather than replacing it.”

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Dawn Meats deal ‘won’t solve industry’s structural problems’

ALLIANCE GROUP’S proposal to sell a 65% shareholding to Ireland’s Dawn Meats won’t solve the red meat industry’s structural problems, says former Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams.

Williams told Rural News that it was a big decision for the shareholders, but the proposal still left structural problems for the industry.

“I struggle to see how Dawn Meats investing in Alliance changes the current structural issues we have with sheep producing in New Zealand.

“While it will solve one of the shortterm problems in terms of the capital of Alliance, it doesn’t solve problems of falling numbers of sheep being processed.”

Although not an Alliance shareholder himself, Williams says shareholders should expect the upcoming series of roadshow meetings to shed more light on the future structure of the company.

“If I was Dawn Meats investing in Alliance, part of that would be closing down some form of plant before they took over.

“Because there needs to be capacity changes, doesn’t there? Otherwise, they’re in exactly the same place that Alliance currently are, fighting over an ever-shrinking pile.”

Federated Farmers South Canterbury president Greg Anderson agreed the industry had to get its processing capacity to the right size for the amount of stock they can procure.

Alliance had made a move with the closure of its Smithfield plant at Timaru but some of the other companies would have to look at their capacities as well, he said.

A longstanding Alliance shareholder, Anderson said the Dawn Meats proposal was “probably the logical choice”.

“It’ll be disappointing because

we’re going to lose control of the company, but I don’t think there’s much they can do about the position they’ve gotten into.”

He said that Dawn Meats looks to be a very good partner.

“Looks like they’re going to tick all the boxes. But they’re not going into it for nothing. They’re doing it because they can see a dollar in it.”

Anderson noted the irony that, with improving prices and farm confidence, shareholders are probably in a better position now to come up with the cash

than they were when the board first revealed the need to address the debt. However, he did not expect them to reject the Dawn deal.

Federated Farmers’ national meat and wool chair, Richard Dawkins, said it was not for the Feds to influence Alliance’s decision.

But he encouraged farmers to “attend the roadshow events, understand the issues and understand the proposal”.

“Apathy is not a solution.”

Alliance plans to detail the proposal

DEAL OR NO DEAL?

THE ALLIANCE Group’s farmer shareholders are being urged to accept a restructuring proposal that would see the processor lose its proud status as a fully farmer-owned co-operative.

It is an outcome the Alliance board was keen to avoid when it first revealed nearly two years ago the need for a cash injection to meet a mounting capital crisis.

But it now says there is no realistic alternative to accepting a part-sale to Ireland’s Dawn Meats.

Under the proposal – subject to shareholder acceptances, High Court and regulatory approvals – Dawn would pay $250 million for 65% of the Alliance Group.

The Alliance board says the proceeds would be used to reduce Alliance’s short-term working capital facility by about NZ$200 million, accelerate the board’s strategic capital expenditure programme, and enable the distribution of up to $40 million to the co-operative, subject to shareholder

to shareholders in a booklet released on Sept 15 then a series of farmer roadshows from Sept 29. Acceptance would require a yes vote from at least 50% of all shareholdings and at least 75% of those who vote. The vote, including proxies, will be taken at a Special General Meeting in Invercargill in mid-October. The board warned that rejection would force it into “a process led by its banking syndicate, which may involve possible asset sales, site closures and further cost-reduction initiatives”.

livestock supply.

Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne said the announcement comes after a two-year process to reset and recapitalise the business.

“The process we have undertaken on behalf of our farmer-shareholders to meet our banks’ requirements means we are now a much fitter and stronger business. However, we need this investment to provide certainty and confidence and ultimately unlock more value for our farmers.”

Flood recovery work takes a toll

counsellor who can support these people.”

THE STRAIN and pressure of weeks of repairing their flood-damaged properties is starting to tell on farmers and orchardists in the Tasman district.

It is now nearly two months since the region was hit by two major flood events in the space of a week and according to Richard Kempthorne, the chair of the local Rural Support Trust, they are getting more calls for help from people who are stressed by dealing with the enormity of the task.

He says many people are snowed under trying to work out what to do to get their farms and orchards back up and running.

“The mental health of people is an issue, and we have now employed a

These issues are echoed by HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott who says there is sense of tiredness and people being overwhelmed at the task ahead.

“We have orchardists and growers who are doing their best to get though things on a dayby-day basis, but this is impacting on their mental health.

“HortNZ is doing its best to support them through our grower relief fund and also making them aware of other funding options that are available to them,” she says.

Scott says everyone is working very hard in the recovery phase, trying to deal with land that is covered with debris and silt and are doing their best to stay upbeat. She says

she knows of some growers who are working hard to get pumps and irrigation systems operational to deal with frosts.

Kempthorne says volunteers are doing a great job helping people to clear debris and silt from properties. He says the student army and enhanced task force

green are going out to individual farms and orchards and working there for about three days at a time before moving on to help others.

“The aim is to give all farmers some help and make sure that no one misses out. It is possible that they will come back to very badly hit farms in

the future,” he says.

Kempthorne says they also have another group – Taskforce Kiwi – which is made up of people with skills in fencing and use of chainsaws, which the other groups don’t have. He says most farms now have road access, and council staff have been out advising farm-

ers about what they can and cannot do to repair damage – especially near rivers.

“The cost of repairing roads and rivers will be massive for the council and they will be working though this with central government,” he says.

In addition to the help from council, Kemp-

thorne says they have had very good responses from two government departments – the Ministry for Primary Industry and the Ministry for the Environment. He says MFE has been very helpful advising where silt from properties can be dumped.

The repair bill for the rural community will be high but Kempthorne says MPI has been very responsive and helpful. He says there are two funds that people can access. The first is the general mayoral relief fund which is available to both rural and urban people.

While the recovery is progressing pretty well, Kempthorne says it will be months and in few cases a lot longer before things are back anything like normal.

Uproar over proposed cuts to rural police

CANTERBURY FARM-

ERS and the Police Association say they are frustrated by proposed cuts to rural policing in the region.

Earlier this month, NZ Police announced that it plans to restructure the police service in Canterbury.

This includes a plan to disestablish the 14 rural policing positions in the region.

If NZ Police were to go ahead with the proposal, the Arthurs Pass, Lincoln, Leeston, Culverden, Oxford, and Amberley local police constables would see their roles disestablished in favour of centralised rural liaison and public safety officers.

The proposed changes would also see the Canterbury Rural School Community Officer position disestablished as well as the Rural Family Harm Constable position.

Three Rural Strategic Traffic Unit Constable and two Rural Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) investigator positions would be established.

The reasoning behind the disestablishments –according to the proposal document – is that there is insufficient demand for those officer roles, something New Zealand Police Association president Chris Cahill disagrees with.

“The problem is that measuring demand simply by calls for service alone can fail to recognise how many rural communities work,” Cahill told Rural News

He says that many people in rural communities prefer direct contact with their local officer, adding that much crime in those communities is oftentimes not reported until the victim encounters their local officer.

“There has also been a

tendency, due to frustrations with the 105-reporting line, to not report smaller crime especially if victims don’t feel police will be able to attend or investigate.”

Cahill says that communities value having an officer that they know is dedicated to their community and who can take the time to address concerns that are particularly to that community.

“The ‘feel safe’ factor of a local officer

should not be underestimated,” he adds. “Police have many competing demands, and the problems of rural communi-

ties will not always be the priority if resources are not dedicated to that rural community.”

Nicola Eccleton,

interim chief executive of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ), says her organisation is concerned by the proposals and has written to Minister of Police Mark Mitchell outlining those concerns.

Eccleton says that RWNZ members in the impacted regions say the proposals could impact important aspects of rural community policing, including timely emergency responses; on-the-ground-community policing; visibility and deterrence; and the protection and support of women and children experiencing family violence.

“Rural communities already face a deficit in access to emergency services,” Eccleton told Rural News. “Further reducing the local policing presence risks deepening this.”

She says the proposal seems short-sighted, adding that while crime statistics in rural areas may reflect a low incident rate, which suggests that the approach local officers are taking works.

“The community tells us they would rather a preventative and proactive approach, a fence at the top of the cliff rather than an ambulance at the bottom.”

Gas shortage forces $88m write down of urea plant

FERTILISER CO-OPE-

ARTIVE Ballance has written down $88 million – the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki – from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.

The writedown has pushed the farmer-owned business from underlying earnings before tax of $38m to a net loss of $49m for the 2025 financial year.

Chief executive Kelvin Wickham says the gas supply-related writedown of Kapuni plant has taken the gloss off what was a strong underlying annual performance.

Wickham says that the co-op delivered strong results in challenging circumstances.

“We were very happy with our performance – we reduced our debt and our revenue was up, but the gas situation has taken away some of the gloss,” he told Rural News. “We’ve taken a hit on our balance sheet and moved on.”

The co-op’s revenue rose 4% to $965m and it finished the year with cashflows of $136m and debt reduced by $78m.

Earlier this month, Ballance announced that it would close the Kapuni plant for four months if a gas supply agreement wasn’t reached in the

coming months.

Wickham says talks are ongoing with gas suppliers to continue operating Kapuni until the new year, but nothing has

been finalised.

Kapuni needs gas to operate and with future gas supply in doubt, the Ballance board decided to write down the full value

of the plant.

Wickham says Kapuni has nil value on the coop’s balance sheet.

“The board believes that this is the prudent approach,” he says.

Ballance chair Duncan Coull says the board is taking “a cautious approach in writing down the Kapuni plant asset given the uncertainty over future gas supply agreements”.

“Although disappointing, it’s the appropriate thing to do. Our strong balance sheet, shareholder equity and reduced debt mean we’ve been able to absorb this one-off writedown, which is reflected by our nominal share value remain-

ing unchanged at $9 per share. Most importantly, the business remains in a strong position to continue to deliver affordable and reliable nutrients for farmers and growers.

“Despite challenges during the past year, with global commodity price increases and uncertain New Zealand gas supply, our core business continued to perform well. This meant we could partially protect our farmers and growers from global price increases and show the strength and resilience of our co-operative.”

Continuing its focus on prudent financial management, the Ballance board made the necessary decision to not

pay a rebate, for a third year in a row.

Wickham says the cooperative is well positioned for the year ahead and beyond.

“Once again, we’ve delivered strong results in challenging circumstances. With this year already off to an excellent start and with improved farmer confidence we’re firmly focused on what lies ahead.

“Led by our refreshed strategy, we’re gearing up to support farmers’ changing needs. I want farmers and growers to know that we are right there with them – we are all in for the future of farming and we want them to succeed.”

Hort exports stung by new US tariff

trade with the US is also coming under pressure as a result of the tariffs.

“UNWELCOME” IS how

the chief executive of the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA), Simon Hegarty, describes the 15% tariff that the US has imposed on primary exports to that country.

The US imports just on NZ$1 billion worth of our horticulture exports, with wine at the top of the list, but also includes apples, kiwifruit and a range of other products.

The tariffs come at a time when our total apple exports to the USA were increasing

Hegarty says the new tariffs could possibly lead to a slowdown in sales to the USA and may lead to product having to be diverted elsewhere. He says the tariffs create uncertainty and risk.

“And they are unjustified because we don’t charge any tariffs on any US product coming into NZ,” he told Rural News

He says initially the sector went from very low tariffs before being hit by the 10% tariffs, which came into effect in April, and says the 15% tariff will bring challenges.

He says at this stage it’s uncertain who will wear the cost of the higher tariffs – the consumer or the suppliers or a combination of both.

Hegarty says there may come a point where US consumers start buying less NZ product and possibly turn to cheaper imports from South America. He says it’s possible, as suggested by other commentators, that the tariffs will have wider global repercussions which could affect NZ.

“I can’t see anything good out of this for us. It’s just degrees of market weakness and greater instability. Exporters look for certainty and stability and these tariffs raise more instability and increase uncertainty and risk. There is nothing positive for us,” he says.

The tariff is also impacting other sectors; NZ’s $1.3 billion dairy

Dairy Companies Association of NZ executive director Kimberly Crewther says the way the tariffs have been applied to NZ and other dairy exporting nations to the USA will severely disadvantage us and give our competitors an edge over us.

Most of NZ’s dairy exports to the USA are casein and protein products and it’s the whey concentrate protein that poses the biggest problem for NZ, according to Crewther.

She says while NZ is facing a15% tariff, the Canadians will continue to export into the US market duty free in direct competition to us.

She says our infant formula exports to the USA will also be affected.

Crewther points out that while Trump has imposed what appears to be the same 15% tariff on dairy imports from the EU, the reality of the situation is quite different.

She says in the case of the EU, the previous tariffs on exports to the USA were higher than 15% and now these are effectively lowered which gives them an advantage over us.

“We are very disappointed with what’s happened and are just hoping the full cost of the tariffs will not be borne by us,” she says.

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Todd McClay has been in Washington meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and US industry representatives, think tanks, and his agriculture counterpart, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

Before he left, McClay noted that the visit was an opportunity to discuss the impact of the tariffs and better understand the factors that may influence future US policy on these. He says the two countries have a longstanding, well-balanced

trading relationship, with periods where the US has enjoyed a surplus and times, like now, when NZ has a modest one.

“I will be seeking to understand the effect

of any change in trade flows for example, if New Zealand’s current surplus shifted to a deficit, and what that might mean for our exporters,” he says. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

MAKES

Smith challenges fert sector status quo

NORTH OTAGO farmer

Jane Smith is standing for the Ravensdown South Island director seat.

She’s one of three candidates for the seat including incumbent Nicky Hyslop and Rebecca Keoghan. Voting commences August 27.

Smith says she was approached by a group of shareholders to stand, and her decision was driven by concern around the current state of play in the fertiliser sector –an industry she spent a decade working in before going rural banking and then full-time farming.

“Our fertiliser co-ops need to be nimble, sharply priced and openminded about what the structure of the fertiliser sector looks like going forward,” Smith told Rural News.

“Ravensdown was founded by farmers, for

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farmers. I make no apology for being ruthlessly clear on my vision for Ravensdown – secure and transparent fertiliser supply, quality and pricing.

“The exact same mantra when the co-op was established back in the late 1970s. We can’t afford fiscal follies on expensive pet projects that aren’t aligned with this core business objective and need to focus 100% on product quality, sustainably competitive pricing and nimble procurement.

“Ravensdown has always been known for innovation and can stay at the forefront of this.”

Smith acknowledges that it is easy to criticise from the outside but remains concerned that Ravensdown has built an empire that may not be as agile as it needs to be

in the changing landscape of New Zealand’s fertiliser sector.

“The number of new

competitors into the sector has been a real wake up call. I acknowledge it is easy to cherry-

CONVISO SMART delivers surprising yields in the dry.

The Anderson family have been farming in Otorohanga since 1969. Today, second-generation farmer Alby Anderson and his wife Mary run their 160 hectare dairy farm in a split calving operation, with 300 cows calving in the spring and 200 in the autumn.

With no access to irrigation, the farm is reliant on the weather, and the famously dry Waikato autumn presents the biggest challenge for Alby.

“We grow fodderbeet to mitigate the autumn dry, we start feeding it from the end of March and we winter our cows on it as well. It’s a high yielding crop that enables us to extend the lactation for the spring calving cows. They transition onto fodderbeet at the end of March or early April, and they milk through on it until we dry off.”

Record breaking yields.

Growing the CONVISO® SMART fodderbeet has been a game-changer for the Andersons. It’s beaten

ers are accessing clearer, cheaper deals on the day.

“This is what our co-ops were established for. If we aren’t delivering on that, then the strength of a co-op is based on nostalgia. A discussion around whether current levels of domestic manufacturing is still relevant long term or whether importing a higher percentage of product is the most efficient way forward needs to be had with both of our fertiliser co-ops.,

“I believe the Ravensdown board have made some hard calls over the past 24 months and I support these. Unfortunately, there may be some even harder calls to make over the next 3-5 years.”

pick certain aspects of the market, but the net effect of these new entrants is that farm-

the weeds, has been a lot easier and has delivered unbelievably impressive yields of 35 tonnes of dry matter a hectare.

The variety behind the crop’s success is the SMART JOSINA and it has outperformed anything Alby has grown in the past:

“SMART JOSINA has performed outstandingly well this season. Our yields have probably been 30% at least above what we’ve grown in the past for fodderbeet.”

The final surprise for the Andersons was just how well the CONVISO SMART crop fared in the summer dry.

“We’d had no substantial rainfall since December, so this crop went three months without significant rain. It was still growing and still green, so it’s quite amazing how it weathered the drought,” concludes Alby.

Smith has previously aired concern that many agricultural company boards are operating under a “catholic

conclave” model with a defensiveness from directors but assured Rural News that she wants to be constructive, not destructive.

“The easy option would be to just look the other way and do my day job. However, this is a sector that I am passionate about and feel I can add some knowledge to. As a full-time farmer in the trenches I know that decisions made in the barracks need to have a line of sight back to the grassroots. Pricing, spreader operators, transporters, farmers and the field team are the litmus test on head office decisions.”

Voting closes on September 23 and results will be announced later that day. For the North Island area, sitting director Jacqueline Rowarth has been elected unopposed.

Public sees farmers central to NZ’s emissions challenge

A NEW nationwide

survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but also gave them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.

The survey was conducted by Primary Purpose in early July, interviewing 1077 New Zealanders. Results found that 70% of New Zealanders say it is important that farmers and food producers reduce their emissions, with support stronger among urban audiences.

Nearly half (48%)

believe farmers are doing well in managing emissions, while only 12% think they are performing poorly.

Waitaki MP and former sheep farmer Miles Anderson said that the public results were pleasing, but not a surprise to him.

“The farming community has been working hard to reduce its enviro footprint over the last 20 years,” Anderson told Rural News.

“In a sense, farmers are environmentalists; they look after the environment in order to be able to grow or show anything and it will make their job so much harder otherwise. I think the

survey reflects the fact that people understand that.”

31% of those surveyed believe farmers are doing more to manage emis-

sions than other industries, compared to just 8% who believe they are doing less.

The public also places equal responsibility for emissions reduction on farmers/growers, government, and the food industry (all at 79%), ahead of consumers (64%).

Anderson said that as Kiwi consumers have many bills to pay besides groceries, many are very price conscious.

“It’s been particularly tough over the last few years to make ends meet [and] the consumers who can are doing what they can. I’m not going to pass judgments on the end consumer and the position they make about

how they spend their money.”

Nevertheless, he emphatically stressed the importance of New Zealand farming in maintaining low emissions via superior produce.

“We are not going to chuck out farming here, only to allow the same products to be produced offshore where they have a larger carbon footprint.

“I think the public understands that New Zealand already has one of, if not the lowest carbon footprints per kilo of product produced on farms in the world.

People recognise that if we were to move production offshore where they have a larger carbon foot-

print, the environment would be worse.”

Primary Purpose partner Marc Elliott says the results presents an opportunity for the primary sector to build on.

“The public clearly sees farmers as central to New Zealand’s emissions challenge, but they also acknowledge the efforts underway.

“This is a significant opportunity for the primary sector to continue leading while building public trust.

“The findings suggest New Zealanders want a collaborative approach, with farmers, government, and the wider industry working together to meet climate goals.”

A tribute to pioneer vegetable grower

PUKEKOHE VEGETA-

BLE growers farewelled 101-year-old Alan Wilcox in late July, celebrating his many achievements and reflecting the widespread respect in which he was held.

“We are very fortunate to have had his wise counsel and resolute support for so long,” said his son Garth, in his eulogy to almost 300 mourners.

“His belief was that it was his duty to support his community in any way that he could. He never sought leadership but was always ready to lead when he saw a

need. His service to his community was a source of great enjoyment and satisfaction to him, it enriched his life and he made many lifelong friends through these associations.”

Alan’s grandfather, Henry Wilcox, arrived in New Zealand in 1869 and settled at Harrisville, south of Pukekohe. His father, Bob, was one of four sons to become farmers, and Alan came home to work on his dairy farm at 16 at the beginning of the Second World War. He joined the forerunner of the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers’ Association (PVGA) in

1943, and was elected to its committee five years later, becoming a life member in 1985.

His younger brother, Graham, joined him on the farm towards the end of the war, and they expanded into vegetable production to supply troops serving in the Pacific. Alan married Peg in 1948 and they enjoyed 72 years of marriage. They had two sons, Rob and Garth.

Deciding that vegetable production offered better returns than dairying Alan leased land in Bombay to grow early season potatoes, before buying land there and

building a house. In 1958 Graham returned to dairy farming but Alan continued growing vegetables, joined by his two sons in the 1970s. They gradually built up to cropping over 160 hectares with Alan being one of the first growers to adopt the use of forklifts and bulk bins for handling potatoes and onions as part of his ongoing interest in new innovations to improve productivity.

They traded as Wilcox Brothers, and Alan also registered the Pinnacle brand, later taken over by Garth and his son, Simon, which operated until 2007.

Alan held many industry positions over 40 years. In 1958 he was a delegate to the very first conference of the New Zealand Vegetable and Produce Growers’ Federation. He became chairman of its South Auckland association in 1964 and in this role was closely involved in national wage negotiations and talks to control direct selling. He was appointed to the Onion Export Committee on its formation and led three grower tours of the Japanese market. In 1981 he

was elected to the executive of the Potato Growers Federation, becoming its vice-chairman in the following year. In 1988 he served for a short time on the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA) before it was disbanded.

He was a director of Turners & Growers from 1973 to 1985 and through this became interested in growing kiwifruit as a semi-retirement project.

After a 16-year involvement the vines were pulled out in the early 1990s when the industry hit hard times with

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

DANGER SIGN

the land returning to vegetable production once again.

In the wider community Alan belonged to the Pukekohe Rotary Club and Men’s Probus Club and was a Justice of the Peace for more than 40 years. He was a member of various political, sports and church organisations and still held a current driver’s license.

He’s survived by Garth, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

@rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

I MUST confess that although your opinion piece, The Hound, may be further to the right than Attila the Hun, I do enjoy reading it.

However, the call to leave the Paris Agreement is extraordinary. According to Google, there are just four countries in the world that are not part of it. They are: Yemen, Libya, Iran and America. I don’t know a lot about the first three, but I do know that the US is run by a felon with an orange reptile brain who has (allegedly) had the word ‘sustainable’ removed from all government documents. He also pronounced; ‘global warming is a hoax invented by the Chinese’.

Those that are putting up Groundswell’s ‘leave Paris’ sign do risk the ‘Greenie’ vandalism your cartoon so succinctly illustrates at the least. At worse, they will experience something of the recent double flooding that occurred recently around Nelson. But it won’t be some ‘tree hugging Greenie,’ it will be Mother Nature unleashed in her full and rightful fury.

Andrew Luddington Christchurch

Meat processor’s whopping donation

THE NEW Zealand Food Network’s (NZFN) fifth birthday celebrations have been boosted by a whopping five tonne meat donation from meat processor ANZCO.

Since inception in July 2020, NZFN has been on a mission to redirect surplus and donated food (largely from the corporate and food production space) to its food hubs, which distribute it to recipient charities, social supermarkets, and other support groups tackling food insecurity on the front lines.

THE EFFICIENCY of NZFN’s model has meant it has operated largely behind the scenes.

Many people still don’t realise that their work is not only ongoing, but even more demanding today.

Gavin Findlay, chief executive of the New Zealand Food Network, says, “Five years ago, we set out to help everyone access nutritious, highquality food no matter who, or where they are. Thanks to our amazing partners, the dedication of our Food Hubs, and the support of donors, we’ve been able to work towards building more food secure communities throughout the country”.

For their birthday month, NZFN’s one wish is for their donor partners to gift food and essential items from their 5th birthday wishlist – a list of the most-needed goods for food hubs to stock foodbanks, community organisations and family pantries across the country.

This includes meat and fish, dairy, eggs, fruits and vegetables, hygiene products and more. The very first gift has been generously made by beef and lamb producer,

ANZCO Foods, who has donated a whopping 5 tonnes of beef mince –with protein being one of the most in-demand items for food hubs.

That equates to 10,000 standard packs of

mince, 40,000 meals, or 250,000 meatballs.

The mince is destined for NZFN’s recipient food hubs across the country – 3 tonnes going to the Auckland distribution centre to ser-

vice the North Island, and 2 tonnes going to the Christchurch distribution centre for the South Island.

ANZCO Foods chief executive officer, Peter Conley, says the company is proud to contribute to the wishlist and help ensure nutritious food reaches those who need it most.

“At ANZCO Foods, we see ourselves as more than a food producer. We’re committed to supporting the wellbeing of all New Zealanders, and that starts with access to quality nutrition. We’re proud to support NZFN’s birthday wishlist and help connect our premium beef mince to hungry families across Aotearoa.”

Since 2020, ANZCO Foods has donated almost 50 tonnes of food to support NZFN’s food hubs. The company also provides recipe cards in the food parcels to help families turn their beef mince into nourishing meals. Over five years, NZFN has distributed 35 million kilograms of food – equivalent of over 79 million meals. It has partnered with 64 food hubs who collectively serve over half a million people per month

Founded at the height of one of New Zealand’s worst hunger crises, Covid-19, NZFN had an urgent mission to quickly address the food insecurity sweeping through the population as unemployment, sickness and financial strain soared. It was set up in a matter of days with the support of Ministry of Social Development and helped tackle the dual issues of food insecurity and food waste through a collaborative national model.

EDITORIAL EDNA

Export target dilemma

PRODUCTIVE WHOLE farmlands conversions into forestry are becoming a thorny issue for the Government.

Last week the Government was served a stern message by sheep and beef farmers – get your policy settings right or forget about reaching your ambitious target of doubling exports by 2030.

The ire of the red meat sector was triggered when the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill returned from the environment select committee.

Instead of listening to farmers and extending the moratorium on whole farm conversions to all land classes, the select committee extended the moratorium to land use capability (LUC) classes 1-5. However, 89% of whole farm conversions to date have occurred on LUC 6–8.

Since 2017, at least 300,000 hectares of sheep and beef farms have been sold to forestry interests, with another 50,000 hectares expected before these rules take effect. Without fixing these gaps, we will likely lose a million hectares by 2050, slashing stock numbers by more 20%, and rural towns across the country will be hollowed out. according to Beef + Lamb NZ.

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says New Zealand is one of only two countries in the world – alongside Kazakhstan – that allows unlimited forestry offsets in its ETS.

“We’re not against forestry - our proposals don’t stop planting for harvest, they simply prevent the ETS from distorting land use decisions in ways that undermine food production and rural communities,” she says.

New Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins warns that if the Government don’t resolve these issues, carbon farming on classes 6 and 7 will accelerate over the coming months and years.

He has a message for the Government - take farmer concerns seriously – because if they don’t, this will undermine the viability of the red meat sector.

We say forestry is important to NZ, but the sector’s growth shouldn’t come at the expense of sheep and beef farming. Productive whole farmland going into forestry is not the way to go.

RURALNEWS

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

THE HOUND

Witchhunt?

NEWSROOM IS running a series of articles looking into the influence of lobbying and has kicked it off with agriculture. Your old mate is dubious about whether they are approaching this in truly neutral fashion. Their first article gets a bit excited about the fact that Feds leader-turned-MP Andrew Hoggard knows other farm industry leaders well and gets along with them. It then allows Greenpeace director Russell ‘give me back my flag’ Norman to frame the relationship as sinister: “Basically the lobby groups are in the executive now. Hoggard’s there – he is the agribusiness lobby group chief –he’s now in Cabinet.” Rusty fails to mention that Steve Abel, a former Greenpeace staffer, is now a Green Party MP, and Eugenie Sage, also of the Greens, was ex Forest & Bird. Okay, Newsroom, now do the green lobby!

NZ’s handbrake YOUR OLD mate gets the sinking feeling that no matter who we vote into power in the hope they will reverse the terminal slide the country is in, there will always be a cohort of naysayers determined to hold us back. Exhibit A: no amount of evidence that NCEA has failed a generation of kids will stop politicised union hacks, principals and teachers arguing against improvements. Similarly, the green lobby, not just in the activist Forest & Bird or Greenpeace, but also in parliament itself, are equally determined to block any changes a centre right government might try and make to unshackle economic growth. Now we see Greenpeace, never ones to let the facts get in the way of a story, sensationalising the risk of glyphosate, running a misleading campaign titled ‘Stop Luxon poisoning your porridge!’

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

REPORTERS: Nigel Malthus Ph 021-164 4258 Leo Argent

MACHINERY EDITOR: Mark Daniel Ph 021 906 723 markd@ruralnews.co.nz

PRODUCTION: Becky Williams Ph 021 100 4381 beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz

M.I.A.

THE PREVIOUS government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury. It said debt had risen in recent decades, partly because responses to adverse shocks were not met by savings between those shocks. The IMF and OECD estimated it was among the largest Covid-19 responses globally. The higher debt meant less capacity to respond to future shocks, like natural hazards, weather-related risks and biosecurity risks. The spending spree sent inflation and interest rates into orbit. Excessive lockdown restrictions also set back the education of a generation, and deferred check-ups created more health issues downstream than they prevented. We’re all paying the price now. So, the simple question to Ardern, Hipkins and Robertson vis-à-vis the Covid Inquiry is: “Where the bloody hell are you?”

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

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound? Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

Faking it

DEMAND FOR red meat is booming, while it seems the heyday of plant-based protein is well past its ‘best before’ date. Once lauded by wooden bicycle enthusiasts as some sort of environmental panacea, fake meat has since crashed headlong into the reality that most consumers don’t want it. Your old mate hears listed US vegan food producer Beyond Meat continues to deny media reports that it’s headed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy – but where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Masters of understatement, they attribute their struggles to “ongoing softness in the plant-based meat category”. It has struggled over recent years as customers reject ultra processed alternative proteins, resulting in a revenue slump and a net loss of US$30m this year. So, once again, sandalwearer maths comes a gutser: fake meat is heavily processed, doesn’t save the planet, and consumers don’t want it!

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

DIGITAL STRATEGIST: Jessica Marshall Ph 021 0232 6446

‘Leaving Paris’ not a good idea

“GET US out of Paris” has achieved resonance and volume as a cry to save farming.

Achieving the targets will be increasingly difficult and attempts are already imposing costs in paperwork.

Leaders of NZ First and of ACT have been heard to question whether New Zealand is benefitting from involvement.

But the “stay” arguments are important.

We’ve heard that over 85% of discussion about trading with other countries focus on environment and climate goals. The implication is that if we left, we would face trade barriers.

Domestically, we know that social licence to operate is under constant watch, with some groups actively campaigning for stricter regulations around food production.

The campaigns don’t generally point out that the result of more regulations would be food increasing in price (possibly because of farmers going out of business, as has happened in the UK).

Governments, both local and national, listen to society, and a vocal minority can have a disproportionate impact on decisions. The policy analysts don’t always understand the potential unintended consequences. A reduction in the national herd or flock might reduce environmental impact, but if food production reduces, prices increase – supply and demand.

Food price is a visible component in the cost of living, which is of greater concern to New Zealanders than any other issue for the country.

The IPSOS monitoring report released in June indicated that over half (55%) of the 1002 respondents rated cost of living number one. Climate change was eighth (15%) and environment was 16th (5%).

Some people might be tempted to argue that with almost four times as many people caring more about the cost of living than climate change, we should withdraw from the Paris Agreement, but food is only a part of the

cost of living. Further over 40% of the food con sumed in New Zealand comes from overseas… Any sanctions imposed on us because of with drawal could affect the sugar, chocolate, cereals, vegetable oils, peanuts and coffee that we don’t produce here in sufficient quantity at an affordable price.

Of considerable sig nificance would be the reaction of current trade partners and the pre mium customers purchas ing our products.

Instead of leaving, there is another path that opens up by staying.

The Paris Agreement has now been endorsed by all 197 countries of the United Nations; 194 have solidified their sup port with formal approval (Iran, Libya and Yemen have not). The US has started proceedings to withdraw.

gauge “The transformative effect of the Paris Agreement: What has changed after 10 years?” This gives New Zealand the opportunity to highlight improvements in efficiencies of food pro-

in terms of land conversion or reduction in stock numbers will have a significant and detrimental effect on food production.

The primary sector has spent a lot of time

a fossil fuel-using irony) as our leaders met and discussed options. The result is a sector that is more closely aligned, working in a more integrated fashion, than ever before. of product, while economic contribution has increased. Social licence to operate is still being challenged, but we have the data to support our position.

Farmers and grow-

Successive governments have made different interpretations of the Paris Agreement over the years, mostly to do with food security. However, the farmers who were actually at the meeting where the Agreement was thrashed out are clear –all developed countries must do their best to reduce greenhouse gases, but do so without endangering food production.

It is this clause that is vital for all farmers and growers, and why leaving the Paris Agreement would be detrimental.

Our overt attempts at reducing GHG have proved successful. Efficiency has increased, and though beef cattle numbers and milk solid production have increased, environmental impact has not. This is good for meeting the increased demand for high quality protein, and our export goals.

The OECD is currently conducting a survey to

the intention of the Paris Agreement – that we have done everything we can… • Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is a director of DairyNZ and Ravensdown. She is also a member of the Scientific Council of the World Farmers’ Organisation. jsrowarth@

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Top wool advocate bales out

THE CONVERSION of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.

That’s the view of Hawke’s Bay wool broker Philippa Wright who has called it quits after a stellar 48-year career in the NZ wool industry, most of which has involved running her own wool broking business in Waipukurau.

She says she first noticed the start of productive farmland moving away from sheep when the big move to dairy conversions began and since then the problem has increased with the planting of trees.

“We have lost an enormous amount of sheep country and at the same time the price of wool hasn’t matched what a grower needs to make a profit, so therefore they have made other choices for their land,” she says.

Wright says another factor which has led to the decline of the wool industry was the decision by farmers in 2003 to disestablish of the then Wool Board whose task it was to promote our wool.

She says while there were problems with the way the Wool Board was being run at the time, the vote to kill it off completely was wrong.

“I am still absolutely gobsmacked that they threw it all out. They should have said we still need wool fibre to be represented at a high level and to promote it in the northern hemisphere.

THE WRIGHT JOURNEY

PHILLIPPA WRIGHT began her career in the wool industry immediately after leaving school and spent the next two years working as a shed hand before going to Massey University to get a diploma in wool handing.

After that she did some wool classing on Merino clips before moving to the North Island.

“I’m not from a farm and I can’t say that early on I had a fascination with wool. But my father was a wool buyer and classer, so I saw what the industry was about from a very early age,” she says.

Wright ended up in Hawke’s Bay and stayed there for 15 years working for a variety of companies such as William and Kettle, Dalgety’s and Wrightson’s – all of

whom eventually merged.

“It was a tough working in the brokering industry and was quite difficult for a female trying to progress. They gave me every job from bottom to top, so I got good allround experience and, in the end, this created a resilience and toughness that has held me in excellent stead in my own business,” she says.

After 15 years in Hawke’s Bay, Philippa had the opportunity to buy into a wool broking business in Waipukurau. She initially bought a 50% shareholding in the company and four years later took over the business outright and formed her company, Wright Wool, which she has run for 28 years.

During her career in the wool

industry, Wright has seen many changes. She says two things stand out: firstly, the improved testing of wool and also the mechanisation of the industry.

She says when she started, testing was just beginning and it was mainly for yield. But now she says they test for everything – colour, the micron, the bulk the length and strength.

“This is one of the single biggest innovations because it’s taken away that subjective assessment, which means that down the line there is proof that wool is a more reliable fibre to process and create new uses for,” she says.

The other big change has been the advent of technology and machinery. Philippa Wright says

when she started in the industry, there was only one forklift in the entire wool store of the company she was working for and, of course, lots of people. She says the introduction of mechanisation and new technology made a massive difference.

Now that she has sold her business, Wright says she just plans to take a break and see what happens and perhaps reflect on the sector that has been her life.

She believes that while a lot of innovation is taking place in the sector, nothing really new is happening – just doing what we always did better. She says the challenge for the future is to create new products that the consumer will genuinely want and be prepared to pay for.

“I am still absolutely gobsmacked that they threw it all out.”

Why couldn’t they have just changed it to suit that requirement rather than get rid of it?” she says.

Wright says, to make matters worse, up until comparatively recently with the advent of the campaign for wool, farmers did nothing to support or advocate for wool.

The result she says is that wool has slipped off the radar of New Zealanders. Wright says wool used to be the major export for the country and NZ was one of the biggest users of the fibre, but this is no longer the case.

“We have missed educating at least two generations of our people about the value and great properties of wool and we have a lot of catching up to do,” she says.

Wright says the good news is that over the last five or so years, the media and people in general have become much more aware of wool due to the efforts of the campaign of wool. What we need to do now, she says, is to create an enthusiasm for wool in our own country and make people aware of the excellent properties of the wool and the myriad of uses that it can be put to.

Why our future depends on taking biosecurity seriously

sions made along the way.

WHEN IT comes to biosecurity, we often hear about the end of a response, but it’s the beginning that helps determine our success.

August is Biosecurity Awareness Month and a timely reminder that we need to stay vigilant to help protect our valuable dairy sector.

In June, it was reported that New Zealand could be provincially declared free of Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) as early as October 2025; A huge milestone and one we should be proud of.

It’s a milestone that could only be achieved through the tough deci-

We want to take the experiences and lessons we had through the M. bovis response to prepare for future disease outbreaks.

We recently signed a new operational agreement on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) with the Government and sector partners which sets out how the costs of FMD readiness and response activities will be shared.

It also creates legally binding participation of industry in decision-making, ensuring that farmers’ interests, knowledge, and input is heard.

It is a real partnership, not only between the sector and Government

but also within sector partners.

As part of the agreement, dairy, beef, sheep, pork, and deer farmers are represented, as well as dairy and meat processors. Each has a strong voice at the negotiation table.

As the inaugural chair of the Foot and Mouth Disease Council it’s something that I’m personally proud to have achieved. And I want to keep that momentum going.

We are reviewing our FMD operational plans

and looking at the role the sector plays during a response.

We want to boost our workforce capability and capacity, so we have the right people with the right knowledge in place if we had another serious disease outbreak.

We are also focusing on refining the compensation system. We need a pragmatic and fair system that will provide farmers with the support they need. That includes timely, fair, and consistent compensation that allows farmers to get back to business as fast as possible.

Good biosecurity practices not only provide a degree of protection against potential exotic disease outbreaks, but they can also help to manage endemic diseases like Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and Johne’s disease.

It can be as simple as:

• Ensuring you have a good biosecurity plan

in place on-farm that all staff and visitors are aware of

• Quarantining new animals on arrival for at least seven days and making sure they’re tested and vaccinated for anything that you want to keep out

• Making sure your boundary fences are in good condition and secured.

Biosecurity is not just about emergencies, it’s about a consistent and integrated approach to risk reduction, readiness, response, and recovery. Getting the planning right isn’t just important, it’s everything.

• Campbell Parker is DairyNZ chief executive.

To find out what works for you, visit www.farmstrong.co.nz

Forage harvesters with better chop quality and efficiency

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

CLAAS HAS announced the arrival of its new Jaguar 1000 series forage harvesters, taking power delivery beyond 1100hp, aimed at achieving 20% more throughput, better chop quality, greater efficiency and more operator comfort.

Complementing the existing 800 and 900 Series, the new 1000 Series offers four models designated Jaguar 1080, 1090, 1100 and 1200, with engine outputs from 850 to 1110 hp, all propelled by the same 24-litre MAN V12 engine.

Aimed at delivering more daily output, a

wider feed intake with a fully hydraulic pre-compression for the feed rollers, delivers the crop to the new 910mm wide, V-FLEX knife drum and onwards to the new 310mm diameter MultiCrop Cracker XL, both combining to ensure precise chopping and optimal crop processing under all conditions.

The V-FLEX chopping cylinder layout is carried over from the Jaguar 900 Series. Introduced in 2024, V-Flex features a steep knife angle of 10 degrees, said to offer excellent chop quality, but also a reduced noise level. The chopping cylinder can be fitted with full, or half knife sets

as well as half-section knives, enabling a wide chop length range, while the knives, fastened from above with three screws,

maximum traction even in all conditions.

A new cab offers a quieter working environment, the option of joystick steering, ergonomic seating position, improved visibility, and an intuitive operating concept. Other features include a new folding, discharge chute, Auto Fill for automated loading, an additive system and optional water metering in the crop flow and now, also in the sharpening unit.

when fixed, are automatically aligned, meaning the task of alignment to the shear-bar is removed.

To utilise the

increased horsepower and intake width, Claas has developed several new headers, including the PU 3000, 3800 and the new 4500 with independent variable drive of pick-up and intake auger speed. Several innovative features mean chain drives are replaced by drive shafts and gearboxes and the two cam track gears of the 5-row pick-up are oil-lubricated and encapsulated for lower wear. In addition, the tine stripper bars are made of robust plastic and, thanks to the clip system, can be removed individually and easily using just a screwdriver.

For maize harvest-

ing, the new ORBIS series offers working widths of 9.00m and 10.50m (12 and 14 rows), with new independent variable drives of the knife, transport discs and feed drums for the improved chopping quality in all harvesting conditions and lengths of cut. The ORBIS 10500 uses actively controlled stabiliser wheels to maintain the ideal working height is always maintained regardless of the topography and forward speed.

A new chassis concept offers increased tyre sizes, complemented by a tyre pressure control system, alongside differential locks on both axles,

For easier maintenance, the pre-compression unit can be swivelled open by 80 degrees, while driver assistance and intelligent engine management are aided with the Cemos Auto Performance and Cemos Auto Crop Flow. A new Nutrimeter (NIR sensor) for precise dry matter measurement and content determination, will be complemented by a live yield mapping on CEMIS 1200 available from 2026.

The JAGUAR 1000 series will begin production in late 2025 and is expected to be available in the Trans-Tasman market by mid-2026.

@rural_news

New Holland owners visit Europe

opment and manufacture of New Holland’s forage harvesters.

A GROUP of eight Giltrap Agrizone customers travelled to Europe in July with managing director Andrew Giltrap, taking the opportunity to visit St Valentin, Austria, to see New Holland tractors being built.

The group then went onto Zedelgem in Belgium, to tour the New Holland manufacturing facility for the brand’s forage harvesters, combines and large square balers.

The group, all owners of New Holland FR Series forage harvesters, enjoyed factory tours, discussions with the technical, engineering and innovation teams, as well as technician training and insights highlighting the level of innovation and precision that goes into the devel-

The visit was made possible by Giltrap Agrizone, with the support of New Holland. Andrew Giltrap said, “I haven’t taken customers to these factories before, but having sent staff there for training and having seen how the experience has increased their understanding and confidence, I could see the value in such a visit like this for our forage harvester customers. These foragers offer so much potential, so to be able to take customers there for training and to talk to the technicians, it’s definitely going to enable them to get the most out of their foragers and really fine-tune their performance.”

Customer John Clark said the trip had really opened his eyes to how

much went into the manufacturing process and it had been valuable to see how the factory operated and meet the people behind the process.

“It was a really brilliant trip, and something I can now tick off

my bucket list. The factory visits were a great experience and it was so interesting to see the manufacturing process from start to finish,” John said.

John and son Matthew operate John Clark Con-

tracting at Otorohanga, south of Hamilton, where they have a fleet of tractors and balers, along with a NH forager used for grass and maize silage production, which they have had for eight years. A new FR780 is currently

To Give A ‘Better Use Of Water’

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on its way to the southern hemisphere though, with their name on the side.

“It’s got all the NIR features on it, which played a big part in our decision to upgrade. The system offers a range of

benefits for our business and will make what we are doing more efficient in terms of time and productivity,” John said.

New Holland NIR, referring to NutriSense, is a near-infrared (NIR) sensor technology, available on combines and forage harvesters, allowing real-time analysis of crop nutrients and moisture content during harvesting, providing valuable data for optimising yield and input management.

“NIR is a big step forward in the New Holland FR model, so the visit gave our customers who’ve purchased machines a better insight into the capability of the technology and just how much it can assist them in maximising their business operations and returns,” Andrew Giltrap said.

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Tata Motors buys machinery maker

INDIA’S TATA Motors is taking over the Italian-headquartered Iveco Group for a reported €3.8 billion (NZ$ 7.45 billion), with the purchase including FPT Industrial (Fiat Power Trains), which builds engines, powertrains and front axles for tractors and other agricultural and construction machines.

Iveco was part of CNH Industrial until January 2022, when it was separated and has since operated as an independent company. In addition to FPT, Iveco also manufactures commercial vehicles, trucks and mining vehicles. The reason for the demerger was to allow CNH to focus on the off-road sector, while Iveco would look after the commercial vehicle industry. At the time, 27% of Iveco’s shares were still held by Exor NV, the holding company of the Agneli family, best known for the Fiat brand.

Looking at the wider picture, the change of ownership will probably be unnoticed in the farming community, but with 36,000 employees,

Combining the Iveco Group with its commercial vehicle business, Tata Motors will become a colossus that produces 540,000 commercial vehicles each year.

19 global production sites and 31 R&D locations, the sale of Iveco is likely to raise many eyebrows in the truck and bus industries around the globe.

Employing 8000 staff located at 10 global production sites and 11 R&D centres, FPT manufactures 100,000+ engines

in the F5, F28, V, NEF and Cursor Series each year. Its OEM customers include many well-known agricultural brands such as Case IH, New Holland and Steyr, Argo Tractor’s Landini and McCormick, Antonio Carraro, Claas and LS Mtron.

Combining the Iveco

Group with its commercial vehicle business, Tata Motors will become a colossus that produces 540,000 commercial vehicles each year, with a likely annual turnover of around €22 billion. Half this revenue will be sourced in Europe, with the remainder coming from India, The Americas and the continually emerging markets of Asia and Africa.

The Iveco Group headquarters will remain in Turin, Italy, with the acquisition expected to be completed by mid2026.

MEETING THE NEED FOR KEY MINERALS

weaning and mating,

Containing zinc, manganese, copper and selenium InjectaMin and InjectaMax, which also includes b12, are designed to support stock through periods of high demand such as upcoming weaning and mating.

For calves to overcome the stress related with weaning and minimise a weaning growth check, a dose of InjectaMin or InjectaMax can be given prior to or at weaning and can be continued to be given up to every 3 months to support immunity and encourage optimal growth.

The manufacturer says heifers that are well-grown deliver better reproductive outcomes, greater milking performance, and last longer in the herd.

Hitting DairyNZ target minimum weights of 30% at 6 months of age, 60% at 15 months and 90% at 22 months is essential to growing productive replacements.

As cows recover from calving, enter

Healthy Ageing for Rural People

peak lactation and head into mating, their requirements for essential minerals also increases. The company says using InjectaMin or InjectaMax prior to PSM supports conception, early pregnancy and cow immunity throughout this period of high demand.

InjectaMin and InjectaMax are given as an injection under the skin at a dose rate of 1mL per 50kg for cattle up to one year of age, 1mL per 75 kg from 1year – 2 years and 1mL per 100kg for cattle over 2 years old. As they contain selenium and copper, concurrent use with other copper and selenium products should be on veterinary advice only. Just like us, livestock face increased stress during challenging periods. This places extra pressure on their immune systems and increases their need for key minerals.

The company says supplementing with InjectaMin or InjectaMax at or ahead of these high-demand periods, you can help ensure cattle stay healthy and continue to grow and produce to their full potential.

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