Having ready access to your TFO or specialist is crucial, especially when you need to adapt to market conditions or something unexpected like a weather event.
By significantly growing our technical expertise and digital solutions, we’ve increased our ability to support you, wherever you are – whatever the challenge.
Looking for the best finish for your lawn? Head to Honda Outdoors.
Use your Farmlands Card to secure your new Honda mower. Honda mowers are packed with innovative, robust features that maximise cutting and collecting performance, while ensuring they are enjoyable to use. With an extensive range of ride-on mowers, self-propelled and push mowers, along with line trimmers and brush cutters, your local Honda Outdoors store has the right machine to deliver a premium finish for your lawn. Use your Farmlands Card at your local Honda Outdoors store to purchase power equipment and get access to genuine Honda accessories and servicing*. LAWN MOWERS | BORERS | BRUSH CUTTERS | GENERATORS | PUMPS | CORDLESS RANGE *Terms and conditions apply. See farmlands.co.nz for more information.
FARMLANDS PUBLICATION TEAM
Deborah Allan
Ian Turner
CONTACT
Farmlands 535 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch
Ph: 0800 200 600
Email: farmlander@farmlands.co.nz
CONTENT & DESIGN BY SCG
Niko Kloeten
LauraGrace McFarland
Julian Pettitt
PRINTED BY: Webstar
ON THE COVER
Brent McGlashen inspects his hops crop near Motueka. Photograph by Oliver Weber.
Design by Julian Pettitt
This publication is printed on paper made from pulp that is environmentally certified, and from renewable and sustainably sources. It is Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and manufactured under strict ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The plastic wrap is 100% recyclable in the New Zealand soft plastic recycling scheme.
This publication has been printed by Webstar, a Toitū enviromark diamond certified company and a winner of a Green Ribbon Award “Minimising our Waste”.
The information contained in this publication is given in good faith and has been derived from sources perceived to be reliable and accurate. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information, Farmlands gives no warranties, express or implied, regarding the information nor does it accept any liability for any opinion or information (including the accuracy or completeness thereof) or for any consequences flowing from its use. The information and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views or opinion of Farmlands, its editorial contributors, freelancers, associates or information providers. Independent advice is recommended before acting on information or suggestions contained herein. Readers who rely on this information do so at their own risk. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service whether by trade name, trademark, manufacture, or otherwise does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Farmlands. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Prices and offers apply only in the time-period stated on the front cover of this publication and while stocks last.
Not all products are available at all Farmlands stores. All prices include GST unless otherwise stated.
There's so much to be excited about right now across the motu. We’ve got better intelligence than we’ve ever had, we're focusing on the activities that’ll give us all the best return, and we're more aware than ever of how the world is changing and the tremendous opportunities that brings. That's why this issue is a cracker, full of stories about the great things you, our shareholders are doing, and the suppliers and partners who are making life better for all of rural New Zealand.
There’s a theme of investment running through the issue. Evident by the tremendous work that’s gone into FarmlandsPRO and the Farmlands Card app, to help you save more and get more from the Co-operative. Then there’s our investment in people – To The Core, Kellogg Rural Leadership and our Internship programmes – giving Farmlands staff, shareholders and students opportunities to grow NZ Agri. To grow our sector. For our interns it’s a chance for them to find out more about the Ag world, outside of the classroom. We’re also fortunate to be able to support a wide variety of businesses, associations and trusts as they work hard to improve the life of Kiwis nationwide.
Finally, we’d love your feedback on Farmlander. There’s a brand-new survey available with a chance to win a fantastic prize, your thoughts and suggestions will help us to continue producing a magazine that supports your business and your rural lifestyle.
Have a great autumn, Ngā mihi nui
Got something to share with the team at Farmlander ?
Email farmlander@farmlands.co.nz
Keep up-to-date with the latest news from across the co-operative via our website and social media. @farmlandsnz @farmlandsnz
Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited
Good news stories from Farmlands. We talk recycling and happy customers.
All the latest news and upcoming events from Farmlands and beyond, with some competition winners too.
Dairy farmers are taking different approaches to the news of a
A Marlborough wine-growing family celebrate their second Century Farms Award.
The McGlashen family has been passionate about growing hops for over 125 years.
From data to e-commerce, we have the latest news from the Farmlands
team.
With solar power in demand, panels are popping up on farm buildings across New
Meet the stellar students who took summer horticulture internships with Farmlands.
Learn how a Manawatu dairy farm tackled animal health challenges with nutrition.
Defender Horse of the Year is coming up, and NRM and McMillan feeds are on the menu.
Greg Mirams of ag-tech company Techion shares his insights on parasite management.
Feeding the animals is important, but here are some recipes for the humans on your farm.
Rural Support’s new National Chair reflects on the organisation’s challenges and opportunities.
A wrap of the great things that have been happening in and around the Co-operative.
A few problem solvers from the Waipukurau and Napier stores found a clever use for the new vaccine packaging, which now uses recycled wool instead of polystyrene. The wool is donated to a local cat charity, where it’s used to make cozy bedding. It’s soft, comfortable and easily washable – a purrfect solution.
We’re loving the feedback we get from shareholders and customers.
“A great business. Have always been happy with the service from staff. The savings on food and fuel are huge and that is where most of my income goes. Thank you Farmlands.”
“Fantastic service and the staff know their stuff. The range of products beats anywhere, and frankly, if Farmlands doesn't have what we need the staff know where to send us! This is huge for me.”
“Kaitlin continues to help us with our feed supply, maize requirements, and calf feed and she’s always responsive. Nothing is a problem, even when the requests are not the norm. Much appreciated.”
We measure customer sentiment using NPS (Net Promoter Score) and over the last 12 months we’ve seen a steady improvement ending 2024 up 13 points on 2023 – fantastic! We read
all your feedback and use it to inform our teams on how we’re doing. Visit farmlands.co.nz/haveyoursay.html to share your thoughts – we love hearing from you!
Leased since 2008, Farmlands has now purchased the Winton Feed Mill site. This means Farmlands is in an even better position to offer value and support to shareholders and customers through our nutrition products.
With the purchase of the land and buildings, Farmlands can further invest in the site and expand the operating capacity of the plant.
Our grain growers benefit from us being a local customer, our Winton team benefits from our long-term commitment to them, our shareholders benefit from a strengthened co-op and our customers benefit from locally-produced and distributed feed products.
We’ve partnered with world leading manufacturers to source and supply a new range of premium forestry plantation protection products, made for NZ conditions.
www.agstar.co.nz
Farmlands is pleased to announce the appointment of new Chief Merchandise Officer Marie Barlabas, who has crossed the Tasman to join the Co-operative.
A Senior Manager with many years of experience managing multi-million dollar, high-growth portfolios, Marie was most recently General Manager Category & Buying for Blackwoods, based in Melbourne.
Marie brings an analytical knack, to research, interpret and monitor competitive landscapes, market trends and consumer dynamics to uncover potential opportunities.
Farmlands CEO Tanya Houghton welcomed Marie’s appointment, saying she will be a valuable addition to the team.
“Marie has a strong track record in launching innovative products, and is a skilled negotiator with proven success in establishing profitable relationships with suppliers, which will help us get better deals for our shareholders.”
Two lucky Farmlander readers have won signed copies of Chelsea Winter’s latest recipe book, Tasty Tasty is Chelsea’s seventh cookbook, following her hugely successful bestseller Supergood
The recipes in Tasty are designed to be meat-free, egg-free and dairy-free and can be adapted for every kind of eater, even those with allergies and intolerances.
The Tasty giveaway in the Summer 2024 issue of Farmlander attracted over 150 entries, with Sandy Kennard from Oamaru and Debbie Hewitt of Waipukurau having their names drawn. Your signed copies are on their way!
PS: Thank you for your Summer Crossword entries. Unfortunately, no correct entries were received, so we’ll hold over the prize ‘til spring.
From March, Farmlands will become the exclusive partner for Barkers’ brand-new line of rural-inspired apparel “1972 ” The collection, offered in 44 Farmlands stores around the country and through the online shop, is designed for the rural community, combining style, durability and practicality.
Farmlands CEO Tanya Houghton says she is thrilled the co-op will be offering its customers an exclusive ‘capsule range’ from the iconic brand. “This is a line of high-quality clothing that’ll work as hard as our farmers and growers. It’ll last through tough conditions on-farm and also look good down at the local pub or restaurant.”
Find out more about the exclusive launch on page 92 of Farmlander.
The sport of sheep shearing is taking another international step in 2025 with plans for the formation of a world competition circuit, including an annual final to be held at the Christchurch Show.
Plans for a “road-to-Christchurch” concept in 2025 include invitations to competitors at potential lead-up shows across the British Isles, Europe, North America and Australia, and have attracted the support of both the chair of the Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA), Sir David Carter, and the Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson, a staunch advocate for the wool industry.
“The shearers are the real heroes of the sheep industry: we can’t harvest the wool without them,” Sir David says.
Mainfreight, one of our trusted freight carriers, hosted a BBQ at Farmlands Support Office to celebrate our new Rural Supplies Distribution Centres (DCs) in Hamilton and Rolleston going live. Mainfreight is our 3PL (third-party logistics) warehousing partner for these DCs, which marks a major milestone, enabling us to increase buying power, improve inventory accuracy and consolidate deliveries. With greater responsiveness and improved onshelf availability, Farmlands will be better positioned to support our stores and customers nationwide. A huge thank-you to Mainfreight for their partnership and to everyone involved in making this happen!
The Farmlands team will be out and about at these upcoming events:
NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS
27 FEBRUARY - 1 MARCH, DARGAVILLE
DEFENDER HORSE OF THE YEAR
4 - 9 MARCH 2025, HASTINGS
WĀNAKA A&P SHOW
7 - 8 MARCH, WĀNAKA
CENTRAL DISTRICTS
FIELD DAYS
13 - 15 MARCH, FEILDING
SOUTH ISLAND
AGRICULTURE FIELD DAYS
26 - 28 MARCH, KIRWEE
Farmlands has added well-known rural leader Robert Sharkie to its team in the new role of GM Technical and Field Sales –a move that will benefit customers.
Rob brings more than 40 years of experience in the farming sector, most notably a sevenyear stint as Group CEO of RuralCo, highlighting his extensive experience working in rural supplies co-operatives supporting farmers and growers.
Raised in Motueka, he got his start in farming as a trainee rep for Wrightsons in 1980, after narrowly missing out on a job as an apprentice mechanic.
“Looking back, that was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I love working in the rural sector, and my favourite part is getting to know the people.”
Rob is in charge of the Farmlands field team as well as its expert agronomists. He has a strong connection to the co-operative; not only did he previously work for CRT, but his daughter-in-law works for Farmlands and his son works for Fern Energy50% owned by Farmlands as part of a joint-venture and New Zealand’s largest on-farm bulk fuel supplier.
“For me it’s about listening to our shareholders and finding out what they want. I'm probably the ultimate farmer's voice,” he says.
“I've been here for a long time, through the highs and lows, through ‘86 when the wheels fell off the world… I’ve been through droughts and storms and everything in between.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Rob says farmers, and Farmlands itself, should focus on getting the basics right.
“It's not about spending lots of money to do things, it’s about doing
it right. I always question farmers, if you've got 4,000 cows, do you really need 4,000? What's the motivation?”
In the rapidly changing world of farming, Rob says it’s important for farmers to have strong relationships with trusted advisors like their TFOs and agronomists, and also to be able to find the information they need quickly and make purchases easily through our branch or digital tools –like FarmlandsPRO.
“It’s about understanding what they're trying to achieve, which comes from having that intimate knowledge of a farmer's business, and that takes time to develop.
“But that intimacy creates opportunities for us to provide
product on time, better buying, better knowledge and better information and better outcomes.”
Farmlands Chief Sales Officer Blair Robinson says Rob is a great addition to the Farmlands team.
“Rob has a huge wealth of knowledge, and he is a highly respected leader with extensive contacts in the agricultural sector. He's got a deep passion for the success of the primary industry in New Zealand.
“To be able to come back and really add to his legacy in the sector and take Farmlands to the next stage of our strategy is a real win for us and our shareholders. We’re stoked to have him join the team.”
Launching exclusively in Farmlands stores this autumn, is Top Paddock. A core range of products, that won’t break the bank.
Top Paddock means better value and reduced costs, whatever you need to get done.
For infrastructure, animal management and many more lines to come, make sure you look for Top Paddock the next time you’re at Farmlands.
Buy now through
In this section
From multi-generational hops growers to sustainability-focused dairy farmers, we showcase how Farmlands shareholders are looking to the future.
Photo: Oliver Weber
16 Find out how dairy farmers are reacting to a strong payout forecast.
26 Marlborough winegrowers celebrate their families’ two Century Farms Award.
30 Get an up-close look at the tricky process of growing hops.
Dairy farmers aren’t jumping for joy, despite the prospect of a record payout. We spoke to Farmlands shareholders about their plans, while getting some expert nutrition and agronomy advice for the year ahead.
Amid New Zealand’s overall economic gloom, a bright spot is emerging in the dairy sector. In December, Fonterra revised its farmgate milk price forecast up to a range of $9.50-$10.50/kg of milk solids, with most dairy processors having a $10 kgMS midpoint pay out, which would surpass the previous record of $9.30/kg in the 2021-22 season.
A lot can change in the last few months of the season, but a result in this range would inject billions into the New Zealand economy. So why aren’t farmers celebrating? There are two ‘d’ words to blame: debt, and in some parts of the country, drought.
Farmers are more circumspect about the payout than they have been in the past, according to Chris Stephens, Farmlands Team Lead - Nutrition.
“I think they've learned a lesson over the last few good payouts that going into more debt isn't a good idea,” he says.
“Even though the payout is strong and it's looking super positive moving ahead, they've still been hit by interest rates because of that debt loading they have.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN RUTH GILMOUR
“It's nice to have a shiny new tractor but only if you need it. It's nice to have the neighbouring farm next door, but only if it's the right timing and I just don't think it's the right time with all that debt.”
While previous high payouts have seen farmers look to take advantage by increasing their herd numbers or buying more land, Chris says the focus from farmers these days is on maximising production and profitability from their current herd.
“What they're doing now, whether it's through agronomy or nutrition, is they're inputting money to try and pay off debt, so they're utilising that payout to make more milk, which ultimately brings income in.
“On the nutrition side, extending lactation is easy for us. You can turn the tap on and off pretty quickly, whereas with agronomy you've got to be super planned. You can't just grow a crop in April.”
How dairy farmers go about boosting production per animal will depend on their own farm’s situation, including their pasture quality and
what supplementary feed crops they may have grown.
Chris notes there are also significant regional differences; while Southland was “underwater” late last year, other areas such as Hawke’s Bay have been moving into drought.
“You may see some of those farmers go back into survival mode pretty quickly.”
Wet or dry, high or low payout, dairy farmers need to have a plan to cover all possible scenarios, says Dr. Elena Duter, Head of Agronomy - Technical Field Growth at Farmlands.
“What is the strategy to overcome feed shortages without compromising animal health and milk production while maintaining condition score? Farmlands specialist teams (Agronomy and Nutrition) are in a unique position to provide our shareholders with the best solution by providing tailored advice introducing the latest genetics in the market, resilient pasture mixes, and crop options with a custom nutrient recommendation.”
Farmers
Waikato-based Agronomist
Brian Richards says a wet spring in the region meant maize crops were planted a few days late, but this wouldn’t leave a gap in feed supply.
“It comes down to solar units with the maize production, so if you have a good hot summer, you'll catch up those 10 days late anyway. The last two seasons have been exceptional for growth and farmers have been like squirrels putting their nuts away,” he says.
“There's lots of silage and baleage on hand in our region, to get through a dry period if it happens. There’ll just be the need to possibly put in some extras.”
Brian says one of the big trends in the agronomy space is the impact of climate change, which means crops can now be grown where we couldn't grow before.
“We've got maize in areas where five years ago we never grew maize. And we're getting very, very good yields there as well.
“We’re also seeing cereals starting to come back into the central North Island. We used to grow them many years ago, and they went out of favour for various reasons, but now we're starting to see them return.”
Looking at the season ahead, Brian says one issue to watch out for is pasture quality, which has taken a back seat recently.
“Where we do have a little bit of a gap for the coming autumn is that we haven't done a lot of undersowing for two years because we've had such good growing conditions.
“The grass has been rubbish grass; it's been carried over summer grass, which has poor nutritional value but because there's so much of it, they can afford to waste it or put it in a bale for a rainy day or a cold day.
“That’s where we see the opportunity to capitalise on a good regrassing program that should grow more protein.”
Chris says paddocks are often worse than they look, and testing shows that farmers regularly overestimate how much a paddock is producing.
“They think they are feeding 18kg of dry matter, but realistically they're probably only feeding 14kg. It’s quite surprising how poor some paddocks really are.”
One of the farms Brian has been visiting is that of Tony Chamberlin and his wife Nic, for whom the quality of their milk is just as important as the quantity.
Based north of Taupō, they are founding suppliers of Māori-owned dairy company Miraka, which has a geothermal-powered dairy factory about 12km away.
It runs a dairy farming excellence programme called Te Ara Miraka, which includes standards around milk quality, sustainability and animal welfare.
“They do a general shed audit which is quite comprehensive,” Nic says. “There’s a whole lot of paperwork that goes with it relating to our people, our cows, sustainability –all aspects of the farm really.
“I’m an avid recycler and a bit of a greenie, so I really relate to the Te Ara Miraka programme, it’s kind of my baby: taking care of the recycling and sustainability side of the farm. Making sure we are good employers to our staff and obviously that we run a very profitable business are also key factors of success for us and these are also stipulations from Miraka.”
“Brian’s come out several times and if we don't need to spray something, he’ll say don't do it. That's awesome for me, because I don't want somebody who just tells me to spend more money so he can hit a sales target.”
They have a long connection to Farmlands, starting back with Tony’s parents, and Tony says they value the honest advice they get from the co-operative.
“We definitely don't get the used car salesman approach from them, which we really appreciate because they give genuine and honest advice. That’s why we'll keep going back to them: because we trust them,” he says.
“Brian’s come out several times and if we don't need to spray something, he’ll say don't do it. That's awesome for me, because I don't want somebody who just tells me to spend more money so he can hit a sales target.”
The couple are 50/50 sharemilking with Tony’s parents, but neither of them started out their careers in dairy farming.
“My mum was part of a dairy farming family, but I grew up in the Waikato and I was an adventure tourism guide, so a completely different background,” Nic says.
“I was dolphin swimming in Whakatane, whale swimming in Tonga, rafting in Rotorua and Canada and doing some outdoor kids camps in Austria and Switzerland.”
Tony was a builder by trade, and he says their late start in farming means they are less burned out than they might be if they had been farming their whole lives. “We're still excited and into it. We haven't been doing it since we were 16 years old.”
Tony and Nic run about 600 cows on 223ha of mostly rolling country, and they also have a much steeper runoff block they use for wintering.
They are a system 3 farm, producing around 500kg milk solids per cow annually, and Tony says that has been rising due to breeding and condensing their calving period.
While they have avoided some of the disastrous weather that has struck the rest of the country recently, he says it's a huge challenge to predict that what's going to happen weather-wise.
“No one really knows. They all said there was going to be a 50-year drought last year and we had one of the wettest summers, so that's the biggest challenge. You just need to plan ahead for that, plan for the worst and hope for the best. I still enjoy it, because it's always something different every day.”
Nic sees the climate factor as a big one to watch for in the future.
“I think that we’re getting warmer winters now. We used to have midwinter frost and ice on the trough. Pasture growth was just hammered and we had snow in the spring.
“Even over the last 10 years or so, it's changed and we're getting warmer winters, but then we are getting these dry summers too, so it's a good climate, but who knows what’s next.”
Tony says he doesn’t let changing weather, or changing payouts, make him deviate from the plan when it comes to what he grows on farm.
“I've always just grown what I need anyway and in the end, the cows will eat it. It's never wasted. If I haven't grown it and I haven't put it in early enough, well that's my problem.
“But you can't afford to wait and see, you need to do it. You need to be proactive, you need to get it done.”
Matamata-based shareholder Ryan Wilson says his family’s initial response to forecasts of a strong payout was to focus on consistency. However, that has changed in recent weeks.
“We have decided that we have enough stored on-farm feed with maize and bales that we can put our foot on the gas for the rest of the season to capture extra milk, even if there is a drought while the payout is strong.”
Besides profitability, work-life balance is also a key consideration for Ryan. He has two young children with
his wife Nicole, who works in the early childhood sector, and lives in Matamata township rather than on his family’s farm.
Like many working parents, Ryan admits juggling his job and family responsibilities can be a challenge.
“If you're at home, there's something on the farm you're not doing, and then if you're on the farm, you're not at home. You’ve just got to balance up; if there's a job that needs doing on the farm, it needs doing and then you make up for it at home later.”
Ryan’s family owns a 170ha dairy block just outside of Matamata, and
recently bought a drystock block of similar size nearby. They also lease a 25ha block next door to their main farm.
Last year they made the call to “double down on dairy” after a brief foray into sheep milking. His family also owns a sand quarry and trucking company, run by his dad.
“One of the reasons for going into sheep when we did was trying to diversify and get a little bit of succession planning going,” Ryan says.
“Sheep milking is a good industry, with an amazing product that is going through some head
winds at the moment, and there are people in the industry doing great things. But our structure wasn't right and we weren't that good at it, so we thought, ‘let's double down on what we're good at’.”
The Wilsons run about 650 milking cows on average and are on track to produce 330,000kg milk solids, or around 500kg per animal.
Ryan says they are “fairly intensive” at somewhere between a system 4 and system 5. They do split calving, and they also use the drystock block for cropping to produce supplementary feed.
“We are setting ourselves up to be 100 percent self-sufficient, outside of things like concentrates, palm kernel and soy meal. We don't want to be bringing in grass silage or maize.”
Their crop mix has “bounced around” in recent years, depending on factors like growing conditions and the needs of their cows, Ryan says.
“This year I've got chicory (for the milking herd and for weaner calves) and I’ve done turnips. In the past we did a little bit of hunter - which is like a leafy turnip - when we had sheep, and maize.
“Last year we had a lot of maize silage at the other farm that went unsold. So basically we brought two years’ worth of maize home, so we didn't plant any at home this year. But going forward, we'll do about 20ha of crop on farm.”
This year they also bought their own baler. “In a week's time I would've done enough bales to save the amount to pay the interest and principle on the financing. Everything after that is a saving.
“Also, we aren’t reliant on a contractor to come and do the work. We are able to cut smaller amounts at a time and get the paddocks back in the round quicker.”
Although they farm quite intensively, Ryan says their goal is to reduce the workload for him and the staff. He has also had a razor-sharp focus on margins and admits he “may have pissed a few salespeople off” with his obsession with costs.
Dairy farmers have different goals, and not all are focused on being top producers.
“We're trying to get good milk out of the cows, and we’ve got a mortgage to pay, so we've got to have good margins there. But we’re trying to make it easy and repeatable, because if it's easy then things can't go wrong as much.”
One area where they won’t skimp on costs is staffing, with their roster of five milkers allowing for flexibility.
“Our staff are the heart of the business, we couldn’t do what we do without them. People would look at it and say, you've got a lot of staff, but there's enough for them to do.
“It means someone can have a sleep in, and someone can take a week off in the middle of calving. How many farms let their staff do that?”
Elena says the Farmlands agronomy and nutrition teams work closely together to provide tailored advice to suit the needs of individual shareholders.
A key factor is to contemplate our shareholder's short and long-term goals. Not every farmer is driven by trying to reach the top 10% in milk solids production, but having a worklife balance while keeping the banks happy and protecting the environment for their future generations. Defining their goals early will ease how to manage their systems sustainably.
From an agronomic perspective, Elena is focused on tailoring their pasture species recommendations to suit the shareholder's rotations that fit their lifestyles, becoming one of our main focuses when designing the seasonal and year plans for a farm. Nutrition options, understanding the traits of the new pasture genetics in the market, using the available endophyte technologies, and supporting production with the different types of fertilisers and agchem Farmlands has in range, has become the perfect mix where art and science come together.
Farmlands' purchase of SealesWinslow is already showing benefits for farmers, thanks to supply chain improvements for nutrition products.
Nutrition is a key priority for Farmlands, the purchase of SealesWinslow has illustrated Farmlands commitment to providing NZ farmers with the best options in Animal Feed. The recent purchase of Farmlands’ Winton Mill site has further emphasised this. The focus has not just been on manufacturing capacity but also improving the processes around manufacture.
Following on from the work completed reviewing and resetting our retail product range, there has also been a focus on our animal feed planning cycles to ensure we have the right products available to our customers, at the times that they need them.
Implementation of new Warehouse Management Systems means we can now better control the distribution of product batches to improve stock rotation, so we have the freshest products always available for our customers.
Maintaining product quality and availability has been balanced with lowering our costs. One of the benefits we have seen is a reduction in products that can’t be sold due to mite infestation, an issue common in textured grain products over the hotter months.
A focus on where we manufacture and store product across the Farmlands national supply chain network allows us to reduce the cost of getting products to customers.
In the future we will look to leverage these benefits across a wider range of products utilising our central distribution centres due to open in 2025.
SealesWinslow has rebranded to better reflect their dedication to quality and innovation in animal nutrition. Their new packaging emphasizes critical nutritional information and showcases the premium ingredients and formulations that distinguish SealesWinslow from the rest of the herd (or flock). This will make it easier for farmers to identify the quality of the product offering at a glance.
As part of the rebrand, SealesWinslow are excited to reintroduce Mineral Blocks. These
are specifically designed to support livestock during periods when pastures may lack essential nutrients and minerals, such as in winter. These Mineral Blocks provide vital nutrients to enhance immunity, support digestion and promote overall animal health—helping farmers maintain strong, productive stock year-round.
Purchase the brand new 25kg blocks from your local Farmlands store, or shop with
With 60 months to pay on a new REL ProFeed System, when you sign your feed agreement with Farmlands.
Two of the biggest factors in maximising production are what you feed and how you feed it.
Farmlands Nutrition has the WHAT covered, with a team of Nutrition Specialists New Zealand wide, who’ll work with you to create a feeding plan that works, based on your budget and nutritional needs. While REL can focus on the HOW, with a ProFeed System that’s customised to your existing Rotary or Herringbone set-up, and quick to install.
To make sure you’re getting the most from your farm system, Farmlands Nutrition wants to share with you a very special offer.
REL ProFeed Systems and silo upgrades are now available on a 12 month interest free finance offer, when you enter a conditional 12 month supply agreement for all compound feed and blend inputs to be used through the feeding system*.
The Tasman region is one of New Zealand’s most important horticulture hubs. For growers in the ‘North of the South’ it’s about more than just today’s weather or this season’s profit forecast. Tasman is steeped in farming history, and in this special feature we meet two local growing families looking to keep that history alive. First, we journey to wind-swept Ward to meet a winegrowing couple with a rich local heritage on both sides of the family. Next, we journey to Motueka to learn the ins and outs of hops from a family that has been growing them for 125 years.
Not many couples can claim Century Farm awards on both sides of the family. We spoke to Marlborough farmers Locky Taylor and Ally Avery about their ever-evolving farm, and the importance of preserving the region’s history.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN JIM TANNOCK
The Taylor family has been farming the same land near Ward (south of Blenheim) since 1919 and received their Century Farms Award last year. But the land use has changed significantly since the 1000ha block was originally purchased, Locky says.
“My grandfather and his brother came from Kaikoura up to Ward and bought the current property that we're living on. Back then they raised sheep, so wool and rabbit skinning were the main income streams. And then after a couple of years, they split the property in half.”
Locky and his parents eventually bought the other block back in the early 1990s, restoring the property to its original size. After farming in partnership with his parents for a few years, he took over the property in 2004. With sheep farming in long-
term decline, the Marlborough wine revolution came at just the right time.
“These days our income derives mainly from viticulture. We're contract growers, supplying Sauvignon Blanc to three different wineries,” Locky says.
“We still have about 150 cows and a number of ewes. In the last few years, we have got into carbon farming as well. We've got 50ha of scrubby gully reverting to native, and we planted 100ha of forestry.”
Locky and Ally use about 47ha of their main property for growing grapes, and they have also bought another 80ha property about 3km down the road that they plan to use exclusively for viticulture.
“We've recently built a big water reservoir on the home property, and we've piped the water 3km down the road to this new property and we're developing that block now as
well,” Locky says. “There's gullies and wetlands and so forth, so you probably only get about half into actual canopy area, but so far we’ve done 18ha.”
Although it's no longer the biggest part of their income stream, Locky says being involved in sheep and beef farming is still a big part of their lives – and those of their children, Georgia and Edward.
“The kids are invested in that side of the property, and emotionally they love getting out on the farm when they can and doing everything that the farm has to offer. Hunting's a big part of our recreation, and the kids love that as well.”
Ally was well equipped to handle the Marlborough farming lifestyle, having grown up nearby in the Grassmere Valley. They were technically neighbours, with their two vast
properties sharing a boundary for a few hundred metres, although they were separated by a mountain range and barely knew each other growing up.
“My family has farmed in the Grassmere Valley for 106 years and was given the Century Farms Award during Covid. And my mother's family were actually in the Ward area from 1905,” she says.
“I went away to boarding school and at that time thought that I would probably never return to the area. I went and travelled, got a job in Wellington working in healthcare and absolutely loved city life.”
Her life changed direction after she made the fateful decision to organise a joint 50th birthday party for her parents. Because she had been away so long, Ally had to do a bit of research on their friend groups to figure out who to invite.
“Dad was playing squash and all he talked about was squash. I laugh looking back on it now, but they used to always tell me that they had this young fellow on the team who would be such a nice guy for me, and that was Locky.
“He always tells the joke that he came to this birthday party that I'd organised and my dad met him at the door and said, ‘Come in and help yourself to whatever you want.’ So he helped himself to the daughter. That was 20 years ago now.”
Receiving the Century Farms Award was particularly special for Locky and Ally, after her family missed out on a ceremony due to the Covid lockdowns. They attended with Georgia and Edward, and with Locky’s older son, Tamati, who works in Corrections.
“At the Century Farm Awards, in our presentation, we said to the kids that it was up for them to make sure they were here in 45 years’ time for the 150th award,” Ally says. “And Edward did his school speech on how his taonga was the Century Farm Award and how much that meant to our family, and I thought that was really cool.”
Ally says Locky’s father Jack was “incredible” at documenting history for the area. They are about to open
the Flaxbourne Heritage Centre, which is largely a collection of artefacts and stories that Jack and a local historian have collected.
“However, he wasn't very good at writing our own family’s history. It took me a few years to pull it all together, but I’m grateful I did it,” Ally says. “I met a Blenheim lady last week and she said they were there 142 years and they've never done it [Century Farms]. And I said, ‘Go and do it.’”
‘Stick to what you’re good at’ Marlborough’s hot, sunny summers are not just good for winegrowing. Ally’s family has grown lucerne in the Grassmere Valley for over 100 years, with her brother Fraser Avery now owning the family farm.
“We look at it and sometimes think, gee, grapes would go so well in this valley because they have such great hot days up there, but they haven't got water in that valley at
the moment. If they got water, I think there would be a huge opportunity.”
Although winegrowing is a relatively recent addition to his family farm’s history, Locky says it figures to play a key role in the next 100 years.
“My father would say that you can chase the market, but it's easier just to stick to what the property's good at growing, and it's something that certainly seems to grow well in Marlborough.
“Over the years we've had ups and downs with sheep and beef farming, and it can be a challenging industry to be part of. To find something like viticulture that's a good fit for the location that we're in, it makes life a lot easier.”
Although the vines love the heat and plentiful sunshine, their location is not without its challenges. Having access to water is a game-changer, but they still have to deal with the risk of spring frosts, and their biggest weather-related headache is the wind.
“We are just down the road from the Dominion saltworks, where they pump water in from the sea into their lakes and evaporate it. There’s more evaporation than there is rainfall, which gives you a fair indication of what the environment's like,” Locky says.
“We're always battling against the wind and ultimately evaporation. With the latest development we're doing with the vineyard, we're doing subsurface irrigation, and we use about 30% less water doing it that way.”
Helping them manage the unforgiving climate is Farmlands Technical Advisor Simon Bowers, who first met them over a decade ago when he was working as viticulturist for a local wine company. Simon’s vast subject knowledge is valuable, but Locky says they lean on him for more than just technical expertise.
“He's a keen hunter and he's been known to come out and sight a rifle for me more than once. He also helped Georgia with her latest science fair project,” Locky says.
“When you have somebody that you get on with, you spend 90% of the time talking about anything else, but when we're talking about the job at hand, his input is really valuable and he's a part of our team really.”
Simon says part of his previous role as a company viticulturist was liaising with growers and negotiating contracts for new fruit supply, and that’s how he first came across Locky and Ally.
“I approached them with a purchase offer, and they gave us two hectares in the middle of their block. Every year I would see if I could get more off them, and it was just two hectares, but they would say that I was the only person that visited through the season apart from around harvest.”
This persistence impressed them, and he continued the relationship after he moved to Farmlands in 2021. Despite his efforts, he notes with a laugh: “I never got anything more than those two hectares.”
Because of the issues with wind, Simon says he tends to treat their block a little differently than other vineyards in the area, using bio stimulants like organic seaweed to help combat some of those environmental and climatic stresses on the vines.
As for why Marlborough in general is such a good area for winegrowing, Simon
says the reason is mostly to do with the sunshine hours and general terroir.
“We have high sunshine hours and have a really good diurnal temperature range later in the season, which helps develop the flavor profile of Sauvignon Blanc. Summer rainfall is generally low which lessens disease risk, and we have plenty of fertile soils.”
The hot and sunny climate in Marlborough leads to a relatively long growing season, Simon explains. This is demonstrated by growing degree days (GDDs), a measure of warmth used as an indicator for crop development.
“We have a high number of GDDs, so we can ripen grape crops relatively easily. If you compare us to Central Otago, we might average over 1300 GDDs, whereas they are as low as 800.
“When they get to the end of the season, the vine will complete final ripening with canopies shutting down, the vine gets to the end and it's done. We ripen our crop with a full canopy and green leaves.”
Sunshine is not in short supply in Marlborough, but the vast range of different soil types means a one-sizefits-all approach will not get the job done. “Goodness me, in the Wairau Valley you can go 100m and you've hit several different soil types, due to the path of the Wairau River over time.” Simon says.
“I used to look over a block that had 200mm of topsoil, then about 200mm of yellow clay, then went straight to anaerobic blue clay, and then within 200m of that, it went to endless sandy silt loams, quite a challenge”
The range of soils being used for winegrowing has expanded as the vineyards have stretched out into different parts of Marlborough, Simon says.
“Back when it was in its infancy, soil types were more similar due to location, You might've chosen to grow just in one area, with silt or gravel loams, but now that we're going out to the extreme ends of the valleys,
there’s so much more soil variation, they’re generally less fertile, along with other factors such as frost risk, which challenge growers.”
Simon works with many winegrowers in the area and says Locky and Ally’s business model, where the profit from their vineyard supports the rest of the farm, is a common one.
“High country farmers are some of the best people; they're really down to earth. The sheep and beef markets have been variable, and they struggled through, then suddenly there's another option for landowners like that: where they've got some fertile flats where they can grow grapes and they make good money on those small blocks.
“That helps support everything else, and it allows that continuation of ownership. I love that, I love hearing about multi-generational families owning land, keeping it going and making a success of it, and I love that I can be a part of that.”
The McGlashen family in the Tasman District are pioneers in New Zealand’s small hop-growing community. We spoke to Mac Hops director Brent McGlashen about the rewarding, and often challenging task of growing hops.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN OLIVER WEBER
It’s a big year for the McGlashens, as they celebrate their 125th year in the hops business. When James McGlashen kicked things off in 1900 with a purchase of farmland near Motueka, Queen Victoria ruled Britain, the Ottoman Empire was still around, and the aeroplane had not yet been invented.
The world has changed in many ways since then, but for fifthgeneration grower Brent, one of the most significant shifts in recent years has been in people’s beer-drinking habits. Had it not been for the craft beer revolution of the 2010s, he might have ended up in another line of work.
“When I came into the industry we were in a severe downturn, and down to only a few growers. It was a make-or-break year for our industrywe were in real strife. There wasn’t a lot of encouragement to go into hops in the early 2000s, then craft beer came along and hops became quite a snazzy thing to do.”
Fast-forward to 2025 and hops growers are again under pressure during a tough economic climate
and global hops surplus. Brent says the cost-of-living crisis is weighing on consumers’ minds and social calendars, which is having a flow-on effect for the beer industry.
“People would love to go out on a Friday night but then they won’t have any money left to go out again the next Friday. The cost increases to craft brewers have been significant and they are doing their best to compete for consumers’ discretionary dollar spend.”
Brent says the challenges faced by brewers and hops growers are global, not just in New Zealand. However, he is hopeful that changes in consumer behaviour will see continued support for craft brewers, and those like Mac Hops who supply them.
“Quite a few people will, instead of reaching for a few bigger boxes of beer, grab a four-pack of craft beer and and share with their friends to discover new taste profiles to different beer styles they haven’t tried before.”
The McGlashens have about 120ha of land growing hops across two sites, which have vastly different soil profiles despite being only a few kilometres apart. Brent says hops growing in Tasman is spread across a variety of soil types, giving the region versatility in what is grown.
“Different areas will give you a different oil profile, flavour and aroma,” he says. “Our home farm has got a sandy silt loam which is free draining, while our new farm 10-12 minutes’ drive away has Braeburn clay which is a gummier soil.
“We’ve shifted some of our varieties from the home farm to the new farm, and vice versa, depending on which farm they were more suited to.”
Tasman is New Zealand’s biggest hops growing region by far, and Brent says that is unlikely to change any time soon. Like Goldilocks sampling porridge, it seems hops need everything to be just right to thrive.
“Some are being trialled in places like Southland, Taranaki and Canterbury. You can grow hops probably anywhere else in New Zealand but you need to be economically viable,” Brent says.
“The climate is the main thing - hops don’t like too much wind, and they like winter chilling but not too much frost at the wrong time; late Spring is not ideal. We farmers are always moaning about the weather - we can never flick the dial and say, ‘it’s okay’.”
Luke Hawthorne, Farmlands’ Regional Sales Manager for Horticulture in the South, works closely with the Mac Hops team. He says latitude 41 is the “magic number” for hops.
plants for nutrients, so spray timing is essential,” Luke says. “Because hops are a food crop, there are strict withholding periods. Everything has to be done precisely and on time— almost down to the day. Once you’ve cleared the ground for the hop plants, it’s all about managing fertiliser.”
Hops are fast growers, and their sheer growth rate presents unique challenges. “They’re hungry plants,” Luke explains. “They can grow at least six inches a day—you can almost sit there and watch them grow.”
“If you look at regions where hops are grown along latitude 41, they perform exceptionally well,” Luke explains. “Hops are resilient—they’ll grow almost anywhere—but you don’t get the yields we achieve here in Tasman.”
However, even with such favourable conditions, Luke stresses that growing hops isn’t easy. Timing, he says, is everything: “Get it wrong, and it can really set you back.”
Weed control, for example, plays a critical role in the hops-growing process. “Weeds compete with hop
But rapid growth can backfire. “If hops grow too well, you end up with a big, bushy plant that won’t produce cones because it’s put all its energy into leaves. It’s a balancing act to ensure the right bines—stems—are trained up the string.”
Compared to other crops, Luke says hops require fewer chemical inputs. “It’s mostly weed spraying and a bit of miticide. Mites are probably the biggest pest.”
Monitoring is critical to managing mites effectively. “We do a lot of
‘mite walking,’ where we monitor for predator mites to decide whether insecticide is necessary. We try to avoid using insecticides unless absolutely necessary. For predator mites like Zonda, we pick them up from the airport and deliver them straight to growers—they need to stay refrigerated.”
When it comes to harvest, Luke says the process is a joy to watch but not for the faint-hearted. “The hours are relentless—enough to make even dairy farmers think twice. Many growers sleep in their packhouses during harvest, snatching just two or three hours of rest.”
The hops growing process is exhausting enough, but it’s just as important to get the drying process right, and that’s not easy either. Getting it wrong can not only affect the quality of the oil, but in extreme cases can even create a fire hazard.
“Different varieties will dry at different times, and it takes expertise to become a consistent drier,” Brent says. “You don’t want to scorch them. You’re dropping down from between 75% and 77% moisture to between 9.5% and 11%, so you’re operating within a very specific parameter.”
Brent has been drying hops for 20 years, and spent three seasons over in America in the Pacific Northwest before coming home to the family farm. He says he learned a lot from his time in the USA.
“Their farm was 15-20 times the size of our farm. We pale into the size of what they have. Their hops dry differently to what ours do. You can dry the petals out quickly but it’s the internals that need the right moisture. If it’s too dry you burn off the oils.”
Brent is no stranger to long hours on the job, but he says the harvest isn’t necessarily the most difficult time of the year. “The mental side is harder in the growing season because you’ve got so many things to think about. When the crews are there to do the harvest, they just want to know which paddock to go into next.”
One of the biggest headaches for the horticulture sector around New Zealand is labour. Brent says hops growers in the Tasman region are fortunate to be part of a diverse rotation of horticulture work that allows people in the area to make it their full-time job.
“The beauty of this Motueka area is there’s a lot of people who have made a success out of spending 9-10 months of the year on farms with several different farmers.”
Peak hop growing labour needs slot in nicely with other local seasonal peaks.
“They’ve got hop training for 6-8 weeks, then apple and kiwifruit thinning, a couple of weeks off late January/early February then hop harvest late February/March then apple picking, then pruning grapes, apples, kiwifruit and boysenberries.”
The Mac Hops team can swell to 60 staff during harvest time, and around 35-40 staff during the next busiest time of year, which is hop training (when the bines are wound on to lines to encourage them to grow upwards).
“It’s not a good position for the sector to be in. Ten or fifteen years ago dairy did well because people could sharemilk and have a pathway to farm ownership. Now, people are looking up at a brick wall.”
For those looking to get into farming or growing, Brent says “stickability” is one of the most important attributes, as running a successful rural business requires much more than technical expertise.
“You need to be a counsellor, wage clerk, accountant, a doctor if someone gets a cut… you’ve got to be all these things in one, while also knowing how to do soil analysis and fertiliser plans.”
Brent gets plenty of help from the family. His dad Kim and his brotherin-law Owen Johnstone are also directors of Mac Hops and full-time, while Brent’s wife Ria manages HR and his sister Michelle Johnstone (Owen’s wife) is in charge of payroll.
“If you look at regions where hops are grown along latitude 41, they perform exceptionally well. Hops are resilient—they’ll grow almost anywhere—but you don’t get the yields we achieve here in Tasman.”
For most of the year they have nine full-time staff. Brent says they wish they could offer more opportunities for young people entering the industry.
“We want to bring some diversity into farming - we have a lot of young people coming through our doors. We love to teach them many practical skills and encourage them that farming is a great career opportunity.”
Brent says this is a problem across the rural sector, where succession planning is becoming more of a concern as the average age of farmers continues to rise.
“It’s a tough period for farming because you’ve got a few of those older guys in limbo thinking ‘should I hold on for another year or two?’ There’s not a lot of farms being sold at the moment, and young people can’t afford to get into farming.
The next generation of the family ranges in age from 5 to 18, and Brent says only time will tell whether they decide to continue with the family hops business. “There was never any pressure on me to do it.”
As for the more immediate future, Brent expects the current tough economic conditions to continue for hops growers for a while yet.
“We’re now having the typical commodity cycle of ugly peaks and nasty troughs. You get knee-jerk reactions when, after a good season, people suddenly oversupply and flood the market, but that’s out of our hands.”
Given the economic climate, Brent says they have no expansion plans and are happy with what they’ve got now.
“We’re already working a good 12-hour day and long weeks. We don’t need to get any bigger, we just need to start paying the bank back!”
In 1919 John Motley Leigh and his wife, Emma purchased 5,278 acres of steep and rolling kanuka covered, limestone farmland.
John was a 64-year-old farmer and businessman and Emma (nee Webb) was a talented artist from an affluent Melbourne family.
They said John must have been blind to buy such a block - and he was! John’s poor eyesight hasn’t deterred five generations of the Leigh family who have farmed the West Coast 1,650-acre farm ever since.
John - son of Zebulun - had sailed to New Zealand as a three-year-old on the Mystery maiden voyage in 1859. Zebulun was gifted land in Avonside, Christchurch, for services as a wainwright in the Crimean War.
The depression era of the 1920s and death duties resulted in much of the original farm being sold.
Succeeding son, Harold and his wife, Isabel (nee Hobbs, great granddaughter of Rev John Hobbs) sold a further 650 acres in the 1950s due to poor health, but succeeding son, Brian and his wife Judith and family repurchased the 650 acres (Pecos) in 2012 and built a new house on the farm in 2021 to retire.
Succeeding them are Jeremy, Sharna and Stacey. They and their five grandchildren live and work on the farm.
Harold was an early adopter of new technology and had the first (1930s) Fordson tractor in the district, which is still on the farm. He also made a micro hydro power plant and ran electricity to the house before network power arrived. Bothwell was
named by the previous Murray family owners, as it shares similar landscape to Bothwell Castle, Scotland with the Maire stream flowing in the valley.
Originally the farm ran Romney ewes and horned Hereford cows. Now it runs Coopworth ewes with Angus steers and rears Friesian bull calves to finishing. The Leighs are proud and grateful guardians of this beautiful countryside.
The New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards aims to capture and preserve the history of our country’s farming families. We share stories from Farmlands shareholders who have worked their land for 100 years or more.
If Farmlands Chief Digital Officer Andre Scheepers could pick only one word to describe what his team will be working on in 2025, it would be ‘data’.
Having led the development and launch of several new tech tools for farmers and growers since his arrival at Farmlands in February 2024, his focus is on fine-tuning the new tools to improve user experience and provide more seamless service.
The Farmlands digital team had a busy 2024, with the launch of FarmlandsPRO and the Farmlands Card app. We’re looking ahead now to the innovations shareholders can expect this year.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN DEAN MACKENZIE
The ultimate goal is to help Farmlands shareholders become more profitable - a cause dear to his heart, having grown up on a farm in South Africa.
“We were in the Northwest Province and we farmed milk, beef, maize, tobacco and citrus. It was quite a big farm spread over different kinds of land, that’s what gave it the mix.”
Andre started his career as a scientist working in genetic engineering before moving into IT. He says when the opportunity at Farmlands arose, the first thing that clicked was the connection back to his childhood in a farming family.
“Where I grew up was very rural. The only thing that really pulled everything together was the co-op. It was everything to everyone.”
“The second thing was the value set and how it connected to the customer and then it was the people that make it happen. It was the perfect match.”
Andre arrived at Farmlands with one over-arching goal: to help it reconnect with its shareholders and make sure that they're getting what they need from the co-operative.
improvements in the supply chain, where they will build on the systems and process improvements from Farmland’s multi-year supply chain transformation programme.
“We will improve service experience and personalisation through accurate data for our customers whether selfserving or working with our team.”
“Data is a key asset and differentiator for Farmlands. Our goal is to consolidate our internal data sources and enrich the data with external sources in an easily digestible format.
Ultimately this will lead to Farmlands being able to deeply understand the needs of customers at the individual level and then meet these needs in the most effective and efficient way. This benefits customers, our people and the co-op.”
FarmlandsPRO has already had several feature upgrades since launch. It is fast reaching a state where it offers all the initial essential services needed by farmers and growers.
Andre says user feedback has been very important in shaping the direction of the app.
“Customers choosing to work with us through self-serve options that are more cost effective for us and elected for the most effective delivery option – being direct port-to-farm – are set to receive the benefits of that from a price perspective.”
“We have a lot of good foundations – thanks to the investments made in our technology systems before my time. It’s about taking those, connecting them and then building services for customers that create value.”
Looking at what lies ahead in 2025, Andre says there are three main areas of focus from a digital perspective.
One is on optimising and lowering the cost of goods and services. This will be done through continued
“One thing our customers are really good at and must keep on doing is just telling us what works and what doesn't work,” he says. “Our customers have been very clear with us: they want a very easy experience, to take the clutter away. A solution that is easy to use, intuitive and works easily."
Having added new features and improved functionality on FarmlandsPRO the “ask” now is how we help farmers and growers make better decisions.
Learn more about the latest tools and updates for FarmlandsPRO with this handy guide.
Sales agreements
• The release of the Sales Agreement feature in FarmlandsPRO allows you to plan out your seasonal requirements and commit to volumes early, locking in your price and letting us know when you will need product.
• This gives you peace of mind around your core inputs and gives Farmlands visibility on purchase volumes to negotiate the best price for you, a core principle of the Co-Operative model.
• The ability to then draw down on these requirements gives you confidence in supply when you need inputs landed on farm or in orchard.
• This work started with a Magnesium launch in January and now moves to all core farm inputs to help you plan the season ahead.
Self-management of drawdowns
• This gives the ability to draw down on your seasonal requirements when you need it.
• Pick your fulfilment option, we can deliver to you when you need it or pickup from your local store
- See your seasonal commitments and plan your seasonal requirements.
Autumn Calving / Calf Milk Replacer
• Locking in your calving needs this year through FarmlandsPRO allows us to see forward commitments early and negotiate the best price for you based on volume. Allowing us to source the right products at the best price.
“Our next focus will be on taking data, making sensible insights and presenting information back to customers so they can make informed buying decisions for their rural supplies.”
“I think ultimately it's not just about the information; it's about the customer interacting with that information and being able to make decisions - right time, right product, right price.”
The use of integrated data will not only help shareholders, but also make it easier for their trusted Farmlands TFOs, technical advisors, agronomists and nutrition specialists to give them accurate advice.
Farmlands Chief Sales Officer Blair Robinson says they are pulling together various digital tools and data sources, including geo-mapping and weather forecasts, to be overlaid with customer data to give up-to-date advice and recommendations.
“Pretty soon, the TFO will wake up in the morning and say, ‘Right, I've got a weather event coming in two days. Based on the geo-mapping of my customers, they are going to face some flooding issues in this part of their property.’
“The TFO can then get in front of their customer’s needs, talk to them about all the ways Farmlands can help – moving stock, protecting crops, getting ready for any property damage.
Blair says all those considerations will be able to be prompted and set up for the Farmlands expert to have direct conversations with shareholders.
“It can go all the way through to pushing that information out to the customer and trying to prompt, ‘you're going to need this, would you like to order it now?’
“That means that we can provide support to many more customers than we can today, as our team can only physically or personally contact so many customers before an event hits.
“What’s more, regional information can be used to ensure the right products are lined up, in region and ready for our customers – so everyone benefits.”
Making magnesium purchasing easy FarmlandsPRO is making it easier for shareholders to purchase magnesium this season with self-service options, and different service levels with different pricing.
Last year Farmlands introduced new ways to purchase magnesium including first-of-its-kind, direct-from-port options that provided lower prices. Almost three-quarters of shareholders purchased this way and enjoyed the pricing up-side.
Blair says Farmlands doubled down on the new magnesium model this year by empowering customers to order directly, including choosing the price and delivery option that best meets their needs, through FarmlandsPRO.
All FarmlandsPRO users were able to see the very best magnesium pricing at the same time, make an immediate buying decision and programme when their product would arrive on farm.
“Customers choosing to work with us through self-serve options that are more cost effective for us and elected for the most effective delivery option – being direct port-tofarm – are set to receive the benefits of that from a price perspective,” say Blair.
“This is the way we will work with our farmers and growers going forward. All the storage and delivery options are available to meet differing needs. Those who choose options that lower our cost to serve, will benefit. Importantly
we’ll be upfront about this so our shareholders can make informed decisions.”
Price transparency is a key part of this way of working. Blair says that Farmlands wants its shareholders to always be able to see the best price that it can provide.
“We know early on some of our competitors will be given the opportunity to price match. Farmers and growers will benefit from us being upfront on price, and overtime will start questioning why they just don’t deal with Farmlands in the first place.”
Andre says he is “really excited” about the projects he and his team are working on and the tools that they are going to introduce. “Everything shows up for our customers,” he says.
We have some really good partnerships. We partner with the likes of Microsoft, KPMG and Spark, and we are talking about how we utilise the technology to solve problems on farm.”
However, Andre admits that the pace at which technology in the agriculture sector is evolving, can be daunting.
“There are a lot of things that are changing so rapidly and people can be nervous. I don't think we need to be. We are in an evolving world and it's about understanding how we use technology to create value faster and make life better for people.”
Solar panels are popping up on dairy sheds and farm buildings across the country, as farmers and growers wake up to the power of the sun.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN
Solar is a no-brainer for Farmlands shareholders and Synlait suppliers Gavin and Kylie Bay, who have a dairy farm in Glentui, north-west of Christchurch. They own 106ha and lease a further 280ha off their neighbour.
“We have the ability to milk 450 cows, but we generally peak milk 400 to 420, because it gets quite dry in summer making it challenging,” Gavin says. The couple have been thinking about how they can combine sound commercial decisions with good environmental impacts.
Installing solar generation on their farm was a way of doing that, and they are making the leap with Blackcurrent, a nationwide provider of microgrids.
Their 30-bay herringbone milking shed is the biggest power user on their farm, and with its exposure to the sun, it made the most logical site for solar panel installation. The project
will cost them just over $50,000, but based on current power prices will save the business an estimated $6,000 to $7,000 each year – a potential seven-year return.
“The cow shed's the big one, so that's obviously all the refrigeration and effluent stock water, so we've got the waterline hooked up to it,” says Gavin. “We've got a generator, but that's just for an emergency when the power goes out.”
Gavin says reducing their electricity costs is a big driver of their move, but they also have the environment in mind. “We're focused on the whole sustainability side of things and trying to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Blackcurrent co-founder Andrew ‘Pegs’ Pegler says they are thrilled to be partnering with farmers like Gavin and Kylie to strengthen their business continuity through energy resilience and self-sufficiency.
“The solar solution we provided for them not only shrinks their carbon footprint, it also makes their farm way more resilient. Solar energy is a reliable and clean addition to any farming operation. It gives them the ability to keep things running smoothly, and worry less about losing a batch of milk.
“uninterrupted supply during sun hours, even during power outages or natural disasters, ensuring consistent milk production and safeguarding their income stream.”
Blackcurrent goes beyond simply providing solar solutions, working closely with farmers to understand their energy consumption and identify areas for optimisation.
“This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions that boost their farm's efficiency and profitability,” Pegs says.
“Furthermore, the ability to share excess solar energy with neighbours and the grid adds another layer of resilience to the community, creating a potential new revenue source for farmers. This doesn't require any additional equipment, only additional fees for the service.”
He says the approach taken by the Bays is not uncommon across many if not all sectors of the farming community.
“We have a mix of roof-mounted and ground-mounted options which we are using across many projects in different farming sectors. If you are serious about saving money, reducing C0 2 and making your business more resilient, then a solar microgrid could be an option for you.”
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Farmlands has received rave reviews for its new summer internship programme, as it looks to grow the next generation of horticulture technical advisors.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN
This summer’s intake saw three outstanding agriculture students spend three months working in Farmlands stores in horticulture hotspots around the country, alongside getting to jump in Utes and pick the brains of local technical advisors.
It’s been an enjoyable experience for Maddy Jones, who is finishing up a BCom in Agriculture at Lincoln and was based in the Blenheim store.
Maddy, who comes from a family farm that once was sheep, beef and cropping and is now fully vineyard, says she has learned much in just a short time working with technical advisors Simon Bowers and Dominic Missen.
“My favorite days are my days on the road with Simon. He has a lot of cool customers at cool places and he knows a lot. I learn a lot just sitting in the car with him while he's talking, and Dom's really interesting and has great customers as well.”
Although her degree has been more focused on agriculture, Maddy says she has enjoyed learning more about horticulture.
“It has been good to get out of uni and off the farm to see different sides of growing sector in Marlborough and I enjoy learning how Simon and Dom work to support their customers. They have a great job.”
Another intern at the top of the South Island was James Coles, a fellow BCom (Agriculture) student at Lincoln who was based at the Motueka store, working with technical advisors Richard Clarkson and Luke Hawthorne.
James grew up in the region; his father is a hops grower in Tapawera, about 45 minutes south of Motueka.
He says he is keeping his post-study options open, as he is also interested in carrying on the family hops business.
“I'm always in contact with dad. My whole time at Uni, I'm always talking to him about what he's doing. I get about 50 voice messages a day from him.”
James found out about the internship opportunity through Lincoln and on LinkedIn, and jumped at the chance to learn more about horticulture in his region.
“I've always been interested in these kinds of roles and when I saw that one of the positions was in Motueka I signed up straight away,” he says.
“It’s been great getting out with Richard and Luke as well. I learn a lot every time and it's good to meet all the different growers. Sometimes even they give me a lesson.”
Molly Donald, who did her internship at the Te Puke store in the heart of kiwifruit country, was born and raised in the Wairarapa before moving south to study Agricultural Science at Lincoln.
“I have moved around a little bit, but the North Island is home, so I’m glad to be up here,” she says.
While the other two interns in the programme both came from families involved in horticulture, Molly’s background meant it was a big adjustment.
“I was brought up on a sheep and beef farm. I'd never stepped foot on a kiwifruit orchard before in my life, so this is an all-new experience for me,” she says.
“I've been acting like a sponge, just taking it all in because there's nothing like firsthand knowledge. Excitingly, this industry is growing and there is a place for me here which I'd like to explore further.”
This year’s internship programme built on a three-week pilot in 2024, also in the horticulture space. Farmlands Technical Training Lead Lauren Ioane says they have chosen to start with horticulture to build the next generation of talent – Farmlands sees that part of its responsibility, is to grow the sector.
“It's an industry that's growing and it's one we need to invest in more, to foster innovation. From a business perspective, we know that's where the global demand's going to be.”
Lauren says Farmlands has an “awesome” team in horticulture and Learning & Development is looking at how best to support them.
“We've got so many skills in this whole team and awesome people, but what about the next generation? Where are they coming from and how can we ensure that the necessary training pathways and growth opportunities are in place for them?”
Following the success of this year’s horticulture internships, Lauren says Farmlands is looking at rolling them out in other parts of the business.
“I would love to see Farmlands embrace internships across the board, becoming the go-to destination for aspiring interns. By doing so, we can nurture young talent and support the growth and development of our people,” she says.
“Internships are an investment in the future of Farmlands, helping us grow our talent pipeline, bring fresh perspectives to the co-op, and support strengthening rural communities while building long-term value.”
Although she is hopeful some of the interns will stick around, Lauren says even if they go off elsewhere they may return to Farmlands one day.
“We have so many people in hort now that have gone off and worked for another provider, and then returned to Farmlands and are instilling their knowledge in the likes of our interns now.”
While the interns have been praising the programme, they have also been receiving some praise of their own.
Luke says it has been “refreshing” to work with young positive people coming into horticulture.
“Our whole goal is about bringing new people into the industry,” he says.
“That's not necessarily bringing them to Farmlands directly, although that's what we do want, it's about bringing more young people into the industry, ones that are keen and passionate about it.”
Editor's note: As we were going to print, Molly was hired to a fulltime position as a Technical Advisor based out of Te Puke.
Farmlanders Grace McLeay and Annabel Barnett haven’t shied away from challenging subjects in their research projects for the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN
Research is a key component of the Kellogg programme, which is run by the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust and has been developing leaders for the rural and agri-food sector since 1979.
Grace and Annabel have joined a long list of Kellogg alumni with Farmlands connections, including current and former staff members and shareholders.
Although they both grew up on sheep and beef farms, they work in different parts of the Farmlands business and chose vastly different topics to focus on for their papers.
Climate in focus
Grace, a Key Accounts Manager based in Feilding, has been working for Farmlands for six years and is excited to be back in her home region.
“I was a converted South Islander for 13 years and then saw the opportunity to come home, so we've taken over my parents' farm as well.
“There were lots of things that made me want to do the Kellogg programme, but a key driver was giving back to the industry by developing a topic to support the humble sheep and beef farmer.”
Wild weather has caused problems in many parts of the
country recently, and Grace decided to look at how climate change might impact sheep and beef farmers in the Manawatū-Rangitīkei in the future.
“I looked at what the climate predictions were for that area within the century and what risks and opportunities were associated to those changes, and what short to long-term actions were really practical that could help combat or futureproof,” she says.
“The main things that really stood out for me were that the intensity of drought could be a significant factor, and the number of hot days over 25 degrees.”
Grace found that by mid-century, a rainfall deficit of 50-75mm was forecast for the region, along with an increase of between 40% and 100% in the frequency of hot days over 25°C. “That has animal health impacts in terms of heat stress and related issues.”
She made seven recommendations for managing these risk factors, including ensuring financial resilience by identifying diverse income streams and opportunities for alternate land uses.
She also recommended implementing flood mitigation techniques such as groynes to facilitate slow movement of water and reduce loss of productive land and infrastructure, as well as retiring non-productive land and establishing and maintaining wetlands.
“While there will likely be significant changes associated with a changing climate, what I also found was that we're actually already doing a lot of stuff on farm that helps us combat those changes.”
Farming is also in Annabel’s blood, having grown up on a sheep and beef farm on the Banks Peninsula.
As well as working at Farmlands, she is also involved with the management of her family’s farm as the third generation.
“I'm lucky living in Christchurch that I can still be involved with the family farming business as well as have the career off farm” she says.
Annabel has been with Farmlands for almost a decade full-time, and previously worked for the Cooperative casually in store for two years while completing university.
“I studied supply chain at Lincoln University and I've always been interested in that ‘plate to pasture’ value chain concept, understanding the components in between which are intrinsically linked to the producers, consumers and the markets we operate in.
“Farmlands is a great place to work. The Co-operative’s value proposition across, retail, Card and technical services means we support our shareholders in a variety of ways in all different markets and there are
always learning opportunities and problems to help solve.”
Annabel says Farmlands has supported her professional development for the past decade, and she was drawn to the Kellogg programme by the opportunity to build networks and do a deep dive into an area of interest in the primary sector.
“It was an opportunity for me to understand better the predicament the strong wool industry is in and what opportunities there are for a profitable prospect for growers. As with our family farming business, sheep as a class of livestock is very important to our balance sheet as it is for many of Farmlands shareholders,” she says.
Subsequently upon completing Kellogg, Annabel is now a Category Manager in Farmlands, managing the portfolio of suppliers for the Cooperative’s retail business across the Woolshed, Water and Animal Equipment categories.
“The skills and experience gained through the Kellogg Rural Leaders programme has helped me be informed and lead conversations with
of programmed content delivered in three residential-based phases at Lincoln University, covering:
1. Leadership tools and industry contexts
2. Political, economic and environmental context
3. Leadership application and goal setting
Grace says her highlights from the programme included doing a high ropes course and having a “fascinating” discussion on geopolitics.
“The future for the primary industry is quite exciting. There's a lot of passionate people out there and when you look amongst your peers at Kellogg, the industry is in really good hands,” she says.
“Kellogg was also a springboard into further study for me, which I’m probably a sucker for punishment for, but I’m really enjoying that.
“I've got governance aspirations within the primary industry, as well as being an awesome food producer and rural professional that's having the best of both worlds.”
“There's a lot of passionate people out there and when you look amongst your peers at Kellogg, the industry is in really good hands.”
stakeholders to ensure Farmlands has a good offering that meets our shareholders’ needs.”
Annabel’s research found that the advantages of wool need to be better promoted to consumers and businesses. She recommended shortening the supply chain, and advised suppliers and buyers to collaborate rather than compete.
“I did that research for the next generation of sheep and beef farmers and our wider community; to better understand what the prospects are for the future of strong wool growers.”
The Kellogg programme is about much more than just research. The six-month course includes 18 days
Annabel says she particularly enjoyed learning about civics and political issues that affect the rural sector, such as international trade and changes in land use. With the rural sector needing strong leadership, Annabel says that it's important people in the industry give themselves time for their own professional development.
“There's a lot of people out there that think, ‘yeah, I'd like to, but I'm too busy for it’. But you and the industry get rewards from you giving that time, and it just really opens your eyes to what else you can do.”
Find out more about the Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme by visiting ruralleaders.co.nz
“To The Core” is a leadership and governance course delivered by Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms and LIC. We spoke to
two Farmlands shareholders who completed last year's programme.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN
In a rapidly changing world and with challenging economic conditions, the rural sector needs great leadership more than ever.
Farmlands and its fellow co-operatives recognise this, which is why they have collaborated on To The Core.
The aim is to develop the next generation of leaders for not only the co-operative’s own businesses but the wider rural community. The 2024 programme took place in Christchurch and the 24 participants got the chance to learn from a high-powered line-up of speakers from within the co-operatives and beyond.
“To The Core is a fantastic initiative by Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms, and LIC aimed at developing governance talent and creating pathways into rural governance,” says Amanda Henriksen, a Farmlands shareholder who attended the event.
“I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to enhance their leadership and governance skills.”
We spoke to Amanda, and fellow Farmlands shareholder Marty Stevenson, to get their thoughts on To The Core.
Amanda Henriksen
Canterbury
What is your business/career background?
I am an experienced and strategic farm owner with 20 years of rural experience intensively farming deer on
a 36-hectare block producing venison for the chilled export market.
I am a senior leader (National Procurement Manager) at Citycare Water with over 10 years of experience in procurement in the construction & maintenance industry.
What governance experience do you have?
I’ve been a board member on the Hororata Primary School Board of Trustees, President of the Hororata
Playcentre and Vice President of the Hororata Plunket Committee. I am CoChair of the CCHL Women’s Network and a committee member on the Canterbury Chapter of the Women’s Infrastructure Network.
I have completed the 2023 –2024 CCHL Women’s Leadership Development Programme - Te Puna Manawa - as well as To The Core.
Why did you sign up for To The Core?
As a shareholder of both Farmlands and Silver Fern Farms, I am deeply invested in the rural sector and aspire to advance my career into executive and governance roles within New Zealand. I signed up for To The Core to gain valuable insights into agribusiness co-operative boards.
This course excited me because it offers a unique opportunity to learn about strategic leadership and to network with like-minded individuals and industry leaders who are also passionate about governance roles.
What did you find most useful about the programme?
The course content was highly informative and well-structured, providing me with valuable insights into the roles of boards, governance, and strategy. The engaging speakers made the experience both enjoyable and enriching.
I particularly appreciated the roundtable discussions with Trevor Burt, Richard Young, and Cassandra
Crowley. Spending time with these leaders and hearing their views on governance, leadership, and future challenges has not only enhanced my understanding but also equipped me with practical skills that I am eager to apply in my professional career and future governance opportunities.
What are you hoping to achieve in the rural sector?
I aspire to serve in board directorship roles where my skills, knowledge, and experience will benefit our communities, environment and economy.
What do you do outside of work?
I am an extremely active person and enjoy running, biking and tramping. I have completed a full marathon, several half marathons, and five adventure races.
What is your business/career background?
I’m a kiwifruit orchard owner and operator, with active management on orchards across the western Bay of Plenty. My wife and I purchased our orchard in 2018 and in 2024 I went full time on the family orchards. Previously I spent 10-plus years in various roles with a large multi-national company in the chemical industry.
What governance experience do you have?
In my previous career I was involved with leadership programmes and mentorships, which have proved more than useful for running a successful physiotherapy business with my wife. I am also the director of a couple of smaller enterprises and participate in a local project-based community group. Why did you sign up for To The Core? After leaving the corporate world I felt I had skills, knowledge and experience to offer positive governance in the rural sector. To The Core offered an introductory chance for me to learn about governance in the rural sector and in a co-operative setting particularly within Farmlands itself.
I signed up to develop these skills to operate at board level, also the course material could be applied to any organisation, down to the level of volunteer sports club and charities, which was relevant for me.
What did you find most useful about the programme?
To The Core offered valuable insights into effective decision-making, strategic planning, and ethical leadership, all tailored to the unique challenges of rural settings. Additionally, I was able to network with like-minded individuals and learn from experienced professionals. The level of participants and guests was terrific, from all sectors of agribusiness.
What are you hoping to achieve in the rural sector?
By improving my governance capabilities, I aim to contribute more effectively to both my business and community initiatives, fostering growth and resilience in our rural area. I want to see our sector leading the world in environment, reputation, innovation, opportunity and profitability.
What do you do outside of work? Currently my time is split between my children and coaching rugby. I have two young sons, Hugo (four) and James (two), and I am also an assistant coach for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix in the Farah Palmer Cup.
From cutting-edge nutrition to high-tech parasite monitoring - with handy guides to planting and pruning - we we bring the latest innovations and practical tips to help you get more out of your land.
Merrin Easton
50 A dairy farm’s nutrition focus brings a remarkable turnaround.
60
Techion founder Greg Mirams discusses how technology can help farmers.
80
From the hillside to the water’s edge, learn how to get on-farm planting right.
For humans, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. For livestock, where it’s a bit more complicated, dairy farmers are getting great results from a nutrition-led approach to herd health.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN MERRIN EASTON
New Zealand’s outdoor, grassfed approach to dairy farming offers benefits for animal welfare and health. It can be a doubleedged sword, especially during the wild weather much of our country has been experiencing in recent years.
Advances in nutrition are helping to address these challenges, and the farmers using these new products are as enthusiastic about them as the cows themselves.
Reliance Level Up, developed by Farmlands’ in-house product development team, is one recently introduced product that is having an immediate effect.
Level Up is a comprehensive supplement designed to be added to whole milk (not Calf Milk Replacer) to help boost the health and vitality of newborn calves.
One of the early users is Sophie Greig, who is in charge of the calf rearing system for a herd of 2,500 at her family's dairy farm north of Foxton.
Health challenges
Like many Kiwi dairy farmers, the Greigs have been working hard at turning their calf rearing system from reactive to proactive, so they can cope with weather challenges and nasty bugs that pop up.
The Greigs were selected as a trial farm for Level Up, and Sophie recently stood up in front of 100 other farmers at a Farmlands Calf Rearing Roadshow in Palmerston North to discuss the amazing results.
Sophie says different aspects like colostrum, bedding, calories (milk and meal), air quality, sanitation and vaccinations work together to keep calves healthy, like spokes on a wheel.
She says they love the Level Up product and it has become one of the must-haves in their calf rearing system.
“Since using the additive we have seen a big improvement in the overall health of our heifers. We have seen an increase in eating at an early age, as young as two to three days old eating meal. The calves are a lot more sprightly and stress doesn’t cause the scours anymore,” she says.
They put their calves outside at a week old (with covers on), but on a terrible night of weather – normally a sleepless night for her – they would always see the scours the next day.
“Now we turn up in the morning after a terrible night of weather and they are all happy as, waiting at the
fence to be fed. We have seen a huge decrease in sickness,” she says.
“Before using the additive, every bug under the sun would rear its head and ripple through the calves but now we get a handful of sick calves, which we treat with electrolytes.”
When they use popular electrolyte product Reliance Blue Boost on the few sad calves, “95% of the time” they bounce back with just one tube-feed of electrolytes, Sophie says.
“With less sickness we are also seeing great weight gains of 800g-1kg a day towards weaning and less time on milk,” she adds.
“Over the past four or so years our calf rearing system has turned from a reactive system to a more preventative
approach, while keeping the system simple and cost effective, and the additive has been the absolute icing on the cake. Happy calves make happy rearers.
“As my Dad (Owen) says, dairy animals have changed over the years. We are producing Formula 1 dairy cows now, not mini cooper versions, and we need to treat them like Formula 1s. The Level Up is definitely a supplement to help produce a heifer replacement to become a Formula 1 cow.”
The Greigs have made several changes to their calf rearing system to become proactive. These include:
1. Feeding more milk for energy along with Level Up in the milk. “On the colder morning the calves can drink up to an extra 2L more per calf,” Sophie says. “When bad weather hits they have energy in reserve if they need it, along with their daily dose of Level Up.”
2. Covers on when they go outside.
3. Blue Boost for any calves that look a bit off.
4. Treating calf rearing as a system on its own with its own team, whose number one focus is the calves. There is a team of 10 calf rearers across the operation (including part and full timers). “We have a team meeting before calving starts and go through everything from start to finish of the system,” Sophie says. “We have whiteboards, flow charts and other posters in the calf sheds. That explains all the day-to-day running of the system.
5. Making sure their system is user friendly. “We have created a system for our heifer replacements at the runoff where they go at a week old. That allows us to feed 500 calves in one-and-a-half hours once calves are used to the system, which only takes a few feeds once arriving at the runoff.”
Sophie says different aspects like colostrum, bedding, calories (milk and meal), air quality, sanitation and vaccinations work together to keep calves healthy, like spokes on a wheel.
“You can remove one spoke, and the wheel will probably be okay, but once you remove more than one, the wheel starts to lose shape. When pressures are placed on a calf such as stresses of hunger, cold, heat or bacteria, like a wheel with no spokes, the calf begins to fall apart.”
Farmlands Technical Specialist Karen Fraser, who has worked closely with Sophie on their farm’s nutrition needs, says their Blue Boost consumption has dropped significantly as their calves’ health improved thanks to Reliance Level Up.
“They did 700 calves last season and she didn’t even use one 3kg bucket of Blue Boost, had no sickness or anything like that, in a really challenging weather year,” Karen says.
And when the Farmlands product development team were developing the new product Reliance Kiwi Power Whey, Karen asked Sophie if they would like to be part of the trial.
Kiwi Power Whey is a CMR (calf milk replacer) with 26% protein to help support better skeletal and lean
muscle development, made from New Zealand products.
“Well, she rang me up super excited. She said she’s always had problems when transitioning from one milk source to another, but when she started our trial product, she had no issues whatsoever. She said the calves looked amazing, everything went sweet.”
The Greigs are not the only ones seeing big improvements in calf health after overhauling their nutrition regime with these cutting-edge products.
Karen says other shareholders she has worked with have had remarkable results, while using Level Up and Blue Boost for any sad calves that pop up, in more proactive programmes.
“One shareholder told me electrolytes were just a big waste of time, but after a very challenging year he has changed his mind after trying Blue Boost. He said, ‘it’s like chalk and cheese to what it was last season’. So he’s over the moon.”
Even if calves do survive their brushes with illness, the after-effects can lower
Contains two essential major minerals, seven trace elements and twelve vitamins known to be lacking in cow’s milk relative to the needs of calves.
A prebiotic, probiotic and essential oils have been included to aid in the establishment and maintenance of healthy gastrointestinal microflora associated with vigour and optimal gastrointestinal health. Contains the non-antibiotic coccidiostat Decoquinate which aids in the prevention of coccidiosis. Developed in conjunction with The Calf Experts.
• Protexin® probiotic – a blend of live viable microbes which benefits the calf by improving the intestinal microbial balance.
their performance for life, whether it’s milk or meat, particularly with respiratory ailments, Karen says.
“You can have a group of animals that actually end up costing you a lot of money, which will then go on to have a lifetime of producing less milk because of early illness in the sheds.
“This is why the right balance of nutrition, is so important during the first few weeks of life and during feeding for their first summer; it sets them up to be healthy and productive for the rest of their lives, and it saves you loads in vet bills.”
She adds that farmers can easily find themselves on the back foot animal health-wise if they have inadequate infrastructure or are overstocked, especially in the face of rapid weather changes.
“You can get into the situation where your animals are compromised and you’re pretty much throwing the kitchen sink at the problem,” Karen says.
“I call them ‘feel-good factors’. You just keep throwing more and more different products, but some may act as antagonists against each other and you can elongate the problem.”
• Actigen prebiotic – refined functional carbohydrates which support animal performance and well-being.
• An essential oil pack associated with increased dry matter intake and weight gain.
• Contains the essential minerals sodium and magnesium which can be lacking in whole milk but are important for appetite.
• Twelve vitamins known to be deficient in whole milk and often poorly produced within the pre-ruminant calf that play key roles in appetite, disease resistance and vitality.
Shop the whole Reliance range with
Autumn is often seen as a great time for rearing calves due to warmer weather, allowing calves to go outside sooner than in spring. However, autumn-reared calves can still face significant challenges, even before being born.
WORDS BY KAREN FRASER
Cows may experience reduced feed quality and quantity, heat stress, and inflammation from summer, along with limited rumen space due to the growing calf. Calves born to cows exposed to heat stress have been shown in studies to have a lower birth weight, weaning weight and compromised passive immune transfer.
Calves born from compromised cows are more vulnerable and can face higher bacterial loads from their environment and colostrum due to higher temperatures. To address these issues, recent changes based on the latest NASEM (National Academies for Science, Engineering, and Medicine) guidelines suggest addressing nutritional gaps in transition milk and whole milk to meet the needs of calves.
At our spring roadshow seminars, we discussed areas of weakness that lead to many issues seen across the country. Outside of our roles as ‘The Calf Experts’, Stacey Cosnett and I both work for Farmlands in the technical space. Our passion is to reduce stress for both animals and the people caring for them. We encourage focusing on the basics and doing them well. With my practical calf-rearing skills and Stacey's academic expertise, along with two of our knowledgeable colleagues, we have become a strong team covering weak industry areas. This led to the development of Reliance Blue Boost electrolyte, a now essential tool for rearers.
The second focus was on other stress-induced issues and how to combat inflammation, bacterial loads, manage micronutrient deficiencies, and coccidia control to support optimum calf health. This resulted in developing ‘Reliance Level Up’, a whole milk additive designed with the latest NASEM guidelines in mind. It includes components that protect the respiratory and intestinal tract, increase dry matter intake, balance essential nutrients, and control coccidiosis early on. Level Up has been in use for three seasons with excellent testimonials.
Another area we explored was the composition of colostrum and whole
milk and the importance of protein for optimum growth. Whole milk is made up of 80% casein protein and 20% whey protein, whereas colostrum is made up of 35% casein protein and 65% whey protein. The albumins and globulins (including immunoglobulins) which make up whey protein in whole milk are essential in supporting the immune system and influencing the growth and development of the calf. Colostrum has three times more whey protein than whole milk, making whey crucial for calf success.
For the first few weeks of life, calves’ digestion is like that of a monogastric animal, with the abomasum the primary site for digestion. During this period, calves rely on milk or milk replacer for carbohydrates and protein. When whole milk enters the abomasum, it forms a clot due to the action of rennin, pepsin and hydrochloric acid, then is slowly digested and released into the small intestine.
Here, whey proteins are further broken down and absorbed, providing essential energy. In contrast, milk replacers based on whey do not form a clot, but recent research shows that this does not negatively affect calf performance. Whey protein is one of nature’s superfoods for young calves, human babies, and bodybuilders.
This type of milk replacer has casein, the main protein found in skim milk. When ingested, it forms a curd in the calves' abomasum, which is digested slowly, providing a steady release of nutrients. This slow digestion process has traditionally been believed to support better nutrient absorption and overall digestion. However, not every calf can curd even the highest curding CMR or whole milk, especially when stress has been compounding early on.
Research shows that some calves do not form an abomasal curd despite ingesting a clotting milk replacer, but this absence does not significantly affect their appearance, appetite, or vigor. In a study with 29 calves, ultrasonography revealed that 21 calves formed a large curd mass, while eight did not.
The absence of curd formation did not affect the calves' blood parameters or overall health, suggesting that some calves may have an abomasal dysfunction or a congenital lack of curd-forming enzymes. Hence, some calves struggle more than others when transitioning to casein CMRs, but they could have already been struggling on whole milk.
In contrast, whey calf milk replacers have whey proteins, which come from the liquid left after cheese production. These proteins do not form a curd in the abomasum, leading to faster
digestion and nutrient absorption. Despite the lack of curd formation, whey-based milk replacers can support calf growth and health just as effectively as casein-based ones.
Whey proteins are highly digestible, and when processed correctly, they can provide the necessary nutrients for the best calf performance. Whey powders result in fewer transition issues, less scours and quicker digestion, leading to earlier consumption of calf starter.
In New Zealand, calves need energy levels of 20-22% fat, as energy drives protein. Some lowfat CMRs may not be suitable for spring-born calves that burn energy to stay warm. The NASEM recommendations show that protein becomes the limiting nutrient for calf
Energy and protein for 50kg Holstein calf (thermoneutral conditions), based on the NASEM equations
growth. Often, rearers using 18% fat and 22% protein see slower growth rates, lower frame and muscle, which can prolong the rearing process and expose calves to health challenges. Considering these factors and the many calls we receive each year about transitioning issues, health problems, and slow growth rates, we developed Reliance Kiwi Power Whey. We took a favourite whey product from 23% protein to 26% protein because we want calves to succeed with early bone and muscle growth.
Reliance Kiwi Power Whey can be fed from day four and includes the proven additive Actigen to support calves during environmental challenges. It also contains a safer coccidiostat, decoquinate, which makes it safer around dogs and offers better energy and protein levels. Made from New Zealand raw materials, it supports local milk processors and addresses local challenges.
Contact your local Farmlands Nutrition Specialist or Technical Field Officer for products designed to complement your rearing programme, or shop on
SCREW-IN CALF TEAT
ONE WAY VALVE TO PREVENT BACK FLOW
PULL-THROUGH CALF TEAT
TEATS DESIGNED TO FIT STANDARD TUBING OD -10MM
Thriver Calf Teats are designed to mimic the natural feeding experience of a cow’s teat. Made from a unique rubber material that is both soft and strong, these teats are suitable for calves of all ages, with an end geometry designed to prevent leakage.
Both the Screw-In and Pull-Through Calf Teats feature a two-piece valve for consistent one-way milk flow and are infused with a vanilla scent to encourage quicker latching. Give Thriver a go this season and experience the benefits for your calves.
Bulk fuel delivery and storage presents one of the most significant safety risks on a farm but there are simple steps that can be taken to keep everyone safe.
“Given the nature of our business, safety is our number one priority at Fern Energy,” says Morgan Davies, Fern’s Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer.
Fern, which is half-owned by Farmlands, is one of the largest suppliers of bulk fuel to New Zealand farms and other primary sector businesses.
“We don’t want to have to turn away from a property and leave a customer without fuel because of a safety issue, but this is an area where we just don’t compromise,” says Morgan.
Safe vehicle access to a tank is the first step.
“Please keep trees and hedges trimmed so there is a 4-metre width and height clearance for our truck and ensure our drivers can safely reach your tank.
“Sometimes we find rubbish and other material placed in front of a tank or access issues with ladders.
“WorkSafe regulations make it clear the tank needs to be six metres clear of fertiliser, poisons or combustible material like hay.
“Obviously, we can’t fill very rusty or damaged tanks. We’ve come across tanks that are actually leaking.
“Legally we can no longer fill the older-style tripod-based tanks (left) or modified ones. A lot of farmers are handy with a welding torch so we understand the temptation to try
to solidify a failing old tank, but it’s against the WorkSafe regulations, not to mention the serious fire/explosion risk.
“Ignition sources like a fire pit or electrical items must be six metres from a diesel tank or 15 metres from a petrol tank.
“Fuel tankers also have an eight metre ignition source separation distance requirement.
"We have the country’s largest team of rural fuel specialists out in the field providing advice to customers about safe and effective fuel storage. With plenty of health and safety resources at fernenergy.co.nz and expert help available on 0800 99 99 89.
Let’s ensure everyone – your people and ours – get to head home safely each day.”
Scan the QR CODE to find out how Fern can supply your bulk fuel through Farmlands or visit tfaforms.com/5077661. For everything else visit FERNENERGY.CO.NZ
As the New Zealand equestrian community prepares for Defender Horse of the Year, we chatted to four NRM/McMillan sponsored riders about their preparations for the big event.
Tell us about the horses you are taking to HOY?
At this stage only Gymanji, who will feature in the Grand Prix class for the Dressage Horse of the Year title.
How has your preparation for the competition been going?
Gymanji has only had one start at Marlborough Premier League, however won the Grand Prix title with PB scores in both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle, which is very promising. I trust him and I trust my training, he's a very exciting horse who improves after each outing so by the time HOY rolls around, we'll be ready to rock and roll.
How do our feeds fit into your management and preparation regime?
McMillan is of huge importance for us when travelling and competing. We always have lots of Grain Free on hand while travelling, as it maintains happy tummies and additionally, can help the horses remain hydrated if they need some extra support. Electrolytes, offered by McMillan, are equally as important especially through the summer season with the intense heat.
McMillan Grain Free 20kg
SKU: 1021419
A low GI, fully formulated and balanced super fibre feed designed for all horses requiring low starch diets.
Tell us about the horses you are taking to HOY?
We will be taking our full team of two horses and two ponies to HOY and Nationals this year. The ponies are doing Pony Grand Prix and the horses are doing junior and young rider of the year, as well as other lead up classes.
How has your preparation for the competition been going?
Our HOY preparation is mainly focused on fitness. Lots and lots
of hill/farm riding at the moment, especially as we are not competing for a few weeks. To keep them fresh (and to fit in with our holiday) the ponies had 2-3 weeks off work over the Christmas period.
How do our feeds fit into your management and preparation regime? At the moment all four of them are on one feed a day at dinner time. We like to keep our feeds very simple, and they each get around 1kg NRM Low GI Sport, 250g NRM Equine Balancer, meadow chaff and some soaked McMillan Grain Free. With plenty of forage from pasture at all times, this diet is ideal for maintaining their condition while they are in light work.
NRM Equine Balancer 20kg
SKU: 1023534
Suitable for overweight horses and ponies or those that maintain condition on forage-only diets.
Tell us about the horses you are taking to HOY?
McMillans Swipe Right will be competing in the 1.30m classes and hopefully the ProAm final. McMillans Pippin and McMillans Rhubarb are proving to be pretty competitive in the five-year-old series, so they might get their first trip to HOY.
The six-year-old geldings, McMillans Coldstone and McMillans Big Time might not be competitive enough for HOY, but we will wait and see. McMillans Chuck, my daughter’s horse, is the old pro in the team and I’m sure he would like to join the fun at HOY.
How has your preparation for the competition been going?
I spent January to July out of the saddle, with two small but annoying injuries. So, this season I have been
keen to make up for lost time!! I have had a very busy but fun season so far. I am eternally grateful to the support team that I have around me, which has enabled me to compete a lot of horses and they all look and feel amazing!
How do our feeds fit into your management and preparation regime?
McMillan feeds is a crucial part of my management! With so many horses, each with very different needs, there is a McMillan feed to suit their requirements. I have ploddy horses, I have freaky horses, I have fatties and I have weedy horses- no two are the same! McMillan Equine really helps me to manage and get the best out of each of my horses.
McMillan Cool Feed 20kg
SKU: 1064626
A high fibre, low GI feed formulated for horses and ponies in light to medium work.
Tell us about the horses you are taking to HOY?
I am thrilled to be taking three incredible horses to Defender Horse of the Year: NSC Furst Rock DW, my magnificent 18.1-hand ‘dancing giant’; NSC Jolie DW – My eight-yearold mare; and NSC Bugatti MH, my talented and sensitive ‘pocket rocket’.
How has your preparation for the competition been going?
Preparation for HOY has been a steady progression, focusing on building fitness, strength and precision in each horse’s work. As the competition approaches, my
preparation will intensify with targeted training sessions, mock test riding, and fine-tuning our routines to ensure we are competition-ready.
How do our feeds fit into your management and preparation regime? NRM feeds are absolutely crucial to my horses’ performance and wellbeing. Nutrition is the cornerstone of their health, conditioning, and ability to perform at their peak. Each horse’s diet is tailored with NRM products to provide the perfect balance of energy, muscle recovery, and digestive health, ensuring they feel and look their best in the lead-up to HOY.
NRM Low GI Sport 20kg
SKU: 1006661
Suitable for all performance horses, scientifically formulated in conjunction with Kentucky Equine Research.
New Zealand farmers are putting their businesses at risk by being slow adopters of new technology around animal health, warns the Kiwi creator of a world-leading diagnostic tool.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN
Greg Mirams is the Founder and Managing Director of Techion (pronounced ‘tech-tion’), which produces the FECPAK testing kits that farmers can use to test for parasite levels and facial eczema exposure in livestock.
Techion is headquartered in AgResearch's Invermay campus near Dunedin and has sites in Australia and the UK, with plans to open another facility in the US in 2025.
Farmlands has teamed up with Techion to offer farmers across New Zealand easy access to either purchase the FECPAK on farm technology, or to utilise FECPAK’s low-cost sample testing kits, which can provide results in minutes thanks to advanced AI technology now being used in the diagnostic process.
But Greg says despite being able to purchase the FECPAK kits off the shelf from Farmlands anywhere in the country, Kiwi farmers have been slower than their overseas counterparts in their uptake of the testing.
Techion exports about 80% of its product offshore, and Greg says they are not an isolated case in the New Zealand ag-tech sector.
“There's many, many agricultural technologies developed in New Zealand that have been far more successful offshore. Our fastest growing markets are offshore.”
He highlights New Zealand farmers’ isolation from the meat consumer as one of the issues, which he says can result in complacency when it comes to animal health and environmental issues that are top of mind for farmers elsewhere. Couple that with the kiwi approach of I think it’s working, so I won’t change, and you have a reluctance to adopt a different approach.
“If you take the European market, I think a lot of it is because farmers there are a lot closer to those signals from their product consumers, who are the people that are buying meat in their supermarkets,” he says.
“You can ask a New Zealand farmer ‘who's your customer?’ And they will often go, ‘Alliance’ or ‘Silver Fern Farms’. They're your processor, not your customer.”
Greg says overseas consumers are paying increasing attention to where their food is from and how it is made, and the media are quick to jump on any horror stories.
“You can't pick up a Sunday paper in the UK without having a food story in it, it's such a hot topic. We are going to see stories blow up just as they have in the past, and then people will do something about it.
The FECPAK testing kits give farmers up-to-the-minute information on parasite load.
“I don't think we will see a major behaviour change to our use of drugs in our food systems until our leading companies in this country start to show stronger leadership and encourage behaviours that support their food story.”
Greg understands the challenges farmers face, having grown up on a sheep and beef farm in Silver Peaks, near Blueskin Bay north of Dunedin.
He graduated from Lincoln University with a Diploma in Agriculture during a “brutal” time in the industry following the 1987 sharemarket crash.
Like many young Kiwis at the time, he ended up on a plane to London, where he got a job as an accountant.
“It was a complete transition, but it showed me that you don't need to be afraid; you can normally find your way.”
The inspiration for creating FECPAK came after Greg returned to New Zealand in the early 1990s, when he was talking to friends about the challenges of getting tests done to measure parasites in their animals.
“They were moaning about the problem, so I made some comment that it can't be that hard to do. They said, ‘well, if you're so bloody clever, go and find out how to do it.’ And that set the whole wheel going.”
A lot has changed since Greg developed the first FECPAK kits in 1992. He sold the company to PGG Wrightson in 2006 and bought it back in 2010, when he renamed it Techion (a combination of technology and action).
The testing technology has not only gone digital but is now also being used for human health applications, with Techion doing work on human parasite detection in countries like Ethiopia and Tanzania.
“Agriculture in New Zealand has been a fabulous test bench for this platform,” Greg says. “It's a real Kiwi story. Now we partner up with Microsoft and Awanui and other big companies, which is pretty cool, but it's come out of ag.”
The FECPAK tests give up-to-theminute information on the parasite burden, allowing farmers to tailor their drenching regime, but Greg says it can be hard to shift their mindset away from a regular drenching schedule.
“Farmers love simplicity, and drenching on a calendar is a simple
thing. Everyone gets ‘it’s been a month since we've done them’, but you may have missed that by a week. Maybe you should have done them earlier, or maybe you don't need do them at all right now. Parasites change as much as grass growth, so farmers need to tune their drenching to what’s going on at the time.
“Human beings don't like change, and we really only change when we have to, and sometimes those lessons can be really severe.”
Parasite control is becoming a major challenge for many New Zealand farmers, with Techion’s data showing triple drench resistance on at least one third of Kiwi sheep farms (34%).
Techion Managing Director Greg Mirams invented the FECPAK kits over 30 years ago.
Greg says the situation is not all doom and gloom, and farmers can “absolutely” farm successfully with triple drench resistance, if they have the right information.
“It's just like a few years ago when they stopped mulesing in Merinos to deal with fly strike. Some said the industry was gone. Well, it's funny, the Merino industry is still doing fine.
“Farmers will adapt, but you can't drive that adaption until we get easy access to testing. That's where I've
got to thank Farmlands for supporting the strategy and making the access to testing so easily available to farmers.”
This means whether you are a large farming operation or a lifestyle block farmer, you can access testing for your livestock.
Although Techion’s FECPAK kits allow farmers to adjust their drenching regime based on the data, when it comes to drench resistance, Greg says the focus needs to shift from treating livestock to understanding
when farms are bought,sold or leased, alongside other forms of soil testing.
“I certainly wouldn't buy a place to finish calves or lambs on without a faecal egg count reduction (FECRT) test to know whether the drugs were working, and which ones were working, because you're going to struggle to finish livestock if your drench options are limited.”
Faecal egg count (FEC) data can also help inform non-drench related strategies for managing parasites. Greg says for example, parasites hate sunshine and love water and warmth.
the parasites on the ground they’re feeding from.
“The animals play a part role here, however we've got to educate our farmers: it's the parasites which develop resistance to the drug and most of them are on the ground (>90%). The sheep and cattle just cycle and carry them,” he says.
“What that means is that drench resistance is a property issue. You can take the animals off and put new ones on and you won't solve the problem; it's the drench resistant parasites on the pasture that are the problem.”
Greg says testing for drench resistance should be and will likely become part of the due diligence process
Advanced AI technology means farmers can get test results within minutes.
few or no parasites on those pastures, at least when you first graze them.
“What you don't want to do is move a mob of lambs that have a high egg count and unwittingly dump them all on your fancy crop.
“Why would you pollute that pasture that you've spent $800 a hectare on? Often if you experience poor live weight gain on novel forages, it is nothing to do with the plants, it was the unseen parasite burden causing the problem.”
More effective parasite management has another benefit: lower greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane.
Greg says science tells us that greenhouse gas emissions can increase by 33% in animals with a heavy parasite burden.
“There are two main reasons for this. One, it disrupts the gut functions, so you get more emissions because your gut's inefficient.
“But the other one is these will grow at a much slower rate, which means they're on farms for longer, which means the emission profile is far higher.
“Can you imagine what we could do if we just actually got on top of our diseases? We would reduce our emissions and produce more. That sounds pretty good, but no-one's talking about it.”
“Our industry is the most successful when we have a mild drought. You'll see lambs grazing on nothing, and yet they're doing really well.
“The reason for that is parasites need moisture and they don't like exposure to UV. So when you get lots of sunshine, and they get exposed to those UV rays, and it's quite dry, fewer parasites survive on the pasture”.
Greg says using another tool that can help is the use of novel forages such as clovers, chicory and other high-performing legumes.
“It's highly nutritious, which gives the animal a fortified immune system, so if they do eat parasites, they're better off. But the other thing is there's very
Looking ahead, Greg sees new diagnostic tools for animal health and farm management becoming available, with Farmlands giving farmers easy access to these game-changing products. But he says farmers need to be willing to make use of these tools.
“I challenge farmers, if you could just look on the ground and see the parasites without doing anything, would you change what you're doing? Of course they would.
“All we are doing is we are showing you. As someone said to me, it's like someone turned the lights on, and now I see what's going on.”
Pick up FECPAKG2 test kits from your local Farmlands store, or shop now with
$30 OFF
Skellerup 4x4 gumboots*
Handcrafted from natural rubber, Skellerup 4x4 gumboots are designed for New Zealand’s demanding rural conditions. With reinforced ribbed panels at high wear and flex points, paired with a moulded sole for superior grip, they’re purpose-built for everyday farm tasks.
Available from Farmlands stores nationwide.
In today’s fast-paced agricultural industry, keeping track of your valuable assets isn’t just a necessity—it’s a game-changer. Spark IoT’s Asset Management Solution empowers New Zealand farmers to optimise operations, reduce costs and improve productivity with the latest IoT technology.
Track, manage, optimise Spark IoT’s Asset Management Solution goes beyond basic tracking. It connects your assets—such as farming equipment, vehicles, bins, pallets and even generators—to Spark’s robust IoT network. Powered by the Spark Oyster3 GPS tracker, this battery-operated device provides nearly real-time location tracking and movement notifications. Through the Spark Asset Management Platform, farmers and growers gain access to powerful features, including:
• Preventive Maintenance: Schedule and track maintenance to prevent costly breakdowns.
• Customised Workflows: Tailor workflows to suit your property’s unique needs.
• Automated Reporting: Save time with real-time monitoring and notifications.
• Data-Driven Insights: Make informed decisions based on how your assets are used. These tools allow you to optimise the value and usage of your assets, minimising losses while boosting efficiency.
Why Spark IoT is your best ally Spark IoT goes beyond tracking—we provide a full suite of IoT solutions tailored to agriculture and designed to help you operate more efficiently and effectively:
1. Environmental Monitoring: Track soil moisture, temperature and weather conditions with IoT sensors, enabling smarter irrigation and crop planning.
2. Fleet Management: Gain insights into your machinery’s location and performance, ensuring optimal usage and maintenance schedules.
3. Supply Chain Optimisation: Keep track of goods from farm to market to streamline logistics and minimise spoilage.
With these solutions, you can drive sustainability, maximise profits and stay ahead in a competitive market.
As the agricultural industry continues to face challenges like climate change, resource shortages and market fluctuations, Spark’s IoT technology provides a competitive edge, enabling businesses to stay ahead of the curve.
With Spark IoT, you’re not just tracking assets – you’re creating a connected, intelligent farming operation that works for you.
To find out how we can help you take the next step in building a smarter, more efficient operation, contact Farmlands on 0800 200 600 or email iotsalesteam@spark.co.nz today.
From kiwifruit to apples, wine, berries and everything in between, the North Island horticulture sector is diverse and ever-evolving. We meet some of the Farmlands Technical Advisors helping North Island growers thrive.
Josh Cousins Whangarei
027 388 2295
josh.cousins@farmlands.co.nz
With eight years of experience, Josh specialises in avocado, citrus, and kiwifruit production. His deep understanding of these crops allows him to offer tailored advice and support to growers.
Having previously worked with Horticentre, Josh joined Farmlands in 2023 to bring his expertise to the company’s mission of supporting growers. His ability to build strong relationships and his commitment to customer success make him an invaluable member of the team.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing growers successfully implement a plan we’ve developed together and achieve a successful harvest.”
Outside of work, Josh enjoys golfing and fishing in the scenic Northland region.
Philip Elliot Whangarei
027 309 6292
philip.elliot@farmlands.co.nz
Philip is a dedicated avocado and kiwifruit grower with over six years of experience in the primary sector. Based in Whangarei, he manages a 6.6-hectare orchard with 500 avocado trees.
Philip’s passion for horticulture goes beyond his own orchard. He enjoys collaborating with fellow growers and sharing his expertise,
and he appreciates the support of the Farmlands Horticulture team, noting their extensive experience and deep knowledge in various fields.
Outside of tending to his orchard, Philip values time with his family, including his wife Sonia and their two teenage children. He also participates in target shooting at a local club.
Jeff Dunstan
Te Puna
027 495 4661 jeff.dunstan@farmlands.co.nz
Jeff brings over five years of experience to his role as a Technical Advisor. His expertise in orchard development, vine management, and packhouse operations allows him to offer tailored advice and support to growers.
Having previously worked at Baygold and Birchwood Packhouse, Jeff is dedicated to helping optimise operations and improve yields. His commitment to customer success and his knack for building strong relationships make him an excellent relationship manager.
“I was asked by someone I look up to in the hort game if I would like to come across to Farmlands and the rest is history.”
Outside of horticulture, Jeff enjoys spending quality time with his family and exploring the outdoors.
Pukekohe
021 566 374 jason.greene@farmlands.co.nz
With over 20 years of experience in horticulture, Jason is a leading expert in tomato production who has managed high-yield glasshouse operations and developed strategies to optimise both crop quality and yield.
Jason played a key role in introducing SAP testing to New Zealand, which offered growers real-time insights into plant health and nutrient levels, enhancing their crop management practices, resulting in improved yields and higher-quality produce. He takes pride in offering personalised advice, reliable logistics, and a deep understanding of the local market. Outside of work he is an avid outdoor enthusiast, enjoying off-road running, participating in multi-sport events, and exploring new parks and reserves.
Tauranga
027 598 0336
graeme.lee@farmlands.co.nz
Graeme, a fourth-generation horticulturist with over 46 years of experience, has dedicated his life to the primary sector. He joined Farmlands in 2017 and now oversees the Horticulture team across the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, and the Far North as Regional Sales Manager.
Graeme’s expertise goes beyond his supervisory role. He offers comprehensive support to customers,
assisting them with all aspects of their businesses. A whizz with FarmlandsPRO, he loves demonstrating how this platform enables customers to access stock availability, pricing, and account history.
Graeme is particularly proud of Farmlands’ commitment to supporting farmers and growers. Speaking of support, he is a passionate fan of the One New Zealand Warriors.
027 233 8387
dean.gower@farmlands.co.nz
With over four decades of experience in the primary sector, Dean has seen the industry evolve and grow. His extensive qualifications, including a Diploma in Horticulture and Management, have equipped him with the knowledge and skills to excel in his career. Dean's passion for kiwifruit, coupled with his extensive experience, makes him a trusted advisor for growers seeking guidance and support. “We prioritize the needs of our growers. Our approach is grounded in honesty and transparency because at the end of the day – we’re out here too.”
When he’s not working, Dean enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and working on vintage Volkswagen vehicles.
New Plymouth
027 278 6291
laurence.frost@farmlands.co.nz
The son of a Taranaki dairy farmer, Laurence has worked in horticulture for more than 40 years and is a specialist in ornamental trees and shrubs, with a particular focus on Japanese Maples. Laurence has previously worked in various production roles and joined Farmlands to share his expertise and further the company’s mission of supporting growers. His commitment to customer success and his skill in building strong relationships are central to his approach.
Outside of horticulture, Laurence enjoys the great outdoors and the camaraderie of his friends. “The most rewarding part of my job is seeing customers thrive and achieve their goals.” To see Laurence in action see page 82.
027 705 6215
mark.loeffen@farmlands.co.nz
Another industry veteran in the team, Mark has over 40 years of experience in horticulture including as a kiwifruit grower, storeman and field rep before joining Farmlands.
An expert on kiwifruit, passionfruit and tamarillos, Mark enjoys working for a New Zealand-owned co-operative. He has been through multiple ups and downs in the kiwifruit Industry but says nothing was as bad as when PSA hit growers.
“It was a great comeback story assisting growers and helping the industry to get back on its feet and once again become an industry leader in export.”
In his spare time Mark enjoys fishing, hunting and riding his bike.
027 700 1792
andy.davis@farmlands.co.nz
With over 30 years of experience in the primary sector, Andy is a seasoned horticulturalist specialising in apple and stonefruit production. His career has included roles at Fruitfed Supplies, Nufarm, and now Farmlands Horticulture.
Andy chose to return to Farmlands due to its positive culture and the opportunity to contribute to its success. He values the company's extensive network of horticultural specialists and the ability to provide comprehensive advice and support to growers.
Andy's expertise extends to apples, stone fruit, and wine grapes. Outside of work he likes to spend time with his family, riding his motorcycle, and weightlifting.
Opotiki
027 661 5565
jason.day@farmlands.co.nz
With over 12 years of experience, Jason brings a wealth of knowledge to Farmlands and is rapidly gaining expertise in kiwifruit production.
Jason believes in the importance of supporting local communities and ensuring that local customers’ needs are met at a local level. He sees the significant progress Farmlands Horticulture has made in a short time and looks forward to passing these improvements on to our shareholders.
Outside of work, Jason prioritises family and community. He actively supports his children’s pursuits and enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of his region.
Hawke's Bay
027 816 0029
greg.herries@farmlands.co.nz
Greg has been in the pipfruit industry for almost 12 years, having spent the last six years in a management role developing a greenfield precision planting to full production.
He is passionate about engaging with growers and working alongside them to achieve their productivity and quality goals. Besides his expertise in pipfruit, particularly precision horticulture, Greg has a keen growing interest in the stonefruit sector.
“The knowledgeable and dedicated team at Farmlands Horticulture has a strong passion for the primary sector and enjoy working with growers to drive quality production.”
Hastings 027 501 4848
mike.caplan@farmlands.co.nz
Mike has been in the sector for 37 years and has hands-on experience of his own. He is an expert in pipfruit but also has a wealth of knowledge on stonefruit thanks to his previous experience at Johnny Apple Seed, where he worked for 12 years. He managed CC Orchards in Haumoana for three years before purchasing the property and establishing DuCap.
Mike has been with Farmlands since 2017 and is a key member of the Hawkes Bay technical team, bringing a down-to-earth and extremely knowledgeable approach to every part of his job.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys relaxing and fishing in Taupo.
Hastings
027 594 2636
richard.lyons@farmlands.co.nz
Richard Lyons has been at Farmlands for over seven years and in the horticulture industry for over 30, including almost two decades managing orchards. He enjoys interacting with growers and helping them with solutions to their problems. He says his success stories are helping growers achieve the outcomes that they are looking to achieve and getting them good results both with fruit quality and fruit quantity.
“I've got to see a wide variety of different growing systems and different approaches from individual growers and companies, and that has led to slightly different experiences and enabled me to broaden my knowledge base.
Hastings
027 878 8080
mike.connor@farmlands.co.nz
Mike grew up on a farm in Kereru (west of Hastings) before working in viticulture for 20 years, starting from the bottom and eventually managing vineyards in Marlborough and then coming back to Hawkes Bay to manage for Sacred Hill Vineyards. After leaving viticulture he worked for eight years in the turf industry, running a weed and feed service. When he sold that business in 2018, he jumped at the chance to work for Farmlands.
“I have always felt a connection with Farmlands, growing up in Hawke’s Bay and my parents being shareholders.” His favourite hobbies include hunting.
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Getting
your agronomy system right is a year-round commitment. With the climate outlook for 2025 uncertain, measurement and management will be crucial for success, writes
Dr. Ma. Elena Duter, Head of Agronomy Technical Field Growth at Farmlands.
You can manage when you know what you have.
Measuring, calculating, and allocating will be key activities transitioning into an unpredictable season. Important ingredients for success this year will include:
• Right feed availability for stock class and allocation
• Right cropping system
• Resilient species
• Water reticulations and storage systems
• Timing
During the spring season, pastures experience a peak of growth. However, as we transition into summer, the growth rate and quality decrease due to the seasonal development, accentuated by the
drying environment and less available water, even more on dryland systems.
Harvesting pasture surplus to cover feed deficiencies in the future becomes essential when unpredicted weather events are on the horizon. With these weather variabilities, measuring growth and predicting total yields regularly and frequently becomes necessary to achieve accurate feed allocations.
These fluctuations create challenges when determining the appropriate grazing levels and rotation lengths, as we lose consistency in those patterns. The combination of high air temperatures and low moisture levels can lead to the accumulation of dead tillers in the pasture base. While this may increase the dry matter percentage and fibre content, it reduces the overall pasture quality.
On the other hand, high temperatures and high moisture levels create the perfect environment for pests and diseases. Managing pest pressure on time will maintain quality and yield. This requires an upfront investment but will yield undoubted long-term economic benefits.
Overgrazing depletes the plant's energy reserves, mainly stored in the bottom 4cm of the grass plant, hence your feed availability for the upcoming spring. On the other hand, undergrazing should also be avoided if aiming to maintain pasture quality and persistence. High grass residual levels will lead to a decline in pasture quality, slower growth rates, and consequently lessen animal production.
Feed management will need to have a broad approach considering animal intake and body condition
scores, supplementation, water quality and supply, animal husbandry, and well-being to reach optimum pasture usage gaining the targeted weight gains in less time on the farm while preserving the environment. What about considering and planning possible stocking rate variations on our farms predicting positive or negative weather changes? Have an action plan:
• Thinking about paddock selection
• New pasture species available in the market
• Pasture systems and cropping rotations
• Relocation of pasture production to maintain optimum quality and utilisation while fine-tuning the quality and quantity of supplements offered if conditions change dramatically.
Planning for possible scenarios will lead to better managing our system resulting in no surprises when they need to be actioned. Being and having an agile and flexible system will help the success.
To improve the efficiency, explore ways to enhance its effectiveness. It is crucial to measure your water usage for effective management. Install devices that enable you to monitor and track your water consumption, and quality in the system regularly. Checking and setting the right infrastructure to achieve optimums has to be on the to-do list.
While occasional dry spells are manageable, long-term climate changes require proactive measures.
Overgrazing depletes the plant's energy reserves, while under-grazing can reduce pasture quality.
If your region is experiencing a sustained decline or excess in rainfall, it is essential to act now.
Transitioning to cropping systems less reliant on water and considering planting alternative species that are dryland tolerant. Deep tap-rooted crops will help explore and harvest water from lower soil profiles in your paddocks, making them resilient to periods of no rainfall. Paddock selection is important when using high water-demanding crops, identifying topographically the best areas for grazing or feeding out will play a part.
Strategically planning your rotation, avoiding damaging paddocks due to flooding, sacrificing paddocks for feeding, and preserving your best and newest pastures will help overcome permanent losses of yield and paddock quality.
Planning is key to surviving wet or dry spells with minimal impact on future production. Develop a comprehensive plan that includes feed supply assessments and livestock conditions.
Regularly monitor your farm's performance and rainfall against the plan, taking early action if any shortfalls or excesses are observed. Relying on hope alone is not a viable strategy. By preparing in advance and establishing a plan in collaboration with our agronomy team, you can mitigate the effects of substantial paddock damage due to excess water or drought. It is prudent to anticipate and prepare for extended wet or dry periods if we will be experiencing the La Niña effect in the upcoming months.
Agronomy on Facebook, for all things crop and soil.
“Finding a successor to the iconic ONE 50 was always going to be a huge challenge but in commercialising Three 60 , it has certainly been worth the wait” – Mark Brown, Agricom Australasian Brand Manager.
Agricom has just launched the next generation of advanced perennial ryegrass genetics. From the same stable as ONE50 comes its successor Three 60. Improved in every way, more productive, greater pasture quality and better rust tolerance, Three 60 is the evolution of a significant breeding programme and demonstrates marked progress over ONE50, the industry legend it replaces.
Bred from plants that have been screened in Northland, Waikato, Manawatu and Canterbury, Three 60 boasts a robust lineage of elite genetics. Its development is grounded in extensive internal and industry trials, providing farmers with the assurance of reliable performance across diverse regions. Agricom has built on everything you loved about ONE50 to create a modern cultivar that excels in highperformance farming systems:
Three 60 delivers outstanding annual drymatter yields, coupled with strong summer and autumn drought recovery, making it an essential foundation for dairy or beef systems.
Three 60 represents the pinnacle of breeding for a highly vegetative diploid perennial ryegrass ensuring farmers a quick return to summer leafiness. Its late heading genetics extend the spring flush, enabling exceptional spring quality and efficient rotations.
Improved crown rust tolerance ensures healthy growth, even in the toughest of seasons.
Three 60’s summer growth potential is exceptional, demonstrated by its ability to remain active at the highest temperature ranges for perennial ryegrass. Notably, it excels in water use efficiency under these conditions, thriving with irrigation or reliable summer rainfall.
For more about how Three 60 could help your farm, talk to your local Farmlands agronomy expert.
• Mohaka is a broader leaved, well tillered hybrid suited to 2-4 year pastures
• Ideal for undersowing programmes
• Perfect for short term finishing pastures, run-off pastures and supplementary systems
• Manta has strong winter growth
• High total yield
• Broad visual plant type in all farm systems
• Ideal for short-term pasture rotation
For more information speak to your Farmlands TFO, Agronomist or call 0800 183 358.
Array NEA2 perennial ryegrass offers a unique ‘array’ of benefits, including high intake, yield, nitrogen uptake and persistence. Ask about Array, the new superstar, when you talk to your Farmlands TFO or Agronomist.
High performing pastures underpin the success of New Zealand’s farming systems. One consistent threat in all regions, is the ingress of hard to control pasture weeds. These can negatively impact pasture production and productivity. This is through competition with sown species for light, water, and nutrients, or impacting grazing preference and accessibility for stock.
However, controlling weeds, such as Californian thistle, docks and giant buttercup, in high performing pastures doesn’t have to be a challenge. Spot spraying problem weeds is a great option if the weed population is sporadic or not dense enough to warrant broadcast spraying. Control at this stage will also reduce the need to broadcast spray in the future, saving on chemical and application costs. Spot spraying also has the added benefit of targeted application, which minimises the environmental load of herbicides on the treated area and can preserve clover content throughout the paddock.
The key to spot spraying success is using a herbicide with proven efficacy. Tordon™ PastureBoss™ and Tordon™ 2G Gold from Corteva Agriscience are both trustworthy
options for controlling weeds through targeted application. Both products kill a wide range of challenging weeds while being safe to pasture grasses.
Tordon PastureBoss is the premium spot spray herbicide on the market. It controls annual and perennial weeds such as Californian thistle (as part of a programme), docks, ragwort, foxglove, mallow, and giant buttercup. It is effective at controlling weeds with large root systems and suppresses regrowth later in the season. Tordon PastureBoss sterilises the developing seeds of weeds, which will help inhibit future infestations. Full spray coverage when spot spraying weeds is important to ensure successful control.
Tordon 2G Gold is a granular herbicide for control of annual, biennial and perennial broadleaf weeds, as well as difficult to control woody weeds. This includes ragwort, hemlock, nodding thistle, broom, gorse, and oxeye daisy. Being a granular formulation, Tordon 2G Gold requires no mixing, and can be conveniently applied by pogo stick or application bottle. This makes it ideal for treating scattered weeds and those weeds growing in inaccessible areas. Readily absorbed by the root, the herbicide moves through the cells of
the roots and then directly into the sap stream where it is moved to all parts of the weed.
A key contributor to the Tordon range is the primary active ingredient, aminopyralid, which is highly systemic and translocates to the growing points of problem weeds. This results in reliable weed control, ensuring infestations are stopped before they further impact pasture productivity. To keep your high performing pastures free from weeds, consider Tordon PastureBoss or Tordon 2G Gold.
For more information, contact your Farmlands TFO or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Anyone can make claims, but RAGT New Zealand can back them up with results. The benefits of their RGT18 endophyte are not just impressive - they’re proven.
Quickly gaining traction across the country, RGT18, combined with the top performing RGT Hustle perennial ryegrass, is becoming a trusted choice for farmers looking to enhance pasture productivity and resilience.
RGT18 plays a key role in helping farmers tackle the challenges posed by black beetle, a major pest impacting pasture systems, particularly in certain regions of the North Island. Beyond that, RGT18 boosts ryegrass tolerance to other troublesome pests, such as Argentine stem weevil and Porina, which can undermine both pasture productivity and persistence.
Stock health is always top of mind for farmers, and RGT18 goes a step further by improving insect tolerance while significantly reducing the negative impacts on animals compared to older endophytes.
This novel endophyte not only supports better pasture systems but also a reduced risk of ryegrass staggers, making it a game-changer for on-farm productivity.
For Northland sheep and beef farmer Neville Lewis, near Waipapa, RGT Hustle RGT18 has proven to be a dependable solution. “It has
provided high quality pasture when I need it most, whilst being safer for my animals,” he says.
Given the farm’s rugged terrain and the unique environmental challenges of Northland, Neville needed a resilient pasture mix that could thrive in these tough conditions. After consulting with Farmlands TFO Julie Flintoff and Agronomist Brian Richards, he decided to include RGT Greenly II cocksfoot in his mix to boost summer pasture performance without compromising on quality.
“RGT Hustle RGT18 perfectly aligns with my farm’s needs, delivering excellent performance year-round,” Neville observes. The new pasture has performed well even under the most challenging conditions, prompting him to sow additional paddocks this autumn.
Rob Andrews, a dairy farmer on the Awhitu Peninsula near Pukekohe, is another farmer who has seen impressive results with RGT Hustle RGT18. Farming in tough coastal conditions, Rob, with the help of Farmlands TFO Kristy Ruygrok, chose to sow a paddock of RGT Hustle RGT18 last autumn. “I’ve been extremely
pleased with the results,” Rob says. “The pasture has grown strongly and consistently, no matter the conditions.”
The success stories of farmers like Neville Lewis and Rob Andrews demonstrate the tangible benefits of RGT Hustle RGT18 in diverse farming environments. As more farmers across New Zealand experience its excellent performance, RGT Hustle RGT18 is quickly establishing itself as a leading choice for improving pasture resilience and overall farm productivity whilst significantly reducing the risk of staggers.
For your convenience, Farmlands is now offering a new RGT Hustle RGT18 25kg pasture pack. To secure your order, please contact your local TFO.
A veteran herbicide has gained new registrations and a new level of regulatory assurance just after celebrating its 50th birthday.
Basagran® has been a mainstay of crop protection programs for cereal, pasture, seed crop and vegetable growers for decades. It provides robust contact control of broadleaf weeds, including chamomiles, cleavers, Onehunga weed, stinking mayweed and storksbill. Importantly, Basagran can also control MCPA-resistant giant buttercup in infested pasture.
Despite its secure place in the rotation, BASF – who first launched Basagran and its active ingredient bentazone way back in 1974 –recently invested in new trial work and scientific studies to extend and strengthen the herbicide’s label.
The first change is that Basagran can now be used in new plantain pastures and mixed swards that contain plantain when the plantain has 2 - 4 true leaves. The only adjustment to existing guidelines for
treating new pasture is that Basagran shouldn’t be tank-mixed with MCPB if plantain is part of the mix. Plantain pastures are now also included in the guidelines for managing infestations of giant buttercup, which are otherwise unchanged.
The second addition to the label comes in response to a reassessment of bentazone within the European Union. After rigorous testing a new grazing withholding period (WHP) is now in place. The 14-day WHP will have minimal impact on stock and pasture management, but it provides a major boost to the level of assurance for exporting dairy and other animal products.
Changes to the label of such a well-established product reflect a rare level of stewardship, and will no doubt be supported by Basagran users, who’ve put their trust in the original
bentazone formulation and have been rewarded with season after season of reliable weed control. The freshly updated and approved Basagran label provides a new level of regulatory assurance and a fresh business reason for its use.
If you want to clear your pasture of broadleaf weeds, and your produce for export to overseas markets, Basagran is set to go on playing a key role in your chemical rotation.
ACVM registration number: Basagran® #P002264. Read registered label before use.
Talk to your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or Agronomist for more advice on controlling broadleaf weeds in both new and established pastures.
For more information about Basagran, talk to your Farmlands TFO or Agronomist. Otherwise visit crop-solutions.basf.co.nz or call 0800 932 273.
From erosion protection to providing shade for your animals, there are many good reasons for planting trees, but getting your selection right can be tricky.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN
Alice Trevelyan of Waikatobased native nursery and Farmlands Card Partner
The Native Dairy Farmer has helped hundreds of farmers with their planting decisions, including in her former role as a Senior Catchment Officer at the Waikato Regional Council.
Her number one piece of advice when considering planting is to look at how it will fit within your whole farm system.
“How do you see the area looking in 10 years? Is it going to be an area you would like to graze or is this an area that you're happy to retire and maybe look at other potential forms of income?
“That's a good starting point, especially on hill country because there are a lot of options.”
Erosion and slips are a problem for many farmers, but these risks can be mitigated by planting the right trees. Alice says there are options with both native and non-native plants.
“Manuka and kanuka are great native options for large-scale steep erosion areas. They give you really fast coverage, growing quickly even in low fertility sites. You can then look to get other sources of income from that area, for example, carbon credits or you might be able to look into Manuka honey.”
One of the most popular options for hillsides is poplars, which Alice says are a multi-purpose tree.
“Poplar poles are great for erosion protection. After the first couple of years, once their root systems have established, you can let sheep and cattle in underneath so you can still get the grazing benefits.”
Poplars are deciduous, allowing for continued grass growth under their canopy, with vegetative cover providing further erosion protection.
Alice points to another benefit of using poplars: their leaves can be used as a supplemental feed option.
“The leaves have the same nutritional value as lucerne hay, so they're a really good feed source in the summer or during a drought.”
She says it’s important to get your spacing right, and poplars also require regular maintenance.
“You can't just plant them and leave them for 30 years. Trimming branches back to a single leader and ensuring that the tree does not become too top heavy will increase the life expectancy of the tree and provide greater erosion protection benefits.”
Another tree commonly used for erosion protection in wetter seeps or the riparian area is the Salix matsudana, commonly known as the Tortured Willow or Corkscrew Willow.
“They're sterile like a poplar pole, growing straight, not sprawling like your Crack Willow or your Pussy Willow,” Alice explains.
“Some people may want to see a little bit of colour out in the paddock, so they might go something that's got beautiful red leaves, like Pin Oaks, or a red maple.
“With regards to native shade trees, lots of people use totaras and akeake; both are really good shade trees. It all comes back to your kind of soil type and the area that you're planting, but there are a lot of different options out there.
“We've just planted a whole lot of banksias as shade trees on our own farm. They're super-fast growing, and they've also got a beautiful flower for the tuis.”
Another common use for trees on farm is firewood, and Alice says there are certain species that work well for this purpose.
“You might have a slip that's got a really wet area at the bottom and the willows can handle their feet being wet, so they're a great option for those areas, and for stabilising a bank when you’re riparian planting.”
Protecting animals from the elements with shade can improve their health and welfare and potentially even their production. Poplars are also commonly used as shade trees, but Alice says picking the right plant all comes back to the purpose.
Hard wood species such as eucalyptus (or gum) are very popular as they are fast growing, burn well and also coppice (grow back when cut).
Alice encourages farmers to think about the practical implications of what and where they are planting, including how it could be affected by future changes in land use.
“Is the land going to be cropped? Having a large tree planted in the middle of your paddock, or too close to gateways might be a pain for large equipment. You also want to think about the placement of your water
troughs relative to where stock will graze, camp and seek shade.
“It’s important to provide adequate fencing for your planting projects. If you want it to last, you need to protect it.”
Riparian planting to protect streams and waterways can be even more complicated, and Alice says there are many factors to consider, including everything from fence placement to local regulations.
“You might have a shallow flowing stream, or you might have somewhere that's eroding or subject to flash flooding. It’s all quite site-specific.”
Flax is a popular choice for riparian planting, but Alice says you need to be careful planting it too close to the water's edge, especially if you've got a channel where the water level rises frequently.
“Flax has a really shallow root structure compared to its mass, so it can become very top heavy, and if you're getting that constant change in water level it can actually cause erosion rather than protecting against it.”
For wetter areas, Alice says carex grasses such as carex geminata (also known as cutty grass), are a great option.
“Carex geminata spreads through a rhizome in its root system to form a carpet, so it's a great erosion protection option and can tolerate being completely flattened and stand back up.”
“Cabbage trees are another great species as they've got a real nice deep tap root. They can tolerate a change in water levels and they're a great stabiliser in the riparian margin. Manuka is also great as it can handle its feet being a little bit wet, whereas kanuka prefers the dry.”
Whatever you are planning to plant, Alice says it’s important to get the right advice before you pick up the spade.
“I would recommend talking to your regional council or people like ourselves with experience working in the industry. They'll be able to help you with species selection, and they might have options for funding, which is always a great opportunity to tap into.”
As we inch towards winter, it’s time to start thinking about pruning our trees, gardens and hedges. We spoke to Farmlands Technical Advisor Laurence Frost for some expert advice on how to get the pruning process right.
WORDS BY NIKO KLOETEN
Pruning can be a lot of work, so why do we need to do it? Laurence says there are five main reasons why we should regularly prune our plants:
• Dead – removing dead wood can help the remaining tree to thrive. It can also be important for safety reasons, as dead branches are more likely to fall off during a storm and cause injury or property damage.
• Disease – likewise, trimming diseased branches can help to prevent the disease spreading to the rest of the tree.
• Crosses – Laurence says crossing branches can be problematic. “That's where wood lice and things live. It'll probably eventually snap, it'll become unproductive.”
• Production – whether in a commercial orchard or just your backyard fruit tree, pruning can open the plant up for sunlight and pollination, boosting fruit growth.
• Shape – trimming the tree to the right shape can not only assist with production, but make it look more attractive and prevent it from overwhelming nearby plants.
“Some people have ornamental plants and are pruning to make them look good, while others are pruning
because they want a big, bountiful harvest from their fruit trees, but it all comes back to the fundamentals,” Laurence says.
Before you start lopping off branches, it’s important to understand the pruning needs of each individual tree. Laurence says one crucial thing to know is whether that plant fruits on this year’s growth or last year’s growth.
“Plants that fruit on the current year’s wood include grapes and feijoas, while most of the brambles fruit on wood that grew last year. That's all your cane stuff, your boysenberries and your blackberries,” he explains.
“Apples fruit on spurs, so they fruit on wood that grew last year. You have a nice new growth, it puts out little wee spur, the flower comes off the spur, and then comes the fruit.”
For plants that fruit on new wood like feijoas, prune off the older growth where necessary back to its frame.
“Grapes are a classic example. You've got this old trunk that's 30 years old and it's just got this little growth, and they just prune it to two buds, and those two buds will then grow the rest of that vine to have the fruit.”
If your plant fruits on new growth, you need to focus on thinning it, removing branches to open it up for sunlight and pollination, Laurence says.
“You want a blackbird to be able to fly through – birds can be great pollinators and pest controllers – so we take out a few branches to make
our tree more open, and that way you have the desirable plant shape
“With citrus you just need to trim them back, but not so hard that you produce water shoots. Water shoots are the vertical growth that are generally not fruit bearers; its their laterals that then set flowers and ultimately fruit.”
With grafted plants you need to watch for root stock or under stock dominance. This root stock needs to be removed as soon as practicable, and in some plants, you’ll need to watch for reversion.
“Variegated plants invariably want to go back to green, the most productive colour to be,” Laurence says. “Before you know it your beautiful, variegated plant has become this green undesirable plant and not what you originally purchased, so you really need to cut out the reversion and still keep the shape.”
Laurence, a self-described “secateur snob”, says no matter what cutting tool you choose for your pruning, it needs to be sharp. “If it’s not sharp, you have the possibility of an injury to wrists, arms and elbows when trying to cut through branches.”
With cutting tools, gardeners need to be aware of the difference between bypass - like for example scissorscompared to an Anvil pruner. Anvil pruners have a blade that cuts toward the flat surface that is the anvil.
“The neat thing is an anvil takes about 40% less energy to operate,
which is great for older people as it takes less power,” Laurence says. “The advantage of a bypass is the blade is the closest thing to the cut. And as they say with shaving, nothing cuts as close as a blade.”
Laurence’s other piece of advice on tools is to make sure the one you are using is big enough for the branch you are trying to cut.
“Use the right tool for the job at hand. If your secateurs are too small for the branch you wish to prune then use a lopper or pruning saw.”
So when should you break out the pruning equipment and start grooming your plants? Laurence says early winter is your best bet for most plants.
“You need to be pruning during that dormant period. Citrus is never dormant, they just slow down, so when they've slowed down in June, that’s a good time to prune. Don't sacrifice fruit though, you can always prune after you have harvested.”
The job is not over once you have finished pruning. Laurence says to look after the tree you should use pruning paint on pruning wounds, especially those bigger than 1cm.
“And then the home gardener would use spraying oil, copper, lime sulfur and Yield. The copper will take care of most fungi. The oil takes care of most insects, and then you have the lime sulfur or Yield for moss and lichen control.”
With the prevalence of nuisance insect pests – like Lemon Tree Borer, for example – try to limit or reduce your pruning activities between October-February as that is when it’s most active and damaging to your desirable trees and shrubs.
Laurence has one final message to gardeners doing their yearly pruning: make sure you get rid of the garden waste once you are done.
“We need to make sure we emphasise to them disposing of our pruning waste, especially diseased waste as it could not only reinfect your plants but also those in the neighbourhood.”
students that have completed the course so far are staff of contracting businesses, but Donna says that is changing.
“We are having more enquiries from people that want to do the course as a starting point and especially school leavers, who are now seeing that there's an actual career pathway.”
While Level 3 has a strong practical focus, Donna says Level 4 is aimed more at the business owner level.
“It covers finances, health and safety, client relationships, culture within your business, all that sort of stuff wrapped around design, quoting and invoicing. That's all done online, so it doesn't take them away from the fenceline.”
Non-FCANZ members can complete the NZQA certificate courses, although they need to be association members to achieve an Association endorsement. Donna says FCANZ is “bringing fencing from the 1960s to the 21st century” and aligning it with other trade industries, while also protecting consumers.
Fencing is moving further into the 21st century, with the industry body for fencing contractors taking action to professionalise the sector and create a career pathway.
Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) has teamed up with NorthTec to deliver the NZQA-recognised NZ Certificate in Fencing, Level 3 and Level 4.
Sitting alongside the Association’s Certified Fencer and Accredited Fencing Contractor endorsements, the qualifications provide peace of mind for those who engage FCANZendorsed contractors.
“It means you’ve got a career pathway from school right through to master fencer in a similar vein to builders and electricians,” says Donna Upton, Course Co-ordinator and FCANZ Board
member. “But it's not an apprenticeship; it's better than an apprenticeship.”
She says Level 3 is for those starting out in fencing, including staff and people that are getting into the industry. The course runs for 35 weeks, and all the theory components are completed online.
“They have a Zoom once a week, and there are three 3-day block courses that take in the practical side with things like chainsaw work, rural vehicles, fencing repairs and maintenance, electrics and post and rail.”
“A fencer knows what a good fence is, and a fencer knows who a good fencer is, but the person paying the bill might have no idea.”
FCANZ is also in the process of developing best practice technical drawings for different types of fencing, starting with the rural sector.
“These drawings will show the minimums for a best practice fence, and anything delivered above that is great,” says FCANZ Executive Director Jaime Bigwood.
“So while they don’t specify where your wire needs to come from, for example, they do specify wire weights and the best practice for aspects such as spacings, depths, and the size of timber used.
“We can't quite go as far as saying you can only use New Zealand-made wire, but whatever wire you're using, it should be the right thickness and spacing to ensure your fence is stockproof.”
FCANZ has training sites and contractors around the country to teach these practical lessons. Many of the Information about the NZQA Level 3 and 4 Certificate in Fencing and the application forms for Certified Fencer and Accredited Fencing Contractor can be found on the FCANZ website: www.fcanz.org.nz
Get access to exclusive discounts on selected items with your Farmlands Card. Enjoy these savings anytime, all year long, at any of our five TopmaQ stores or online at www.topmaq.co.nz.
TotalEnergies, a global energy major, will now supply its premium ELF brand of lubricants to all Farmlands stores nationwide. This strategic alliance brings together two industry leaders, combining TotalEnergies’ cutting-edge technology with Farmlands’ extensive network to deliver superior performance and reliability to farmers and rural communities across the country.
ELF, a globally recognized brand, offers a comprehensive range of high-quality lubricants designed to optimize performance across a range of industries and applications.
Backed by extensive research and development, ELF products are formulated with advanced technology to deliver exceptional protection, even under the most demanding conditions.
From high-performance synthetic oils to specialised additives, ELF provides solutions for a variety of requirements. By choosing ELF, you’re not only fueling your equipment, but also tapping into a legacy of innovation and excellence.
Key benefits of ELF lubricants
• Engine protection: ELF lubricants are meticulously formulated to provide exceptional protection for your engine, safeguarding it against wear and tear, even under the most demanding conditions.
• Enhanced performance: Feel the power and efficiency of your vehicle as ELF lubricants optimize engine performance, delivering smoother operation and improved fuel economy.
• Longevity: ELF products are designed to extend the life of your vehicle’s components, ensuring long-
lasting reliability and minimising the need for costly repairs.
• Low SAPS: ELF lubricants’ Low SAPS technology reduces their environmental impact by optimising the performance of these decontamination systems.
Available online and over the counter at Farmlands stores nationwide.
Scan QR code to discover ELF:
Ford introduced the Ranger Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) – its first plug-in hybrid pickup –at the IAA Transportation show in Germany recently. This innovative model combines the rugged performance Ranger is known for with the benefits of electrification.
At its core, the Ranger PHEV features a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine paired with a 75kW electric motor and an 11.8kWh battery. It offers a targeted electric-only range of over 45km, making it ideal for both work and leisure. The new Modular Hybrid Transmission (MHT) integrates the electric motor with the engine and a 10-speed automatic gearbox, enabling seamless hybrid driving. The vehicle can be recharged overnight using a standard household plug, ensuring convenience for users.
Despite its hybrid capabilities, the Ranger PHEV retains its exceptional versatility. It can tow up to 3,500kg and features advanced off-road systems, including a dual-range transfer case and a rear differential lock. Drivers can choose from
Auto EV, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge modes to optimise battery performance based on their needs.
The Ranger PHEV also introduces Pro Power Onboard, a game-changing feature that allows users to power tools, appliances and devices directly from the vehicle’s battery. The system delivers up to 6.9kW of power with outlets in the cabin and load bed, making it perfect for off-grid work or recreation.
Ford also unveiled the limitededition Stormtrak model, designed for customers seeking premium features. Ranger PHEV Stormtrak boasts exclusive styling, including 18-inch alloy wheels, a honeycomb grille and a unique Chill Grey paint option. Inside, the cabin offers luxury finishes, a B&O sound system and advanced features like Matrix LED headlamps,
a 360-degree camera and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
“The Ranger PHEV delivers the benefits of electrification alongside the performance and reliability that Ranger customers expect,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand.
Ford’s introduction of a plug-in hybrid to the Ranger lineup ensures it remains a top choice for customers needing a capable, sustainable, and versatile vehicle for work, play and family life.
The Ranger PHEV will begin arriving in 2025. Full specifications and pricing for New Zealand will be announced closer to launch.
Jaz Mathisen is the station cook for Awakino Station near Kurow, which is managed by her husband Dan. We spoke to the mother of three about life on the station, and cooking for hungry farm workers and children.
CHLOE LODGE
What do you enjoy most about being the station cook?
It has allowed me to still be a part of the farm after having children. Morning smokos are often delivered out on the farm where the children can be immersed in farm life. It provides a family atmosphere having the shepherds come to our house daily for lunch and creates a tight-knit work team.
How many people do you cook for each day?
Day to day I cook for five – Dan, two shepherds, one Growing Future Farmer cadet and a general/irrigation
person. However, during busy times the farm employs a few casuals. On these days I can feed up to eight.
What is your top tip for making bulk meals on a budget?
I love sneaking lentils or other beans into dishes to bulk up the meal and to add another source of protein. Lentils are great in bolognese or soups, chickpeas in a curry and butter beans in a beef stew.
Who is harder to cook for: the station workers or your daughters? The station workers are great to cook
for, they rarely complain about what I put on the table and are very forgiving if the girls have dragged me away and I’ve slightly overcooked something. So I’d have to say our daughters are harder to cook for.
What else do you do on the station besides cooking?
I class myself as the “doer of all the odd jobs”. This can vary from running the monthly Health and Safety meetings to germinating seeds such as Tagasaste (Tree Lucerne) to be planted out onto the farm. We also enjoy rearing orphan lambs and calves.
A classic ginger crunch recipe that can be made all in the one pot.
INGREDIENTS
Base:
150g butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup golden syrup
11/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cups self-raising flour
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
3 tsp ground ginger
Icing:
100g butter
3 tbsp golden syrup
2 cups icing sugar
4 tsp ground ginger
METHOD:
• Preheat the oven to 170°C and line a square slice tin with baking paper.
INGREDIENTS
1kg beef mince
1 large onion, diced
2 large carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, sliced cloves garlic, crushed
1/ 3 cup tomato paste
1 tbsp dried mixed herbs
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 x 400g tin crushed tomatoes
3 cups beef stock
4 cups uncooked pasta such as penne or spirals
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup grated cheese
Optional extras:
• Add mushrooms when sautéing the vegetables
• Frozen peas are a lovely addition
• Use mozzarella on top for extra cheesy goodness
• If using a Dutch oven, pop it under the grill after adding the cheese for a golden topping.
• In a small pot, over a medium low heat, melt the butter, brown sugar and golden syrup.
• Once melted, stir in the oats, flour, coconut and ground ginger.
• Press into the slice tin and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden.
• While the base cooks, prepare the icing. In the same small pot, heat the butter and golden syrup until melted and bubbling.
• Remove from the heat and stir through the icing sugar and ground ginger.
• Remove the base from the oven and spread the icing on while the base is still warm.
• Allow to cool and then slice into squares with a sharp knife.
Notes:
This slice can also be frozen. I often make this slice in mini silicon muffin trays. Simply press a tablespoon of the
ginger crunch base into each muffin cup and bake for 5-10 minutes before icing. Once cooled they can be popped straight out for a bite-sized treat.
METHOD:
• In a Dutch oven or large frying pan with a lid add a splash of oil and the beef mince, breaking it up quickly with a wooden spoon to brown.
• Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Stir through the dried mixed herbs and tomato paste and cook for another minute.
• Add the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, tinned tomato and beef stock and bring to the boil.
• Once boiling, stir through the pasta and reduce the temperature to a simmer.
• Cover with a lid and allow the pasta to cook for about 30 minutes, stirring a couple of times to ensure all the liquid is absorbed and the pasta cooks evenly.
• Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the grated cheese over top, put the lid back on and cook for another few minutes until the cheese has melted.
Resene
The South Marlborough farms of Sally and Rob Peter – Cape Campbell and Isolation – are testament to resilience and innovation. Their new home takes their story further, showcasing sustainability, thoughtful design and the beauty of Resene colours.
Cape Campbell Farm is a 3,200-acre coastal property on a peninsula of the same name that juts into Cook Strait, crowned by an iconic lighthouse, where Sally and Rob raise composite sheep and beef cattle. Meanwhile, Isolation Farm spans 1,200 acres of steep tussock country, where they breed Poll Dorset, Saxon and Texel rams and produce fine Merino wool prized by Italy’s fashion industry.
The Peter’s farming journey reflects their sustainable ethos. Their properties rely solely on pasture feeding, with no irrigation or cropping, preserving the natural balance of their land. But their story took a dramatic turn in 2016 when the Kaikōura earthquakes devastated their Ward home and reshaped the local landscape.
Forced to start anew, the couple rebuilt not just a house, but a sanctuary, at their Isolation Farm property. Inspired by the quake-resilient design of woolsheds, their timber pole home offers sweeping views from the Kaikōura Ranges
to the sea. Sustainability informed every aspect of its construction, from the use of recycled native timbers such as totara, rimu and beech, to its off-grid power systems. But it’s the carefully curated palette of Resene paints that brings the house to life.
Sally, a long-time fan of Resene paints, approached the design with a clear vision: to honour the surrounding landscape while creating a warm, cohesive interior. She explored an extensive array of Resene testpots before finalising her selections, often painting out swatches to see how they interacted with the light.
For the exterior, Sally chose Resene Ironsand and Resene Scoria for the window frames. The deep earthy tones anchor the house in the tussock hills, helping it blend seamlessly with its environment. These shades were selected to mirror the rugged natural beauty of the Marlborough landscape, creating a strong yet harmonious first impression.
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene
Rice Cake
Resene Wheatfield
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene
Half Drought
Resene Tea
Resene Half Nomad
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Dusted Blue
Resene Half Grey Chateau
Resene Ironsand
Inside, the choices reflect the Peter’s love of nature, warmth and balance. The main living areas feature Resene Half Rice Cake and Resene Rice Cake, creating a soft, neutral backdrop for the rich textures of recycled timbers. These tones ensure the focus remains on the stunning natural views while lending a sense of calm to the home’s interior.
Elsewhere Sally opted for shades such as Resene Half Grey Chateau, Resene Half Dusted Blue and Resene Half Lemon Grass. These colours were chosen for their serene, grounding qualities, providing spaces that echo the natural hues of sky and earth. Other subtle colours, such as Resene Thorndon Cream and Resene Half Nomad, create a gentle connection to the outdoors, further enhancing the home’s atmosphere. Resene Half Drought and Resene Quarter Drought were used to complement the timber details and create a cohesive flow between spaces.
Sally also incorporated Resene Wheatfield and Resene Tea to add variety without overwhelming the overall palette. The combination of these tones with the timber finishes creates a beautiful aesthetic, that feels both sophisticated and deeply connected to the land.
With help from a professional painter and support from the Blenheim Resene ColorShop, Sally achieved a finish that exceeded her expectations. The application of Resene Danska Teak Oil on the recycled timbers enhanced their natural beauty while ensuring durability. Every detail reflects the couple’s commitment to sustainability and quality, with colour choices thoughtfully tailored to enhance the home’s recycled materials and unique design.
Off-grid living aligns with the Peter’s values. Solar panels power the house, rainwater is collected from the roof, and spring water irrigates their gardens. While their home is nearly complete, the Peters are already planning a sunroom extension, where they’ll undoubtedly continue their love affair with Resene’s colours.
The $1,000 Resene ColorShop voucher they received for winning Colour the Country will also aid their ongoing projects, including the maintenance of the Cape Campbell lighthouse, which they rent out as accommodation.
Sally and Rob’s journey is one of steadfastness, creativity and harmony with the land. From the challenges of the Kaikōura earthquakes to the creation of a stunning off-grid home, they have demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and an unyielding connection to their environment. Their thoughtful use of Resene products showcases the transformative power of colour, weaving their story into every corner of their home.
Enter your best rural project and win!
Resene and Farmlands are on the hunt for the country’s best rural Resene projects. Send in your photos and the stories behind your kitchen, shed, barn or bedroom – anything inside or outside that's painted, stained or wallpapered with Resene products!
The winning projects will not only win a $1,000 Resene ColorShop voucher and a $250 Farmlands Gift Card, but will also feature in an upcoming issue of Farmlander magazine.
a $1,000 Resene ColorShop voucher, and a $250 Farmlands Gift Card.
Visit www.farmlands.co.nz/resene to enter your project!
Barkers is proud to introduce 1972, a new range designed to suit the lifestyle of New Zealand’s rural community. 1972 represents the enduring Barkers quality and craftsmanship Kiwis have trusted for more than 50 years.
The name 1972 pays homage to Barkers origins, celebrating over half a century of crafting timeless menswear that combines style, durability and innovation. While staying true to Barkers heritage, this new collection has been thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of rural life. Each garment exemplifies Barkers unwavering dedication to quality, ensuring it is “built to last” and able to handle the rigours of rural life. From the farm to the field and everywhere in between, 1972 offers timeless designs that are as functional as they are stylish. These are items you can throw life at – classic pieces that will work as hard as you do.
The 1972 range proudly features garments made from New Zealand merino wool. Known for its versatility, breathability and warmth, merino is a staple for every wardrobe. In addition to merino, the collection also incorporates organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other sustainably sourced materials, reflecting Barkers commitment to responsible production. These carefully chosen fabrics not only minimise the environmental footprint but also ensure the garments stand the test of time.
The 1972 collection includes styles for both men and women. Whether you’re working the land, running the farm, or heading to town, 1972 offers versatile pieces that transition seamlessly. The first winter collection arriving in March 2025 promises a range of essential garments, including merino knitwear, durable outerwear, and classic shirts – all designed to keep you comfortable and stylish during New Zealand’s unpredictable winters.
Barkers is thrilled to partner exclusively with Farmlands for the launch of 1972. As a trusted supplier to rural New Zealand, Farmlands
Available in-store and online from March '25. Exclusive to Farmlands
shares a commitment to supporting the community and delivering products that enhance the everyday lives of farmers. This partnership ensures the range is accessible to those who inspire it most – the hardworking people of New Zealand’s rural heartland.
Built to endure
1972 stands as a testament to Barkers dedication to crafting timeless styles. Rooted in tradition but designed with the future in mind, this collection forges a new trail for Barkers. A path that celebrates New Zealand’s rural lifestyle while staying
true to the values that have defined us since 1972. Mark your calendars for March 2025 and visit your local Farmlands store to explore the 1972 winter collection. Discover timeless, sustainable garments designed by Kiwis, for Kiwis – style you can rely on, Made for Life.
Triton Hearing offers free hearing checks and diagnostic assessments to all New Zealanders - services that are often charged by other providers. This commitment to accessibility is at the heart of their mission to change hearing care for good.
With hearing aid solutions starting at just $495, plus government subsidies, Triton ensures that hearing aids are affordable for everyone. Their dedicated team also helps clients navigate funding options like ACC to ensure hearing solutions are within reach. The new EasyHear™ payment plan offers flexible, interest-free monthly payments, allowing clients to own their hearing aids without upfront costs.
Beyond affordability, Triton stands out for its comprehensive aftercare, offering free support for the life of the hearing aid. They provide access to the latest hearing technology, including the Sphere™ Infinio, renowned for its superior clarity in social settings. Clients can experience this advanced technology with a free 10-day trial.
Catherine, a Christchurch client, said, "I’ve recommended Triton to many people. They’re friendly, professional, and really care about your hearing."
With 64 nationwide clinics and virtual services available, Triton Hearing makes hearing care accessible for Kiwis everywhere. Their mission to “change hearing, for good” reflects their dedication to advancing technology, improving accessibility, and prioritising client care. Use your Farmlands Card and get a 15% rebate with Triton. Call 0800 45 45 49 or visit tritonhearing.co.nz
The Rural Support Trust’s role is more important than ever, and it needs to be ready for the task, writes the Trust’s new National Chair Michelle Ruddell.
Before marrying a dairy farmer, I worked as an occupational therapist, doing neurorehabilitation with people recovering from strokes and head injuries.
What does this have to do with farming? Central to that role was the importance of relationships and communication, which are just as important for those in the rural sector who find themselves struggling.
When I started as a facilitator for Rural Support in Northland in 2018, I spent a lot of time helping farmers dealing with the M. bovis outbreak. More recently we have suffered the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. Who knows what could be next?
As Northland Chair I have focused on being prepared and building our capabilities to respond to the everevolving challenges facing the rural sector.
Previously we had a team of trustees who were spread out and not able to come together easily, and we only had six facilitators. Now Northland is broken up into four areas and we have 18 facilitators.
Each region has their own nuances and it's important to maintain their autonomy, but as the national body we can help them by providing a central point for resources and not reinventing the wheel 14 times across our 14 regions.
My goal as National Chair is for us to become a much more professional yet still grassroots-led organisation that is the go-to for rural support.
With other organisations facing funding cuts, and with fewer people available in the regions from our industry bodies, Rural Support needs to step up and own our wellbeing lane.
We are finding that our Rural Support teams are involved for longer with cases that are more complex, because those clients can't access support in the system or there are no resources available.
It means we need to keep improving and expanding the training we provide the team for the complexities they are facing. Our rural communities have greater difficulty accessing resources due to the increased isolation, which can impact their mental health.
Rural businesses are also becoming more complex. Although we don’t provide financial advice, we make sure our clients have access to the expert help they need, and support them with processes such as the Business Advice Fund and the Debt Mediation Scheme.
Another issue of real concern is around employment, and not just for business owners and employers; we are also getting an increasing number of calls from employees asking for help with workplace tensions, contractual and relationship issues.
If you’re dealing with these sorts of issues, it’s going to affect your relationships at home and out on farm, and you're probably not going to be sleeping or eating very well. Your good habits often get forgotten about.
Cutting through all this is a mental health component. So, how soon should you call Rural Support if you think you need help? My advice is to do it straight away. If you pick up the phone and you’re not sure who to talk to, talk to us.
Kiwis are tough and, yes, you can probably do it on your own, but it is an easier journey with someone to walk alongside you.
For a confidential chat call 0800 787 254, or for more information check out www.rural-support.org.nz
WE LOVE THAT YOU’RE READING FARMLANDER RIGHT NOW.
Farmlander is produced to reflect how people just like you, are contributing to the success of rural New Zealand. The magazine also helps you get more from your co-operative and lets you know what’s happening across the sector.
We’d really like to know how you feel about the magazine and what we could be doing better.
Previously you told us you wanted to see more about the latest farming technologies and sustainability.
I enjoy reading the articles and like looking at new technologies
I want to see more technology around farming/ agriculture and what that will look like in the future
So in this edition we talk to Greg Mirams about overcoming drench-resistance through new tech and we find out how to get more from your property in the future, through planned planting and solar micro-grids.
To play your part in the future success of your Co-operative and Farmlander magazine, we’ve got a short online survey for you. With every completed survey going in the draw for a $250 Farmlands Gift Card.
Complete the survey now by scanning the QR CODE or visiting https://uqr.to/1yhik
