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Industry finds its mojo at Mystery Creek
FARMING’s mojo has been rediscovered at Mystery Creek this year, underpinned by benign weather, lower interest rates, positive Budget bonuses and solid commodity returns.
While exhibitors at Fieldays have been relishing interest from farmer customers that goes beyond simple tyre kicking, those customers are also feeling upbeat about how their farming year ahead looks.
That optimism has been reinforced by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report, which has forecast export earnings fully $3 billion ahead of where they were projected to be, at $59.9bn.
The heavy lifting to hit that growth has been done by dairying and horticulture, with 16% and 19% gains respectively.
Those gains have the agriculture and horticulture sectors doing more than their share to make the government’s aspirational target to double exports by 2035 achievable.
On the ground at Mystery Creek last week dealers and agents reported a positive vibe compared to recent events.
Fairview Motors dealer principal Andrew Collett said vehicles were selling off their site from day one.
“People are asking different questions that indicate a different mindset, definitely buying questions.”
He and other big-ticket retailers said the Budget’s 20% “investment boost” depreciation incentive had definitely helped. He also noted that strong commodity prices had meant in the past four to five months their branches across Waikato were busier than ever.
The manager of electric vehicle retailer BYD Auto, Warren Willmot, said up until Fieldays, car sales across the country had been quiet, but that had changed last week.
“It’s pumping, it’s very positive,” he said of interest at Fieldays.
Farmers appear to have parked their scepticism about electric vehicles and Willmot said they made multiple sales.
Brenton Helleur, second in charge at Cornwall Park Trust farm in Auckland, was assessing midrange horsepower tractors in the $80,000- $120,000 price range for the farm as it starts to replace its fleet.
Swapping out an aging Kubota for a new machine would be the first time in nine years one of the farm’s tractor fleet had been upgraded. It will also include a new bale feeder as the city farm works to improve productivity and ease of operation.
“The 20% depreciation that was in the Budget definitely allows us
Brenton Helleur, assistant manager of Cornwall Park Farm Trust, Auckland, says now is a good time to consider a new tractor for the inner city farm fleet. At Fieldays he was assessing mid-range horsepower tractors in the $80,000- $120,000 price range for the farm as it starts to replace its machinery. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media
Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust wins trophy
The 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori sheep and beef farm has been won by Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust.
The trust’s state-of-the-art bull fattening farm is an hour’s drive north of Whangārei, near the rural east coast settlement of Whangaruru.
Pain of bovis cull lingers as Canty couple sell up.
Richard Rennie MARKETS Agriculture
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ISSN 2463-6002 (Print) ISSN 2463-6010 (Online)
12-13
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News in brief
Meat exports up
Red meat export receipts for April were worth $1.2 billion, 34% ahead of the same month last year.
The United States was New Zealand’s largest red meat market for the month, taking exports worth $344 million, up 39% from last April.
This was followed by China at $253m, up 9%, the UK at $81m, up 56%, the Netherlands, $60m, up 96%, and Germany, $54m, up 160%.
24-25
25 Markets
26-29 Weather
30
EXPENSIVE: Tavendale and Partners solicitor and partner Alana Crampton says she is seeing 80% more farming couples dealing with break-ups and ensuing farm business fallout than a decade ago.
Former Miraka chief executive Karl Gradon has been appointed CEO of Comvita. Gradon brings experience in global leadership within the primary industry, having previously held senior leadership roles offshore with Fonterra and Kerry Ingredients. He returned to New Zealand as CEO of New Zealand Mānuka Group, where he was responsible for its high growth strategy of mānuka oil and honey products and launch into North America.
Gradon appointed Westland loss
Westland Milk Products has posted a $34.7 million loss for the 2024 financial year, according to its financial statement filed to the Company’s Office.
The Hokitika-based company faced a $47.8m loss in cashflow hedges that saw it make a loss after coming from a $62.5m profit in 2023. The loss came despite revenue lifting from $1.065 billion in 2023 to $1.15bn.
Needs being met
More than 1.19 million mince and milk meals were delivered to New Zealand families over a 12-month period between April 2024 and March 2025 through the farmer-led Meet the Need charity. The organisation’s inaugural impact report shows Meet the Need has delivered over 2.9 million meals since its inception in 2020 and is supporting more than 130 foodbanks and community organisations every month.
Pain of bovis cull lingers as couple sell up
HAVING been twice struck down by Mycoplasma bovis, coupled with a timely opportunity to sell up, has seen prominent Canterbury dairy farmers Frank and Diane Peters’ farm sprouting apple trees.
Quitting the dairy farm wasn’t on the agenda when Frank and his wife Diane started family succession planning.
“If it wasn’t for bovis we would be still milking cows. Ultimately it is bovis that has driven this decision.
“We only just got our final payout in February this year. Yes, February 2025. After all that time we could finally close that chapter and move on.”
Move on they did.
The family dairy farm has been sold to NZ Super Fund (NZSF) and is under the management of investment consultancy FarmRight that manages NZSF rural land.
In conjunction with T&G Apples and Torea Orchards, the once highly productive dairy farm will become host to 900,000 apple
Continued from page 1
to stretch out a little more on our purchasing, it’s quite a bonus,” he said.
Farmers Weekly calculated that for a $100,000 tractor, the additional 20% depreciation allowance means $4800 less tax will be paid than without it.
Coming in a year when farmers are relatively cashed up means it is having a material effect on equipment inquiries.
After some cash-strapped years, fertiliser is also moving to the top of the list for drystock farmers wanting to top up soil reserves.
Ballance CEO Kelvin Wickham said the co-op is starting to see
trees, reaping 116 million apples, the equivalent of 72,500 bins of fruit, a year.
“Bovis took our heart and soul; we were walloped twice.
“We were the guinea pigs. Some of the stuff was not pretty, it was very difficult for our systems, we didn’t fit the grey tick-boxes,” Frank said.
“We realise we were underestimating our business and work and we needed to be benchmarking and monitoring to
a lift in demand for nitrogen and phosphate from the sector, while potash and sulphur are relatively steady.
“We had a good end to the farming season after a pretty tough start. In the last quarter we really started to see the benefit of the dairy payout.
“This new year is already looking good. With farmers getting an advance payout of $7.50 a kg milksolids, they have cash in hand now which is not always the case.”
He said the biggest challenge for the fertiliser co-op as it winds down its phosphate production from Mount Maunganui will be accurately predicting just how
survive and be good for our own self-confidence.”
Said Diane: “It’s hard work out there, but it’s rewarding. The buzz looking out of the calf shed at the daffodils in spring ... You do get immersed totally, you don’t see what’s outside, what sacrifices you make.
“What we did see is what we lost in bovis we can’t regain.
“If we still had our own [heritage] herd now, I don’t think we would have sold the farm.
great the lift in demand is likely to be this year.
“Sheep and beef are definitely back in.”
But despite much anecdotal reporting, he said he has yet to see evidence of actual dairy conversions and their subsequent demand for fertiliser.
Craig Lowry, head of GEA’s farm technology division, said the Budget’s 20% depreciation allowance was timely as his company launched its robotic batch milker at Mystery Creek.
“This is one of those rare bonuses NZ farmers get. They are actually quite common overseas and are a real driver for the uptake of new technology.
“It takes something from you when the herd we built you can never get back.
others, to head south was the light at the end of the tunnel, to give it a go.
“We brought 300 cows with us, we were introduced to Tasman Agriculture and that was the beginning of our successful dairy career, until bovis.
“We went out with 1000-plus cows.”
“The bovis process still lingers, the mental health, how it affects people.
“At the end of the day, farmers are too trusting. What we have learnt of the bureaucrats is that it’s very hard to accept their reasoning.
“I’d like to hope they can stand behind what they have done, but I do believe bovis will come back again,” Frank said.
The Peters started their milking career in the North Island in 1984 as herd-owning sharemilkers with 120 cows.
In 1991 they moved to Glenavy, North Otago.
In 1995, they relocated to Ashburton, eventually buying their own farm in 2001. They farmed it for 20 years.
“After applying for positions up north competing for jobs with 75
In late 2023 an approach from the NZSF culminated in the future sale agreement.
“Our time was over, Frank’s health was not the best, we had to make a decision. It’s too early to say whether it’s right or wrong,” Diane said.
With three sons, the decision to quit dairying will have benefits family-wide.
“It balances out family succession, we can help all the family to grow.”
Meanwhile the purchase of a holiday beach house in Marlborough Sounds “is right now the chance to get away, revitalise and re-set”.
With farming in his blood, Frank plans to continue his interest in dairy business consultancy. Will the $10 payout last?
“Going on the record of our 41 years, history tells me it won’t, so be wary,” he cautioned.
“In UK or Ireland those allowances can be 40%. “It’s really helped push their
investment in new tech there, and we have not seen it here until now.”
Annette Scott ON FARM Land
LOSS: Mycoplasma bovis is behind Diane and Frank Peters’ decision to quit dairy farming.
Photo: Annette Scott
Bovis took our heart and soul; we were walloped twice.
Frank Peters Canterbury
VIBE: On the ground at Mystery Creek last week dealers and agents reported a positive vibe compared to recent events.
Exports nudge $60bn as industry leads recovery
Gerald Piddock MARKETS Exports
THE government’s senior ministers have paid tribute to the primary sector for leading the country’s economic recovery as new data shows export revenue is forecast to reach almost $60 billion.
The record result for the year ending June 30, forecast in the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report, is $3bn higher than projected in December.
It had been forecast to reach $65.7bn by 2029.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the result is positive across the board. Dairy export
Paris
revenue is up 16% to $27bn, meat and wool exports are up 8% to $12.3bn and horticulture has lifted 19% to $8.5bn – the highest it has ever been.
Forestry lifted 9% to $6.3bn and seafood is up 2% to $2.2bn.
“Those results are a real credit to our farmers, our growers, our foresters and our fishers,” Luxon said at the launch of the report at Fieldays.
It is extremely gratifying to see the industry’s hard work pay off after a period of adversity, he said.
“Today SOPI shows that the primary sector is leading New Zealand out of recession and into economic recovery.”
The primary sector represents 85.5% of goods exported, 12.4% of employment and 10% of GDP.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis
Accord:
Neal Wallace POLITICS Climate change
NEW Zealand doesn’t want to be part of a club that has Yemen, Iran and Libya as members, recently joined by the United States, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told farmers last week.
Those are countries that have not been or no longer will be signatories to the Paris Accord on Climate Change.
Luxon was blunt in his message to an otherwise sympathetic audience, saying it would be naive to think NZ leaving the accord would not have trade implications.
He was speaking at the Advocacy Hub at Fieldays after being asked by Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford if NZ should withdraw from the accord.
“Do not be naive and think there will not be implications if we left a
said: “How positive is it to look at a set of figures like this that show we are doing the best in our primary exports that we have ever done.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the economic recovery that is underway is being completely led by the primary sector and I want to say a big thank-you.”
Ministry for Primary Industries director-general Ray Smith described it as “an absolute blockbuster”.
“We started at $53.3bn this time last year. We’re going to end up at $59.94bn.”
It is hoped that revenue will increase to $106bn by 2034. That will require a 25% lift from where it is currently at, Smith said.
“It’s doable, we’re in a great place.”
He highlighted dairy and kiwifruit exports as particular standouts.
“We’re in a good place and it re-confirms that New Zealand is a good place to grow things.”
In reference to kiwifruit exports, he said it took the industry 10 years to lift from $1bn to $2bn, six
years to increase to $3bn, and in one year it has gone from $3bn to $4bn.
While the growth is there, Smith did point to potential headwinds around global trade with uncertainty on tariffs. Farm costs also remain high, though they have stabilised.
don’t be naive, Luxon chides
global commitment,” he told about 200 people.
Some countries and NZ’s competitors would relish the opportunity, using it as a reason to impose non-tariff barriers on our exports.
Some farming groups have been advocating that NZ leave the accord, saying it imposes costs and conditions on producers disproportionate to the country’s emissions.
WARNING: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was blunt in his warning to farmers about leaving the Paris Accord during an address at Fieldays. He is pictured with Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford.
Luxon was having none of that, saying to do so would have significant repercussions for exporters and NZ’s reputation.
“It’s very simple to say and to watch some of the conversations you’ve been having, egged on by some of you guys, but let’s be clear who is not in Paris: Iran, Libya, Yemen and now the USA.”
He said Trade Minister Todd McClay has negotiated the removal of $750 million in non-
tariff barriers. Luxon said he wants more production from the primary sector but new trade barriers established in response to NZ leaving would increase costs and disrupt access.
He noted NZ agricultural emissions are on track to achieve a 10% reduction by 2030 and he was confident science, new technology and innovation would help that and broader targets to be achieved.
“It’s here whether its artificial intelligence, breeding programmes, which I think is also giving 1% productivity gains, technology like Halter, eco ponds or boluses.
“We only need one or two of those and we’re on track.”
Luxon thanked farmers for leading the economic recovery, saying NZ had the most dynamic economy in the world and also the benefit of having a huge export
opportunity sitting on its doorstep in the Indo-Pacific region.
Off-farm activities such as surfing and mountain biking for farmers have a more secure future with the government providing $4m over four years for farmer health and wellbeing.
The funding was announced at Fieldays by McClay, who is also agriculture minister. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford said it was the culmination of two and a half years’ work.
The fund will be contestable and Langford said activities could be as diverse as assisting rural people in times of drought or flood, or simply encouraging people to get off farm.
McClay said the initiative was designed to assist farmer resilience.
“It’s about farmers and neighbours doing things with each other.”
CREDIT: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the results in the latest SOPI report are a credit to food producers across all sectors.
Star act: Bremworth wins Kāinga Ora contract
Annette Scott NEWS Food and fibre
BREMWORTH has won a multimillion-dollar Kāinga Ora contract to supply wool carpet for new build and retrofitted public housing.
The government contract, confirmed yesterday by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, signals a breakthrough for wool in the New Zealand construction sector with wool carpet installed in 1000 planned state housing projects annually, using the annual fleece of more than 31,000 NZ sheep.
“We are one of the biggest purchasers in the NZ economy. It’s my view that when we are purchasing in the NZ economy, we should always have a view about who is it that is winning this contract and will they add value to the NZ economy,” Willis said.
Craig Woolford, CEO of locally owned wool manufacturer Bremworth, said the win has far-reaching implications for public sector procurement, the rural community and the broader property development industry.
“This isn’t just a commercial contract, it’s a signal to the entire construction sector that wool
carpet meets the durability, safety and sustainability standards expected of any high-traffic housing environment.
“Government agencies like Kāinga Ora are seen as setting the benchmark for the wider industry. Wool has now passed one of the most stringent testing processes in the country.
“It’s proof that when put on a level playing field, NZ-made natural fibres can not only compete, they can win.”
This is a star act for other government agencies to follow.
Kara Biggs Campaign for Wool
The contract announcement follows extensive industry lobbying and sector advocacy that pushed for wool manufacturers to be able to pitch for government building projects.
“The inclusion of wool is a win for the environment and for NZ’s farmers.”
Beyond the public housing win, Bremworth is also seeing positive movement in the private sector.
“It’s giving us access to projects that had previously defaulted to synthetic solutions.”
Woolford said while the production volumes for the Kāinga Ora contract represent a relatively small portion of Bremworth’s total capacity, the strategic value is enormous.
“To produce 20,000 broadloom metres of wool carpet, you’re looking at about 95 tonnes of wool, the annual fleece of more than 31,000 NZ sheep.
“It’s a demonstration of the potential scale of opportunity for our wool sector.
“This proves performance at scale and under pressure. It also opens the door for broader adoption in schools, commercial fit-outs and private homes.”
Campaign for Wool general manager Kara Biggs said the decision “is a star act for other government agencies to follow”.
“Kāinga Ora making this decision proves installing wool products in government buildings can and should be achieved.
“It is fantastic that New Zealanders who need to live in social housing will now live on natural, healthy, sustainable wool carpet instead of plastic.”
Federated Farmers meat and Wool chair Toby Williams said the news, while a massive win for wool growers, won’t be enough to save the industry on its own.
“Our wool industry is in major
FMD operational agreement signed
Staff reporter NEWS Disease
LIVESTOCK sector leaders have joined the government in signing a new agreement on how to prepare and respond in the event of a foot and mouth disease outbreak.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Deer Industry New Zealand, NZ Pork, and the Meat Industry Association signed the operational agreement alongside the Ministry for Primary Industries at Fieldays.
The agreement formalises how the partners will work together on foot and mouth disease (FMD) readiness, and how to respond should the disease arrive here.
It sets out how the costs of FMD readiness and response activities will be shared between the government and the livestock industry.
It also creates legally binding participation of industry in decision-making, ensuring that farmers’ interests, knowledge and input are heard.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the agreement
is a significant and practical step forward for the national biosecurity system.
“An outbreak could cost up to $3 billion to eradicate, but doing nothing would be far worse –potentially slashing export values by $14.3 billion per year until it’s controlled,” said Hoggard.
“Through this agreement, we’re locking in a truly collaborative approach. Industry will contribute 40% of readiness costs and 15% of response costs – capped at $450 million – and in return, they’ll have a formal seat at the decisionmaking table.”
says the contract is proof that when it’s on a level playing field, wool can win.
freefall, and this move from Kāinga Ora is the parachute we desperately need.
“This will slow our drop a bit but what we really need now is an updraft to lift wool back up into being the No 1 fibre globally.
“It’s certainly a massive step in the right direction, though,
and we’re very pleased with the announcement.”
Williams said the decision is the result of a massive collaborative effort across the entire wool industry.
Kāinga Ora will transition to using wool carpet in its new homes from July 1.
Weatherman shines as top ag communicator
Neal Wallace PEOPLE Weather
FARMERS Weekly weatherman
Philip Duncan has been named Ravensdown Agricultural Communicator of the Year.
The award, presented at Fieldays by the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators, recognises those who have contributed to the rural community through communicating issues, events and information.
Duncan, the chief forecaster at WeatherWatch, has for more than 15 years provided weather forecasts, including a weekly column in Farmers Weekly.
In his acceptance speech Duncan said he was humbled by the acknowledgment.
He paid tribute to his business partner Shaun Morresey and those who have supported him.
He has worked in radio and television but said working for Farmers Weekly and for rural communities was especially enjoyable.
“It’s the job I love the most. I try and provide a silver lining when things are bleak.”
The judge’s described Duncan’s presence as massive, saying he provides clear communication and that his commitment extended beyond his job description.
WINNING: Bremworth chief executive Craig Woolford
Angus bull prices set a new seasonal high
Hugh Stringleman MARKETS Livestock
THE top price for an Angus bull so far this season is $71,000 paid for Fossil Creek Urban 032, sold to Rob and Tracy Sherson at Shian Angus, Taumarunui.
The vendors were Fossil Creek Angus and Newhaven Farms, Oamaru, and the record price is a tribute to Fossil Creek founder Neil Sanderson, who died earlier this year.
The stud is now owned by Blair and Jane Smith and their bull sale result was 71 sold out of 75, with an average price of $11,774.
Other stud transfers were to Mount Linton at $25,000 and to Taimate Angus at $20,000.
Mt Possession Angus, MidCanterbury, made $66,000 for a bull sold to Rockley and Pikoburn Angus studs in Southland. Twin Oaks Angus, North Waikato, achieved $65,000 paid by Ranui Stud, Whanganui.
The Mt Possession average for a full clearance of 22 bulls was $13,750.
Twin Oaks at Te Akau, North Waikato, sold 54 from 60 offered and averaged $13,435.
Ranui principal Lindsay Johnstone said Australian semen
rights have been sold to Damian Gommers, Mandayen Angus.
Ranui’s own sale was 43 lots sold in full clearance with an average $10,510 and a top of $16,000 paid by Te Pa Station.
Totaranui Angus, Pahiatua, had a top price of $38,000 paid by Stokman Angus, and transfers at $16,000 to Merchiston Angus and $14,000 to Whangara Angus.
Totaranui sold all 34 bulls and averaged $12,470.
The record price is a tribute to Fossil Creek founder Neil Sanderson, who died earlier this year.
Maungahina Herefords and Speckle Parks, Masterton, had a complete clearance of 32 Herefords and 12 Speckle Parks with averages of $13,843 and $10,666 respectively.
The top price was $20,000 for Lot 3 Hereford paid by Okahua.
Silverstream Charolais and Herefords, Bank Peninsula, had good clearances of both breeds, 54 Charolais averaging $12,870 and 14 of 15 Herefords averaging $9769.
The top price was $19,000, paid twice, by Rimu Charolais in Taumarunui and by Rosemount Charolais in Taranaki.
Vendors Brent and Anna Fisher said the sale was strong right through to the end and five bulls were stud transfers, underpinned by good commercial demand.
The Charolais average was up $4000 and the Hereford up $2000.
Grassmere Polled Herefords, Cheviot, sold 12 out of 14 and averaged $8958 with a top price of $20,000 paid by Hain Farming.
At the same sale Riverlands J Angus sold all 20 bulls, averaged $9600 and had a top price of $17,500.
Mt Mable Angus, Kumeroa, sold 28 of 29 with a top price of $26,000 paid by Kayjay Angus, Masterton. The 29th bull sold after the auction.
The Mt Mable average in Kevin and Megan Friel’s 40th sale was one of the highest of the season at $13,821, boosted by their first six lots selling for $20,000-plus.
Lot 1 was sold for $24,000 to Tarangower Angus.
Rolling Rock Angus, Te Akau, had a full clearance of 25, averaging $11,062 with a top of $18,500.
Ipurua South Devons, Aria, sold 15 from 20, averaged $6933 and had a top of $10,500.
Mangatara Limousin, Dannevirke, sold 10 out of 18 and averaged $5075, with a top
of $7750 for Lot 8 Mangatara 2246U to Maniapoto Training Agency.
Earnscleugh Station, Alexandra, sold 60 out of 62 Angus bulls, averaging $9616 and the highest was $45,000 to Pinebank Angus and Glanworth Angus.
There was a full clearance of 35 composite bulls, averaging $7185 and the top price was $14,000 paid by PJ Shaw.
In the Earnscleugh Hereford offering 26 were sold out of 31 averaging $6480, with a top of $22,000 to R Tucker.
Pinebank Angus, Masterton, offered 29 and sold 28, averaging
$9150, the highest price being $17,000 paid by Glen R Angus.
Kincardine Angus, Queenstown sold 23 bulls from 25 offered, with an average price of $9522. The highest price was $18,000 and lot 16 was sold to Tangihau Angus for $12,500.
Martin Farming, Nelson, sold 30 out of 31 Angus bulls, averaging $9706 with a top of $16,000, and eight of nine Herefords, averaging $7562, with a top of $12,000.
Waimara Angus, Lumsden sold all 31 bulls offered and averaged $10,000 with a top of $14,000 three times.
UNDER WAY: Fossil Creek Urban is off to the North Island with a $71,000 price tag paid by Shian Angus, Taumarunui.
Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust wins trophy
WHANGAROA
Ngaiotonga Trust has won the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori sheep and beef farm.
The trust’s state-of-the-art bull fattening farm is an hour’s drive north of Whangārei, near the rural east coast settlement of Whangaruru.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka, at an awards ceremony in Papaioea, Palmerston North.
appreciate the size of the shoes that come with this recognition and only hope that they can do them justice.
He said that Northland is a unique and special part of Aotearoa and to be able to represent the people of Te Tai Tokerau in this environment as part of this historic event is a privilege.
Hūhana Lyndon, co-chair of Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, said she was shocked, excited and overwhelmed at winning the trophy.
Farming, he said, is a way of life and not just about making money.
Nukuhia Hadfield, chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, said 2025 saw two great finalists compete for the trophy.
Both ran excellent field days in the run-up to the award and the nearly 500 people who attended them would have seen Māori agriculture at its very best in some of the hardest farming land in Aotearoa.
She said they were quietly doing their own thing out on the coast and saw entering the competition as a learning experience and never thought they were going to win it.
“Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust are indeed worthy winners, and their governance and farm management is outstanding.
The competition has been running for 92 years and was inaugurated by the great Māori leader, Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe, with the objective of encouraging Māori to improve their land and overall farming
“Farming in Te Tai Tokerau has its own set of challenges and they have demonstrated that smart, innovative and passionate people can easily overcome any adversity and they have converted this into outstanding success in a short period of time,” she said. Staff
performance. The other finalists in the 2025 competition were the proprietors of Tawapata South, Onenui Station, from Māhia in northern Hawke’s Bay.
Morris Pita, co-chair of Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, expressed his pride for the whānau of the trust.
He said they are just starting to
Northland manager named top Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer
achievements in their respective roles.
TE TAI Tokerau bull beef farm manager Coby Warmington is this year’s Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year.
The 29-year-old works at Waima Topu Beef in Waima, Northland, and is of Te Mahurehure, Ngāpuhi descent.
The announcement was made by Māori Trustee Dr Charlotte Severne at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards dinner Palmerston North.
The other finalists were Grace Watson and Puhirere Tau.
Lead judge Sam Vivian-Greer said all three finalists had shown a passion and love for the sheep and beef sector and had significant
Warmington said he was extremely surprised and happy to receive the award.
He said he entered the competition with the objective of looking to challenge himself socially and mentally and said that is exactly what happened.
Warmington is from Waima, where his passion for farming evolved from an enjoyment of being outdoors and working with animals, as well as a love for kai and feeding people.
His earliest memories of farming are of misty mornings, tagging along with Dad to help on his grandfather’s beef breeding farm.
At school he studied agriculture, coming top of the class.
Warmington then worked for three
years at a local meatworks. He gained valuable knowledge, but realised indoor chain work was not for him.
He began working for a local fencing contractor, as well as doing part-time mustering jobs. Skills learnt during this time helped him into a full-time shepherding role at Oromahoe Trust, where he gained experience with intensive bull finishing systems, and was supported into studies with Primary ITO.
He started at Waima Topu Beef in January 2021 as a shepherd/ general.
The farm has 385 effective hectares of mostly rolling hill country. Warmington lives on farm with partner Holley Millan and their four kids.
When he joined, the farm was
Potaka said the awards were a fantastic night to celebrate Māori excellence in farming.
He said it’s about the culture and wellbeing of Māori and in the transmission of knowledge to those that follow.
at the beginning of a massive rebuilding phase. Being involved in projects such as a new water system, fencing, roading and weed control accelerated his personal development. He gained a lot of practical knowledge during this process and had great support from the business’s directors and advisers. He became farm manager in March last year.
While Warmington has been on
board, the farm has transformed from a small number of extensive paddocks, low quality in-paddock dam water and 100ha-plus of mature gorse and tobacco, to 165ha of intensive grazing cells, a robust water reticulation system, kilometres of metalled farm tracks and gorse areas brought back into grazing.
Long term, Warmington’s dream is farm ownership.
TRUST: From left, Matthew Payne, farm manager; James Parsons, farm adviser; Hūhana Lyndon and Morris Pita, co-chairs; Kieran Weteri-Hepi, farm worker; and Tori Norman, trust administrator. Photo: Alphapix
WINNER: Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year winner Coby Warmington with partner Holley Millan.
Photo: Alphapix
Never too late for farming couples to sign ‘pre-nup’
Richard Rennie NEWS Agribusiness
RURAL partnerships that extend beyond business and into the bedroom demand more openness on how to deal with their demise, should the time come.
Tavendale and Partners senior partner Alana Crampton said having navigated the June 1 start of the farming year, farming partners should now have an honest conversation about how farm business wealth would be distributed should the relationship fail.
Divorce rates in NZ have fallen from a peak of 17.1 per 1000 in the early 1980s to only a third of that today. This has accompanied a decline in formal marriages each year, falling from 27,000 at their peak in 1971, to 18,700 in 2023. This steady decline may reflect a shift in relationship types but not in the law surrounding relationship assets.
The Property Relationships Act (1976) maintains equal sharing of assets if partners, married or not, have been in a relationship. Crampton said farming couples
breaking up, even if they are not in a conventional marriage, brings another level of complexity with their farm business assets entwined.
She said she is witnessing up to 80% more farm business relationship break-ups than 10 years ago.
“Their business is 24/7, high stress, often worked in together.
“There is also a recognition there’s a lot at stake in what are now usually multimillion-dollar enterprises and neither party may be prepared to give their share up.”
Neither party may be prepared to give their share up.
Alana Crampton Tavendale and Partners
She said dairy farm businesses bring another level of pressure, with increased compliance and employment issues as constants.
Often the relatively good cashflow levels mean couples may have spent freely and the reality of splitting up, losing that income level and asset base can hit hard.
“Now June 1 contracts are
settled, and people are in place it’s a good time to take a step back and ensure they are covering themselves in event of a break-up.
“Front footing this involves writing up a contracting out agreement, previously a ‘prenup’, clearly acknowledging who invested what into the business and when.
“It’s a hard conversation to have, but you may as well rip the BandAid off and have it earlier than later before the farm year gets really busy again.”
Crampton said things can get extra complicated when the “bank of Mum and Dad” has become involved.
“And if it’s a family farm business, the issue of farm succession can become part of the break-up complexity.
“One party has come into the business outside of the family and no one wants to be in the position of having to sell the family farm to pay someone out.”
She cautions that even with clear agreements, settlement can take time given the seasonality of farming, and relative lack of cash.
“And even on lo-geared farms, banks are applying more pressure. You can’t just go and draw on
another million dollars to the loan to pay someone out.”
She is seeing more contracting out agreements, partly prompted by a generation of more empowered female partners bringing not only substantial
EXPENSIVE: Tavendale and Partners solicitor and partner Alana Crampton said she is seeing 80% more farming couples dealing with break-ups and ensuing farm business fallout than a decade ago.
assets to relationships but a mindset that values their blood, sweat and tears.
“The days of wheeling wifey around to sign it at the lawyer’s office are well and truly over, thankfully.”
Plan for range of rates, NZAB advises
Hugh Stringleman NEWS Finance
VOLATILE floating interest rates should not alarm farmers, who should be planning for the range and not for the moment, NZAB director Andrew Laming says.
Farmers should use low-rate periods, like now, to get ahead, bank gains, pay down mortgages and build buffers.
They should also proactively demonstrate to banks how their businesses would perform at higher rates, telling a clear story with the help of specialist rural brokers.
Laming has used Reserve Bank of New Zealand interest rate data to show how the floating rate has moved over the past 10 years for a customer with a better than average credit quality with an actively negotiated competitive margin over that time (see graph).
The span is from 2.76% in 202021 to 7.67% in 2023-24, nearly five percentage points’ movement from bottom to top.
Yet the 10-year average is
remarkably close to 5% and even the five-year average is now 5.27%.
“A 3% floating rate might have seemed like a dream, but at 8% a couple of years later the dream turned into a budgeting headache,” he said.
“Yet the surface volatility has an underlying calm.
“Despite the shocks and uncertainty, interest rates often revert to a mid-range norm.
It’s a lesson in building a business model that can handle both ends of the cycle.
Andrew Laming NZAB
“It’s a lesson in not overreacting to extremes and in building a business model that can handle both ends of the cycle.”
Laming said confidence across the sector tends to swing in sync with borrowing costs.
When rates spike, there is deferred investment in land development or growth, reduced risk appetite for new ventures or expansions and a tendency to
bunker down and conserve cash, sometimes even at the cost of long-term opportunity.
Even those who should be insulated by strong equity or cashflow feel the chill.
This is less about pure economics and more about psychology.
High interest rates make farming feel more fragile and less secure and when confidence wobbles, so does the broader agri-economy.
Farmers often complain that stress testing by banks at 7% or 8% interest rates is too harsh.
“That seems to be prudent, but the RBNZ data shows those levels are outliers, not the norm.
“The challenge lies in finding the middle ground.
“Farmers need to be able to demonstrate resilience at higher rates, but banks also need to apply stress tests that reflect realistic not just extreme scenarios.
“It’s clear from the past few years that bank appetite for rural lending tightened just as rates peaked.
“High interest rates increase the risk of borrower stress, particularly in sectors like farming where income can be seasonal and volatile.
“Even well-performing businesses found capital harder to access, particularly for expansion or restructuring.”
However, banks have to account for uncertainty and a possibility that already high rates could climb higher and stay elevated for longer than expected.
“We now know the recent peak was part of a typical rate cycle, but that clarity only comes after the fact,” he said.
SAW-TOOTH: Rural floating interest rates have been volatile over the past decade but there is an underlying calm to be found.
Graph: Supplied
Farmers should have a robust financing strategy at 4%, 6% and 8%.
“Consider having a portion of your debt fixed at any one time or maintain headroom in your cashflows to deal with the outcomes of these higher rates.
“And know your break-even points, not just for milk or meat prices, but also for interest rate movements.”
Whole farms still being converted to pine trees
Gerhard Uys NEWS Forestry
IN THE past eight months, 40,000 hectares of sheep and beef farms were sold to forestry entities, bringing total farm conversions to forestry to just over 300,000ha since 2017.
Independent research released by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) shows farm conversions to forestry are not slowing down, with whole sheep and beef farms sold for conversion to forestry, in particular carbon farming.
The research by Orme &
Associ-ates shows a further 38,921ha have been confirmed as sold since the last report in September 2024.
Revised confirmed sales in 2023 now total 29,518ha and in 2024 now 30,483ha, with the figure expected to rise as further sales are confirmed.
Sales through Overseas Investment Office approvals and to carbon-only forestry entities continue to dominate, the report says.
Last week the government introduced legislation to restrict large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions.
The new law will include
allocating capped forestry rights on LUC 6 farmland by ballot.
BLNZ Chair Kate Acland said a conservative estimate is that more than 2 million stock units have been lost to afforestation since 2017.
Acland said despite legislation being introduced this last to restrict wholesale conversions based on land use classes, whole-farm sales for conversion to forestry for carbon credits are continuing apace.
“We’re concerned that some sales are continuing on the basis of intent to purchase land before the limits were announced. We urgently need the government
to tighten the criteria around proof of intent to purchase.
“We have questions about whether the limits announced last year will go far enough and slow down this land-use change significantly.”
She said LUC class 6 “is the foundation of our breeding farms,and 15,000ha every year coming out of this will add up over time”.
BLNZ believes integrating trees into farm systems is a better approach, because farmers know their land and can plant the right trees in the right places, without affecting overall levels of production.
This week’s poll question: Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll Do you think the government’s latest announcement does enough to slow the conversion of farms to forestry?
From the Editor
A bond tested but not broken
Bryan Gibson Managing editor
THE recent Ahuwhenua Trophy event in Palmerston North saw the best of Māori farming celebrated.
The contribution of Māori food and fibre production to our economy is massive – $3.6 billion in 2023 – but it often flies under the radar.
And we often forget or are ignorant of the journey these farmers have taken through the generations.
Take the winners, Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust of Whangārei, for example.
Its land was farmed by whānau for years until it was consolidated into a Land Development Scheme by the Department of Māori Affairs in 1952.
Departmental failures meant that by 1961 the farm’s development debt was already four times its economic value.
The government then gave the land back to the people, debt and all.
They had to lease the land to service
the debt, but the tenant farmed in ways that didn’t sit well with them and disputes ensued.
After regaining the land, the governing trust began a restoration project and now the bull fattening farm boasts wetlands that are kainga to endangered birds, including the matuku (bittern) and the pāteke (brown teal duck).
A native replanting programme is also underway.
It’s a story that has been repeated all over New Zealand.
As farmers do to this day, Māori incorporated new plant varieties and techniques brought here by European visitors and settlers with astonishing success in the mid-1800s.
Where we’ve come from matters, but where we’re going matters more.
Those early settlers relied on Māori for food and they described the local farming industry as “landlords, farmers, graziers, seamen, ship owners, labourers and artisans”.
But that all changed with the land confiscations that followed and the individualisation of ownership laws, something not heard of by iwi and hapū.
Treaty settlements and the formation of farming trusts have seen a massive
LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULT
resurgence in Māori farming, as its contribution to our economic success shows.
Yet it is often difficult to tell these stories because of the negativity that usually follows on from any publicity.
New Zealand has finite natural resources and we’ve overshot the capacity those resources can sustain.
We see the evidence of that in our lakes and streams and the fragility of our high country.
But we have an opportunity to use our collective strengths to turn this around. Whether it’s newly applied science, advances in agritech, indigenous history or even the way we fundamentally think of our relationship to the place where we live, it can all drive us forward, together.
And, there’s nothing to be afraid of if we share and listen with respect and a desire to learn and improve.
There’s no us and them in Aotearoa –there’s just us.
Thanks to our sports teams, our arts and culture and our innovators, we already live in a world that’s been spellbound by the culture we’ve created here.
But perhaps it’s time to move beyond just doing a haka on Anzac Day or trademarking a koru.
Where we’ve come from matters, but where we’re going matters more.
New Zealand is still a land of farming and food and we all want to ensure that continues to provide the sustenance we’ve enjoyed for generations.
Letters of the week Enough with the scare tactics
Richard Holloway Canterbury
FEDERATED Farmers’ latest alarmist campaign blames exotic forestry for the decline in sheep numbers.
According to them, pines – not decades of structural and economic realities – are gutting the sheep industry. It’s a convenient but misleading scapegoat.
The facts don’t match the rhetoric. In 2002, New Zealand had 1.78 million hectares of exotic forest. By 2020, that had decreased to 1.6 million ha. A 2024 study by Orme & Associates (commissioned by Beef + Lamb NZ) found 146,331 ha of sheep and beef land was sold for forestry conversion from 2021 to mid-2024 – based on intentions, not actual planting, and including pending sales. Even assuming all that land was planted, the total exotic forest estate would sit at around 1.75 million ha – still below 2002 levels.
There has been some additional land sold since mid-2024, but planting has slowed. Fewer seedling orders, reduced planting contracts, and minimal Emissions Trading System participation all suggest waning momentum. Policy changes – including a 2024 moratorium on planting on LUC 1-5 land and a 15,000 ha cap for LUC 6 – have curbed expansion.
If forestry were truly to blame for the sheep decline, exotic forests would have needed to expand by 3.4 million ha since 1990. They haven’t.
The sheep flock, however, has dropped from 57.9 million in 1990 to 24.4 million in 2023 – a 58% decrease driven by broader economic trends.
The real causes are well known. Land has shifted to more profitable uses, especially dairy, which grew nearly 80% between 2002 and 2020.
Animal productivity has improved, meaning fewer sheep are needed. At the same time, farmers face volatile lamb prices, rising costs, a struggling wool industry, and increasing regulation.
Forestry is a rational choice. On our 1050 ha hill-country farm, we’ve planted 280 ha of multi-species exotic trees for timber and carbon, while preserving native forest for biodiversity.
Forestry beats sheep and beef profitability – plain and simple – and provides stable carbon income.
Environmentally, forestry outperforms pastoral farming on steep land. Trees reduce sediment loss and landslides, and improve water and biodiversity outcomes.
New Zealand’s land use has always evolved. Forestry is just the latest chapter. Rather than blame trees, Federated Farmers should focus on facts and support all viable, sustainable land uses – including forestry.
Do you think the government’s latest announcement does enough to slow the conversion of farms to forestry?
This week’s poll question (see page 10): Have your say at farmersweekly.co.nz/poll
MORE than 54% of voters thought Pāmu farms would be better off in private hands. However, many thought they should still serve a specific purpose for the wider farming community. “It should be broken up into smaller lots and sold to New Zealanders, with some set aside for farmbased training and research institutions, polytechnics, universities and CRIs,” one said. “The state should not compete with the private sector in areas
such as livestock genetics and farm advisory ...They have an unfair advantage to undercut the market and stifle free market innovation.”
Of those who thought Pāmu benefited the primary sector, most pointed to its ability to test innovations in farm systems and product varieties. “Pāmu should be an example of top-class farming practice, and there is no excuse for these farms not to be profitable and successful.”
Last week’s question: Do you think Pāmu should remain in public ownership?
Why we deny and why we shouldn’t
Eating the elephant
eating.the.elephant.nz@gmail.com
IHAVE an old Heading bitch named Shep. In her day she was exceptional, but old age has reduced her to growling at truck drivers and farting loudly when I lift her onto the back of the bike.
Despite these indiscretions, her past good deeds outweigh her current gross habits, and she is now enjoying her retirement laying in the sun and eyeing cattle through the yard fence.
Shep’s legacy is largely set, so far as any dog might have or care for one. But as I look around, I can see many in our sector still working
hard to establish theirs. One of the unavoidable issues these emerging leaders must grapple with as they build their reputation is their response to climate change.
Similarly, how will history judge we who enable them?
Climate change and New Zealand agriculture’s response to it is both emotive and complicated. There was a survey completed a wee while back by the Ministry for Primary Industries that put NZ farmers’ belief in humans’ contribution to climate change at 63%, compared to the general population’s belief at 82%.
These numbers will no doubt have changed by now, but I am guessing that a similar gap still exists between the rural crowd and the urbanites.
You might wonder why we are such a pack of non-believers, when the evidence for humans’ impact on the climate is overwhelming.
We can see our glaciers retreating, we are growing viable crops in places that before were too cold, and we lurch from one unprecedented weather event to another.
To make matters worse, over 97% of climate scientists have concluded that human-caused global warming is happening.
So why the reluctance to toe the party line? Farmers are not stupid, but they can be a hard and deeply sceptical audience.
Part of this scepticism is because the effects of climate change have in some instances been sensationalised, overstated or misrepresented. This causes mistrust, especially when the message is being driven by those with deeply different politics from our own.
Farmers are also frustrated with being tagged as New Zealand’s environmental ratbags when the reality is that their contribution to the world’s problem is minuscule, especially so when the world’s biggest economies continue to pump CO2 into the atmosphere at pace, and have agricultural practices much less environmentally friendly than ours.
Equally, it is deeply unfair when large operators further up the value chain, who take the vast majority of profit from the food industry, look to push the cost of compliance back down onto the farmer.
And finally, if we’re totally honest, we’re tired of the wokeness, the social justice campaigners and the moral crusaders, who often
seek a vision of the world that seems so far apart from our daily reality. All of this helps drive an attitude of deny and defend.
However, when all this is said and done, the unfortunate and undeniable reality is that climate change is real and that we farmers must play our part in addressing the issue, even if it is just because our trading partners demand it.
Continuous improvement in all its forms is the ticket to game, and we must be on the field. We can shoot the messenger, but that doesn’t change the message.
New Zealand’s farmers have a long and proud history of continuously adapting to changing situations.
Our response to the loss of farm subsidies in the 1980s was a key factor in us transforming into some of the world’s most efficient farmers.
Our need to adapt forced us to become better, and our response to climate change must be looked at the same way.
Many of the tools, such as genetic selection of lower GHG emitting stock, the utilisation of
methane reducing feed additives, and the more efficient use of fertilisers, can all take us a long way to meeting our international obligations and national ambitions.
What tools don’t exist I have no doubt can be developed if we continue to attack the problem with real effort.
What we should not do is exit the Paris Climate Accord, or end funding to AgriZero, or follow any other suggestion that is the equivalent of running up the white flag and results in us becoming less competitive internationally. There is no way back for us on this issue, and the sooner we recognise this fact and get on with it, the better.
An effective response to climate change by our sector must be grounded by an acceptance of the challenge we face, and a commitment to do what is possible. We should not let our politics or our dislike for socksand-sandals-wearing bureaucrats get in the way of this. In the end, Shep won’t care what we do. But our children will.
Campaigns need to focus on selling product
Meaty matters
Allan Barber
Meat industry commentator: allan@barberstrategic.co.nz, http:// allanbarber.wordpress.com
THE Certified Angus Beef programme has been running for 47 years, since the first sale of product under the CAB brand in 1978. Three years later the American Angus Association voted to wind up the programme if it hadn’t turned a profit within 12 months. Despite not being profitable after a year, it survived by one vote and today 559,000 tonnes of product are sold in the United States and 54 other countries and 6 million
carcases were CAB certified as meeting the 10 specifications for quality.
The programme is 100% producer owned and governed and 100% packer or exporter funded, which is hugely significant in the building of the brand.
These basic facts underline why the Angus breed is such a powerful brand today and at the same time how difficult, expensive and time consuming creating a brand is. Contrast this with the New Zealand experience – on the one hand the Lamb Rosette, highly recognisable as the New Zealand lamb brand, and entirely funded by producer levies, was dropped after many years, because the investment was no longer sustainable – at least without matching exporter contributions. On the other hand, Taste Pure Nature was introduced to the Californian market in 2020, again funded by producers but with some support from processors.
Four years later responsibility for governance and investment in the programme was transferred to the Meat Industry Association (MIA) with continued assistance from Beef + Lamb NZ (BLNZ), and the short California programme
was replaced by China, more specifically Shanghai. Much too short a time to build a brand in any market.
It remains to be seen how willing exporters will be to support the programme out of their own marketing budgets, especially when not all of them are prepared to commit.
This whole issue raises the old question of whose responsibility it is to market red meat and how to cover the cost. BLNZ has clearly signalled its wish not to continue spending levy payers’ money on generic country of origin promotion, while the exporters are not keen on promotion unless it is tied directly to their brand.
The main problem is our size and budget relative to the amount we export.
My long-held view on the appropriate division of responsibility is that the producers’ role is to invest in the New Zealand red meat brand and the exporters are responsible for their own brands, ensuring their brand activity links closely to any country of origin message.
However, this will only have hope of success if all exporters buy into the overall red meat
brand and are prepared to commit a percentage of revenue to promoting their brands, using the nationally agreed message on all promotional material.
The CAB programme has succeeded immensely after slow beginnings because of the determination of all the participants to support it. It is neither an origin nor an exporter brand, but a breed specific campaign to address the declining Angus cattle population in the US in the 1970s and the deteriorating quality of US beef, which had affected consumer satisfaction.
Silver Fern Farms has committed itself wholeheartedly to building its own brand and, at its recent AGM, stated its value added strategy is ahead of its plans, claiming 5% of its commodity product has moved to the next level of value in a year, enhancing the value of the whole carcase.
Somewhat ironically, this statement came hard on the heels of the decision to take 30 cents per kilo out of the schedule because, in CEO Dan Boulton’s words, the sudden 10% lift in the exchange rate had taken a quarter of the margin.
This only emphasises the narrow
gap between direct cost and market price, which is required to fund administration, finance, marketing and profits for capital expenditure and dividends.
On the matter of generic country of origin campaigns, I have had contact from a US importer who has expressed frustration with the way Taste Pure Nature was rolled out, saying BLNZ refused to listen to importers that know their market.
He insists generic campaigns are “vapid and meaningless to consumers” and money would be better spent on directly promoting individual exporter brands in cooperation with their distributors. This importer maintains there are only two kinds of marketing programmes: brand development campaigns for which a huge budget is required, and campaigns designed to sell product. Because the former is too expensive and takes long-term investment, the affordable alternative is targeted direct marketing programmes that promote sales of specific products and brands.
Ben Anderson Ben Anderson lives in central Hawke’s Bay and farms deer, cows and trees.
GROWING PROBLEM: The unfortunate and undeniable reality is that climate change is real and we, the farmers of New Zealand, have to play our part in addressing it, Ben Anderson says.
Sector Focus
‘Farmers want local wheat on local shelves’
Annette Scott NEWS Arable
TIMES are tough and the headwinds are strong but the opportunities to raise the profile of New Zealand grain and seeds remain many, Eat NZ chief executive Angela Clifford says.
Addressing the industry’s Women in Seed forum in Christchurch, Clifford urged the group of more than 120 women to avoid the “grain drain”.
“You are a marvellous bunch of seedy women; your seediness is your strength.
“Farmers want local wheat on local shelves; they want more security for their businesses and greater food security for all New Zealanders.
“I have no doubt there will eventually be a NZ food plan.
“We have the next generation of over 100 across the country, including farmers, fishers, butchers, bakers, hunters, chefs, hospo legends, tourism and event organisers, really engaged and being part of what they want to see next.
“There are key arable people standing in the arable space dedicated to their passion of how to grow a collective economy
and establish a sustainable grain economy.”
A not-for-profit organisation, Eat NZ is celebrating 10 years this year.
Clifford said these had been “10 years of working to establish a future where all New Zealanders will have access to their food in a connected way”.
“This will be kai which sustains us nutritionally, socially and culturally. It will be produced or collected in a way that supports the balance of our natural world, our land, fresh water and ocean.
I have no doubt there will eventually be a NZ food plan.
Angela Clifford Eat NZ
“There is a genuine opportunity for this industry to step into its power and remind New Zealanders you are feeding them and with the opportunities will come the challenges and responsibilities.”
Clifford questioned “who in Parliament has your back. Because arable isn’t frontline of our markets, it is thrown under the bus.”
So how does the arable industry
find a seat at the table and make sure it’s not sacrificed to other industries?
Eat NZ has been working with the Foundation for Arable Research and the Arable Industry Food Council for the past five years on the NZ-grown milling wheat campaign.
“This breeding programme remains under threat given the global interferences.
“Prices are not there for milling wheat. Eighty percent of the grain going into NZ baking is from Australia. There are significant infrastructure barriers, it’s cheaper than getting our own grain from one island to the other.
“Research exists that shows people are prepared to pay more for NZ-grown. We can compete on a $3-$4 loaf of bread – there’s just 30 cents difference. Not on the $1 loaf though.
“It’s not necessarily farmers seeing the price advantage but other parts of the supply chain are.”
There’s also something “quite rotten at the core when talking fresh food – vegetables and grains”.
“Rather sobering but it’s terribly disturbing what’s happening in NZ in the fresh food industry when in 2021 70% of NZ families were buying fresh fruit and veges on a
weekly basis. In 2023 that dropped to 60% and now it’s effectively less than that.
“This is the livelihoods of our farmers, and the future of accessible fresh food to our NZ consumers.”
In her opening address, Minister for Women and Associate Minister of Agriculture Nicola Grigg said arable sector revenue at $345 million is bringing $2 billion to the economy.
“Key to achieving export goals is growing our own economy, increasing trade. That’s bolstering existing relationships and trade on our own back doorstep with the likes of South East Asia, Korea, Japan and into India.
“You are the experts on the ground. I see the agricultural sector as the client of Parliament.
“That stands to reason you must have input into policy for genuine engagement at the grassroots.
“Agriculture is a $53bn sector in this country. I acknowledge the work women do across a huge range of roles.
“Ladies, please back yourself, celebrate what you do, don’t just tell me you do the books.
“Women are 35% of the ag workforce. My big drive is more women in high paid sector roles. Push your way through, keep talking and keep driving your sector.”
Professor flags confusion in gene Bill terms
Annette Scott TECHNOLOGY Genetics
ARE genetically modified plants friends or foes of the seed industry? That’s the big question addressed by University of Canterbury professor emerita of plant biology Paula Jameson at the Women in Seed forum in Christchurch.
The biggest problem in the debate, she said, is terminology.
“Genetic modification/genetic engineering (GM) allows us to take a gene from one species and insert it in another with which it would never naturally breed: transgenic modification.
“Gene editing (GE) refers to molecular techniques that make changes in the DNA sequence at specific sites within the genome: new breeding techniques (NBT).
“These are interchangeable and non-interchangeable terms.
Jameson said using “genetically modified” to encompass all modern gene technologies, as the Gene Technology Bill does, refers to GE and GM.
“National Party abbreviations are confusing and need GE amended to gene editing (GEd),
which in effect is precision breeding.”
There are range of crops and a range of reasons for this in New Zealand.
“There is a high raft of uses we could put GEd into in NZ but at the moment our regulation is very restrictive on it and the big question here is, why?
“Globally GEd is being used in more than 40 crops across
25 countries in more than 140 allocations for agronomy, food and feed quality and both biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.
“It is approved for commercialisation in soybean, canola, rice, maize, potato, apple, mushroom and tomatoes.
“In NZ crops, gene editing can be used to increase resilience in climate change, reduce the use of fertiliser, enhance disease
resistance, increase herbicide tolerance, increase seed number and seed size in various crops, decrease shedding in perennial ryegrass, reduce fertility in conifers, alter fruit and flower colours, seed breeding in tree crops, improve wood, and so on.”
National Party abbreviations are confusing and need GE amended to gene editing (GEd).
Prof Paula Jameson University of Canterbury
China has this year streamlined its regulation of gene-edited crops to distinguish them from GMOs. This has seen 18 crops approved, including wheat resistance to powdery mildew and herbicide tolerance in a bid to boost high yield varieties, reduce reliance on imports and ensure food security.
The United Kingdom’s technology (precision breeding) regulations passed into law May 2025 offer an important step towards the innovation and commercial availability of precision-bred plants.
The new legislation brings that country more into line with the regulatory approaches taken by most countries outside of the European Union, including Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, the United States and Japan.
The intent for plants in the Gene Technology Bill for NZ is that minimal-risk products of GEd that result in organisms that cannot be distinguished from those produced by conventional means will be exempt from regulation.
“Regulations – these are the key that we don’t yet have, and the crux of the Bill.
“The full potential of genome editing cannot be realised if we continue with a regulatory framework which leads to an effective ban on the technology.
“We do need to wait for the regulation and we do need the harmonisation of worldwide legislation.”
So are genetic technologies a friend or foe of the seed industry?
“It’s for industry bodies themselves to determine that and don’t underestimate the enormity of the issues from the grassroots up.
“It’s time to have the discussions.”
SECURITY: Eat NZ chief executive Angela Clifford says farmers want local wheat on local shelves. They want more security for their businesses and greater food security for all New Zealanders.
CRUX: Paula Jameson says regulations are the unknown key and the crux of the proposed Gene Technology Bill.
FEDERATED FARMERS
Vol 3 No 23, June 16, 2025
Fish & Game advocacy function under review
Federated Farmers says proposed changes to Fish & Game are a step in the right direction, but concerns remain about the organisation’s ability to engage in highly political advocacy.
“Farmers have been very clear with Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager about our concerns and frustrations with Fish & Game,” says Federated Farmers hunting spokesperson Richard McIntyre.
“There is certainly some merit in what the Minister is proposing with these reforms in terms of modernising, professionalising and centralising many of Fish & Game’s functions.
“Some of these changes are well overdue and will go a long way towards improving the organisation’s performance and efficiency – and that needs to be acknowledged.
“We’re also welcoming a review of Fish & Game’s advocacy function, something Federated Farmers have been vocal in calling for, but we have serious concerns changes won’t go far enough.”
The proposed reforms will mean the New Zealand Fish & Game
Council will be able to set a direction that is binding on regional Fish & Game Councils regarding advocacy.
Regional Fish and Game Councils will only be able to take court action in relation to advocacy if explicitly approved by the New Zealand Fish & Game Council or the Minister.
“The devil is going to be in the detail when these changes are made, but Federated Farmers will be watching the Minister’s moves very closely to make sure he delivers,” McIntyre says.
“In practice, what farmers really want to know is whether Fish & Game will still be able to block practical, common-sense actions like removing gravel from rivers when it’s needed.
“We also want to have confidence they will no longer be able to run highly political anti-farming campaigns or waste everyone’s time with expensive and unnecessary court cases.”
While proposed changes are definitely a step in the right direction, Federated Farmers are questioning whether it’s appropriate for Fish & Game to play any role in political advocacy.
“Our argument is that Fish & Game are a statutory body who collect compulsory licence fees from hunters and fishers,” says Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick.
“If you want to hunt or fish you have to pay Fish & Game their fee. You don’t get a choice, but then they take that money and use it to attack farmers or push their personal policy agendas.
“They shouldn’t be able to charge those compulsory fees and then use them to behave like an environmental activist group, particularly when their advocacy doesn’t align with the views of most hunters and fishers.
ive behaviour and anti-farming rhetoric – and so are everyday hunters and fishers who just want to enjoy their sport,” Herrick said at the time.
What
farmers really want to know is whether Fish & Game will still be able to block practical, commonsense actions like removing gravel from rivers when it’s needed.
Richard McIntyre
Federated Farmers hunting spokesperson
“Unfortunately, Fish & Game’s advocacy positions, particularly in Southland, are increasingly at odds with the views of most reasonable hunting and fishing licence holders.”
“I think most people would agree that far too much money has been wasted on highly political advocacy and litigious court cases that have little benefit for sports fish or game birds.
“The Minister needs to make sure he gets these reforms right. He needs to get Fish & Game out of political advocacy and refocus them on their core business.”
It was last October that Federated Farmers led the way by calling for the Government to strip Fish & Game of their advocacy function. That came after growing frustration among farmers, particularly in Southland.
“Farmers are sick of their obstruct-
Examples include Fish & Game Southland opposing resource consents for things like the opening of the Waituna Lagoon and the extraction of gravel from clogged waterways.
That’s led to Southland Federated Farmers calling for boycotts of Fish & Game in the province, including asking farmers to withhold fishing access across their land, and for shooters to buy their duck licences from another region this year.
“We’re really pleased the Minister has finally taken some action and we hope it will result in an end to this nonsense from Fish & Game down here,” Herrick says.
Federated Farmers will continue to engage constructively with the Government throughout the select committee process to ensure farmers concerns are adequately addressed.
REFORM: Jason Herrick says Fish & Game shouldn’t be using compulsory licence fees to fund political advocacy that targets farmers and strays from their core role.
Restrictions on carbon forestry long overdue
Federated Farmers’ ‘Save our Sheep’ campaign has taken a major step forward, with the Government introducing legislation to stop carbon forestry on productive farmland.
“This legislation is a really positive step forward – but from a farmer’s perspective, it’s long overdue,” says Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams.
“The Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture stood up on a stage in Gore at a Federated Farmers event on December 4 last year and announced these changes would be coming.
“Since that announcement was made, farmers have been incredibly frustrated as we’ve watched tens of thousands of hectares of productive land continue to be planted in pines.
“The Government have been very clear on their intention, but a lack of action has caused huge uncertainty and heartache for farmers and rural communities.”
The ‘Save our Sheep’ platform has been getting plenty of traction in recent weeks, with a viral social media campaign and a strategically placed billboard directly opposite the Beehive.
“The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has been screwing the scrum in favour of forestry over farming by subsidising pine trees to offset fossil fuel emissions,” Williams says.
“These new restrictions will put the squeeze on wholesale pine planting driven by carbon returns but won’t hinder genuine production forestry or smaller farm woodlots.
Farmers have been incredibly frustrated as we’ve watched tens of thousands of hectares of productive land continue to be planted in pines.
being allocated by a ballot process each year.
“That is a huge amount of land still going into pine trees and that’s what farmers will currently be using as breeding country – we can’t afford to lose 150,000 hectares in the next decade.
“You can’t plant that land in pine trees while maintaining a sustainable sheep industry. We would lose more than 750,000 breeding ewes if that were to happen.”
Federated Farmers was more positive about the clause ensuring 25% of LUC 1-6 land will be registered against the property’s title to restrict further planting as a result of subdivision.
Williams says Federated Farmers still has serious concerns about exploitation of loopholes and the impact of badly broken ETS rules on rural communities.
“Federated Farmers isn’t antiforestry. Exotic trees have a place and a role to play when it comes to sensible land use and income diversification – but carbon forestry is out of control.”
Williams says farmers will be raising serious questions about 15,000 hectares of LUC 6 farmland
“The Government’s statement says the time-limited transitional exemptions under ‘intention to plant’ rules are for ‘rare cases’ only.
“I’m not convinced these criteria are anywhere near tight enough, particularly when it comes to things like the purchase of seedlings when the forester didn’t already own the land to plant.
“If you didn’t own the land with a clear intention to plant it for carbon forestry before the announcement last December, you should be told ‘sorry, but you’re out of luck’.”
As the legislation is currently written, simply having purchased seedlings is enough to show intent even if they didn’t own land to plant them on.
Federated Farmers says that is simply nonsense and needs to be changed.
Alongside restriction on wholefarm conversions to pines for carbon farming, Federated Farmers is also calling for sweeping reforms of the forestry sector.
“Pine forests are breeding grounds for pests like pigs and deer that are causing huge issues for farmers and costing us a fortune,” Williams says.
“To put it bluntly, foresters simply aren’t doing enough pest management to get the issue under control – and it’s time for the Government to step in.”
Federated Farmers says urgent changes are needed to the Overseas Investment Act.
“Applications to purchase farmland to convert to forestry should be assessed under the farmland test rather than the general benefit to New Zealand test,” Williams says.
“This would mean that applications from oversees investors to purchase land for forestry would be on an even playing field with other land purchases.
“Some of the applications we’re
seeing approved at the moment are appalling and will have little or no benefit for New Zealand or our rural communities.”
Williams also wants to see changes to the ETS to end the ability of carbon dioxide emitters to offset 100% of their emissions with emissions units from carbon farming.
New Zealand is the only country in the world that allows 100% carbon offsetting through forestry, with other countries recognising the risk and putting restrictions in place.
Federated Farmers is now calling on the Government to urgently review the ETS and fix the rules to either limit or stop the offsetting of fossil fuel emissions with forestry.
MORE:
You can sign the petition pushing for change at www.saveoursheep.nz
SOS: This image from Federated Farmers’ ‘Save our Sheep’ campaign has gone viral, sparking strong support for a petition calling for urgent changes from the Government.
Toby Williams Federated Farmers meat & wool chair
ROLE: Exotic trees have a place and a role to play when it comes to sensible land use and income diversification, says Toby Williams.
Rural voters fed up with rates rip-off
Councils have a mountain to climb to win back the trust of rural ratepayers,
Federated Farmers says — and that starts with cutting wasteful spending and sharing the burden more fairly.
“At the same time, councils deserve an overhaul of their funding tools and other changes to central government policy,” Feds local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says.
“Council rates hikes have climbed well above inflation for several decades, but the pressure on ratepayers has only worsened.
“When elections happen this October, voters should back candidates who commit to capping general rate increases at inflation — unless there’s a genuinely extraordinary reason not to,” Faulkner says.
She says rural ratepayers are fed up with footing the bill for urban-centric services they don’t use and aren’t connected to.
“It’s time to scrap unfair rating
differentials and shift towards targeted uniform charges and annual general charges to reduce reliance on property value-based rates.”
Federated Farmers is also calling for legislation changes that would require binding referenda on any council commercial projects that cost more than $500 per rateable property.
“We’re not talking about sewage treatment plants, bridges or other such essential infrastructure,”
Faulkner says.
“We’re meaning commercial ventures like stadiums, conference centres and marinas that are beyond core council purposes and can destroy balance sheets.
“It’s not to say these projects can’t happen, but ratepayers should get to make the final call.”
Councils could also save money by sticking to their lane and leaving climate policy to central government, Faulker says.
“Councils should stop duplicating effort – and wasting ratepayer
dollars – by setting climate policies.
“To do something positive for the environment, councils that haven’t already should bring in a rates remission policy for land under QEII covenants, Significant Natural Areas and Outstanding Natural Landscapes.
“Given that public conservation values are protected by these mechanisms, farmers deserve rates relief,” Faulkner says.
Federated Farmers supports RMA and local planning reform that reduces delays, costs and uncertainty, and utilises tools like farm plans rather than consents.
Significant Natural Area and environmental rules must be science-based and farmer-friendly.
Faulkner says central government also has a major role in the drive for council efficiency and fairness.
Federated Farmers believes road users, rather than property owners, should be paying for local roads and bridges – as is the case for State Highways.
“We’re calling for 90% of local
roading maintenance and renewal costs to come from fuel excise tax and road user charges, rather than rates. Currently, the average is only 53%.
“Property value rates are a particularly poor mechanism to fund roads for the same reason as general taxation: it doesn’t tie those who use roads with those who pay for roads.
“This system also lacks logic. In areas with a lot of tourism or freight, for example, locals are left paying for roading networks that serve a wider regional or national purpose.”
The 10% cost share left with ratepayers would lock in a district say on local road priorities.
Other steps from central government are also needed to relieve cost pressures on council, Faulker says.
“Crown land should be rateable, the 30% cap on council uniform annual general charges should be scrapped, and the Beehive should stop unfunded mandates – piling extra responsibilities onto councils with no corresponding funding.”
Federated Farmers also wants to see candidates supporting its policies on working dogs and emergency responses.
“Many councils – but not all – have a lower registration fee for working dogs.
When elections happen this October, voters should back candidates who commit to capping general rate increases at inflation — unless there’s a genuinely extraordinary reason not to.
Sandra Faulkner Federated Farmers local government spokesperson
“Working dogs are essential on farm and rarely cause the kinds of problems that council animal control officers have to deal with. Council fees should recognise this,” Faulkner says.
Rural communities face unique challenges when there is a significant earthquake, flood or other emergency. Federated Farmers says it’s critical that councils allow for rural representatives to be at the table at Emergency Operation Centres.
Faulker says with council elections looming now’s a great chance to ask some tough questions of councillors seeking re-election – and those challenging them for seats.
“The key one is on how they’ll lessen the rural rates burden.”
FAIR DEAL: Sandra Faulkner says it’s past due for councils to better utilise targeted uniform and annual general charges to more fairly share the cost burden.
DISCOUNT: Councils should implement a rates relief policy for land under QEII covenants or for Significant Natural Areas, Sandra Faulkner says.
New generation steps up in Rotorua-Taupō
Two younger farmers have taken up leadership roles at Federated Farmers RotoruaTaupō, determined to grow local support and bring fresh energy to the table.
“There’s strength in numbers,” Braydon Schroder says “The more of us involved, the louder our voice with councils, Government and others when we’re raising concerns on behalf of farmers.
“The future belongs to the next generation of farmers, so I want them to join us to help shape the future of NZ agriculture.”
Schroder, 28, was elected provincial president at last month’s AGM and Ruby Mulinder, 34, was reelected meat & wool chair.
They’re both keen to boost the social side of Federated Farmers and create more opportunities to share knowledge across the industry.
“There’s an open invitation to all farmers – members or not – to come along to our Rotorua-Taupō meetings,” says Mulinder, last year’s Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Advocate of the Year.
“Find out what we’re about; ‘try before you buy’.
DISAPPEARING: Sheep numbers in Bay of Plenty and Taupō have plummeted in recent years while pest populations have boomed.
Photo: Phillip Capper/Wikimedia Commons
“The policy space is not where I ever thought I’d find any interest, but once you start seeing how pushing for smarter regulation can lead to positive change, I’ve done a 180.
“All of a sudden, I’m all about it.”
Mulinder says Feds needs to attract more people who are genuinely passionate about agriculture, including younger farmers striving to get on the ownership ladder.
We can only represent what we know. The more people feeding into us with the things they’re finding challenging, the easier to identify common trends and actions we should prioritise.
Braydon Schroder Federated Farmers RotoruaTaupō president
“It’s a bit scary looking around the room at the AGM and not seeing many youthful faces.”
Tapping into the district’s mood and opinion interests Schroder.
“We want people to challenge us and tell us what Federated
Farmers should be getting stuck into,” he says.
“We can only represent what we know. The more people feeding into us with the things they’re finding challenging, the easier to identify common trends and actions we should prioritise.”
Retiring Rotorua-Taupō president Colin Guyton had been in the role since 2019 and was ready to hand on the baton – though he’s staying on as vice president.
Both young leaders admire Guyton’s positivity, calmness and strong community connections –an approach Schroder aspires to continue.
While parts of their region are also impacted by Bay of Plenty and Taupo District environmental plans and rules, Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1 is the big one.
Schroder says the sector is still digesting the Environment Court’s PC1 interim decisions but it’s already clear that, while fishhooks remain, it’s a more balanced set of proposed regulations now than 12 years ago.
“It shows again the value of having Federated Farmers fighting our corner,” he says.
While there’s no shortage of sector-
wide issues facing Rotorua-Taupō, sheep and beef operations are particularly under the pump.
Mulinder, recently recruited to the Federated Farmers national meat and wool council, backs the Save our Sheep (SOS) campaign.
Sheep numbers in the Bay of Plenty and Taupō regions have plummeted. Price challenges and dairy conversions have played a role over the decades.
“Also, running beef cattle tends to be an easier, lower-cost model,” Mulinder says.
“The farming population is ageing, and you’ve got to have a bit of ticker to run a lot of sheep, due to the workload required to run a productive flock.”
Nevertheless, she’s in no doubt that blanket afforestation, accelerated by faulty ETS settings, has been the biggest factor in recent years.
“Farms are still being snapped up incredibly quickly for ETS forests. I grew up in Waipukurau and that’s just one example of a rural community being choked by afforestation.”
The Government has tightened regulation, but ‘intention to plant’ and Overseas Investment Office
BETTER SHAPE: Braydon Schroder says while fishhooks remain in Waikato’s Plan Change 1, Federated Farmers’ pressure means it’s less of a concern for farmers than in its original form.
loopholes are glaring, Mulinder says.
She cites one OIO decision in favour of the sale of a quality , 417ha sheep and beef farm.
The OIO said benefits to New Zealand “…are likely to include increased export receipts, increased productivity of land, additional capital investment, increased jobs, as well as climate change benefits.
“The majority of these benefits are ‘unsubstantiated, and the vibrancy and survival of our rural communities are being sacrificed,” Mulinder says.
She and Schroder are also hot on the problem of ballooning pest populations in afforested blocks and DoC land.
“We have mobs of up to 50 pigs through our property turning over hectares in a night. Even with regular hunting we are fighting a losing battle as surrounding forest and DoC land are not doing their necessary pest control,” Mulinder says.
“The forests are feral pests’ breeding ground, and farms are their buffet table.”
Actions required by forest owners to step up pest control will be a hot topic of discussion at the Federated Farmers National Council meeting later this month.
Ormondville 326 Donghi Road
Mananui Station – legacy of excellence since 1895
Mananui Station is a 1,077ha breeding and semi-finishing block in the Ormondville district, 15 minutes from Dannevirke Established in 1895 and held in the same family since, this is its first time on the market The property spans two main blocks - Mananui (722ha) and Awaroa (355ha), linked by a central laneway Mananui winters approx 9su/ha, running 250 Angus cows plus replacements and 4,000 Romney ewes plus replacements, and approximately 110ha of three-year-old pines are ETS registered Assets include three homes, two woolsheds with covered yards, sheep and cattle yards, airstrip, fertiliser bin, haybarns, great fencing, and well-formed tracks Fertiliser history, pasture quality, and stock performance reflect 130 years of dedicated stewardship bayleys co nz/2853979
Matatoa Nursery
1,076.6078 ha
(unless sold prior)
4pm, Thu 3 Jul 2025
15 Havelock Road Havelock North View by appointment
Tim Wynne-Lewis 027 488 9719 tim wynne-lewis@bayleys co nz
Estate
Gareth & Chris
Te Pirita 675 Rakaia Terrace Road
"The Craig" scale, water and flexibility 848 ha
Deadline Sale
Property Brokers are privileged to offer to market this impressive 848 ha freehold property held in eight titles, located in the renowned Te Pirita area of Central Canterbury Approximately 524 ha are spray-irrigated by four centre pivots drawing from consented groundwater wells and the Central Plains Water Scheme, ensuring year-round production. Currently run as a productive sheep and beef finishing operation with approximately 180 ha of dedicated winter feed, the farm also carries a strong track record in dairy support. Infrastructure is first-rate a reticulated stock-water network, modern cattle yards, a five-stand woolshed with covered yards, and extensive implement sheds all streamline day-to-day management. Accommodation features a fourbedroom bay-villa homestead set in established grounds, a renovated two-bedroom cottage, and an additional older weatherboard home The Craig offers clear potential for finishing, dairy support, or future dairy conversion on a scale and quality that is rarely available in this powerhouse location of Canterbury.
Deadline Sale closes Tuesday 15th July, 2025 at 1.00pm, (unless sold prior)
View By appointment
Web pb.co.nz/DFR199000
Gareth Cox M 021 250 9714 P 03 975 4506
E gareth@pb.co.nz
Chris Murdoch M 027 434 2545 P 03 307 9191
E chris@pb.co.nz
Gisborne 363 Matawai Road
Premium Poverty Bay Land - 22.53ha
New Listing
5 2
Welcome to the Golden Triangle – Gisborne’s most sought-after growing location, where the soils are renowned for their fertility, consistency, and performance. The majority of the 22.53 ha has been cropped over the past 6 years, with approximately 6ha, well subdivided into 7 paddocks, that has been used for livestock finishing and grazing of polo ponies. A solid five-bedroom, two-storey home provides family living, while a half-round machinery shed supports your farming operation.
Whether you’re planning permanent horticulture, cash cropping, grazing, or an exceptional lifestyle, this property is bursting with potential. Large-scale holdings like this in the heart of the Poverty Bay flats are a rarity. Secure it before it’s gone
An exceptional opportunity to secure a high-performing 313ha (774 acre) dairy farm in four titles, nestled in a sheltered valley in the heart of Marlborough’s dairying region.
‘Dalton Downs’ boasts a strong production history, with 296,000kg MS recorded in 2020 from 662 cows and 278,591kg MS from 600 cows this season. The farm averages 284,000kg MS annually, supported by a 242ha milking platform plus 188ha of irrigation.
The mostly flat to gently sloping land is well-serviced by an extensive track network. Infrastructure includes a 44-bail ASHB shed with recent upgrades, four quality sheds, a 30T silo and a
compliant effluent system. Accommodation features a modern 286sqm five-bedroom, two-bathroom homestead with double garage, plus two staff cottages.
‘Dalton Downs’ offers a rare blend of scale, profitability, and lifestyle in a stunning rural setting, just minutes from the Marlborough Sounds and bathed in New Zealand’s most sunshine hours.
Whether you're diversifying your portfolio or seeking a proven performer, now is the time to harness the strength and stability of the dairy industry.
Tender closes 4.00pm, Thu 17th Jul, 2025 (unless sold prior), Property Brokers, 66 Reads Quay, Gisborne View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/GIR206132
DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY
Greg Lyons
M 027 579 1233
Joe Blakiston E greg.lyons@pggwrightson.co.nz
M 027 434 4069
Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 1.00pm Thursday, 17 July 20 Westwood Ave, Blenheim VIEW By Appointment Only E jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz
Giltrap MSX 80 Wagon
Cross conveyor, electronic scales, new front elevator, chains and sprockets. Sound floor.
Being sold due to farm sale
$10,000 + GST
Contact Stephen Barr 027 449 9648
Feilding, Manawatu
S 655 Effluent Solids Separator
BRAND NEW – UNUSED
Complete with mounting platform, pump and stirrer. Being sold due to farm sale
$55,000 + GST
Contact Stephen Barr 027 449 9648 Feilding, Manawatu
Includes Top Con Digi-Star weighing system. In excellent working order. Selling due to farm sale.
$70,000 + GST
Contact Stephen Barr 027 449 9648 Feilding, Manawatu
An Exciting Opportunity General Manager – Livestock
These are exciting times in farming and we are recruiting to fill a critical vacancy within our business. The opportunity arises as a result of restructuring, with the incumbent moving toward retirement after many years building our success and that of our clients, within the industry.
This is your opportunity to advance your career within NZ Farmers Livestock, leading our livestock agency teams across NZ, working with farmers for farmers.
The role works through our regional management, and with each team, to achieve leading client outcomes, develop the staff involved and continue the development of this successful business. NZ Farmers Livestock operates in a wide range of saleyards, on farms throughout NZ, and on leading digital platforms. The agency sector is the core of our business but supported by livestock financing and ancillary divisions.
The role reports to the CEO but will be part of a senior team interacting with NZFL governance and an important part of the succession plan within the business.
NZ Farmers Livestock offers:
• Competitive remuneration package, including vehicle and performance incentive structure
• Supportive team environment
• Near term start
• Waikato or Taranaki based
• Health Insurance
• Life/Terminal Illness Insurance
Key skills and attributes:
• Energy and vitality
• Good experience of NZ livestock farming and ideally trading
• Commercial and sales expertise
• Superior relationship building and communication skills
• Ability to work in an autonomous manner
• High levels of drive and self-motivation
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and close Tuesday 24th June 2025. Applications to: steve.morrison@nzfll.co.nz
Working with Farmers for Farmers
FARM MAPPING
PRACTICAL AND COST-
EFFECTIVE farm maps, including an app. No subscription fees. Visit farmmapping.co.nz for a quote.
richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz HORTICULTURE
RED DEVON BULLS. Quality. Well grown. Waimouri Stud Feilding. Phone 027 224 3838.
PERSONAL
A CHANCE AT LASTING COMPANIONSHIP. Lynne is a beautiful woman with a warm joyful spirit. She loves the country lifestyle and finds happiness in simple things like the outdoors, cooking delicious meals, gardening and enjoys quiet walks. She is easygoing and genuine. Lynne is looking for meaningful friendship with the hope of a loving and affectionate relationship growing in time. Call 0800 446 332 quote 67.
HIGH PRESSURE WATER PUMPS, suitable on high headlifts. Low energy usage for single/3-phase motors, waterwheel and turbine drives. Low maintenance costs and easy to service. Enquiries phone 04 526 4415, email sales@hydra-cell.co.nz PUMPS
RAMS FOR SALE
WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556.
WORD ONLY ADVERTISING. Phone 0800 85 25 80.
TREES FOR FARMS ADDITIONAL INCOME. Stock shelter, erosion control, Truffle income, animal fodder, fireproof cork and Natives. 021garden.co.nz Litherland Truffles 021 327 637.
WANTED TO BUY
STOCK REQUIRED
Male & Ewe Lambs 32–38kg
GAP store Lambs SIL MA Ewes
Friesian Bull Calves 180-280kg
R2YR Heifers 350–450 kgs
R2YR Angus & Ang x Steers or Dairy x 330–500kg
R2YR Beef & Fries Bulls 420–560kg
info@dyerlivestock co nz www dyerlivestock co nz Ross Dyer 0274 333 381
SALE TALK
My wife went deer hunting for the first time.
She said I go every year and she wanted to see what was so great that I kept coming back to hunt, year after year.
I taught her how to operate and fire a rifle accurately. How to spot where deer frequented. How to use camouflage. By the time deer season arrived I felt she was ready.
I took her to her deer blind and told her if she shoots...stay put. I would hear her shoot then I’d come from my blind, 300 metres away, and help her track her deer. No sooner was I out of sight I heard her fire her rifle.
I turned and headed her way. Before 10 seconds passed I heard lots of yelling. I ran to her blind and before long I could see a strange man with his hands up and my wife, rifle aimed, holding him in place. Running closer to them, I finally could hear that the man was desperately pleading with her....
“Ok lady! It’s a deer! It’s a deer! Just let me get my saddle off it and I’ll leave!”
LORNEVILLE SALE
Tuesday 24th June 2025 10.30am
A/C Belmont Farm Kaiwera
COMPRISING:
Approx 485 Romney 1 & 2 shear Ewes
Approx 470 Romney 3,4, & 5 shear Ewes
Approx 20 Shorn Romney Ewes Mixed Age
DETAILS:
Phone Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916 or 027 363 2932.
WHAT’S SITTING IN your barn? Ford, Ferguson, Hitachi, Komatsu, JD. Be it an excavator, loader or tractor, wherever it is in NZ. Don’t let it rust. We may trade in and return you a brand new bucket for your digger or cash for your pocket. Email admin@loaderparts.co.nz or phone Colin 0274 426 936.
Contact Julie 027 705 7181
All mated to Romney & Polled Dorset Rams
Due 5th September
Normal scan rate 175% and lambing of 140%.
Drenched – Parasite 1
Toxo, campo & Iodine March
Shearing Date End Feb/March
Unshepherded and easy care
Will be sorted into lines on sale day.
CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENTS: Neil McCrostie 027 230 4518
Kelvin Lott 027 226 6153
Contact us 0800 141 545 www.carrfields.co.nz
Saturday 28 June | 11am start
Viewing from 10am | On Farm at 1493 Pukehuia Road, Tangiteroria West of Whangarei, Northland. On A/c Nigel Gravatt & Family
Farm Vehicles & Sundries:
Te Pari Crush (with scales), Te Pari Crush (with vet gate), Te Pari docking cradle, Te Pari gas docking iron, Aluminium sheep loading race (5 2m) siding cattle yards gate, Tractor Valtra A95 – 5200hrs, Cultivator – 3mtrs, Transport tray, Bertalini spray tank, C-Dax weed wiper, C-Dax electric grass seeder, Silage single bale feeder, soft hands – Rata, quick tach bucket, Quick tach heavy duty forks, King Hitter post thumper, Honda Quad 420, quad bike trailers x2, Compass double axle trailer with pen & canvas, Honda compressor with paslode batterner, Post hole borer, Fireman water pump x2, Waste not feeder, Bertie Mulcher
**THERE WILL BE EFTPOS FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE SALE**
Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | w w w.pggwrightson.co.nz Helping grow the country
Key: Dair y Cattle Sheep O ther
Log exports feel China construction woes
As of April, the floor area of new Chinese houses that began construction this year was the lowest since 2004.
Reece Brick MARKETS Timber
THE export log market has come under some pressure since midautumn.
The six months from October to March was one of the longest spells of market stability this decade. Prices at the New Zealand wharfgate (that is, what exporters are paying harvesters) held at or a little above the five-year average through these months, which was ideal as this timed with the seasonal increase in log harvesting as weather conditions improved.
A few different factors all worked in New Zealand log harvesters’ favour during this time, including a weakening exchange rate, softening shipping costs, further growth in sales into India, and a period of stability around China’s economy and construction sector. However, if it’s going to get rocky, it’s usually in the months immediately following Chinese New Year, when buyers there reassess their requirements against the volume of extra logs that stacked up on ports while they were on holiday. And this dynamic was the key driver behind this latest price drop.
Average prices at the New Zealand wharfgate have weakened by around $20/JASm3 since March to a national average of US$113/ JASm3 for A-grade logs last month. This month’s prices are yet to be fully collated but appear to be about the same.
We shipped 3.7 million cubic
metres of softwood logs to China through March and April, the highest recorded for these months and up from 3.2 million m3 in the same months last year.
The volume of softwood logs on port in China rose to around 4.0 million m3 after the Chinese New Year, and the fact that more logs were on the way meant buyers there could negotiate prices down.
These on-port volumes weren’t overly large compared to other times in the past 10 years or so. However, log usage rates in China aren’t what they used to be since the collapse of various giant property development companies, which started from the second half of 2021, a situation that is yet to fully resolve itself.
Official construction data paints this picture clearly – as of April, the floor area of new Chinese houses that began construction this year was the lowest since 2004 at 18 million square metres, down from 40-59 million m2 through the same period in 2016-2022.
The good news is we appear to be at the bottom of the market, at least for the short term.
The United States-China tariff war added further uncertainty to the market and the wider Chinese economy at the start of March too.
Over the past five years, the US has been the largest single market for Chinese wood products with an annual market share of 18-22% by value.
The good news is we appear to be at the bottom of the market, at least for the short term. The 90-day partial “truce” between the US and China from mid-May has eased tensions, while log supplies out of New Zealand are tightening due to the weather and the weaker pricing.
Log usage rates in China have been somewhat positive too, to the point where port-level log inventories have declined this month. The exchange rates and shipping costs have mostly stabilised too.
India is slowly re-emerging as an alternative market for New Zealand logs, though they’ve only exceeded a 5% market share by volume once in the past 12 months.
This trade has been growing in unsteady steps since last year, following the relaxation of rules in
India, which previously required logs to be fumigated with methyl bromide before departure. This was outlawed in New Zealand in mid-2021.
Like China, the oversupply of logs has been holding back this market, mainly due to steady-tostrong supply from Australia and South America.
It is hoped that free trade talks will expand market opportunities here, given India applies a 5% tariff to all New Zealand log imports, which can be enough to tip the scales as to whether this trade is viable considering the cost to ship to India is more than it is to ship to China/South Korea.
STACKING UP: On-port volumes weren’t overly large compared to other times in the past 10 years or so, but log usage rates in China aren’t what they used to be, says Reece Brick.
Cattle Sheep Deer
Weekly saleyard results
These weekly saleyard results are collated by the AgriHQ LivestockEye team. Cattle weights and prices are averages and sheep prices are ranges. For more detailed results and analysis subscribe to your selection of LivestockEye reports. Scan the QR code or visit www.agrihq.co.nz/livestock-reports
BABIES ON BOARD: These R3 Hereford heifers from the Turakina Valley arrived at Feilding on Friday, June 6. In-calf to Angus from the start of December, the top draft earned $2300 and the second cut made $2100.
Store shorn cryptorchid lambs, all
Store woolly ewe lambs,
Feilding | June 9 | 225 cattle, 2612 sheep
Prime ewes, all
Prime male lambs, most
Prime mixed-sex lambs, most
Rongotea | June 10 | 101 cattle, 14 sheep
Boner Friesian cows, 495kg 3.15
Coalgate | June 5 | 167 cattle, 1812 sheep
Prime traditional steers, 580kg
Prime dairy-beef steers, 485kg
Prime traditional heifers, 470kg
Mixed-age whiteface ewes, SIL, most
Store terminal-cross ram lambs, all
Store terminal-cross mixed-sex lambs, most
Store finewool lambs, all
Prime ewes, all
Prime lambs, most
Canterbury Park | June 10 | 328 cattle, 3058 sheep
Store ewe lambs, all
Store mixed-sex lambs, most
Prime ewes,
5-year
Zooming out to stay in tune with June
IT’S that time of year – when long range forecasting goes out the window to some degree due to the very messy weather patterns of winter.
The winter solstice is this coming Saturday, June 21, at precisely 2:41 pm this year. If you’re not a believer in winter starting on June 1 (meteorological calendar) then winter officially starts for you as of this weekend (astronomical calendar).
Basically, peak winter weather is now here but New Zealand’s location on Earth can turn our weather on its head and bring surprising results.
Over the almost 20 years I’ve been running WeatherWatch I’ve seen a number of years when “peak cold” comes at various times. I’ve seen South Island frosts being worse in autumn than they were in winter. I’ve seen peak winter cold arrive in June, or July or August ... sometimes even as early as May.
I’ve declared spring weather arriving nationwide (even in
the Deep South!) as early as late July, and this year some parts of southern NZ had frosts in summer but not so much in autumn.
On average, July and August are NZ’s two coldest months – but our location (halfway between the tropics and Antarctica) along with our nation’s relatively small size in comparison to weather systems means our weather can easily change.
It’s been cold lately, especially over the South Island and lower North Island, with polar air keeping temperatures down. Large lows over the Tasman Sea and anticyclones north-east of NZ (one last week even went as far north as Fiji and Samoa!) have helped the North Island have a mix of winter and warm, with west to north-west airflows pushing daytime highs into the early 20s for some regions, along with mid-teen overnight lows at times.
So what lies ahead for the rest of June?
This week kicks off with a large anticyclone crossing the South Island. This more southern placement means easterlies will return to large parts of the North Island and colder air will be
dragged northwards for a time this week.
By the end of the week the high is likely shifting off NZ but may still affect our weather. It’s a bit of a messy pattern with high pressure flirting with NZ, which may allow some wet weather to sneak in here and there.
By Monday next week (June 23),
long range models suggest another westerly surge, followed by a colder/cooler sou’west change.
The long range modelling suggests more high pressure returns.
In my view that is a fairly balanced mix of winter weather, perhaps even leaning a bit drier for some. But this is the time of year when it’s harder to see into the
MOVEMENT: Expected rainfall to near the end of June – this may still move around a bit, but nothing too alarming stands out.
future with accuracy – so I tend to zoom out and look the bigger picture for some context.
For now the pattern looks fairly typical for winter – and severe weather risks, while still possible each week, don’t look to be too wild for most places (yet). July may kick off with high pressure in the NZ area too.
