Farmers Weekly NZ February 3 2025 by AgriHQ

Herd-i is looking for 100 farmers to be the first to use our new automated BCS system and to be part of a specialist advisory group.

Shipping shake-up on horizon

Neal Wallace MARKETS Transport

GLOBAL shipping services and New Zealand ports could be in for a shake-up after two of the world’s largest operators announced a collaboration to improve shipping service reliability.

Hapag Lloyd and Maersk have formed Gemini Cooperation, an operational collaboration that, from February 1, was set to have 340 vessels servicing seven key trade routes, complemented by feeder services.

The stated the goal of the collaboration is to achieve 90% customer service reliability.

Depending on the route, it is currently less than 50%.

The impact on NZ ports and exporters is still speculative, but NZ Council of Cargo Owners chair Mike Knowles said it could mean Gemini ships calling at one port, or hub, in each island and rely on feeder services to shift cargo from smaller ports to those two hubs. He said global shipping services have struggled to reach pre-covid levels of reliability while NZ ports have also failed to return to precovid efficiency levels.

Ports of Auckland in particular is struggling.

Knowles welcomed Gemini’s focus on improving reliability as it

provides exporters with certainty but noted that the proposal would mean longer transit times as ships call at more hubs and for longer to exchange cargo, which could be a factor for perishable cargo.

“The aim is to improve the reliability of the global network, and if it does that, it will be beneficial for NZ exporters.”

The aim is to improve the reliability of the global network.

Forsyth Barr head of research

Andy Bowley said the aim of the collaboration is to use Maersk’s existing port network to improve shipping reliability.

He said ports are already centralising on hubs.

There were three alliances before Gemini, and Bowley said having a fourth means collaborating shipping lines will account for more than 80% of global shipping.

Bowley said given most of Gemini’s focus is east-west and west-east shipping routes, this is unlikely to have much of an impact on NZ.

“I am not convinced we are going to see a seismic shift in

Continued page 5

Sward still mightier than the pen

Buyers were scrambling to secure stock and farmers in no hurry to sell with grass in abundance, as on-farm lamb sales across Canterbury kick-started positive new year vibes in the sheep industry. PGG Wrightson auctioneer Glenn Peddie said stock quality at the recent annual Rakaia Gorge sales was second to none. Photo: Annette Scott

NEWS 15

SECTORFOCUS

Gene Tech Bill needs a primary sector voice, says DairyNZ.

NEWS 5

Longer lactation takes heat out of spring

Farm consultant Mark Robinson says extended lactation has proven a means of helping reduce the usual spring pressures on cows and farmers.

DAIRY 18-29

NZ’s struggling meat industry has been in this state before.

NEWS 7

US election just the symptom of a long illness, writes Daniel Eb.

OPINION 17

Mike Knowles NZ Council of Cargo Owners

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Get in touch

EDITORIAL

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Focus

News in brief

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18-29

Farmers . 30-33

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MISSING: AgResearch scientist Alec Mackay says despite pasture being the country’s biggest crop, valuable data on its type, composition and location is missing. STORY P9

Fonterra is to invest $150 million in electrification projects across the North Island over the next 18 months. These include electric boilers at its Whareroa, Edgecumbe and Waitoa sites. Fonterra’s chief operating officer, Anna Palairet, said the investments are a significant step for the co-operative’s future operations.

Fonterra investment Agreement reached

Zespri and its marine cargo insurers have agreed to a $24.1 million settlement on a claim for an infestation of mice that caused a shipment of SunGold kiwifruit to be condemned in April last year.

Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake described the settlement as positive. After allowing for costs, it will return 17-18 cents per tray to growers.

Waterfowl deaths

An outbreak of avian botulism in the Otago region has left more than 1000 waterfowl dead or dying at the Waikouaiti wastewater treatment plant, north of Dunedin.

Most of the dead birds are paradise shelducks, a native taonga species that traditionally use oxidation ponds at the treatment plant as a moulting site. It is not linked to the recent avian influenza outbreak at a North Otago poultry farm.

Profitable farms?

New Zealanders think farms are more profitable than they actually are, according to a new survey.

A market research survey conducted in November last year found a significant difference between the perception that 40% of farms make a profit and the reality of 27%.

services to and from NZ.”

Gemini is likely to increase competition and make rates more competitive.

Rates rose sharply over covid and again last year with exporters facing a doubling in charges between May and July before costs fell again in October but stayed elevated.

According to the Global Container Freight Index, last November it cost US$3300 to ship a 40 foot container, US$1200 more than it did in January 2023.

The seven trade lanes involved in Gemini are between Asia and the US West Coast, Asia and the US East Coast, Asia and the Middle East, Asia and the Mediterranean, Asia and North Europe, the Middle East-India and Europe and Transatlantic.

Hapag Lloyd states on its website that the 340 vessels involved will be able to move 3.7m TEU (20 foot equivalent container units) a year and service 6000 ports.

It will also help the shipping companies meet their decarbonisation goals.

The Maersk website says Gemini was also driven by ongoing delays from the military conflict in the Red Sea, necessitating the continued diverting of ships around the Cape of Good Hope.

Kotahi, NZ’s largest freight manager, could not respond to Farmers Weekly questions by deadline.

However, last May it signed a long-term freight agreement with Maersk, which the parties said at the time would provide shareholders with reliable shipping services.

This followed a similar 10-year agreement signed in 2014 during which the partnership shipped 1.8 million TEUs or 23 million tonnes of New Zealand cargo to market, the majority being dairy, meat, seafood, horticulture and forestry.

GE Bill needs a farmer’s voice: DairyNZ

THE Gene Technology Bill needs a primary sector voice both in its early development stage and ongoing in its regulatory system once the legislation is bedded in, DairyNZ says.

That voice should be an advisory committee to sit alongside the proposed technical and Māori advisory committees, DairyNZ senior policy advisor Laura Kearney and senior research manager Sarah Gard said in a webinar.

Those committees will sit under the gene technology regulator that is to be established under the Environmental Protection Authority. The regulator is to be an independent decision maker that decides on the level of risk for the technologies.

DairyNZ will be strongly advocating in its submission that a primary sector advisory committee also be established, Gard said.

“Having primary sector expertise from the outset is going to be vital in making sure that this new framework has those protections in place,” Kearney said.

The legislation is designed to modernise New Zealand’s laws around genetic technologies.

In a broad sense, DairyNZ welcomes the Bill and supports its intent as the science has advanced

significantly over the past 25 years.

However, there are gaps in it that needs to be addressed to help protect the primary sector, Kearney said.

Another risk is that the legislation does not provide ways for co-existence between GE and non-GE entities including species, farmland and in the supply chain.

Gard said the Bill’s definition of the environment in relation to risks that GE poses does not include domesticated animals or farming.

Broadening that definition will allow a pathway within the legislation to ensure coexistence is considered in the process.

“What is most important to us is that farmers have choice in that farm-to-farm coexistence.”

If, for example one farmer used GE technology while the neighbouring farmer chose not to, there needs to be a way for those two farms to be able to coexist.

“We need to be able to do that in a way that our decisions are not impacting on each other,” Gard said.

The proposed legislation does not give assurances that

coexistence can occur at a farm and supply chain level.

DairyNZ chief science adviser Bruce Thorrold said much of the farmer feedback they received last year centred on concerns about coexistence.

Having primary sector expertise from the outset is going to be vital.

Laura Kearney DairyNZ

“There was a wide range of views, a significant majority in support of the change and a significant minority who were deeply concerned.”

It was clear that a solution could not be found by averaging those two opinions. There has to be a solution for farmers that want to use GE and those who do not, he said.

Kearney said there are also concerns about the risk it poses to trade and market access.

“The Bill is focused on the risks to human health and safety and the environment. It currently does

not consider trade and market access risks.”

These risks need to be more appropriately considered and have proper safeguards in place.

“It’s absolutely key that we don’t get out ahead of key trading partners and that we have processes and place and provisions for assessing these risks and managing them.”

The other two areas of concern identified by DairyNZ are transparency and provisions for Māori. DairyNZ would like to see the Māori advisory committee’s scope expanded.

The legislation is in the middle of its submission stage with a deadline of February 17.

The submissions are going to Parliament’s Health Select Committee. Kearney urged people writing submissions to ensure they understand a farmer’s perspective on it.

DairyNZ is working with other sector groups. It will be submitting on the legislation and seeking an oral submission.

The government is aiming to have the legislation passed and the new regulator in place by the end of 2025.

Gerald Piddock NEWS Genetics

DEFINITION: DairyNZ senior research manager Sarah Gard says the Bill’s definition of the environment in relation to risks that GE poses does not include domesticated animals or farming.

Photo: File

Cleaning up continues at Mainland Poultry

Gerald Piddock NEWS Production

MAINLAND Poultry is looking to repopulate its farm at Hillgrove in Otago once the Ministry for Primary Industries has competed the cleaning process that followed a positive test for bird flu late last year.

When that can happen will be up to the MPI. The outbreak of H7N6 of avian influenza in December led to the culling of 200,000 birds and the farm was placed under biosecurity controls while it is decontaminated to remove possible traces of the disease.

It is thought that it was spread onto the farm after foraging chickens interacted with wild birds that had the disease.

Once it has been given the all clear, day-old chicks from the company’s hatchery in Christchurch will be brought into the farm’s rearing sheds, Mainland Poultry chief executive John McKay said. The birds will be reared on farm for 15 weeks, then transferred to

Managing a significant event like this is incredibly hard on people.

John McKay Mainland Poultry

the laying sheds and this process continues until the farm is fully repopulated.

McKay said the outbreak has been devastating.

“As farmers involved in taking care of animals it is incredibly difficult to watch them get sick and also hard when the decision is made to cull.

“Managing a significant event like this is incredibly hard on people because the workload is relentless. We’ve had to ensure we are looking after people and

VITAL: Mainland Poultry chief executive John McKay says the key take-home message from the influenza outbreak is the importance of rigorous on-farm biosecurity.

Photo: File

animals throughout this process with great care. I’m incredibly proud of the work my team have done and continue to do to manage this event.”

He said the full economic cost to the business was still not clear.

The poultry industry and the MPI had been planning for the possibility of avian influenza for some time and it was fortunate that this was not the

more feared strain H5N1, he said.

“It is also fortunate that the outbreak has been contained to only one farm and extensive testing has confirmed that is still the case. Working closely with MPI, we have taken every precaution to protect our other properties and the rest of the industry.

“It’s not great we were the first to get HPAI, but we were prepared and had the resources and expertise to deal with it. I hope that our experience will assist other farmers in the future should there be other outbreaks.”

Reflecting on the outbreak, he said the key take-home message for him was the importance of rigorous on-farm biosecurity.

“All farmers can be prepared with adoption of good biosecurity practices, monitoring the health of their flocks or herds and seeking vet advice quickly if their animals are unwell.”

He is optimistic that free-range poultry farming can continue despite the disease risk and the industry is working hard with MPI and farmers to get these in place and make the industry as robust as possible.

Timeline emerging on Trump’s global tariff threat

EXPORTERS look like they will have to wait a few months more before the full scale of US President Donald Trump’s threatened global tariff attack is revealed.

Off-the-cuff tariff threats against a handful of countries have been the order of the day since Trump became president for the second time on January 20. The threats, which so far have not resulted in actual tariffs, have in the first two weeks of his presidency been the go-to

negotiating tool for Trump in several stand-offs, from stemming the flow of illegal immigrants and fentanyl crossing the border from Mexico and Canada, to pressuring Russia into ending the war with Ukraine.

Fonterra’s director of global stakeholder affairs, Simon Tucker,

We tend to send highvalue proteins which are not manufactured at that scale in the US.

Simon Tucker Fonterra

said that’s not to say exporters are in the clear.

Tucker said instead of tariffs, on his first day Trump sent a memo entitled America First Trade Policy to key federal economic agencies asking them to investigate the causes of the US’s “large and persistent” annual deficits in its trade in goods with the rest of the world.

Trump asked the agencies to report back to him on possible remedies including a “global supplemental tariff or other policies” by the beginning of April.

“The suggestion is that the new administration’s way forward on trade policy is going

to be informed by that piece of analysis,” Tucker said.

“I do not think that means the president will not use tariffs in other ways but that seems to be an important building block.”

Meanwhile Fonterra will prepare to make its case for being exempted from any global tariff, utilising contacts in the US Congress, among others.

While high tariffs of up to US$1500 a tonne already limit exports of traditional commodities such as butter and cheese, the same cannot be said for high-value whey protein concentrate, and milk protein concentrates, which faced much lower tariffs.

The US buys a third of New Zealand’s casein and protein dairy products.

“We tend to send high-value proteins which are not manufactured at that scale in the US.

“We are working with US food and nutritional and pharmaceutical companies who rely on those inputs to make products for American consumers and for export.”

Tucker was also optimistic that Trump could be an ally in the fight against Canadian milk subsidies, which, as well as undermining returns for NZ exporters in the US market, are also harming US dairy producers.

Nigel Stirling POLITICS Trade

‘Simply not enough stock to go around’

Neal Wallace NEWS Production

THE meat industry has been in its current reflective state before, says Progressive Meats chief executive Craig Hickson.

The Alliance Group’s recapitalisation issues have renewed the focus on wider industry challenges such as excess processing capacity, falling stock numbers and inconsistent profitability.

Hickson said those issues are not new, noting the continual drop in stock numbers since the 1980s, which has caused plants to close before.

“There is simply not enough stock to go around,” he said.

“The trend will continue until such a time we have competitive land use for sheep and beef farmers.”

He believes Alliance’s closure of Smithfield will not be the last but doubts there will be an industrywide restructuring solution, as it requires a company to make the first move, which none will be keen to make.

Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Tony Egan said the current situation is business as usual for the meat industry.

Egan said the challenges for beef have not been as pronounced as for sheep, but still require focus, attention and adaptability.

He welcomed improved prices for sheep and beef and government policy that seems to value farming and its economic contribution.

Confidence will come from getting domestic policy settings right and continuing to diversify our export markets.

Kate Acland Beef + Lamb

AFFCO chief executive Nigel Stevens said while 2024 was a difficult year particularly for lamb, markets had improved – but excess capacity remains an issue.

“Although there has been some recent capacity reduction, with the decline in livestock numbers over recent years there clearly needs

to be further reductions in both islands.”

He said AFFCO is willing to be part of any industry discussions addressing surplus capacity.

Alliance chair Mark Wynne said the challenge for companies is to create and capture more value from the marketplace at the right cost.

“Currently, the returns on capital for both processors and farmers are inadequate, driving many farmers to logically shift land use in search of better returns.”

Poor wool returns have placed excessive reliance on income from meat.

Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton does not accept the trend of falling livestock numbers is a given but notes there is no silver bullet solution.

The industry has to evolve to remain competitive.

“The one thing that will arrest and reverse this trend is when farmers have confidence to invest in growing their businesses.”

Operating efficiency is fundamental but any solution also requires investment to differentiate New Zealand products in

WOOL: The economics of livestock farming need to improve and that requires better wool returns to ease the disproportionate reliance on income from meat, say industry leaders.

the market. Boulton said there has been heightened procurement tension in the past six months and while that benefits farmers in the short term, ultimately it delays investment that will generate true returns for farmers.

He believes there is a greater willingness of companies to engage in sector issues.

“There are obviously strict legal parameters that limit the types of things the industry can or should work together on, but fundamentally we support consideration of any collaboration which creates value for farmers and shareholders.”

cooperative structure has historically

NZ farmers well but the sector needs significant ongoing investment, which comes with confidence.

“Confidence will come from a combination of getting domestic policy settings right and continuing to grow and diversify our export markets.”

Acland said her organisation supports procurement models that reward farmers for producing high-quality, well-finished stock that reflect signals from global markets rather than procurement tension.

More plant closures likely as sheep numbers fall

Neal Wallace NEWS Production

THE issues facing Alliance Group are not peculiar to the co-operative but reflect wider problems with the meat industry that will result in further plant closures, says a farming leader.

Federated Farmers meat and fibre chair Toby Williams said sheep numbers will continue to fall, accentuating the issue of excess processing capacity while costs and inconsistent

profitability are also problems.

“The industry needs to downsize,” he said.

In 2019-2020, 18.8 million prime lambs were processed. Last year the number was 18.1 million while mutton has fallen from 3.5 million to 3.1 million over the same period.

Williams believes industry players have been collectively “holding their breath” for the past six months to see what happens to Alliance.

“I think that has been a bit unfair to Alliance because it is an industry-wide problem so

there should be some sort of consolidation by all companies.”

Williams believes Alliance’s ownership structure will be very different by the end of this year, speculating it will be a hybrid between farmers and a foreign investor. But wider industry issues will remain.

He believes lamb needs to be worth $9 to $10/kg and strong wool $7 to $10/kg to restore confidence in sheep and make the sector viable.

Lincoln University Agribusiness Professor Hamish Gow said

co-operatives ensure farmers receive a fair price, a role also played by Fonterra in the dairy industry.

There is a risk is that without that yardstick, privately owned businesses will pay only what they have to for stock while retaining any profits.

He believes Alliance could have countered farmers reluctance to invest by better communicating what the funds will be used for, and how Alliance it will improve its strategy and create value.

Daryl Carran has worked in the

meat industry for 50 years and has little faith companies will work together to address underlying sector issues, believing there will be further plant closures.

The Meat Workers Union national secretary said companies, farmers and workers are all impacted by surplus processing capacity, which requires a united solution.

He also wants co-operation to end trucks travelling long distances carting stock to keep plants full, often passing as they travel from opposite ends of the country.

Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland said the

served

Calls for nationwide pasture survey grow

Richard Rennie NEWS Agriculture

EXPECTED gains in New Zealand’s pasture levels under climate change are not materialising, with scientists concerned that instead pasture gains are starting to slide towards negative territory.

This has two senior research scientists calling for an industrywide assessment of the country’s pasture resources to better understand why.

AgResearch senior scientists Mike Dodd and Alec Mackay are concerned about how the reality unfolding around NZ is departing from the gains modelling predicted under climate change.

But they also suspect there are other significant factors at play, including changes in management practices, pests, one-off weather events, and shifts in fertiliser use in response to farm budget pressures.

It is prompting them to call for an industry effort to survey and take an inventory of the nation’s pasture resources.

They say getting smarter about

how pastures will respond to shifts in the environment is difficult in the absence of a full stock take of the country’s most valuable perennial crop.

“Just relying upon our historical research data sites means your conclusions are always going to be a bit tenuous. Any other industry would be collecting the data. Our data on national feed is very poor. No survey on the state of our pastures has been done for 40 years,” said Mackay.

The surge in remote sensing tech, low-level satellite monitoring and the internet all mean data collection nationally would be far easier this time around.

Some of the survey tech is already in play with LIC’s Pastures from SPACE technology integrating satellite imagery and pasture growth modelling for subscribed farmers.

A slide in pasture productivity imperils the government’s goal to double exports within the decade, given pastoral production exports contribute to 80% of those exports.

Many in the rural sector had hoped the shift in temperatures down the country would result in

benefits like all-grass wintering in Southland, and tropical crop opportunities for Northland.

But AgResearch’s Southland site has shown no sign of pasture productivity gains, Waikato is standing still despite major increases in nitrogen inputs, and Southern Hawke’s Bay is going backwards in pasture yield.

There, the summer moisture deficits and higher temperatures outweigh the anticipated benefits of higher C02 levels and warmer winter-early spring temperatures.

Reviewing pastoral inventory regularly will give a more real time picture of emerging pasture trends.

For example, scientists believe the true state of play has been disguised on drystock farms, where greater ewe and cow fertility has masked an underlying slide in pasture production.

Meantime, the ability of the many new pasture cultivars could also be better understood.

The scientists point out while there have been multiple new grass cultivars released over the years, their pre-release data has often been generated from small plot mown trials rather than from

Any other industry would be collecting the data.

Alec Mackay AgResearch

the rough and tumble of livestock grazing.

The question of what a pasture survey would include is likely to be heavily influenced by any industry players that contribute. But the scientists believe beyond actual area, many in the sector would find composition details, measured growth rates, and nitrogen fixation

MISSING: AgResearch scientist Alec Mackay says despite pasture being the country’s biggest crop, valuable data on its type, composition and location is missing.

levels by legumes to all be highly useful data points.

“If we can get closer to what is really happening, we may discover we are growing more pasture in winter, but losing more of it over spring for example,” said Dodd.

In addition, NZ’s vastly variable soils, which stretch across 13 degrees of latitude, demand more data to provide farmers with more pertinent, regionally relevant information on coping with climate change’s impact.

Given the commonality of pasture across the primary sector, Dodd and Mackay said interest should be strong within the industry.

Better grass info would feed farm profits

Richard Rennie NEWS Land

BEEF + Lamb New Zealand’s manager for farming excellence, Dan Brier, shares Dr Alec Mackay’s belief that what is not measured cannot be properly managed, including the country’s pasture assets.

“With pasture growth so closely linked to farm profit, having a handle on that would be a real benefit. It is on the list of a lot of useful things that need to be looked at,” he said.

The idea of a national pasture survey has been discussed relatively recently, with the

Resilient Grasslands conference in 2021 having a survey to quantify New Zealand’s pasture as one of five actions.

Brier points to a piecemeal research landscape that captures some aspects of a survey’s value.

That includes the Ag Yields open database providing a place for scientists to place data on pasture and crop yields from throughout NZ.

“Also, the Hill Country Futures project included a big focus on collecting more data on hill country pasture performance.”

There is also work done by different groups gathering

data on regenerative pasture projects.

He pointed to work Beef + Lamb NZ (BLNZ) is doing with DairyNZ in Northland, determining more resilient pastures as ryegrass struggles in higher temperatures.

Bridget Maclean, DairyNZ’s general manager for research and science, said a national inventory of the country’s pasture could be one useful part of an effort to address the plateau in pasture harvest witnessed in the past 20 years.

She said DairyNZ’s view is that pasture improvement needs to be addressed by a comprehensive programme

that includes research, plant breeding and innovation including gene technologies.

“We are currently working with partners such as farmers, BLNZ, the Plant Breeding and Research Association and AgResearch to identify causes and develop solutions.

“But the scale of effort across the whole sector is insufficient given the number and complexity of issues, including climate change, increased weed and pest pressure, and the role of new forages, crops and farm systems.

“Greater focus and funding are therefore required in this vital area.”

OPPORTUNITY: BLNZ manager Dan Brier says a better understanding of the country’s pasture resources would link directly back to efforts to improve on farm profits.

Trash disposal that treasures the land

Uys TECHNOLOGY Agribusiness

B LIME in Winton

Amight be Southland’s most tech-heavy, multifaceted and expert-driven primary industries operation.

The business is made up of a lime quarry, landfill, fertiliser distribution facility, cow health products sold under Healthy Cow and a dairy farm, with five wetlands and a native plant nursery to boot.

It also sells fertiliser for Ravensdown and Ballance, with 36,000 tonnes distributed per year.

It is not an easy business to run, evident when general manager Steve Smith puts down a pile of seven manuals on his office table, which include plans to manage their leachate, gas and air quality.

“There’s 330 consent conditions to be met to keep AB Lime running,” Smith said.

The original company came from the 1996 merger of Browns Lime and Awarua Lime, with a number of families, including the Anderson, Chisholm, Hunter and McMahon families owning it.

Waste is brought to the landfill daily.

Also daily, diggers open a section of the landfill, dump and spread the waste, and cover it back up again.

Once a cell is filled, it is capped with organic material and grass is grown on top of it.

AB Lime employs 48 staff and is the South Island’s biggest agricultural lime works.

The lime quarry acts as a basis for the Southern Regional Landfill.

Smith said farmers are underliming, often applying it only when soil pH drops significantly below optimum.

He said if farmers were applying lime as often as they should, AB Lime would not be able to keep up with demand.

Currently it produces about 12,000t of lime every two weeks.

Lime is extracted from what is called a cell, in effect a predetermined area of the total quarry.

Once lime extraction from this area is finished, the cell is prepared for use as landfill.

In order to meet environmental standards, the landfill is lined in layers of different impermeable materials that prevents leaching into the environment.

“Waste is basically encased in a cocoon,” Smith said.

“You quarry it, you fill it up, you cover it up.”

Once a cell is filled, the next cell is prepared.

AB Lime takes refuse from across Southland and up to Oamaru.

This is mostly general waste, but includes special waste, such as chicken carcases culled after a bird flu outbreak on an Otago farm.

Smith said realistically they began the landfill because “we had a hole” made from quarrying.

Despite that very practical approach, having a landfill in a lime quarry is beneficial.

Lime is an incredibly good odour suppressant. It also pushes up pH and so kills pathogens and bacteria.

AB Lime recently landfilled thousands of chickens culled after the H7N6 strain of bird flu was found on an Otago farm.

Smith said though the lime helps in such an instance, because the landfill is at 60degC, the heat will also kill pathogens.

“It’s not going to last long before it’s dead.”

He however believes they were chosen to take the culled birds because of the way the landfill is managed.

“We are synthetically lined, have leachate control, there’s gas extraction and flaring. We are a modern class one landfill. Everything is real time monitored, the groundwater quality, gas compositions, odour monitoring, leachate, absolutely everything.

“We have an Air Quality Management Plan, Landfill Operations Management plan, Landscaping, Rehabilitation and Aftercare Plans, Landfill Gas Plan, sediment control, a plan for everything.”

Besides a team of quarry operators and a landfill team of eight, AB Lime also has an environmental team that helps run operations.

A large screen on Smith’s office wall shows 3D imaging of the landfill, composed from drone surveys done weekly.

The way land is quarried and filled is modelled, almost on a daily basis.

Smith said they remain low cost because they’re constructing the landfill through another operation, the quarry.

This is a privilege other landfills don’t have. They, in essence, have to construct an entire landfill before they begin taking waste.

“The profile of our landfill is already cut and paid for by the quarry.”

Smith switches from the landfill model to a screen showing a Halter collar map of the farm.

The dairy farm is also tech driven, with Halter collars being fitted to 950 cows before mating last year.

everyone else’s junk. We have to be caretakers of the waste coming in and make sure the environment is not affected by it.

“We have 63 hectares of native bush and a full-time biodiversity ranger to look after it full time.

We come to work every day to protect the environment from everyone else’s junk.

Steve Smith AD Lime

“He does pest control, is building a walking track, and we have a 10,000-tree native nursery with seed eco sourced from the bush so we know what we plant will grow.”

Being part of the Mid-Oreti catchment group means AB Lime is also heavily invested in keeping local waterways clean.

It holds open days at its wetlands, helping other farmers

Smith said wearables are just the next progression.

The company also operates an 80-bale rotary shed, and has fat, protein and somatic cell count monitoring on every bail.

The public perception of a landfill and quarry is often “bizarre” with some seeing them as “environmental terrorists”.

However the opposite is true, he said.

“We come to work every day to protect the environment from

learn how to source seeds for native plants.

Smith said because they were already doing water quality monitoring for the quarry and the landfill they are doing for the dairy farm too.

To this end they constructed five wetlands in the five areas where the farm topography meant possible overland flow contaminating freshwater.

“Once a month we monitor nine drainage outfalls. We’ve determined that sediment and phosphate are our major surface water contaminants.

“Wetlands are fantastic to mop those up. We are seeing water quality improvements.”

Smith said they recently ordered an electricity generation plant from Austria, and will generate 1 megawatt of electricity from landfill gas later in 2025.

This is enough electricity to power approximately 300 homes.

Until the unit arrives, they use landfill gas in a coal kiln dryer to dry lime, and as gas production increases, they will be able to do both.

Gerhard

BUFFER: In around 2010 when dairy conversion began in Southland, AB Lime bought a number of properties around it to create a buffer between itself and neighbours. Photos: Gerhard Uys

CHANGES: When AB Lime general manager Steve Smith joined in 2008, the landfill was in its infancy, there was no dairy farm, and no cow health products were being produced.

CONSENTS: Steve Smith says they used to be a 100,000 tonnes-a-year landfill, but the landfill now has consents and enough capacity to take waste for the next 200-plus years.

SUBLIME: Wetlands were constructed in the five areas where the farm topography meant possible overland flow contaminating freshwater.

Hoping for more science and less management

Richard Rennie NEWS Research

LINCOLN University’s Professor Jon Hickford is hoping government science reforms can deliver more joy to what he describes as the “joyless vocation” of agricultural science.

Announced last month, the reforms aim to reduce the level of management and bureaucracy around the sector and will fold the four main primary sector Crown Research Institutes into one public research organisation (PRO), one of four under the reforms.

The restructuring also aim to boost commercialised scientific output and reward scientists who develop innovations by enabling them to register their intellectual property (IP) ownership.

Hickford said he has spent years observing institutions “tying themselves in knots” over IP allocation.

The government’s IP plans come from a model used by Canada’s Waterloo University.

“If you as the scientist do it right, then you get to put dollars in your pocket. This is how you empower scientists.”

Hickford has experience in both pure and commercially applied science, publishing 300 peer reviewed research papers while also overseeing the Lincoln University gene marker lab offering numerous commercial gene tests to livestock breeders.

He is less concerned that the reforms’ commercial focus will mean less “blue sky” work will occur.

“We have a commercial science operation that returns earnings from all over the world, to fund

our blue-sky gene research work back here.”

He also welcomes any reduction in bureaucracy in the science sector.

“Obsessive managerialism is rife. In many cases they are paid more than the scientists and often do not understand or have a background in science.”

He said a “tier 3” manager will be paid only slightly less than a professor with 20 years’ experience.

He acknowledged the government announcement made no reference to more funding for science and, given budgetary constraints, he was not surprised.

He hoped savings from a less bureaucratic structure would be returned to scientists.

Obsessive managerialism is rife. In many cases they are paid more than the scientists.

Jon Hickford Lincoln University

“But longer term we do have to increase the amount of funding. That comes through in Professor Gluckman’s review,” he said, referring to the report of the Science System Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, on how to improve the effectiveness and impact of the science sector in New Zealand.

Hickford views the Invest NZ policy to attract foreign investors to projects including science and innovation as well intended, but demanding a better framework for success.

Troy Baisden, co-president of New Zealand Association of Scientists, said some of the

reforms, including offering IP protection, have merit but overall they amount to window dressing covering bigger problems.

“The reconstruction of the primary sector CRIs as one body is particularly good if we are looking at the wider public and NZ benefits.

“But there is no clear pathway by which removal of CRI profit models would be determined, instead a vague notion they will become public entities. I question where the pressure will come from to achieve this.”

The lack of any additional funding also concerns Baisden.

“Commercialisation will not fund science. That presents a real problem – if we do not fund it we will not grow.”

He supports the report’s view stressing global evidence is overwhelming for the critical need for greater public investment to ensure stronger private sector investment.

He likens NZ’s current science funding situation to base line fertility on a marginal farm.

“It’s like the Olsen P (phosphate) levels are dropping through 20, to the point the farm can no longer be productive.”

He estimates a base line additional investment of $500 million could help prime the pump for greater research, and restore sector health.

Historical returns of 17% a year between 1927 and 2001 have proven science investment’s worth in the past to NZ.

But a loss of expertise in managing such a sum in the sector meant the sector’s structure and systems would need improving before it could be wisely invested.

Baisden said he remains optimistic while he awaits the second report on universities’ role in science.

BROWBEATEN: Professor Jon Hickford welcomes any changes the science reforms can make to reduce the level of bureaucracy and management oversight scientists feel they are under.

Diversified rams fetch higher prices

Staff reporter MARKETS Sheep and beef

ENFIELD Genetics made this season’s top price of $24,500 for a Wiltshire ram paid by Hamish Bielski, Balclutha, at the Gore shedding sheep sale.

The vendors were Enfield at Winton and Willowglen at Ranfurly and they sold 83 out of 88 rams with an average price of $2526.

Willowglen had a top of $7500.

Shire breed hair-coated rams sold to a top price of $8800 for Maungapiri Downs in Southland and the prices paid this season were between $5000 and $7000, vendor Tim Gow said.

More than double the number of Shire rams were offered at auction and Maungapiri made more than 80 private sales, some of them repeat purchasers on discounted prices.

Gow said he puts high reserves on the auction rams because of

the proven longevity of the breed, with ewes being productive to 15 years or more.

“New Zealand is behind other countries introducing hair-breed sheep, which are able to survive extremes of weather, and there is big interest in Africa, South America and eastern Europe,” he said.

Another hair-breed sheep, Wairere Nudies, sold up to $5000, made three times, at the Te Kuiti saleyard. The clearance was 45 from 75 and the average price was $3137, double that of the Wairere Romneys.

Meanwhile Cleardale SX fine wool rams peaked at $3800, twice, at the annual Rakaia Gorge on-farm sale, with an average of $1661, up on last year but not quite to the level of 2023, vendor Ben Todhunter said.

The clearance was 76 from 100 offered and Todhunter said demand was strong among farmers who want to move their flocks towards finer wool.

More fallout from NZ Wagyu liquidation

Neal Wallace NEWS Sheep and beef

TWO companies linked to NZ Wagyu, which was placed in liquidation last July, were also placed in liquidation, owing unsecured creditors a combined $5.8 million.

Origin Corporation and Blue Sky Meats (Gore) have common shareholding with Christchurchbased NZ Wagyu, which collapsed last July leaving 142 creditors $7.7m out of pocket.

The collapse of all three related companies potentially exposes unsecured creditors to losses of $13.5m.

Liquidators have calculated there are 131 unsecured creditors from the collapse of NZ Wagyu, mainly farmers, transport companies, contractors, stock feed

suppliers and rural servicing business.

The 11 secured creditors are financers and some suppliers.

Staff and Inland Revenue were owed over $1m.

Origin Corporation is a holding company owned by Arato Tsujino and Putian Champion Trustee Ltd. Its directors are Tsujino and Guanxiong Liu.

Tsujino is listed on the NZ Companies office as the sole director and shareholder in NZ Wagyu and the sole director of Blue Sky Meats (Gore) Ltd.

Origin Corporation is the sole shareholder of Blue Sky Meats (Gore) which processed Wagyu beef at a Gore processing plant and traded as Black Origin Meat Processors Ltd.

An initial report by liquidators Gerry Rea Partners says a shareholder applied to liquidate

COLLAPSE: Liquidators have calculated there are 131 unsecured creditors from the collapse of NZ Wagyu, mainly farmers, transport companies, contractors, stock feed suppliers and rural servicing business.

Origin Corporation due to a dispute between shareholders that could not be resolved.

This happened on December 19 last year with Blue Sky Meats (Gore) liquidated soon after, ceasing to trade on December 24.

Origin Corporation assets include two loans to related parties which have a combined book value of $2.5m: $2.1m to Blue Sky Meats (Gore) Ltd and $480,000 to Black Origin Meat Processors.

Blue Sky Meats (Gore) leased and operated a processing plant at Gore but has no connection with the former Blue Sky Meats, now known as Blue Sky Pastures, which operates a sheep meat processing plant at Woodlands near Invercargill.

The liquidators’ initial report estimates Blue Sky Meats (Gore) owes unsecured creditors, mostly its parent company, $2.7m

The liquidators are asking creditors for both companies to file any claims by February 7.

Meat industry ready to back fresh ideas

TRANSFORM: Sirma Karapeeva says the MIA is seeking ‘transformational ideas’ that will help the meat industry support the government’s goal to double the value of exports.

Staff reporter MARKETS Food and fibre

NEW Zealand’s red meat processing and exporting sector has launched its first ever Dragons’ Den to encourage Kiwis to come up with innovative new ideas to supercharge the industry.

Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the industry has a proud history of innovation and has led the world in a wide range of areas such as meat science, food safety and technology.

“However, in this fastchanging world, we cannot

afford to sit on our laurels,” said Karapeeva.

“We know there are people out there who will have an idea but maybe not the resources to take it further. MIA’s Dragons’ Den will provide an opportunity for people or businesses to get in front of industry leaders to make their pitch.”

Karapeeva said they are seeking “transformational ideas” for meat industry research and development that will help the sector support the government’s aspirational goal to double the value of exports.

News in brief

New Zealand wine led United Kingdom wine sales over the holiday period.

New Zealand Winegrowers said that in the four-week period leading up to December 28 2024, New Zealand white wine was the country-of-origin leader in the still white wine category, with value growth up 7.3% and volume growth up 9.7% compared to last year.

Wine popular Local legend

Morrinsville young farmer

Danielle Hovmand has taken out the New Zealand Young Farmers 2024 Contiki Local Legend Award.

The award celebrates members of NZ Young Farmers who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to their communities, the primary industry and the Young Farmers network.

Farmer fined

A South Waikato farmer and his dairy farming business have been fined $30,000 for breaches of employment standards relating to four employees.

The most promising ideas will be selected to participate in the Dragons’ Den, making a five-minute pitch to a panel of industry experts at the joint AgResearch-MIA Meat Innovation workshop in Palmerston North on March 11.

The best idea will be awarded a grant of up to $10,000 to develop a business case to progress the idea to a research project.

“This is a unique opportunity to make a material difference to the sector and we really encourage anyone who thinks they have a great idea to enter,” said Karapeeva.

“The idea can be across any discipline and be any development to do with meat, co-products and processing, and can come from any organisation or individual.”

The order by Employment Relations Authority follows a Labour Inspectorate investigation in February 2022 at a farm owned by H&S Chisholm Farms Limited in the Putaruru area. It found 34 breaches of employment standards at the farm and that the owner, Hugh Chisholm, was involved.

Wool hits $4

Strong demand has again driven a rise in value for most wool types, this time at the North Island sale in Napier. Following the big lift at the South Island wool sale on January 16, the first of the new year, prices as predicted hit the $4 mark at Napier on January 23.

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Genetics the star in Canterbury lamb sales

Annette Scott MARKETS Sheep and beef

STORE lamb prices are not budging as on-farm lamb sales across Canterbury kick-start positive new year vibes in the sheep industry.

The market in the south is aligning with the end of year in the north with buyers scrambling to secure large numbers as farmers are in no hurry to sell, opting instead, with grass in abundance, to keep lambs for weight gain.

The recent annual Rakaia Gorge on-farm lamb sales featured 14,000 lambs, all exceptional quality with returns consistently exceeding $4 a kilogram and prices fetching up to $60 a head more than last year.

“The quality of the stock was second to none, there were some magnificent lambs, all the averages were up,” PGG Wrightson auctioneer Glenn Peddie said.

“We need these values to be where they are, so the breeder is getting rewarded and genetics play a big part.

“Pre-Christmas it was dry, then came some rain and the quality turnout achieved is a credit to the breeding and testament to the genuine genetics.

“People know if they buy wellbred stock, you get a good feeder, and no matter what the market does there will be a good margin in it,” Peddie said.

For Hamish Guild of High Peak Station, the 30th annual farm sale was a good one.

People know if they buy well-bred stock ... no matter what the market does there will be a good margin in it.

Glenn Peddie PGG Wrightson

“A big improvement on last year with the average up $50 and that’s probably a reflection of the soft market in the auction system. We took a hit last year in the low of the low and then hit the high this year,” Guild said.

“This is the level it needs to stay at. Last year was unprofitable.

“The ongoing return of buyers is very pleasing and a reflection of the genetics we are getting, and we are very happy with that.

“It’s a case of improvement getting breeders and finishers in line making the margins they need.”

Rabobank’s Animal Protein Outlook 2025 reports recent improvement in sheepmeat pricing, currently sitting above five-year averages, due to improved demand and higher volumes going to markets outside of China, particularly the European Union, United Kingdom and United States.

But New Zealand-based senior animal protein analyst Jen Corkran cautioned that supply availability, along with economic conditions and geopolitics, will significantly influence global animal protein markets in 2025.

“As the global economy strives for recovery, anticipated policy shifts from new governments could introduce protectionist measures, leading to tariffs and higher trade costs,” she said.

Sheepmeat farmgate prices hit a cyclical low over the 2023-24 season, with farmgate returns as much as 20% below five-year averages.

However, 2025 is away to a positive start with growing confidence in the industry.

“I think the ewe flock has finally hit critical mass. We thought that happened five years ago but with changing landing use, irrigation on the plains and ewe flocks

pushed back up to the hills and high country, we are now seeing breeders getting due rewards,” Peddie said.

“If breeders don’t have years like this, the ewe flock will continue to decline, but yes, there is feed everywhere, the schedule has held up because the numbers aren’t there, and feed levels have played into our hands rather than into the meat plants as farmers are holding on to get an extra couple of kilograms on their lambs.

“Given how tough last year has been, everyone is under pressure and another 2kg on a lamb is another $15-$16 a head.

“It’s a lot, and it needs to keep happening. This season is certainly shaping up with positive confidence.”

PGG Wrightson South Canterbury livestock manager Joe Higgins said not only have the regions on farm lamb sales gone “exceedingly well”, but the weekly Temuka store lamb sales are booming too.

“All the on-farms have been followed by extremely large crowds.

“There’s been plenty of demand with all store lambs soaked up to date without the cropping farmers in the market.

“Average prices have all been up $38-$45 and with the rain this week, the grass just keeps growing.”

Higgins predicts a shortage of store lambs going forward, as harvest happens and “croppers come to market”.

“I don’t think there will be any let-up from the current strong demand and that will hold the prices up.

“It’s been a good positive start to the year. There’s definitely vibes of growing confidence.”

HIGH: The High Peak line-up of lambs hit the high of the market this year with the sale average up $50 a head. Photos: Annette Scott

GENETICS: High Peak Station manager Hamish Guild is happy with his flock genetics, which bring the buyers back year after year.

RISING: PGG Wrightson auctioneer Glen Peddie says another 2kg on a lamb is another $15-$16 a head.

From the Editor

Gerald Piddock Senior reporter

THE dairy industry is in the midst of a golden run, after two tumultuous seasons when farmers struggled to break even on the back of high input costs and interest rates.

How quickly it has turned. Milk production was the highest in a decade last year with December’s alone the highest in four years.

This was matched by the income received, with Fonterra making its largest ever monthly payment to farmers.

It means more than just extra dollars in farmers’ pockets. It will reduce their debt and help finance some of the maintenance jobs around the farm that might have been neglected after the belt tightening of the past few years.

It’s not just people inside the farmgate who are feeling more positive. LIC has just released a half-year result

where CEO David Chin credited market conditions as the main driver for both revenue and profit being up.

And let’s not forget what it will mean for our exports. The Ministry for Primary Industries’ Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report, released in December, forecast dairy export revenue to increase 10% to $25.5 billion in the year to June 30.

It expected global dairy prices to remain high and forecast an all-company average farmgate milk price of $9.60/kg MS.

That forecast for Fonterra, which so many other dairy companies base their price on, is currently sitting at $10/kg MS in its midpoint range.

The next SOPI report isn’t until the National Fieldays in June. You can’t help but think it will give both the government and the industry something to smile about as they struggle to kickstart an economy that seems stick in first gear.

Agricultural economist Phil Journeaux was right when he told Farmers Weekly that the dairy industry’s ability to carry the economy through tough times cannot be overstated.

In the meantime, the upcoming halfyear results for Fonterra and Synlait will be released in March.

The latter has already provided a sense

of what that result will entail, saying it will be back to being profitable when that result is released on March 24.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for a company that posted a $181.2 million loss for the year to July 2024. In September it was facing oblivion if its shareholders rejected a vote for a $218m issue of new shares to its two largest shareholders and a $450m finance package from banks.

For now, at least, dairy farmers are happy.

It is also clearly feeling very bullish about the future, having promised 10 cent premiums to its South Island suppliers for the next three seasons to better secure its farmer base, indicating that it believes the milk price will stay above the cost of production.

It’s rubbing off on farmers, too, with Rabobank’s latest confidence survey the highest it’s been since 2017.

So, for now, at least, dairy farmers are happy. While parts of the country are drying out, with so much production already in the vat and the feed crop harvest starting soon, farmers should be well positioned heading into the back end of summer and into autumn.

Letters of the week Strength through unity

Tom O’Sullivan Hawke’s

Bay

I READ the current panic among Alliance shareholders with some bemusement, “Keep it co-op, urge Alliance stakeholders” (January 27).

The survival-of-the-fittest mentality in the New Zealand meat industry is as strong today as it has ever been. I am particularly bemused at Silver Fern Farms (now Chinese controlled) showing interest in “helping out” Alliance.

I was heavily involved with the farmer advocacy group Meat Industry Excellence in 2015. We produced the very detailed Pathways to Long-Term Sustainability report, which clearly identified the key issues facing the meat industry, as well an industry-wide solution with the financial backing required.

Sadly, we couldn’t get the support we needed back then to make things happen and our three-year effort to create the change needed, ended.

One of our biggest frustrations was the lack of farmer understanding and support.

I have since exited sheep and beef farming and when I read of the very predictable and dire situation faced today, I am pleased to be well out of it.

Brutality has nothing to do with shearing

David Scobie Lincoln University

WHEN I was 16, I was working in a shearing shed in outback Australia trying to keep sheep up to a bunch of shearers who seemed to want to set a world record between them. Roustabouts (shed hands) copped it if the shearers ever ran out of sheep and yelled “sheep-oh.” I was eager to keep up and run ragged all day.

After that long, hard, hot day I was bent over and pushing the last reluctant big wether into the catching pen. The manager’s son kicked me in a very sensitive part of my body. He briefly thought it was funny but did not move quick enough to get away. I caught him and slammed him to the floor in a move that Hulk Hogan would have been proud of, if the victim had not been a skinny 12-year-old. That happened in a shearing shed during shearing when my temper flared BUT it had nothing to do with shearing.

I finished the clean-up and went to the manager’s wife and said, “Sorry, but I belted your son.” She asked why. I told her the truth. The son was already at the house, and I sense he had told her a different version. She said: “That will teach him a lesson.” Under the supervision of his mother, he later apologised to me and I to him.

The PETA campaign is not about shearing. Shearing is removing the wool from a sheep. The PETA video shows animal brutality, not shearing.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams, in “PETA campaign a disgraceful hit job” (Federated Farmers, January 20), said he had “thrown shearers out of my own shed for far less”. He also [justifies the practice of shearing by saying that, without it,] sheep would be uncomfortable, risk overheating, and be susceptible to parasites.

Don’t feed the fire, Toby. Beating a sheep in a shearing shed has no more to do with shearing than beating a skinny kid. Beating a sheep is animal brutality and should be dealt with appropriately.

A bad case of the Trumps

Eating the elephant

Daniel Eb

Daniel Eb helps Kiwis connect with farming through his agency Dirt Road Comms and Open Farms. His family farms in Kaipara. eating.the.elephant.nz@gmail.com

IDON’T hold a grudge against the people of the United States for voting for Donald Trump.

If I was one of the 100 million of them with some kind of medical debt, I might too. If I knew that my workplace productivity had risen 74% since 1973, but my wages by only 9%, I’d consider it. If my child was one of the 40% of US kids with a chronic health condition, I probably would.

On November 5, the people of the US didn’t turn towards xenophobia, anti-woke or economic protectionism. They turned away from a businessas-usual establishment that had fundamentally failed them after decades of broken promises.

Despite all the key message

training and slick ads that the Democratic machine could muster, Kamala Harris couldn’t say the one thing that struggling Americans needed to hear: “The system we politicians built isn’t working for you.” But Trump could. And did. Many times.

Despite his wild lies, dangerous policy positions, glaring character flaws and scandal after scandal, the simple acknowledgment of their clearly decaying living standards was enough to send 49.8% of Americans to the polls for him.

This is the great sadness of the moment that the US, and indeed the world, find ourselves in. The political status quo has delivered so little structural improvement for average folks, that a slim majority of them were willing to hold their nose, put aside their long-held values (like compassion or respect for women) and vote for a man like Trump.

He is right on one thing, though. This is a time for sweeping reform. But reform is best done with a scalpel and after long consultation with the literature, doctors and patients.

Trump is a hand grenade. He will blow up the good bits along with the bad.

They are far, far from perfect, but institutions such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), Paris Climate Accord, World Trade Organisation or NATO serve as stable foundations for global action on the mega challenges that increasingly affect us all. Pandemics, climate change, trade wars and invasions don’t much respect borders.

In his first week, President Trump has signed executive orders to pull the US out of the WHO and Paris Accord (joining Iran, Libya and Yemen as the only nonsignatory nations).

In the same week, he threatened to use military force to strip Greenland from Denmark – a quietly key member of NATO and longtime US ally.

It’s these hammer blows to the world’s institutions and norms that should worry us here in New Zealand. Yes, Trump’s tariffs would hurt. But the withdrawal of US naval security from the world’s shipping lanes or an energy crisis in the Middle East – brought about by a now energyindependent US to cripple energyimporting adversaries – would be devastating. Tariffs don’t matter much if you can’t fill the tractor. Call me old-fashioned, but I think character matters when it comes to leadership. The great reformers of history – those who actually delivered the kind of transformational change for everyday people that Trump has promised – were marked by their curiosity, empathy, diplomacy, humility and strength in equal measure. Great leaders like Nelson Mandela, Kate Sheppard, Sir Āpirana Ngata, Michael Joseph Savage or Franklin Roosevelt come to mind.

Like all autocrats, Trump’s character flaws will be the seeds of his own demise.

His desperate need for ego stroking will lead to jobs for cronies instead of the competent, which will lead to bad information,

which will lead to bad decisions. Ask Putin how that turned out in Ukraine.

Trump’s reflex to lie under pressure will lead to hard truths being ignored, which will lead to crisis.

Trump spent most of 2020 denying that covid existed or that it was already over. Two hundred thousand Americans died because of Trump’s delay and systemic underfunding of health services, according to a Lancet Commission.

His “big lie” that the 2020 US election was fraudulent (a claim rejected in 60-plus court cases) has accelerated a crisis of trust in the US democratic process – to the point that a third of voters were not sure their ballot would be counted fairly in November’s election.

His need for revenge will lead to a hardening of resistance, which

will lead to increasingly brutal crackdowns, which will lead to more resistance. Last week Trump purged a dozen Department of Justice career officials who worked on the cases against him.

Ultimately, every autocrat buckles under the weight of their own incompetence. The only question is how much collateral damage they inflict along the way. Despite this heavy ledger against Trump, I’m strangely accepting of it all. He feels like he fits the times – that we are finally seeing the expected symptom of a long illness. Trump is not an anomaly. He is the predictable result of decades of growing wealth inequality, a hollowing out of the middle class, echo-chamber media, social division and resurgent nationalism.

The saddest part of all is that Trump is right where he should be.

Serious questions dog red meat marketing

Meaty matters

MY PREVIOUS opinion piece analysing the challenges facing our red meat sector provoked some strong reaction, questioning the state and competence of the marketing of New Zealand beef and lamb. My correspondent expressed serious concern at the large investment of levy payers’ funds in Taste Pure Nature (TPN) in initially two, now one key market, asking how Beef + Lamb NZ could hand over leadership of the programme to the Meat Industry Association without consulting

farmers, while continuing to stump up $2 million over three

All the money spent on TPN in the United States’ West Coast market may possibly have achieved a small positive outcome for our grass-fed meat, but it was abandoned in 2023 because of other priorities.

This continues the sector’s record of failure to develop a promotional strategy that works and stick to it.

The main principle of successful marketing is consistency of message, not chopping and changing to chase the next apparent rainbow.

The best example of good marketing practice in the sector has been the consistent work by the domestic arm of BLNZ. The improvement in meat eating quality following the introduction of the Quality Mark, the consistent messaging of the Iron Maidens campaign and public awareness are evidence of successful marketing, but New Zealand is only one of many markets and even here red meat consumption has dropped.

Obviously funds will always be limited and need to be spent carefully, but there is little evidence the NZ red meat sector’s

overseas marketing programmes in recent years have been well coordinated.

Most questionable of all was the decision to cease support for the NZ Lamb rosette, which had underpinned New Zealand lamb in the lucrative United Kingdom chilled market, a reputation built up over more than 100 years.

The main principle of successful marketing is consistency of message.

Historically BLNZ, on behalf of the producers, was previously the only flag bearer for the sector, as exporters had no interest in promoting a generic product that retailers were unwilling to brand to the consumer.

New Zealand Beef and Lamb became the sole product identification, although BLNZ through various iterations kept trying to persuade exporters to assume responsibility for marketing.

There has been a long, drawnout debate about whether farmers or exporters should take the lead on this, with exporters generally resisting the call to conduct

expensive promotional campaigns.

Silver Fern Farms’ “plate to pasture” strategy is an exception, but it has struggled to expand its consumer product range to equate to more than 10% of its annual revenue.

The transfer of lead responsibility for TPN to the MIA has coincided with a change of strategy to a focus on China, specifically Shanghai. Realistically the funds provided from MIA reserves, BLNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries, $8m over three years, are unlikely to be more than a drop in an enormous bucket.

The most important questions to be answered are how NZ should market its red meat and whose responsibility it is. Past and current experience suggest traditional promotion is too difficult and too expensive for the sector’s limited resources. These ad hoc promotional programmes give the impression of being aimed at showing farmers the sector is doing something. Unfortunately, no single agency has the resources to continue spending for long enough and inevitably, as was the case with the rosette in the UK and TPN in California, the programmes will cease.

The higher value product is generally sold to major retailers or to food manufacturers that increasingly seek assurances of sustainable and environmentally conscious farming practices if they are to continue buying from New Zealand.

Whether or not we believe these claims are justifiably valid, we will need to ensure our product can be proven to meet them if we want to obtain the best prices.

Responsibility rests with the whole sector, from the farm through every step of the process to final sale, as well as BLNZ and MPI, to guarantee the excellence of grass-fed New Zealand beef and lamb.

We must make sure the right standards are in place at all stages and reinforce the product quality with a simple consistent message on every box, package and communication that proudly states New Zealand as the country of origin.

It is time to realise the limitations of marketing campaigns and concentrate on spending farmers’ and taxpayers’ money carefully.

WRECKING BALL: It is US President Donald Trump’s blows to the world’s institutions and norms that should worry us here in New Zealand, says Daniel Eb.

Allan Barber

industry commentator:

Sector Focus

Longer lactation takes the heat out of spring

Richard Rennie NEWS Systems

THE unstoppable milking performance of one of Basil Foy’s top cows was a prompt for him to consider the options to extend his whole herd’s lactation four years ago, making a big departure from the usual annual calving-mating cycle.

Basil and his wife Chrissy have farmed near Tokoroa for 28 years and are now entering their third 18-month extended lactation period with their 280-head herd.

The latest cycle has their herd now dried off, due to calve in March, then due to be mated later this year for a spring 2026 calving.

Working with their farm consultant Mark Robinson they decided to try an 18-month lactation period after experiencing frustratingly high empty rates and the usual challenges of getting cows back in calf so soon after calving.

“We have Friesian cows that were doing 2.4kgMS a day and simply could not get back in calf a few weeks later, there was too much stress on them,” said Basil. Production over the first three years of the new lactation period is up 40,000kgMS against the previous three conventional seasons, while empty rates are down from around 23% to 9%.

Having the cows hit their peak demand post-calving over winter does require some careful management.

“But once spring arrives, they have found opening up feed supplies sees them exceed 2kgMS

per cow per day quite easily.

“And we have gone from using around 140 CIDRs to get them cycling to only five or six hormone (progesterone) treatments this year.

“When it comes to mating, they have already had seven or eight cycles and are less stressed. I would be consistently getting

We have Friesian cows that were doing 2.4kgMS a day and simply could not get back in calf a few weeks later, there was too much stress on them.

Basil Foy Dairy farmer

about 20 a day coming on heat.”

The couple said their contract milker finds the position more relaxing and enjoyable than a conventional June-June cycle. The improved in-calf rate also means they now have far more choice over which cows to keep and which to cull.

Robinson said reducing the stress point of mating so soon after calving is a key appeal of the approach, both for staff and for cows.

He said Chrissie and Basil’s move to 18-month lactation has enabled them to overcome the biggest spring hurdle they had regularly faced and capitalise on their ability to feed the herd well through later spring-summer.

Meantime further north in Gordonton, another farm Robinson

is a trustee of has opted for a 24-month extended lactation. The herd is owned by Caleb Higham, Ben Fisher and Emma Gardiner, and is farmed on a property owned by Hukanui Charitable Trust.

The 230-head herd kicks off this coming season, with half the herd mated to calve this spring, and half to calve next spring. It means this spring’s calvers are not mated again until October 2026.

Gardiner said the decision to run a 24-month system comes in part from a desire to limit the stress on the farm manager, taking the peak out of calving season’s pressure.

“It also enables Ben, Caleb and myself to split our time 80/20 between our day jobs and the farm.”

Drafting out what are effectively two sub-herds from the main herd was a tricky task, requiring them to ensure they had a good mix of cows by age, PW and BW.

Given her professional field of genetics, Gardiner said one of

her main concerns was the risk that those cows not mated next spring lose ground in genetic gain, effectively separating from their conventionally calved and mated peers.

“It could be we get to see a lactation persistency index become part of our evaluation system to allow for this,” she said. She also anticipates there will be some cows that prove particularly suited to the extended system. She acknowledged DairyNZ’s help in setting their system up.

As dairy farmers try to optimise stronger payouts against lowered herd operating costs, Robinson said extended lactation could prove a better option than oncea-day milking, which can lead to significant production declines.

“If you can keep feeding cows 20kg plus dry matter right through, you have a good case to continue and not risk leaving valuable income behind.”

SWITCHING: Farm consultant Mark Robinson says extended lactation has proven a means of helping reduce the usual spring pressures on cows and farmers. Photos: Gerald Piddock

SWITCHING: Waikato farm consultant Mark Robinson and herd co-owner Emma Gardiner are looking forward to seeing how the herd performs under a new 24-month lactation regime this coming season.

Massey’s farm classroom marks 30 years

Fiona Terry NEWS Education

I‘T LOOKS like a farm, smells like a farm, but it’s not really a farm –it’s a classroom,” says Mike Reilly, manager of the Large Animal Teaching Unit at Massey University’s veterinary school, which recently marked its 30th anniversary.

“Massey punches well above its weight and LATU is intrinsic to that success,” he said. “It’s one of the points of difference that really helps with our international accreditation, which means students qualifying from here can work in many countries.”

Between 50 and 60% of Massey graduates take their first job in rural practice and LATU is considered to play a major role in this.

When it opened in 1994 in Turitea Valley, 2km from the main campus, the unit had 42 effective hectares. As student numbers on the veterinarian course have grown over the years, so the unit has grown too, in 2018 expanding to include a neighbouring farm and now encompassing an additional 25ha.

These days it incorporates 2000m2 of covered animal space, a classroom to accommodate 100 students, 22-a-side herringbone for pregnancy diagnosis, a new sheep and pig building, 12 horse stocks, an arena and 13 cow stocks purpose-built for teaching with working space around each one to safely accommodate a number of observing students.

There are three herds of horses, around 30 permanent cows in two herds, as well as sheep, pigs and alpaca. For a significant portion of the year an additional 60-100 dairy cows are brought in and put into calf to teach students about pregnancy diagnosis. Students also have access to deer on Massey’s neighbouring farms.

“We have some particularly tame animals specifically reserved for absolute novice students because many have never touched a horse or cow before,” said Reilly.

“Every interaction a student has with an animal increases their [competence].”

Visitors to LATU comment on how impressed they are by the size and scope, as well as the proximity to the main campus, Reilly said.

“It’s world class in terms of the overall student experience because of the ability to safely interact with multiple large species and providing a balanced education in a well-designed, fit-for-purpose facility.”

Emeritus Professor Norm Williamson, who was head of the Department of Clinical Sciences during the establishment of LATU, was fundamental to it opening in 1994, having lobbied hard for its creation.

Before LATU, he said, there were many challenges in preparing students for large animal skills for rural practice at the previous site. These included battling with mud so thick in dirt yards that people

lost their gumboots trying to get the cattle in.

There was only cold running water on site to wash up after procedures, very little in the way of covered areas, stalls too small to safely get in beside the animals,

“ We struggled to recruit, so something had to change.

and no toilet facilities.

“The old site was miserable,” said Williamson, a graduate from the University of Melbourne who, before joining Massey in 1989, taught at the University of Minnesota.

Williamson was also heavily involved in the design of the new facilities. They benefited from having mod cons like electrical fittings hanging from the ceiling –to plug in ultrasound units – and a herringbone palpation race, which he’d seen on farms and knew would be valuable.

“I think that became a model for many further farms as students with experience of using that graduated and went into practice able to advise farmers.”

The new facility, which was managed initially by Robin Whitson, enabled teaching of more junior years, partly thanks to better safety for students.

“In terms of preparing veterinarians for farms, their capabilities were greatly enhanced,” said Williamson.

“That’s also benefited the industries they serve.”

Current Academic Lead of Veterinary Education Professor Jenny Weston graduated from Massey the year before LATU opened so knows only too well the benefits of the purpose-built facility.

“I’ve visited quite a few veterinary schools overseas and my perspective is that Massey’s veterinary programme has pretty much an equal emphasis on farm animals as well as companion animals, whereas most veterinary programmes have a 90% small animal, 10% farm animal focus,” Weston said.

“Obviously, the veterinary network and expertise for New Zealand farms is critically important to our economy and agriculture and animal welfare. For us to have such a facility where the yards are now all under cover, and with a range of species, means we have excellent access to animals for training, which benefits the veterinary students’ confidence and hence the farming sector.”

Class sizes have more than doubled since LATU opened, rising from 72 in a class back then, to 175 now. Frequency of interactions with animals is carefully monitored – and covered under animal ethics committee approval.

Herds are rotated to ensure animals continue enjoying their lives at the facility, with some having been resident for 25 years.

“It’s important we expose students who don’t necessarily have farm animal background to work with large animals and realise it’s possible to be a rural vet working with a range of species, and that there are many bonuses to working in rural practice,” Weston said.

“I would say our large animal teaching unit and facilities would be world class and the envy of all the veterinary schools in Australia. Those who campaigned for it showed great foresight – it’s paid dividends in how we’re able to teach and assess our students.”

TEACHING MOMENT: For three decades, Massey University veterinary students have enjoyed world-class facilities at the Large Animal Teaching Unit. Photos: Massey University

FARM ANIMALS: Unlike many overseas veterinary schools, says Professor Jenny Weston, Massey’s veterinary programme ‘has pretty much an equal emphasis on farm animals’.

People power productive w

Dair y ’s

for orkplaces

attracting

We al so believ business lead

e dair y has the er s who can be employer s of choice, leader s who are more than just manager s and rather suppor t their teams to achieve both life and career goal s

The New Zealand dair y sec tor has delivered huge produc tivit y gains over the year s to create success Its future success, as with

generally expec t a something ex tra th to them

It ’ s crucial that we are empowering our people and employees to suppor t produc tive dair y workplaces, and the longterm success of our sec tor

New Zealand is facing signiﬁcant social changes which will require many businesses to work differently to at trac t and retain staff These include an ageing population, increasing urbanisation, wider career options, lower fer tilit y rates and technological change

These trends mean the dair y sec tor needs to be for wardthinking and develop fresh i deas and capabilit y that focus on the retention of the work force we have and at trac t the right people to the sec tor

D air y farming has a lot in its favour – meaningful mahi, working outdoor s with animal s and being genuinely interesting – which can help make it a sec tor of choice The use of technology and data is al so increasing which likely broadens the group of potential employees interested in the mahi

any business, relies on continued improvements in produc tivit y to underpin a strong bot tom line These improvements rely on people within the business making good decisions and having the capabilit y to maximise oppor tunities

O ne of the ‘ easy ’ wins here is retaining great people in your business and in our sec tor through leader ship and providing awesome jobs and career pathways Our jobs and lifest yle need to be bet ter than the competition There are many things within our control

Whil st no t wo people are the same, we know from research done by D air yNZ and other sec tor organisations, that the following are some of the key things that people want:

1 Pay packages must be competitive. People must feel they are paid fairly or bet ter for the skill s they bring and the work they do, based on ever y hour worked

2. Not all hours are created equal . For early work , late work and weekend work , people

pr at g for good re leader s o do what nd have r employees people

emium or is of value inspire f to impro to creat sustaina

3 People like workin managers . These a and manager s wh they say they will a the respec t of thei Being a good manager and leader is critical Sham why t is so c

4 People do their best work in great workplaces. Places where they feel valued and that they belong, where they are safe (physically and emotionally) and know what they are there to do and why it ’ s impor tant

5 Helping people achieve or get closer to their dreams counts for a lot . This sounds big, but if you work to under stand what this look s like for your employees, you are onto a winner

While leading people is tough, it is al so necessar y for good farm business management, and highly rewarding when you get it right

There ar e al so a range of oppor tunities to help continue your learning around produc tive workplaces This includes the upcoming People E xpos in par tner ship with D air y Women’s Net work , this year coming to O amaru, A shbur ton, Hawera and Hamilton It offer s dair y farmer s an oppor tunit y to hear from, and be inspired by, different ideas on how to improve produc tivit y on farm

These events will bring together highly credible thought leader s to

You’ll leadi

armer s with ideas on how ve workplace produc tivit y e more proﬁtable and ble businesses where

, want to work

get to hear from ng economist

ubeel Eaqub about he work force challenge ritical for farmer s and the sec tor, AgFir st direc tor James Allen about how we can build on New Zealand’s dair y produc tivit y stor y, and how we set up for future success Farmer s Kim and Will Grayling and Jeremy D uckmanton will al so share their unique stories and experience around growing produc tivit y on their farms

To have a successful future, we need to ensure we are investing time in our workplaces now We need to be challenging our thinking around the t ypes of capabilit y and skill s on-farm leader s and teams will need to have, and the exciting potential this could bring

Find out more at dair ynz co nz/peopleexpo

Jane Muir

Dair yNZ Senior People Specialist

Farming a great fit for Northland teen

Samantha Tennent PEOPLE Dairy

CONVERSATION

Aat a birthday party changed 15-year-old

Kelly Rihari’s path two years ago. Since then she has gone from being a known truant to being awarded the Farmer of the Future Award for Dairying 2024 after completing the Farm Intern Programme with Whangārei Agriculture and Pastoral (A&P) Society.

Kelly struggled with school. She didn’t enjoy it and couldn’t see how it would help her future. She enjoyed her dad’s memories of dairy farming, though, and at a birthday party for him a visiting friend and former colleague, Malayna Koui, suggested Kelly come stay with her on the farm.

The farm is in Okaihau, Northland, and owned by Suzanne and Terence Brocx.

“Malayna used to work with Dad when he was on Suzanne and Terence’s farm just before I was born,” Kelly explains.

“And she offered for me to stay with her for the school holidays and check out the farm.”

Kelly loved it, and the Brocxes offered her a casual role as a trial for the A&P programme with the promise if she secured a spot on the programme they would take her on permanently.

She began the intern programme in Feburary 2024, just as she turned 15.

“We started with a camp for a week where we stayed on a farm and got to try different things and build fences and spend time with the group,” Kelly said.

There were about 16 of them at the start of the programme and Kelly was the youngest.

Throughout the year there were various modules and her parents took turns driving Kelly the hour and a half each way to attend class in Whangārei every Monday.

On the farm, Kelly would record details about the time she spent on certain tasks in her practical book.

“We recorded things like feeding records, handling livestock in the yards, giving treatments, and once we completed the whole book the tutors would come out and assess us with our bosses,” Kelly said.

“I really enjoyed the support and dedication from our tutors,

they really want us to learn and understand.”

Kelly has also enjoyed earning money while she has been learning.

“I’ve been working out a budget and saving as much as I can. I’m reading the Barefoot Investor and I’m keen to travel overseas and try out different experiences like mustering in the outback.”

Grateful for the opportunity, Kelly can see how the Farm Intern Programme is a fantastic option for young people who may be struggling with school or wanting to kick off a farming career.

“I definitely want to complete Level 4 next and hopefully Level 5 too.”

Alongside her Farmer of the Future Award, Kelly also earned a certificate in primary operational skills. She is still living with Koui.

The programme will return in 2025, with a growing list of interested candidates. The Whangārei A&P Society continues to seek both students and farmers keen to support the success of young interns.

Find out more at whangareiap.org.nz/ farm-internship-programme

PASSION: Kelly Rihari struggled with school, regularly skipping classes, but she has found her passion in dairy farming and loves being able to earn and learn at the same time.

Photos: Supplied

CLASS ACT: Kelly Rihari and the 2024 graduates of the Whangārei A&P Society’s Farm Intern Programme have successfully balanced on-farm work, gaining valuable industry and life skills, with earning formal qualifications.

SUPPORT: Award-winner Kelly Rihari has made her bosses, Susanne and Terence Brocx, proud by successfully completing Level 3 of the Whangārei A&P Society Farm Intern Programme.

Synlait celebrates being back on track

SYNLAIT expects to be back in profit when it announces its half-year result on March 24.

In a financial update announcement released on NZX, acting chief executive Tim Carter said the dairy company is on track to financial recovery.

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It ’s the simple way to pinpoi nt unwanted di sea ses such a s BVD, J ohne’s and Staph aureus mastitis, ulti mately mi ni mi sing the i mpact on your herd’s performance And, the benef it s continue, with the abilit y to check the herd’s pregnancy status 28 days after mati ng or identi fy ani mal s produci ng A 2 /A 2 milk

S o, conti nue to protect your herd’s performance with ani mal health testi ng

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Carter said Synlait wanted to keep its farmer supplier base informed of the company’s financial situation and to let them know it is back on financial track.

“That’s really important for the half year but, importantly, there’s still work to do, so we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We are not saying the job is done but by the half year, we’ll be in the black.

“We’re getting our ship in order, we’re going to be profitable and that’s really important to the farmers.”

The financial result for the six months to January 31 has a guidance range where Synlait’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) are expected to be in the range of $58-$63 million.

The improved performance has been driven in the market by growth in advanced nutrition products and a strong performance in its ingredients business, driven by improved management of foreign exchange and an optimised product mix.

Within the business there has been continued cost control, driven by reduced consultancy spend, headcount reductions, and improved optimisation for Synlait’s North Island assets.

There is emerging confidence within the company after last year’s financial turmoil, but it is also remaining grounded and not getting ahead of itself.

It is doing the “boring” parts of the business well and repeating that daily, Carter said.

Synlait also announced new 10 cent premium for its South Island suppliers for the next three seasons as it looks to secure its farmer base.

The premium is for the 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 seasons. It will be paid on top of Synlait’s base milk price, is in addition to the incentives for specialty milk and Lead With Pride, and is for those without a cease notice in place.

Asked if making such guarantees around milk pricing is sustainable that far out, given the history of volatility in the milk price, Carter said: “We wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t think it was sustainable. It’s exactly what our farmers are looking for, they are looking for certainty.”

The previous financial year was spent recapitalising the business and its balance sheet is in a far better position, he said.

“We’re bringing debt under control, into a better place and with that recapitalisation coupled with a stronger performance, absolutely it’s sustainable.”

Synlait also announced it will amend milk supply agreements to enhance cashflow security for all farmers by guaranteeing an average Synlait milk price that matches the market base milk price at a minimum for the current season.

It also guaranteed that from the 20252026 season, it will at a minimum match the market advance rate.

Synlait will still make the additional payments announced in September 2024. Many suppliers who had cease supply notices had withdrawn them, he said, and this announcement assures these farmers that they are with the right partner.

“We’re trying to strengthen that connection with farmers and they understand that we’re there for the long term.

“With this new offer, we’re pretty confident those ceases will go.”

Further details around Synlait’s debt servicing and market outlook will be announced at the half-year result, he said.

Gerald Piddock NEWS Dairy

RIGHT ROAD: The improved performance has been driven in the market by growth in advanced nutrition products and a strong performance in its ingredients business, Synlait says.

Eventful year ahead for dairy sector

Key global dairy regions continue to face challenges in sustaining growth.

Sector perspective

Cristina Alvarado

Alvarado is commercial manager, data and insight at NZX

AFTER a characteristically slow start to the new year, as many in New Zealand enjoyed their summer holidays, the dairy industry has already been showing signs of activity as January draws to a close. With December national production figures confirmed and Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions

showing upward momentum, 2025 is shaping up to be an eventful year for the sector.

New Zealand’s December milk production data, released by NZX on 20 January, showed a year-onyear (YoY) growth of 1.4% in both milksolids and tonnage. This result aligns closely with our forecast 1.5% increase for the month and is likely to be the last YoY growth of the season.

Looking ahead, our NZX milk production predictor forecasts January milk production to decline by -1.1% YoY, followed by -4.2% in February and -2.4% in March, at a midpoint level. Overall, the 2024–25 season is projected to close 1.3% higher than the previous season.

Globally, other key dairy regions continue to face challenges in sustaining growth.

The United States reported an overall YoY decline of -0.5% for December, while Australia and Uruguay recorded larger decreases of -1.1% and -6.2%, respectively.

China has seen six consecutive months of YoY production decreases, with November down by -8.0%. In contrast, Argentina reported its second consecutive month of growth, with December production up 4.4% YoY, while Europe recorded a 2.6% YoY increase in November.

Animal health concerns remain

Your Scale. Your Securit y.

You ’re mak ing New Zealand ’s mos t sought af ter milk

Your team is t ak ing it to the world

Your Fonterra supp l y chain and global s ales team are proud to t ake your milk to the world and b uild the s t able relation ship s that se cure your inves tment

Your milk

Your se curit y Your Co - op

a factor influencing market dynamics. Industry stakeholders are monitoring developments following the discovery of foot and mouth disease at a water buffalo farm in Germany on January 10.

The season is expected to end positively for New Zealand farmers.

While the outbreak appears to be contained, restrictions on animal and product movements could have unforeseen market impacts. Additionally, ongoing avian flu cases in the US, particularly in California, add uncertainty to production levels in the coming months.

This uncertainty was reflected in the mixed results of the January GDT auctions. Event 371 saw the GDT Price Index decline by -1.4%, but Event 372 rebounded with a 1.4% increase. The latter was driven by strong gains in whole milk powder (WMP) prices, which rose by 5.0% to $3,988 USD/tonne, alongside increases for skim milk powder (2.0%), butter (2.2%), and cheddar (2.8%).

Smaller GDT Pulse auctions also reported growth in their key products, WMP and SMP, reinforcing stable demand through the remainder of January.

Trade data presented a similar mix of outcomes. New Zealand’s November dairy exports totalled 382,406 tonnes, a YoY decline of -4.8%. However, the value of these exports rose YoY by 7.9% to US$1.5 billion, reflecting a 13.4% YoY increase in value per tonne.

Other regions reported mixed trends: the US and Europe recorded export volume declines of -8.4% (November) and -6.1% (October), respectively. On the other hand, Australia and Argentina saw significant YoY

growth in November exports, up 25.3% and 12.4%.

As New Zealand moves into the latter half of the dairy season, a substantial portion of its dairy products has already been sold. With strong demand from key markets in southeast Asia, the Middle East, and some resurgence from China, the season is expected to end positively for New Zealand farmers. The average milk price remains around the $10 mark, pointing to a solid finish despite global challenges.

POSITIVE: There’s strong demand from key markets in southeast Asia and the Middle East, and some resurgence from China.

Get Wormwise before worms get the herd

Staff reporter TECHNOLOGY

Animal health

DAIRY farmers and graziers now have access to industryagreed advice for managing worms in heifers beyond the calf stage of life.

Wormwise for Dairy Heifers covers the period from a heifer’s first winter to when she enters the milking herd.

Wormwise programme manager

Ginny Dodunski said it’s critical that farmers get familiar with the principles so they can start reducing reliance on failing chemicals to manage worms in their young stock.

“This age group is probably where we see the most variation in on-farm practice for worm control,” she said.

“I see some animal health plans where this age group continues to be given monthly drenches, which is entirely unnecessary, while on other properties, heifers continue to perform and grow really well with no or minimal treatments after about nine months of age.”

The Wormwise for Dairy Heifers resource details the development of worm immunity in heifers and how farmers can speed this up while achieving good growth rates, and covers sustainable drench use.

This age group is probably where we see the most variation in on-farm practice for worm control.

Ginny Dodunski Wormwise

In general, immunity to worms in heifers is strongly linked to how well grown they are, and the quantity and quality of feed on offer.

Exposure to high numbers of worm larvae on pasture does

CRITICAL: Wormwise programme manager Ginny Dodunski says it’s critical that farmers get familiar with the principles so they can start reducing reliance on failing chemicals to manage worms in their young stock.

not drive faster development of immunity. In fact, the reverse is often true, as a high daily intake of worms slows growth rates, meaning heifers take longer to get to a size where they can cope with worms, and in the meantime, more doses of drench are given.

Pasture that has carried only calves over summer and autumn can present high levels of worm challenge to older heifers and necessitate worm treatments that wouldn’t be required if the worm challenge was lower.

This situation is further complicated where worms are becoming resistant to drenches used in calves, and the challenge to heifers carries a high component of drench-resistant worms.

Systems where other stock clean up after calves, or where forage crops, re-grassing or supplements

WASTE NOT

are part of the mix, can reduce worm challenge to heifers.

Farmers should ensure that the drenches they are using in their heifers are effective – recent data indicates that drench-resistant worms are present on a high proportion of dairy support properties.

“Recipes” for drench use are no longer appropriate and drench choices and timing should be based on farm-specific monitoring.

For more information visit https:// beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/ PDF/wormwise-dairy-heifers.pdf

Cattle

CHECKS:

Wormwise programme manager Ginny Dodunski says farmers need to check the performance of their calf drenches, and then look at ways to reduce the worm challenge in young cattle.

drench performance

in calves is on the slide

Staff reporter

TECHNOLOGY

Animal health

DAIRY grazers are being urged to check the performance of the drenches they are using in calves after a survey of cattle drench resistance highlighted worrying levels of worms that are resistant to double and even triple combinations.

In a summary of cattle faecal egg count reduction tests across New Zealand from 2021 to 2024, the common intestinal worm cooperia was resistant to drenches in 56% of tests, and the more worrying ostertagia was resistant in 34% of tests.

Wormwise programme manager Ginny Dodunski said although the data gathered is limited, it reflects what she has been hearing from veterinarians working with intensive cattle systems.

“We were able to collate 59 different drench tests from 16 farms around New Zealand – it’s not a lot but it covers the length of New Zealand, and all of the common products that farmers use.

“The bottom line is that you can’t assume that because you’re using a combination drench, you are getting rid of all the worms in your calves.”

Triple combination-resistant cooperia was found in six of 11 tests. Twelve out of 19 tests also showed resistance to commonly used mectin/levamisole

combinations. Levamisole products have been the mainstay for managing resistant cooperia for a long time, but this now appears to be under threat.

A similar picture exists for ostertagia. This parasite causes thickening and inflammation of the lining of the fourth stomach (abomasum) and can cause severe disease and even death in calves and older cattle.

The mectin drench family has been the backstop for ostertagia control for a long time, but the survey highlights failure of this drug as well – with 45% of tests showing resistance to an oral triple combination, and 50% of tests showing resistance to an abamectin/ levamisole injection.

“There could now be a risk of individual R2 dairy heifers returning home from grazing carrying ostertagia that cannot be treated when the stress of first lactation compromises their immunity. This could also be the case for R2 and older cattle coming out of droughts or other situations of underfeeding.

“The industry has largely forgotten the damage that clinical ostertagiasis can do to adult cattle, but we may soon be reminded.”

Dodunski’s message to farmers is “check performance of your calf drenches, and then look at ways to reduce worm challenge to your young cattle – good nutrition and low worm intake trump regular drenching every time”.

Photo: DairyNZ

Photo: File

Guess less, grow more

Fed exactly the same, some animals produce more milk or meat than those grazing right next to them. What if you could achieve the same with ryegrass? More easily, and for the same amount of nitrogen?

Sounds unlikely, right? But it is possible. Think of it as a new way to look after both your environment, and your productivity, something that can be implemented straight away, with no disruption.

As Barenbrug pasture specialist Graham Kerr points out, you can use it to make day to day pasture management more predictable, too.

He’s talking about a new perennial ryegrass with the unusual ability to yield higher than others from the same amount of soil nitrogen, especially when nitrogen is low.

“Array NEA2 is the highest yielding perennial ryegrass we’ve bred, and it achieves this under the same inputs, in the same soils, as its peers. But the exciting thing for farmers is that it really stands out when there’s a nitrogen de ciency.”

Trials grown under deliberate nitrogen de ciency showed Array NEA2 yielded signi cantly more, because it is able to extract more nitrogen than other cultivars from the same soil.

This has a big potential to improve nitrogen e ciency on farm, and is one way Array helps even out pasture supply, Graham says.

“All farms go through periods of low available soil nitrogen, largely weather-related. Array’s ability to ‘ nd’ more nitrogen helps it keep growing and evening out pasture supply in these periods.”

Add to this Array has the highest cool season growth of any perennial the company has bred, again improving and smoothing feed supply through this de cit period.

And while it will eventually brown o like any perennial ryegrass under signi cant moisture stress, it stays noticeably greener heading into the dry than most other cultivars.

“Array is really exciting as it brings a win-win

for farmers. Better nitrogen uptake helps the environment, plus it makes pasture farming easier too,” Graham says.

“Pasture growth is continually variable, and that creates challenges in terms of both monitoring growth, and matching animal requirements to that endlessly variable supply.

“So having a smoother growth curve, where pasture grows more consistently into

and through feed de cit periods, is a huge advantage.”

Array is a diploid perennial ryegrass, with good density that shows excellent persistence.

“It’s a unique, multi-feature ryegrass which we’re excited to be delivering to farmers,” says Graham.

Seed for Array NEA2 is available now for autumn sowing.

Ready for more predictable feed?

S o r te d

Livestock, forestry ‘can work together’

Staff reporter NEWS Forestry

SCION researchers are on a mission to show livestock and forestry can work together and build resilience against climate change, enhance productive landscapes and improve animal welfare.

The work is part of a threeyear research programme titled “Taking risk out of next generation silvopastoral systems”. It aims to demonstrate the environmental, economic, cultural and social benefits of an integrated system.

There has been little new research on silvopastoral systems, a form of agroforestry involving livestock grazing on pasture, in New Zealand for more than 30 years and there is a gap in current knowledge.

During the research programme, which started in August 2024, the team will hold co-design workshops with research partners and landowners to identify sites where trees can either be planted into established farms or existing stands of trees can be modified.

Values such as erosion control, animal health, shade and shelter are increasingly important.

Simon van Haandel Pāmu

Animal and plant monitoring will ideally be done across trials on sheep, beef, and dairy farms.

Programme lead Peter Clinton said engagement with landowners occurred preproposal and will continue throughout ensuring research, infrastructure and project objectives are collaboratively developed.

“Co-design is a key requirement to ensure objectives are met and research is relevant to the needs and aspirations of landowners.”

Animal welfare and climate change are at the project’s core.

Clinton, a microbial ecology and soil systems principal researcher, said trees on farms create more natural shelter for animals from the elements.

Other benefits include less erosion, potentially more biodiversity and increased carbon sequestration.

Simon van Haandel, a forestry business manager at Pāmu, one of Scion’s research partners, said deciduous silvopastoral systems could be a viable land use option on vulnerable land types across New Zealand.

“Climate modelling shows extreme weather events will

worsen over time, which will reduce productivity and increase the risks to stock and the land.”

Trees can help mitigate the effects of erosion and minimise the impacts of extreme weather by cooling air and regulating water flows.

“Historical silvopastoral trials under radiata pine were not economically viable.

“However, other values –such as erosion control, animal health, shade and shelter, timber and carbon – are becoming increasingly important for farm resilience in the face of climate change,” Van Haandel said.

“Pāmu hopes that, through the project, we can show the conditions under which silvopastoral systems can work in New Zealand to provide farmers with another option for their toolkit.”

Dane Tamepo, business manager and board member at Orete No.2 and Other Blocks Incorporated, believes science is pivotal in addressing climate change and building resilience across the organisation’s dairy operation and other land uses.

Central to the discussions are the priorities of people, climate, animal welfare, water quality and adapting farming systems to support long-term land-use sustainability.

The incorporation has an interwoven relationship with other whenua landowners.

“With this in mind, our intention is to share the research so our whānau, hapū and iwi can benefit.

“Understanding our unique challenges and bringing to the table our Te Ao Māori world view are key outcomes for us and why we are involved in this research,” Tamepo said.

Senior scientist Karin Schutz of AgResearch’s Animal Behaviour and Welfare team said she is excited about the project as it incorporates a One Welfare perspective – the concept animal welfare depends on and influences human wellbeing, biodiversity and the environment, and is therefore interconnected.

“Cows and sheep are very good at seeking out microclimates that help them thermoregulate and stay comfortable so it is good for their welfare,” she said.

“It is also good for the farmer because animals that do not have to spend energy to thermoregulate produce more, so it is good for the wallet as well. It is a win-win for animals and farmers.”

The project is funded through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change fund. Scion’s research partners include Pāmu and Orete No. 2 and Other Blocks Incorporation and AgResearch.

INSIGHT: Herdi’s automated system provides consistent daily insights, allowing farmers to stay ahead of potential issues and keep their herds in top condition.

Photo: Herd-i

AI tool set to transform body condition scoring

Staff reporter TECHNOLOGY

SPENDING time manually body condition scoring cows and getting inconsistent results is a thing of the past for dairy farmers, says the company behind New Zealand’s first AI-powered body condition scoring system.

Herd-i in Christchurch said the technology saves time, improves consistency, and provides farmers with daily body condition scoring (BCS) data.

Farmers can monitor trends for each cow and act quickly if body condition begins to decline, preventing issues at key times in the season.

Until now, farmers have relied on manual assessments by eye or brought in a certified BCS assessor – often a time-consuming process with inconsistent results.

DairyNZ recommends at least four BCS assessments each season during key periods, as well as

monthly scoring during the dry period and late lactation.

Herd-i said its automated system provides consistent, daily insights allowing farmers to stay ahead of potential issues and keep their herds in top condition.

The Herd-i BCS system uses an EID reader to identify each cow as she exits the shed. A small camera tracks her movement, streaming the video to a cloud-based server where machine learning models analyse her body condition and assign a score based on DairyNZ’s industry-standard scale.

Results are displayed on an intuitive dashboard, allowing farmers to set customised alerts, track trends, and act quickly.

“Being able to automatically monitor body condition scores regularly will change our dairy industry’s approach to herd management,” said Herd-i chief executive Liz Muller.

“Feed is the biggest cost on any farm, and this system helps ensure cows are optimally fed. That means better milk production,

improved reproduction, and a healthier, more efficient herd overall. With a good payout forecast ahead, having daily data to guide decisions will be more valuable than ever.”

The system has undergone extensive on-farm testing, with more than 40,000 real BCS scores collected. The machine-learning model was trained using over 1 million video images, ensuring its consistency in NZ farming conditions.

To celebrate the launch, Herd-i is inviting 100 farmers to apply to be the first to adopt the new system on their farm. This group will form a specialist advisory group to inform the future development of the BCS system functionality. They will also get access to free installation and 50% off the standard subscription fee for 12 months, as well as other exclusive benefits.

MORE: For more information visit www.herd-i.com/first100

Gene tech extension refused

Gerhard Uys TECHNOLOGY Genetics

DAIRY and meat industry representatives have been refused an extension on the submission deadline for the Gene Technology Bill.

A DairyNZ spokesperson told Farmer’s Weekly that on December 19 DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, the New Zealand Meat

Industry Association and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand wrote jointly to the chair of the Health Select Committee and corresponding ministers about the Gene Technology Bill select committee process, requesting a six-week extension to the February 17 submission deadline.

This request was not granted, the spokesperson said.

DairyNZ has accordingly “progressed farmer engagement planning and we are committed to providing a comprehensive submission by the 17 February deadline”.

Member of Parliament and chair of the health committee

Sam Uffindell said he had advised stakeholders before Christmas that the Gene Technology Bill would be going through the full select committee process.

“While I appreciate there may be a desire for a longer submission period, the committee has unanimously determined that this submission period is sufficient.

The eight-and-a-half-week submission period is longer than usual six weeks afforded to most bills.

“Such a bill should not have come as a surprise to industry participants or the wider public; it was something National campaigned on prior to the 2023 general election and discussion of it is contained within National’s coalition agreements with both ACT and NZ First.

“My comments on the Bill specifically is that the National-led government is ending the nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab to help us tackle cancer, climate change and boost productivity on our farms and in our economy.

“Gene technology is a key area of science that has potential to deliver enormous benefits for New Zealand. A regulator will be established to oversee the safe use of gene technology, informed by science and evidence-based assessments,” Uffindell said.

Tech extracts fert from wastewater pee

Gerald Piddock TECHNOLOGY Fertiliser

RESEARCHERS in China have developed a way of purifying urban wastewater and in the process, extracting urea for fertiliser.

The team said their findings present a new, potentially scalable and cost-effective approach to large-scale wastewater treatment with economic and environmental value.

The new process involves using an electrochemical reaction to remove urea from wastewater and transform it into nearly 100% pure percarbamide – a solid derivative of urea.

This could have various useful applications, including environmental water treatment, disinfection and improved crop growth.

Ravensdown head of product and services development Mike White said the research is intriguing.

“The area is interesting in that it’s trying to address an issue that’s been around for a long time and that is namely how do you recycle nutrients and get it into a product that can hold its way in terms of competing against manufactured products.”

When nutrients are used, they are generally diluted and the challenge then becomes to concentrate them back up again to have an impact while being economically viable, he said.

It was too early to know if the technology could ever be used in the primary sector, given that the research is still very much in its infancy.

“There are some significant challenges for it to address.”

One of these is separating urine from effluent in a sewage treatment system. The technology concentrates urine into urea, which separates it from other waste. Achieving this at scale in an urban setting is difficult, he said.

“Dairy farms have probably got an easier route in that NZ dairy farm systems are using effluent for nutrient disposal anyway for value because we are already geared to it. We understand the value of effluents in terms of a nutrient that it can provide for crop growth and pasture growth.

“The effluent systems in dairy, they are designed to cope with the amount of nutrients or effluent that’s produced and also applying it back out onto the land, so it’s actually a form of what this paper is advocating.

“NZ dairy farm systems are set up to capture that value already.”

The mechanism, reported

The area is interesting in that it’s trying to address an issue that’s been around for a long time.

Mike White Ravensdown

in science journal Nature Catalysis, presents a novel and potentially scalable and cost-

effective approach to large-scale wastewater treatment with economic and environmental value.

Author Xinjian Shi and colleagues used an electrochemical reaction to remove urea from the wastewater to turn it into the percarbamide, bypassing the need for complex purification steps.

The reaction uses a carbon-based electrode to serve as a catalyst and atmospheric oxygen to generate the percarbamide under temperatures and pressures lower

DESIGNED: The effluent systems in dairy, they are designed to cope with the amount of nutrients or effluent that’s produced and also applying it back out onto the land, says Ravensdown head of product and services development Mike White.

than traditional reactions.

The system was found to work with human and other mammalian urine, is cheaper and produces a purer and more valuable final product, compared to other methods.

Following an economic analysis, Shi and colleagues calculate that daily production of one metric ton of percarbamide would require only 100 square meters of land, and the urine collection from about 6382 houses or a farm of 3800 cows.

Photo: File

Dairy Expo to continue its grassroots ethos

Gerald Piddock MARKETS Dairy

HE New Zealand

TDairy Expo is back at Matamata in February with more exhibitors, while retaining its focus on being an event solely for the dairy industry.

Taking place on February 11-12 from 8:30-3pm at the UMS Rugby Club at Bedford Park, the event is set to draw dairy farmers from across the country.

Unlike the large national field days, the Expo is designed specifically for dairy farmers, offering a unique opportunity to engage with over 130 exhibitors spread across more than two hectares.

Event organiser Amanda Hodgson said preparation is going well, with the event having grown since last year’s inaugural event, with 40 more exhibitors coming.

Hodgson has also turned some potential exhibitors away in order to ensure those that are there deliver products and services directly related to the dairy industry.

This is done to keep it authentic and prevent duplication with other types of shows.

This isn’t your typical field day event ... Every exhibitor is here for a reason.

Amanda Hodgson NZ Dairy Expo

Hodgson said it is difficult to gauge whether the popularity of the Expo is indicative of the wider dairy industry economy with farmers currently receiving a record payout.

“The Expo’s super popular because we’re having a great

season, the market is looking good and interest rates are coming back.”

It also gives them a platform to get in front of motivated and proactive farmers, she said.

“We’re promoting it to be grassroots for both the exhibitors and the farmers. There’s no big flashy setups, we want to make sure the businesses that are coming can afford to be there and are not spending dollars on marketing and infrastructure.

“This isn’t your typical field day event. You won’t find containerloads of lifestyle products or unrelated goods here. Every exhibitor is here for a reason –to help farmers make informed decisions about products and services that genuinely benefit their farms.”

The Expo is free for farmers to attend to ensure accessibility while delivering high value, she said.

The idea for the Expo was born during the covid-19 pandemic

when international labour shortages prompted farmers to turn to automation and technology to simplify operations and reduce labour demands.

At the same time, rising feed costs, fluctuating dairy prices, and increasing interest rates presented continuous challenges for farmers.

Recognising the need for ongoing efficiencies to combat these issues, Hodgson launched the Expo last year.

“This isn’t just another event. It’s a concentrated opportunity for businesses to meet motivated farmers who are ready to learn and make purchasing decisions.”

Hosting the event at the UMS Rugby Club is deliberate, providing the venue ideal for the Expo’s grassroots approach and allows the organisers to give back to the local community by supporting junior rugby and helping sustain the club, she said.

Fonterra Edendale breaks ground on plant No 13

Hugh Stringleman NEWS Fonterra

FONTERRA has begun construction on a $150 million UHT cream plant at Edendale, Southland, planned to become operational in August 2026.

In the week before Christmas a ground-breaking ceremony was held with a blessing by a Hokonui rūnunga representative, Matu Coleman-Clark.

Fonterra’s general manager for operations in the lower South Island, Andrew Johns, said this was a long-planned project.

“The new plant is a big investment in our future here at Edendale, and we are looking

forward to seeing the positive impact on our community as a whole as construction progresses.”

Around $150m will be invested

BEGINNING: The ground breaking at Fonterra Edendale included, from left, Hannah Thorburn from Hokonui Rūnanga, Ben Parkes, Southland District Council mayor Rob Scott, Andrew Johns and chair of Southland Mayoral Forum Nicol Horrell.

in the expansion, which is part of the co-operative’s strategy to grow further value by expanding its foodservice business in and

beyond China and increasing production capacity for high-value products.

Edendale is New Zealand’s oldest

dairy manufacturing site and already has 12 plants, including multiple cream plants, casein plants and milk driers, along with those for milk protein concentrate, reverse osmosis and anhydrous milk fat.

Close to 700 people are employed by Fonterra on site, with the addition of the building contractors for the new UHT plant.

The new plant will require 70 staff members when operational.

Fonterra expects UHT cream demand to grow 4% annually over the next decade.

The initial build at Edendale UHT cream will cater for 50 million litres capacity annually, with room to grow to 100 million beyond 2030.

BIGGER: This year’s Dairy Expo at the UMS Rugby Club at Bedford Park in Matamata will have around 130 exhibitors.

FEDERATED FARMERS

Feds call for QEII Trust funding to be doubled

If the Government is serious about improving environmental outcomes and protecting biodiversity, it needs to double its funding to the QEII National Trust, Colin Hurst says.

“It’s an utter disgrace that QEII’s base government funding has remained unchanged at $4.27 million for a decade, despite rising demand from farmers and other landowners for the trust’s help,” the Federated Farmers vice president says.

“In real terms, that’s a huge cut in funding.”

The QEII National Trust was established in 1977, with Federated Farmers dairy chair (the late) Gordon Stephenson a key instigator.

Its core function is to encourage protection of natural and cultural features on private land.

The trust partners with landowners who are willing to voluntarily protect their land without selling or donating it.

Covenants ensure special areas of bush, wetland and biodiversity are protected for future generations, in perpetuity.

Subsequent landowners can’t alter this protection.

Covenants now cover 187,774 hectares – the vast majority on farms.

The QEII Trust celebrated its 4000th covenant in 2014/15.

Now, nearly 10 years later, it has

5200 covenants to be managed and monitored – a 28% increase in demand, with no change in government base funding.

For comparison, the Department of Conservation’s funding went from $470m to $718m over that same 10-year period.

“With that big hike in the amount of covenanted land, there is clearly huge buy-in from farmers,” Hurst says.

“The QEII land is effectively a national park in terms of scale, and all of that land has been volunteered, at a cost, by farmers who want to do the right thing.

Voluntary initiatives like the QEII Trust have huge support in rural communities and are a far better approach than heavy-handed and impractical SNA rules.

Colin Hurst Federated Farmers vice president

“Voluntary initiatives like the QEII Trust have huge support in rural communities and are a far better approach than heavy-handed and impractical SNA rules.”

QEII Trust chief executive Dan Coup says aside from increasing compliance and rising costs, the trust’s funding challenge increases as

it adds to the portfolio of covenants.

“Trying to uphold our maintenance effort, while continuing to add new covenants, all on a capped baseline [government grant] is clearly not sustainable.”

The trust leverages outside funding and bequests, and works with district and regional councils.

In 2021 it also secured $8 million of Jobs for Nature funding, spread over four years.

But that runs out in June this year and the trust is warning it will have to scale back the number of new covenants it can support.

Trust chair Alan Livingston says it’s not realistic to rely on philanthropy alone to plug the gap between government funding and the important work landowners want them to do.

“We know conservation on private land is a critical part of the wider picture of conservation in New Zealand.

“Many of our most at-risk plant and animal species can only be found on private land.

“It’s not enough to look at the conservation estate and think it is safeguarding all of Aotearoa’s important and unique natural heritage,” Livingston says.

“The trust is becoming increasingly worried that actions so many landowners wish to take to protect and enhance biodiversity on private land, while touted as a priority for

the Minister of Conservation, are not going to happen because of a lack of support.”

Farmers and other landowners are willing to do their share, Hurst says.

A 2017 study by Waikato University’s Institute for Business Research found that covenanting landowners together spend an estimated $25 million of their own money every year to protect native species and special areas in their QEII covenants.

Loss of potential income from other alternative uses of land under covenant was estimated to be between $443-$638 million between 1977 and 2017.

Among those landowners are Bay of Plenty farmer and local Federated Farmers president Brent Mountfort, and his wife Antonia.

Two years ago, with support from QEII Trust and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, they installed 1.2km of two-

metre high deer fence on their farm near Matatā.

It protects 6ha of bush full of rimu and four or five different varieties of rata, including some quite rare specimens.

This 6ha is in addition to another 30ha already under covenant on their property, as well as gullies, slopes and relatively unproductive areas the Mountforts have augmented or entirely planted out themselves.

Hurst says the Mountforts are typical of the farmers and other landowners who pitch in with environmentalists, volunteers and council staff to carry out planting, pest control, fencing and other work on covenanted sites.

“It represents farmer commitment, and great bang for buck, on conservation. The Government needs to double its QEII Trust contribution to keep up the pace.”

DISGRACE: Colin Hurst is appalled that QEII’s base government funding hasn’t changed for a decade.

Feds helping boost young farmer talent

Federated Farmers is stepping up its efforts to support the next generation of sheep, beef and deer farmers by joining forces with Growing Future Farmers.

With a huge need for more young people coming into the industry, it makes perfect sense to partner with the award-winning Growing Future Farmers (GFF) initiative, says Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland.

“With the ageing levels of farmers in general, it’s absolutely vital that we end up with young people coming in now who are going to take up senior farming positions in the future.

“Growing Future Farmers is doing an incredible job of bringing those young people into farming and putting them on the fast-track to not only be effective on-farm, but then move into farm leadership.

“We’re really excited to partner with them and help support that great work.”

The partnership will give GFF access to Federated Farmers’ wide network of farmers as a pool of potential high-quality farm trainers.

“We have nearly 13,000 members, so GFF can leverage that to reach new trainers for their students,” Copeland says.

“Also, the partnership means GFF students and graduates will get a free Feds membership, which means they can get free employment advice and a free employment agreement.”

Copeland says it’s an exciting opportunity for Federated Farmers to really connect with the next generation of sheep and beef farmers.

“For Federated Farmers to truly be the farmers’ voice, we need to be hearing from every farmer – and that includes young farmers.

“By bringing these young farmers into our organisation, we can tap into what they care about and what they want us to be advocating for on their behalf.”

Since launching with 10 students in 2020, GFF has grown to 129 students enrolled in their 2025 programme, stretched cross 13 regions.

Its two-year programme sees youth – from urban or rural backgrounds – living and working on a beef, sheep or deer farm under the supervision and mentorship of a farmer trainer.

Copeland says GFF has proven it’s the real deal.

“It’s not just a nice idea – they’ve got results.

“They’ve seen a gap to bring talented, motivated, young people into the sector, and they’re also actually graduating people.

“They’ve got the walk as well as the talk.”

Wendy Paul, GFF chief executive, says being able to unlock access

There are so many benefits of taking on a student, and we’re excited that Federated Farmers will be able to help us raise awareness of that.

Wendy Paul Growing Future Farmers CEO

to Federated Farmers’ nationwide network of experienced farmers is hugely valuable.

“That helps us address a potential constraint for GFF’s growth, because without enough farm trainers, our programme’s potential broader impact could be limited.

“There are so many benefits of taking on a student, and we’re

excited that Federated Farmers will be able to help us raise awareness of that.

“The feeling of pride that farm trainers experience when they see their student grow, gain confidence, and graduate after two years is priceless.”

Copeland says Federated Farmers will be able to ask its provincial presidents to recommend excellent potential farm trainers.

“That’s the strength of Feds –farmers who know farmers.

“If GFF wants to grow in a particular part of the country, we can help with that by tapping into that local knowledge, getting our provincial leaders to tell us who the best farmers are.

“There’s a massive opportunity for matchmaking here, linking trainers and students.”

Paul says Federated Farmers’ strong advocacy at both national and provincial levels will help to amplify GFF’s voice.

“Through Feds, we can give better visibility of that workforce gap in the farming sector, and work on solutions to ag education and attracting young people into farming.”

Paul says the partnership will also bring invaluable resources to GFF students, such as employment agreement templates and guidance on workplace rights, so they know what good looks like when they start their first job.

“Overall, having the backing of Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, will add further credibility and validation to our programme.”

NEXT GENERATION: A highlight of the Growing Future Farmers programme is when students get their new pups to be trained up as working dogs. Pictured here are graduates (left to right) Zane Flawn, Samantha Ollerenshaw and Philippa Stratford.

Planting our high-country farms in pines?

Federated Farmers high country chair Ian Anderson is baffled why land taken out of extensive farming because of its conservation values is now being seen as suitable for trees.

“The Government’s proposal for public-private partnerships to plant trees on ‘low-value’ Crown land has more holes in it than Swiss cheese,” he says.

Federated Farmers has written to Cabinet ministers seeking urgent clarification.

The proposal is to identify land of “low conservation and farming value” and plant exotic or native trees, or promote native forest regeneration.

An accompanying map indicating land targeted in the proposal is dominated by South Island high country land, including land taken by the Crown under tenure review.

The iconic Molesworth Station is also highlighted as having potential for trees.

“Who’s going to determine what is ‘low-value’ land?” Anderson asks.

“As much as one million hectares was taken out by the Crown for its high conservation and amenity values, with a goal of preserving it for future generations.

“This new afforestation idea seems to be in total conflict with that. Land deemed critical for conservation is now being categorised as having ‘low conservation value’.”

Anderson says afforestation, if not carefully planned, carries significant threats for the high country environment, including reduced biodiversity, heightened fire risk and altered hydrological cycles.

If pines are planted, it could accelerate the wilding pine scourge.

“Forests would be a haven for pest animals too – possums, pigs, deer, wallabies.

“There was some land off Otago’s ‘Pig Route’ planted out in pines 20odd years ago and possums and pigs thrived in there.

“All five neighbouring farms ended up getting TB in their herds.”

Federated Farmers conservation spokesperson Mark Hooper also has serious misgivings.

“The Government wants as few as possible of the new forested areas to be entered in the ETS.

“If there’s to be no carbon revenue, that implies it will be production forestry, and yet the identified land is nowhere near ports or sawmills, a key for production forestry viability.

“It’s understandable the Government is concerned about the country’s looming liability in terms of our climate accord commitments. It wants more carbon sequestration,”

Hooper says.

“A better solution is to support landowners with strategic planting on private land.”

That could be some sort of biodiversity credit or support for planting natives, which are hugely expensive and invariably more difficult to establish, Hooper says.

“If the landowner is going to take the risk, there could also be support for planting exotics – perhaps for fencing an area off.”

Hooper says the key is letting the people who know and work the land

- Rober t Har ding

choose the areas for planting that are least productive, or difficult to get stock in an out of.

“If 5% of every farm got a bit of help to plant trees, you’ve hit your same target.

“That’s better than a wide scope across millions of hectares of

conservation estate or farmed Crown land in the high country.”

Federated Farmers’ letter to Ministers says the potential social and economic impacts on high country communities from the planting proposal are seriously concerning.

“Many of these communities depend heavily on these lands for their livelihoods.

“A comprehensive evaluation of the environmental, social and economic risks is essential to ensure the proposal does not inadvertently harm the unique high country ecosystems and the people who rely on them,” the letter states.

Hooper says the pastoral farming that remains on the targeted Crown land supports downstream industries and contributes significantly to export earnings.

“Federated Farmers’ view is that instead of any winding back of extensive pastoral farming in the high country in favour of trees, we should be returning to the lowimpact grazing of land taken for DOC under tenure review or sale.”

Pest plants and browsing animals such as deer, pigs and chamois were kept to manageable numbers by

the farmers who worked that land, Hooper says.

“Now DOC is spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars every year trying – and failing – to keep on top of weeds and pest animals.

The Government’s proposal for public-private partnerships to plant trees on ‘low-value’ Crown land has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.

Ian Anderson

Federated Farmers high country chair

“It’s a win-win. We protect the biodiversity and aesthetics of those amazing landscapes, and we get meat and wool export revenue.”

Hooper says Federated Farmers acknowledges the Government’s sequestration goals and climate accord commitments.

“We say work with farmers, and with a bit of support we can achieve that shared goal of right trees, right place.”

MISGIVINGS: Federated Farmers conservation spokesperson Mark Hooper says a better solution than planting out Crown land in the high country is to help landowners with strategic planting on private land.

THREATS: Federated Farmers high country chair Ian Anderson says afforestation, if not carefully planned, carries significant threats for the high country environment.

Marlborough farmer points to positives from council

At a time when farmers are increasingly frustrated by local government, Marlborough farmer

Richard Dawkins wonders if things could be learnt from his local council.

“By no means am I wanting to toot Marlborough District Council’s horn too loudly – we certainly butt heads with them from time to time.

“But it does seem like things are working better here than in some other parts of the country.

“We have a unitary authority in Marlborough, and I think there are just certain efficiencies that come from that,” Dawkins says.

I can see what a difference it makes to have that rural representation sitting around the table. I really think we need more of that.

Richard Dawkins Federated Farmers Marlborough vice president

A unitary authority combines the functions of district and regional councils into one entity. This means a single council is responsible for land use policy, such as urban planning, and environmental policy, such as freshwater rules.

“If you only have one council instead of two, that’s got to be cheaper for ratepayers, because that’s a whole lot fewer staff and fewer councillors, and only one set of

administration,” Dawkins says.

“We still had a big rates rise this year, but it was one of the lowest in the country.”

Dawkins, a fourth-generation sheep and beef farmer who’s also Federated Farmers Marlborough’s vice president and national meat and wool executive member, believes one of the council’s strengths is its strong rural representation.

“For example, the chap who was here spraying weeds on our farm last week is Ben Minehan, who was elected as one of the rural councillors three years ago.

“Ben is a farmer and runs a weed control contracting business, so he actually has dirt under his fingernails and can speak up for farmers.”

Another example is Scott Adams, immediate past president of Federated Farmers Marlborough, who was elected Wairau-Awatere councillor in 2022.

“There are probably a whole lot of small things that work in our favour here in Marlborough,” Dawkins says.

“Marlborough’s population size means we can combine our council functions into a unitary authority without losing that local flavour, which could happen if regions with bigger populations were to take the same approach.

“But one of our strengths is we’ve had those farmers like Ben and Scott being willing to step up and provide that community service, understanding the importance of the farmer voice and really taking that to council.”

With local government elections

coming up this year, Dawkins says it’s important that people from rural backgrounds put their hand up and stand for councils around the country.

“I can see what a difference it makes to have that rural representation sitting around the table. I really think we need more of that.”

Dawkins says a common frustration for farmers is when council staff come and go, making it difficult to build any lasting relationships or trust in their expertise.

“Here in Marlborough, some of the people in senior leadership, like those in science and biosecurity, have been there for decades, and I think farmers appreciate that,” he says.

“We’re here for four generations and when you get those fly-bynighters coming through councils

– they’re there one day and gone the next – you sort of stop engaging.

“But when you’ve got that senior leadership team committed to the role and to the district, and to relationships with the landowners, I think that makes a big difference.”

He says having those relationships means, if there’s ever an issue between farmers and the council, the two parties can have more constructive conversations.

“They’re happy to come to monthly Federated Farmers meetings too if we have something to chat about, or on other occasions we’ve worked through issues over a pub lunch with senior staff.

“That doesn’t mean we always come to a decent conclusion though – we’re not always going to get our way – but just having that conversation and mutual respect is important.”

Dawkins says having a unitary authority has worked well in Marlborough, but that doesn’t mean he thinks they’d work well everywhere.

“I just think it’s worth us having more conversations around the country about whether this model could suit other areas.

“It would be important to not shift to a situation where we have large mega-councils, as that would likely see a loss of that rural flavour.

“But I know Federated Farmers is open to discussions about how to reorganise some councils so that we can have unitary councils for areas such as South Canterbury or Wairarapa, providing efficiencies while retaining a local feel.

“However it happens, it would be good to see farmers in other regions able to have a better working relationship with their councils.”

TRUST: As multi-generational farmers, Richard Dawkins (pictured here with dad Chris) says it makes a big difference when council staff stick around long enough to build lasting, constructive relationships with landowners.

'Miranui' - versatile deer and gardening farm

One of those few opportunities to secure a quality property in a

located on the Ruatiti Road only 6 kilometres from Raetihi and 16

The main 79 hectare (more or less) title has the attractive four bedroom homestead in a

the facilities, while the other 61 hectare (more or less) title has a half round

separately The majority of the farm has been cultivated with

Add to this a significant deer unit finishing all progeny from

bayleys co nz/2900735

and

3 to 4

feed pad; excellent effluent system from dairy shed & feed pad to collection sump then to large lined effluent pond; effluent pumped to approx 40 ha

• multiple implement, hay & calf -rearing shedding; large 500t concrete maize silage bunker; additional concrete bunker; PK / fertiliser bin with roller roof

• excellent housing with quality 4 brm homestead; 2 additional 4 brm homes; 1 x 3 brm dwelling plus single person's cottage

• an outstanding opportunity to acquire a special property in an exc ellent location with easy access to multiple options for schooling Ph Brian Peacocke 021 373 113 TradeMe / Realestate.co.nz - search # R1440 Sale by Auction: Thurs, 27 Feb 1.00pm

Montalto 883

An excellent dairy unit situated in a premium location, bounded to the south by the Puniu River, and to the west by the Waipa River, situated approx

kms from Pirongia, and 8 kms west of Te Awamutu

Gisborne 1572 Waimata Valley Road

Land, lifestyle, living

• 85.88 ha (more or less)

• Family home

• Large shed

• Gisborne 26 km

This property is well worth a look, with a lovely home set in nice grounds and the added bonus of a garage/workshop as well as a large new implement shed with two lock up bays this property offers plenty. Predominately hill country, there are some river flats and other improvements include a small set of sheep yards and cattle yards with full loading facilities. This is the full package of rural living 4 2 Auction 12.00pm, Thu 27th Feb, 2025, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers, 66 Reads Quay, Gisborne View By appointment

pb.co.nz/GIR197027 Tom Lane M 027 866 5263 E toml@pb co.nz

St Andrews 1353 Waimate Highway Deadline Sale

Mid-scale dairy opportunity

Take advantage of higher payout levels and secure your place on the property ladder with this well established 330.26 ha farm

Featuring a semi-self-contained, mid-scale operation with a herringbone shed, the property is complemented by various shedding options, infrastructure, and spacious housing. Irrigated using groundwater applied via pivot, Roto Rainer, and K-line irrigation, it holds substantial potential for future development. Multiple titles provide flexibility for land divestment if desired, making this an attractive investment for those entering the dairy industry or established operators looking to grow or upscale their business.

Sale Buyers $3,950,000+

The Groyne is a productive 143 ha Paretai dairy unit that is priced to sell by our motivated vendor. Calving down approximately 440 cows and milking 420 on average with all stock wintered off farm on the vendors run off. Fonterra supply with production up to 170,000 kgMS with a slight drop in production last season 134 ha effective subdivided into 53 paddocks with the potential to further subdivide to increase productivity. Quality improvements include a centrally located 50 bail rotary with ACR's, Westfalia plant and auto teat spray built approximately 2008 Synthetic lined 3,400 m3 effluent pond built 2018. Housing is a three bedroom villa.

By appointment

Paretai 799 Kaka Point Road

Paretai dairy unit - priced to sell

Often admired with just under 160ha on offer this exceptional offering will definitely make your heart beat faster!!

Exceptional location and scale, exceptional improvments and a 10 year average of 194,000 MS, truly what more could you ask for?

Quite simply - view without delay

Gordonton 51A Waverley Road

The Pearl of Puketaha

Kevin Deane Real Estate

159ha

Kevin Deane Real Estate

Kinleith 301 Matarawa Road 153ha Summer Safe South Waikato

RAI VALLEY 6679 State Highway 6

Premium Marlborough Dairy Farm

A unique opportunity exists to secure Rose Cottage a 246ha dairy operation with a full range of quality dairy infrastructure held in multiple titles. Located near Rai Valley township between Blenheim and Nelson, milking 570 cows with a five-year average of 238,865kg MS. This comprehensive farm features three homes, a high spec 44-bail rotary shed, an upgraded effluent system, plus many sheds. With a reliable annual rainfall of over 2000mm plus the bonus of 90ha of irrigated area.

Farming, fishing and hunting are all on your doorstep in New Zealand's sunniest region

GLEN ISLAY LTD

On Farm Ewe Sale

HIGH INDEXED AUTUMN CALVING DAIRY COW SALE

A/c Faraway Farms Ltd (David Van Bysterveldt)

Wednesday 12th February 2025

Tuesday 25th February 2025, 1.00pm 519 Waimea Valley Road, RD7, Gore

COMPRISING OF APPROX.

12,500 1,2,3,4 & 5 shear Romdale ewes

All ewes in top condition and ready to enhance your breeding flock

Matamata Sale Yards Dairy Pavilion

Start Time: 11:30am will be available for online bidding

COMPRISING:

200 x Mixed Breed & Age Autumn Calving Cows

DETAILS:

• BW 401 PW 581 (BWs up to 593 PWs up to 1015)

• March and April calving, blanket dry cow.

TB Tested.

• All in-calf to AI Charolais only, no bulls used.

AUCTIONEERS NOTE:

calvers Ph Stew 027 270 5288

VACANCIES

LINK LIVESTOCK have positions available for SELF EMPLOYED COMMISSION AGENTS to join our small successful team. Contact Lisa 027 255 4872 or Stew 027 270 5288 to discuss

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES

CONTACT: Matt McBain 027 306 5807 bidr will be available for online bidding

This exclusive line of strong Mixed Breed carryover cows were hand-picked from herds from Waikato to the North. Were milked through and mated for autumn calving.

Will come forward in excellent condition.

All cows guaranteed sound and in-calf by the vendor.

PAYMENT TERMS: 14 days after the auction. Immediate delivery.

OUR VENDOR: David Van Bysterveldt: 021 189 9888

CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Reuben Wright 027 2846384 Or your local Carrﬁelds agent

SALE TALK

Cletus is passing by Billy Bob’s hay barn one day when, through a gap in the door, he sees Billy Bob doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of an old John Deere tractor.

TUESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2025 12 NOON

A/C CLIENT

AUTUMN CALVING COWS & HEIFERS

Comprising:

14 x Maiden 2 1/2Yr Autumn Calving Friesian Heifers

BW254 PW256

Due 10th March/Jersey Bulls

41 x G3 Genuine Autumn Calving Friesian Heifers

BW353 PW345

Due 10th March/Jersey Bulls Very well grown stock

Comprising:

220 x Frsn/FrsnX Carry Over Autumn Calving Cows

Approx. 20 Jersey x Cows Due 10th March/Hereford & Frsn Bulls Vetted incalf. MT’s gone BW223 PW243 PW’s up to 700 Purchased from very good farms across the Waikato on Index type and dairyness. Beautiful cows with type and capacity. Heifers are exceptionally well grown. All Cows have been dry cow treated at dry off. Mostly 3/4/5 Year .

Contact:

Jason Roberts, Bryce Young Livestock Phone 027 707 1271

Gareth Price, NZ Farmers Livestock Phone 027 477 7310

Darryl Houghton, NZ Farmers Livestock Phone

Buttocks clenched, he performs a slow pirouette, and gently slides off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips, revealing a torn and frayed plaid shirt.

Then, grabbing both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his stained T-shirt underneath. With a final flourish, he tears the T-shirt from his body, and hurls his baseball cap onto a pile of hay.

Having seen enough, Cletus rushes in and says, “What the world are ya doing, Billy Bob ?” “Good grief, Cletus, ya scared the bejeebers out of me,” says an obviously embarrassed Billy Bob. “But me ‘n the wife been havin’ trouble lately in the bedroom d’partment, and the therapist suggested I do something sexy to a tractor.

TARATA HILLS ANNUAL WILTSHIRE EWE & RAM SALE

Wednesday 5 February | 1pm

On behalf of The Day Family

Tarata Hills

70 Whyle Road, South Hillend (Signposted from Centre Bush)

Account: Tom Day

30 Wiltshire 2th Rams (fully recorded)

• 180 Wiltshire Ewe Lambs

• 200 Wiltshire 2th Ewes

Account: MT & SM Day

• 1400 Wiltshire Ewe Lambs

• 400 Wiltshire 2th Ewes

An established line of Wiltshire genetics that take the hard work out of farming, Years of breeding now represent a great opportunity to buy the above recommended stock

Enquiries:

Callum McDonald 027 4336 443

Barry McAlister 027 4416 432 Tom Day 027 5855 048

CAPITAL STOCK ON FARM EWE SALE

Tuesday 18 February | 1pm

Summerhills (2006) Ltd

865 Summerhills Road, Middlemarch

Comprising Approx:

• 1000 Romney 2th Ewes

• 3500 Romney MA Ewes

(Age group break down to come)

Capital stock ewes being sold due to sale of the property These ewes are Wairere and Motu-Nui Bloodlines, pre-lamb shorn and regularly scan 175-185% (not including triplets) and have lambed between 137-145% ewes to ram over the past 13 years

They are on a minimal drench program, toxo and campy vaccination programme and a 5-in-1 programme Highly-productive flock of hill country

Enquiries:

John Scott ( Vendor) 027 279 2002 Gerard Shea (PGW ) 027 442 5379

ANNUAL R3YR BEEF STEER SALE

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE DUE TO ROAD CLOSURE

Thursday 27 February | 12.30pm

A/C Morunga Station, Matawai Held at Rangiuru Saleyards 230 Young Road, Te Puke, Bay of Plenty

Comprising 900 Traditional Steers:

450 x R3yr Angus Steers

• 110 x R3yr Hereford/Angus Steers

• 240 x R3yr Exotic Steers

• 100 x R3yr Hereford Steers (Mainly horned)

- Steers approx 450-550kg

- Antibiotic Free

- 100% traditional beef steers

- Farmed in large mobs on hill country

- Cattle renowned for their shifting ability

Buying rebate paid to outside companies by prior arrangement only For more information visit: www agonline co nz

Enquiries:

David Short ( Vendor) 027 472 3441

Stephen Hickey (PGW ) 027 444 3570

Key: Dair y Cattle Sheep

O ther

The markets are pumping, no bull

Predicted supply pressures due to calf-rearing cutbacks show up in the saleyards.

Suz Bremner MARKETS Livestock

BULLS big and small are a hot commodity at present and, without going down too many rabbit holes, the main instigators of the stronger bull market are a lack of supply and a strong international manufacturing bull market pushing schedules up.

Weaner Friesian bulls have enjoyed a good price run this season and, leading into the beef weaner fair/calf sale season, expectations for these fairs are also optimistic.

Friesian bull prices from November to January have favoured the seller, but buyers can see a good margin and have stretched budgets to secure calves.

The North Island weaner Friesian bull average price over that period is $623-$718 for 113134kg. In the South Island, the range is $545-$640 for 115-122kg. On average, these price levels are $65-$145 up on last season, and the highest prices on AgriHQ records, which date back to 2010.

It is common for prices to ease towards the end of the sale season, but as Hawke’s Bay turned from drought conditions to good growth, more stock trucks are heading to the region loaded with weaner bulls.

R2 Friesian bulls are almost as rare as hen’s teeth. Back in 2022, AgriHQ analysts voiced concerns

The big boys in the yards have been a talking point, as per kilogram prices over $4/kg have been frequent on both islands.

on the future supply of this age group, given that the number of calves being reared back then had dropped. The market is now seeing the result of that drop in calves reared.

The turn of the weather on the eastern side of the country has also kept R2 Friesian bulls off the market, as farmers aim for finishing rather than selling store.

A whip around the saleyards shows that the ex-service bull market through January has been

It has been a summer of two halves in

and, as feed levels

after good

kept

on fire, fuelled by strong demand from processors as they look to fill gaps in chains, and also work to strong overseas demand.

The United States beef market is at a record high too, so that means processors can afford to pay more if they must. And added to that is the slow supply of cull dairy cows coming out of the woodwork, as farmers hold them over to take advantage of the high milk pay-out.

At present, the manufacturing bull schedule ranges from $7.10/kg to $7.50/kgCW in the North Island and $6.90/kg to $7.20/kg in the South Island, with both islands up around $1.70/kg on last year. Premiums can be made for decent sized lines and regular supply, so the yards have proved to be a popular place to source

You, us and our advertisers.

more supply as the ex-service bulls exit the dairy herds.

The big boys in the yards have been a talking point, as per kilogram prices over $4/kg have been frequent on both islands, which is a level previously unheard of.

Recommended voluntary subscription: $120/year.

That’s 50 issues of Farmers Weekly for the price of one lamb, 15kg milksolids or two coffees/month.

At the most recent Feilding prime cattle sale traditional bulls, 580kg and above, were hitting $4.20-$4.28/kg. At Temuka, similar bulls traded at $3.90-$4.07/kg, and all heavy bulls are selling well relative to their breed.

Go online or email your name, postal address and phone number to: voluntarysub@farmersweekly.co.nz and we’ll send you an invoice. www.farmersweekly.co.nz/donate

HEADING FOR HAWKE’S BAY:

Hawke’s Bay

improved

rain, bull farmers were able to enter the weaner Friesian bull market, which has

prices positive to the end.

Photo: Suz Bremner

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

DISPLAY: Temuka hosted an annual 2-tooth fair on Wednesday, January 29. Tallies continued the downward trend at just over 4000-head and Border Leicester-Romney once again topped the sale at $265.

Tropics wake up as we reach peak summer

Philip Duncan NEWS Weather

TIME marches on and here we are in February already. No matter how you look at it, we’re in the peak of summer, when we usually we get our hottest and driest weather of the year – but also with that wild card factor of getting a tropical rainmaker.

As I wrote last week, we’ve had a cloudier, windier, cooler summer for many (but not all) regions. From a soil moisture perspective the driest regions remain in the west of both main islands, while eastern areas are wettest underfoot.

Over the next week places that are dry now are likely to be even drier as high pressure zones finally start taking things more seriously and giving New Zealanders summer weather we may think is more “traditional”.

Last week our WeatherWatch X social media account ran a 24-hour poll asking if summer has felt like summer this year. We had 147 votes and “it felt like spring/autumn” won easily with

58% of the vote. Second place was “summer does feel like summer”, at 35%. And yes, the remaining 7% says the past two months have felt like winter.

That’s a fairly solid percentage of the nation that feels like we’ve not had a normal summer – but don’t take that large percentage as all being unhappy.

In our polling over the decades we’ve found that autumn always beats summer as New Zealander’s favourite season of the year.

Several low pressure zones are being monitored from Australia to the Pacific Islands.

This February in New Zealand it looks to be hotter and drier and less windy to begin with. South of NZ it’s still stormy – but not as stormy as last month was.

Over NZ there is an uptick in stronger high pressure. North of NZ there is a significant jump in low pressure and rain after a distinct lack of it in recent months.

In Australia the Bureau of

Meteorology has recorded its latest ever start to the monsoon season in 70 years of recording it. And it may only be a spluttering start for them rainfall wise in the top third of the nation despite a number of low pressure zones forming in the tropics.

Australia’s monsoon rain merges into the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) – an area of heavy rain north of NZ that brings the

island nations their “wet season” in summer (basically their monsoon season).

This SPCZ is a big band of heavy rain well north of NZ that can sometimes droop down towards us and send heavy rain, a cyclone, or just a sub-tropical low feeding off it.

Either way, it’s time for us in New Zealand to now keep an eye on the tropics.

There are plenty of lows around the tropics right now. Several low pressure zones are being monitored from Australia to the Pacific Islands and any one of these lows could become a tropical cyclone.

NZ’s high pressure zones look more controlling now – but the tropical lows look like farm dogs wanting out of the crate to go for a sprint.

DAMP: Two-week rainfall going into February shows large dry areas around northern North Island and eastern South Island as heavy rain and low pressure swamp the tropics.

Image: WeatherWatch/ Weatherzone

Farmers Weekly NZ February 3 2025

Shipping shake-up on horizon

Sward still mightier than the pen

SECTORFOCUS

Longer lactation takes heat out of spring

redefining the milking experience

gea area sales managers

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EDITORIAL

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SALES CONTACTS

PUBLISHERS

Contents

News in brief

Fonterra investment Agreement reached

Waterfowl deaths

Profitable farms?

GE Bill needs a farmer’s voice: DairyNZ

Cleaning up continues at Mainland Poultry

Timeline emerging on Trump’s global tariff threat

‘Simply not enough stock to go around’

More plant closures likely as sheep numbers fall

Calls for nationwide pasture survey grow

Better grass info would feed farm profits

Trash disposal that treasures the land

Hoping for more science and less management

Diversified rams fetch higher prices

More fallout from NZ Wagyu liquidation

Meat industry ready to back fresh ideas

Staff reporter MARKETS Food and fibre

News in brief

Wine popular Local legend

Farmer fined

BECOME A VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIBER

Genetics the star in Canterbury lamb sales

From the Editor

Letters of the week Strength through unity

Brutality has nothing to do with shearing

A bad case of the Trumps

Eating the elephant

Serious questions dog red meat marketing

Meaty matters

Sector Focus

Longer lactation takes the heat out of spring

Massey’s farm classroom marks 30 years

People power productive w

for orkplaces

Farming a great fit for Northland teen

CONVERSATION

Synlait celebrates being back on track

Eventful year ahead for dairy sector

Sector perspective

Your Scale. Your Securit y.

Get Wormwise before worms get the herd

WASTE NOT

Cattle

drench performance

in calves is on the slide

Guess less, grow more

Livestock, forestry ‘can work together’

AI tool set to transform body condition scoring

Staff reporter TECHNOLOGY

Gene tech extension refused

Tech extracts fert from wastewater pee

Dairy Expo to continue its grassroots ethos

Fonterra Edendale breaks ground on plant No 13

FEDERATED FARMERS

Feds call for QEII Trust funding to be doubled

Feds helping boost young farmer talent

Planting our high-country farms in pines?

Marlborough farmer points to positives from council

'Miranui' - versatile deer and gardening farm

Gisborne 1572 Waimata Valley Road

GLEN ISLAY LTD

SALE TALK

The markets are pumping, no bull

Cattle Sheep Deer

Weekly saleyard results

Tropics wake up as we reach peak summer