ELECTION 2017
MANAGEMENT
Putting the hard questions to our main political parties.
Laid back and loving it. PAGE 17
PAGE 14-19
AGRIBUSINESS Young Grower of the Year says the hort industry is at a critical time of change. PAGE 28
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS SEPTEMBER 19, 2017: ISSUE 638
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Nat’s bank on ballot PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE LEASE and sale of Landcorp farms could help young farmers buy their first farm under a National government. Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy revealed this new dimension to National’s primary industry policy last week in Gisborne. The policy somewhat resembles the ballot scheme which offered returned WWII ex-servicemen the opportunity to buy farms. The Department of Lands ran the scheme. Guy says National would direct Landcorp to lease farms to young farmers, with the opportunity to buy them at market rates when they had built up enough capital. But to qualify they would have to work the land for five to ten years, or longer if they needed, to get the cash to buy. Guy says the farms would be
awarded on a lease-to-buy arrangement, with leases awarded by a panel and ballot. It would be prioritised towards young farmers experienced at running a farm but not having already been sole owner of a farm. “The Government owns a large number of commercial farms through Landcorp, but there is no clear public good from Crown ownership and little
financial return to taxpayers. “We think some of these farms would be better off in the hands of hard-working young farming families committed to modern farming and environmental best practice. “Many farming families got their start through the old Lands and Survey ballot process and we want to give that opportunity to more New Zealanders.” Guy says he would expect about 100
Dumped! One-term director Leonie Guiney, pictured in happier times with Fonterra chair John Wilson, is crying foul after the co-op’s board blocked her from standing in the upcoming director election. The Fairlie farmer, a staunch supporter of 100% farmer control and ownership, was not recommended as one of three candidates by Fonterra’s independent selection panel and board nominations sub-committee. Full story page 4.
young farming families to benefit from the scheme. Not all Landcorp’s 140 farms would be sold. Some larger farms would be divided into smaller units more appropriate for first-time owners. He notes that many Landcorp farms are subject to Treaty claims and others to a right-of-first-refusal by iwi; these rights would be respected. • More on page 3
PLANTAIN THE ANSWER? THE COMMON herb plantain could take a lot of heat off the dairy industry. Ecotain, a specific plantain genotype bred by the seed company Agricom, has been found to reduce nitrogen leaching from a urine patch, according to research results unveiled in Christchurch last week. Agricom, owned by PGG Wrightson, says this could markedly reduce dairy nitrogen leaching -- mostly out of urine patches and into groundwater. Agricom working with researchers at Lincoln and Massey universities and Plant & Food Research have shown how Ecotain can function in pasture systems to reduce nitrogen leaching. Plantain, deemed a herb, is a common flat weed (Plantago lanceloata) which Agricom bred and commercialised as a forage cultivar. Ecotain works in various ways on paddocks to address the nitrogen problem, says Agricom sales and marketing manager Mark Brown. “It is a simple and effective tool to help combat the complex issue of nitrogen leaching, and it’s a solution developed by industry for industry.” Ngāi Tahu Farming already uses the plant on its Te Whenua Hou and Balmoral farms in the South Island. Lincoln University’s professor of dairy production, Grant Edwards, says the research indicates that feeding Ecotain addresses the urine problem. – Sudesh Kissun
WHEN YOUR ADVICE IS REALLY GOOD, EVERYONE LISTENS. At FMG, we look after more rural New Zealanders than any other insurer. In fact, it’s something we’ve been doing for over 110 years now. So when it comes to offering specialist advice, like managing fire hazards on the farm, we like to think we know what we’re talking about. Ask around about us. Or better still call us directly on 0800 366 466.
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