TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS
Good times return
FOLLOWING SEVERAL years of pain, farmers and growers are facing a decent upswing in commodity prices, say economists.
The good news isn’t restricted to the pastoral sector – horticulture exports are also rising.
RaboResearch senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins points out that following several years of challenging market dynamics – high input costs and interest rates and lower farmgate prices –
New Zealand agricultural producers look set to be dealt a “significantly improved hand” in 2025.
“The 2025 ‘deck’ looks much improved for New Zealand agricultural producers, providing a relatively strong hand for the year ahead,” says Higgins.
“While there are a couple of ‘wild cards’ and ‘jokers’ to navigate, all in all, we think the deck is stacked in the sector’s favour and, if we play our cards right, a royal flush of opportunities lies ahead for the sector in 2025.”
A contraction in beef numbers globally alongside strong demand from the US is likely to build upon an already strong pricing base for this year and beyond for New Zealand beef, notes Higgins.
“Dairy producers are also likely to see balanced market dynamics in 2025, supporting record nominal farmgate pricing forecast for the 24-25 season.
“Sheepmeat, the laggard of the bunch of late, has kicked off 2025 with lamb prices nearly $2/kg ahead of last year. Aussie sheep numbers are finally dropping and good demand from the UK, EU and US has underpinned recent returns. And, if Chinese demand for mutton picks up, we could be looking at a ‘full house’ for farmgate prices across our major agri export sectors.”
While sheep farmers may not be celebrating yet, BNZ senior economist Doug Steel says the recent 41% gain in the price of a leg of lamb will be welcomed.
Steel notes that there has been a decent upswing in global prices for some of NZ’s major primary export products over the past year. For example, wholemilk powder prices are up 18%, the price of a leg of lamb is up 41%, and the US imported bull beef price is up 24%.
“Such gains will be welcomed by domestic producers and those directly connected to primary sector returns alike. To be sure, not all primary prices have performed as well and some of the price gains have been off previously very low levels (like lamb), but they still represent a significant improve-
ment from year-ago levels.
“It offers material support to the prospect for export returns for the current season’s produce relative to the previous season.”
“These gains were buoyed by the season’s bumper production volumes, which was a major change from the previous cyclone-affected season,” says Steel.
Dairy continues to be a star performer. Last week’s 4.1% in whole milk powder prices takes the flagship product’s price to US$4169/tonne – the highest price in nearly three years.
Westpac’s industry economist Paul Clark says dairy’s market price outlook remains favourable.
He says WMP has led the recovery, reflecting a greater buying presence from Chinese and European buyers and lower offer volumes.
“Increased Chinese purchases reflect efforts to rebuild previously run-down inventories, especially ahead of the Chinese New Year,” Clark says. He notes that Westpac’s forecast milk price for the season – the same as Fonterra’s forecast milk price midpoint of $10/kgMS – could rise.
“Our milk price forecast assumes lower average dairy prices over the remainder of the 2024/25 season. That in turn assumes the rebuilding of dairy inventories in China winds down.
“Latest figures show horticulture exports in 2024 were 31% higher than in 2023. This was driven by kiwifruit with a hefty gain of 44% while apple exports rose 14%.
He says the positives have not been restricted to the major pastoral sectors. Horticulture export returns have also stepped higher.
“However, should the rebuild continue at current pace, that is likely to sustain or push dairy prices even higher, implying an upward revision to our milk payout forecast.”
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ISSUE 819
Gabrielle’s effects linger on
PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
NEWS 1-11
MARKETS 12-13
AGRIBUSINESS 14
HOUND, EDNA 16
CONTACTS 16
OPINION 16-19
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NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS 22-28
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TWO YEARS ago, Cyclone Gabrielle swept through apple and kiwifruit orchards in Hawke’s Bay causing massive damage that has changed the region for ever.
Brydon Nisbet, the president of Hawkes Bay Fruit Growers Federation and a member of Horticulture NZ board, reflects on how the recovery has gone thus far and what the future looks like for apple orchardists like him.
He says if you looked at his orchard now at Puketapu, one of the worst hit areas, you’d hardly know that a cyclone had been through the place leaving massive deposits on silt that have taken months to remove. But Nisbett says the fact that trees are growing and producing a good crop this season is only half the story.
He says trees that appeared to have recovered are still dying at the hands of a water-borne disease called Phytophthora, whose fungi-like organisms lead to root rot disease causing plants to wilt and die.
“I have lost many trees and so have others. It often takes time for the effects of Phytophthora to kick in and every time you grow a crop of apples, this may stress a tree, and it just dies,” he told Rural News.
On top of that there is the financial costs of the cyclone which will leave
GOOD SEASON FOR APPLES
BRYDON NISBET says the mood of growers in Hawke’s Bay is quite upbeat because it’s been a good season for apples.
He says it’s been one of best springs for many years and there was good rain around Christmas.
“All the crops are looking great, the colour is fantastic, size is good and that
brings optimism for the growers – that’s the part that’s right,” he says.
The second part of the equation is out of the hands of growers he says.
Nisbet says the big issue is the returns that growers will get for their apples. He says on top of the cost of dealing with the recovery, growers are facing the high cost of wages, compliance costs
most of those growers who’ve decided to remain in business in debt for many years.
Nisbet says the cyclone has forced him to borrow a lot of money and while he’s been able to get a loan from his bank it will be some time before he can pay off the debt.
In Hawke’s Bay, many orchardists whose properties were badly damaged have quit the industry and sold their land to other orchardists. Others have turned to growing vegetables on the land as a means of creating cashflow. He says a lot more maize, onions and squash are now being grown.
But others like himself replanted trees last year and will plant more this year.
“But in essence the recovery has gone well. Gabrielle destroyed 610 hectares of apple orchards in the region and right now 459 hectares has been replanted,” he says.
and rising on orchard costs.
“So, the export prices need to be good. We have the dollar in our favour but we need to sell our crops for a really good price when the margins are in our favour, so we can not only pay for what we have done this season but also make a decent profit – and that is the hard part,” he says.
Killing season off to a slow start
VARIABLE WEATHER conditions across the country are being blamed for the slow start to the meat processing season.
Chief supply officer for Silver Fern Farms, Jarrod Stewart, says some drier parts of the country saw some much-needed rain, and further south it’s been a relatively colder summer. All of which he says has translated to some farmers holding back animals
•Ideal for Cattle Troughs
•High Flow •Side/Bottom Mount
•Detach to Clean •Compact/Robust
to put on weight.
But he says in other parts of the country SFF are seeing good livestock flows, and for everywhere else we expect flows to start picking up as we get further through the year.
“Farmers will need to reach out to their livestock representative to plan bookings and help avoid any bottlenecks,” he says.
Stewart says in terms of the mar-
kets, SFF continues to see good positivity out of the United States for beef pricing. But he adds they also have their eye on the new administration under President Trump to see if there are going to be any potential policy changes that might impact exports.
“The Chinese New Year period is now underway and this will be an important time for assessing how sentiment among Chinese consum-
•Ideal for Small/Low Demand Troughs •Low Flow ve/Below Water Mount •Built in Check-Valve
ers is tracking,” he says.
Stewart says, overall, this year they’re seeing a more positive perspective in terms of pricing in key markets, but that there’s still some procurement tension underpinning the schedule.
He says, in the meantime, they’ll continue the delicate balance of matching supply to operating capacity. – Peter Burke
•Ideal for Compartment Troughs/Tanks
•High Flow
•Top Mount
•Detach to Clean
•Compact/Robust
Hawke’s Bay fruit grower Brydon Nisbet says the fact that trees are growing and producing a good crop this season is only half the story.
4 NEWS
THE ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Authority (EPA) is bolstering its frontline applications teams in a bid to reduce the timeframe for new product applications, but agri chemical producers say that it isn’t good enough.
The EPA says that apart from hiring more staff, it is creating a prioritisation framework for the queue and developing new group standards for low-risk hazardous substances.
EPA general manager hazardous substances and new organisms, Dr Chris Hill, says the EPA appreciates the industry’s con-
cerns about delays for agrichemical applications.
“Through careful reprioritisation of our funding, we are now in a position to recruit additional frontline staff for a new team,” says Hill.
“And once our full raft of improvements are complete, we will see an increase in applications being processed.”
It is also working with the Ministry for the Environment on amendments to the HSNO Act and improving communication and transparency with applicants and stakeholders.
Hill says changes made previously, such as the hiring of additional applications staff in recent years and the
introduction of the international regulator rapid assessment pathway, were now starting to have an impact.
“For the first time in more than four years, we are deciding a similar number of applications to new applications that
are lodged. In the seven months of this financial year there have been 36 release applications lodged and 34 decided. Of these, 32 were rapid or lower-risk assessments and two were higher-tier risk assessments.
“This is in addition to
sustained performance in processing containment applications, which are often for agrichemical field trials, with 25 lodged and 25 decided this year.”
But Animal and Plant Health NZ says that while EPA’s intent to recruit more staff to process new agricultural and horticultural product applications, but says its members believe that more fundamental action is required.
“The backlog of approvals and lengthy timeframes for new product applications are disadvantaging our farmers and growers,” says Animal and Plant Health NZ chief executive Dr Liz Shackleton.
“We acknowledge and
appreciate EPA’s efforts to recruit, while noting the most complex applications in the queue (Category C) rely on highly specialist eco/toxicologist resource to process them, and these specialists are few and in high demand globally,” says Shackleton.
“Members’ reservations are that it will take significant time to see real impact. This is especially true for products that have already been sitting in the queue for years after applications have been lodged and then reported as formally received. Deciding a similar number of applications to new applications lodged, while positive, does not make headway with the backlog, so more
is needed.
“This all points to the importance of the Ministry of Regulation’s independent review of the whole process, the legislation, the targets and reporting behind it.
“A dozen primary sector and business leaders have called for strengthened governance, accountability and legislative settings to ensure risk balance and predictable timeframes.
“The sector sees the need for a more balanced risk mindset, where the current precautionary ‘say no’ approach is balanced with saying ‘yes’ to innovation that supports growth and improves sustainability and trade outcomes.”
DairyNZ seeks more cash
future.
FOR THE first time in 17 years, DairyNZ wants farmers to contribute more cash to run the industry-good organisation.
Under the commodity levies act, DairyNZ can ask farmers to front up with up to 5c/kgMS from their milk cheques. But in the 17 years of DairyNZ’s existence, dairy farmers have only been levied 3.6c/kgMS.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown told Rural News that the 3.6 cents levy is no longer sustainable to keep the organisation running and to invest in new projects to meet the challenges dairy farmers face now and into the
To that end, the industry good organisation has embarked on a major feedback exercise to find out just how much more farmers are prepared to pay. They have set up a feedback form on their website and are running information events right throughout the country over the coming month.
The board has put up two options – the first is just to maintain the status quo in terms of service delivery and to do that they need to raise the levy by between 4.4c and 4.6c/kgMS. The second option called the ‘accelerator option’ would see the levy rise to the maximum possible under the Act - 5c/kgMS.
At present based on
NEW STRATEGY
TRACY BROWN says in the past year DairyNZ has conducted a very detailed review of its business, has produced a new strategy, changed some priorities and configured the workforce of the organisation to meet the needs of the strategy.
She says the reason they have kept the levy low over the past few years was because the organisation drew down about $3-4 million of its reserves gained in the 1990s to effectively subsidise the present activities.
“But we can’t go on this way anymore. For example, over the past 10 years, government has cut our science funding by 60% and the amount of money coming in from the present levy has plateaued. We have also looked at developing new partnerships, but in the end, there isn’t enough money coming in to properly run the business,” she says.
Brown says the 4.6c option will essentially mean business as usual, while the ‘accelerator’ or stretch option is about future proofing the industry and having the money to do research into challenges that the industry faces now and will do so in the future.
“So, what I really want to know is if farmers have the appetite and willingness to invest in their future and the future of dairying and people that will run their business after them,” she says.
Brown says dairy farmers should not be surprised at this latest consultation process because it was signalled to them at last year’s annual meeting,
It should be pointed out the present ‘consultation’ is not a binding referendum – rather a process to suss out the feelings of dairy farmers to invest more in their organisation. Arguably the time for this consultation could be said to be perfect, with some optimistic predictions around the farmgate milk price for this season.
RURAL ONLINE
the 3.6c/kgMS levy a dairy farmer who produces 100,000 kgMS pays $3,600 but if the levy was increased to 4.4c/kgMS they would pay an addi-
tional $800 on 100,000 kgMS.
If there was support for a 5c levy the extra cost per 100,000 kgMS would be $1,400.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says the current levy isn’t sustainable to keep the organisation running.
Wool carpet u-turn
‘could help growers’
IF A New Zealand wool carpet maker were to win the bid for the hotly debated Kainga Ora state housing contract, the benefits to New Zealand would be “far reaching”.
That’s according to Bremworth chief executive Greg Smith who told Rural News that were the contract to go to a New Zealand wool carpet sup-
plier as opposed to a synthetic carpet supplier, it would mean the Government would essentially be importing less plastic and instead supporting New Zealand wool growers, their suppliers and com-
munities.
“If government select a New Zealand-made wool carpet, the benefits get even better for New Zealand because we then have the local wool buyers, through to
“This approach gives all suppliers the fair chance to put their best proposals forward, and we look forward to seeing what they can offer.”
wool scour, dyehouse, wool spinners and carpet tufters.
“In addition to those benefits, we also believe it will be a much nicer product for Kainga Ora’s clients to live their lives on because wool is easy to clean and maintain, it continues to look fabulous over time, it’s nice to touch and it’s naturally fire retardant.”
Smith’s comments come after late last year when it was discovered that state housing provider Kainga Ora had opted to rule out the use of wool carpets in social housing at the proposal stage.
This was despite the National-NZ First coalition agreement, signed in 2023, requiring that government agencies be directed to use woollen fibres where practical and appropriate in government buildings.
That followed a similar furore in July 2023 when the Ministry of Education opted to use synthetic carpets manufactured by a US company in small and remote schools.
Subsequently, at the end of last month it was announced that Kainga Ora would reopen its decision to tender for carpets in state housing, thus allowing wool carpet suppliers to bid, a decision welcomed by and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson.
“I welcome Kainga Ora’s decision to change its tender approach,” Patterson says.
“This is a great step toward ensuring wool, a sustainable and highquality product, is given the fair consideration it
deserves.
“It creates a level playing field, supports the wool industry and honours the coalition agreement,” he adds.
Kainga Ora chief executive Matt Crockett says that traditionally the state housing provider used solution dyed nylon carpet due to its durability and price.
“Kainga Ora owns and maintains more than 75,000 homes throughout New Zealand. Over the two years to 30 June 2026, we are adding a further 2,650 new homes to our portfolio and will be significantly renovating or replacing another 3,000 existing homes,” Crockett says.
He says the Request for Proposal is an opportunity to retest market pricing for both wool and nylon carpet offerings as part of its procurement process.
“This approach gives all suppliers the fair chance to put their best proposals forward, and we look forward to seeing what they can offer.”
Meanwhile Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says the decision is a “cause for celebration” for strong-wool farmers.
“Kainga Ora’s previous tender process pulled the rug out from under the nation’s farmers and didn’t even give the sector a chance to put its best foot forward,” Williams says.
“Now it’s up to wool carpet providers to make sure their proposals are competitive, and highlight all the factors that make the natural product superior to synthetics.”
JESSICA MARSHALL
Greg Smith, Bremworth chief executive
Top dairy CEO quits
ARGUABLY ONE of the country’s top dairy company’s chief executives, Richard Wyeth has abruptly quit the Chinese owned Westland Milk Products (WMP).
However, Wyeth told Rural News there is nothing untoward in his sudden departure and that it is very amicable. He says it all came about over the holidays when he began thinking about the future and decided that this was the right time to make a move.
He says the last four years at WMP have been both challenging and rewarding and he was ready for a break.
“The challenge when I came into the CEO role was to turn the business around and bring pride and profitability to Westland. With the turnaround of the business largely complete, it is a natural time for me to step aside, and I wish Mr Li all the best in taking over the CEO role,” he says.
It’s understood that with Chinese companies, when a person decides to leave, they generally don’t work out their notice and are quickly replaced – in this case by Zhiqiang Li, who became acting CEO of WMP from the end of January.
Li has praised the work of Wyeth saying Westland has enjoyed
enormous success in important markets, such as the US with Westgold Butter.
He also noted WMP’s investment in production facilities for highvalue ingredients that has placed the company in a strong position to continue this trend.
Before joining WMP, Richard Wyeth was the first chief executive of Miraka – the Māoriowned dairy company near Taupo.
“I thought that the challenge of setting up Miraka would never be surpassed, but in fact bringing Westland into the position it is today has been equally challenging,” he says.
Wyeth says he plans to
FE SURVEY UNDERWAY
BEEF+LAMB NZ wants farmers to complete a survey that will shed light on the financial toll of facial eczema (FE) at the farm level.
They say this critical research will inform solutions as part of the multi-sector “Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts” (EFEI) programme.
Becky Dymond, senior advisor farmer engagement at B+LNZ, says FE costs the New Zealand livestock industry an estimated $332 million annually but says the true impact on individual farms - the decisions, sacrifices, and challenges - remains unclear.
“Whether you’ve experienced FE firsthand or not, your input is vital to help researchers understand the broader economic and operational effects,” she says.
Dymond says the results of the survey will help researchers quan-
tify the financial impacts of FE across different farming systems and regions, and contribute to the development of support strategies and tools to reduce the financial challenges caused by FE.
She says B+LNZ understands that farmers are incredibly busy and already have a lot on their plates, but says the survey will take just 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Dymond says the information they want to get from the survey will focus on financial and management data, such as approximate revenue, animal health expenses and stock class numbers. She says farmers’ privacy is their top priority. Data will remain completely anonymous and will only be used for EFEI research, presented in summary form to ensure individual confidentiality.
“This survey is a crucial oppor-
take three months off and size up his options. He says he’s still keen to take on another CEO role, ideally but not necessarily in the primary sector.
He says he’ll do some travel, spend time at a house he and his wife own in the North Island and evaluate future options.
But he says he can’t ever see himself not working because he loves dealing with people and helping them to reach their potential.
“I was 35 years old when I became CEO of Miraka and I’m now 50, but I know that I have at least one more CEO role in me,” he says.
@rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
tunity to make your voice heard and help us design solutions that genuinely make a difference for you and your business.
“By sharing your experience, you’re contributing to tools and strategies that will help strengthen the resilience of our farming communities and businesses for years to come,” she says.
For those who complete the survey, there is a potential reward. All participants who complete the survey by 28 February, 2025 will go into the draw to win one of two $250 Greenlea Meats vouchers.
The Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts programme is jointly funded by B+LNZ, the Government through the Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund and other primary sector companies and levy bodies. – Peter Burke
PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
Richard Wyeth
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Forums to help sharpen business skills
APPLICATIONS FOR
the 2025 intake of Rabobank’s Farm Managers Programme (FMP) and Executive Development Programme (EDP) are now open.
Part of Rabobank’s Business Management Programmes developed specifically for primary producers from across New Zealand and Australia, these programmes are designed for producers looking to take their business and leadership to the next level.
“These programmes allow [producers] the opportunity to take a step back from the dayto-day operational side of their businesses and spend time developing strategies to ensure that their operations remain resilient into the future,” explains Rabobank general manager for country
banking Bruce Weir.
“At the same time, they provide participants with networking opportunities with like-minded primary producers from different sectors across the two countries.
“In many cases, relationships started on the programmes continue far beyond the completion of the course. Previous participants tell us these ongoing relationships are a key benefit of the course and we help to foster these via our regular Business Management Programme alumni events across New Zealand and Australia.”
The FMP is suitable for up-and-coming farmers looking to enhance their decision-making capabilities, while the EDP caters for experienced business owners or senior managers.
Weir said this year’s
FMP will be run in Victoria’s Yarra Valley from June 15 to 20, providing a forum for farmers from across a range of agricultural sectors to find out what is working for them in their farming roles.
Confirmed presenters for the FMP include former AFL player and rural health advocate Brett Burton and former Executive Dean of Busi-
ness and Law at Southern Cross University, Dr Robin Stonecash.
Weir says for the third year running the lineup of FMP presenters would include Kate Scott, recently-appointed Horticulture New Zealand CEO.
“We’re excited to have her involved again this year to provide insights into the New Zealand
sustainability story, sharing practical advice on sustainable farm-business planning.
“The programme will help participants enhance their leadership and operational skills to prepare themselves for future management roles, and includes sessions on topics including communication and influencing skills, conflict manage-
ment, sustainable farm business planning, financial management and managing people.”
The EDP, aimed at building participants’ planning capabilities and commercial management skills, runs as two one-week long residential modules approximately a year apart.
To be held at Macquarie University in Sydney, the first module of the EDP will run from August 24 to 29 with the second scheduled for late July 2026.
Key topics covered on the programme include formulation and implementation of long-term strategy, applying effective economic rationale to goal setting and decision making and effective leadership skills.
Between the first and second modules of the programme, participants
will be tasked with developing a management project which explores opportunities to make improvements within their own farming operation.
“This element of the programme gives participants an opportunity to immediately apply the skills and knowledge from the first EDP module,” explains Weir.
“Over the years, we’ve had some fantastic ideas outlined in these projects which have resulted in significant positive benefits for our participants’ farming businesses.”
Over the past 25 years, more than 1,400 primary producers from both sides of the Tasman have participated in the Business Management Programmes. Applications for the FMP and EDP close on Monday, March 31.
Participants from Rabobank’s 2024 Executive Development Programme.
A more prosperous year ahead
Dairy
THE YEAR 2025 is on track to be the year that milk supply growth is likely to eventuate from all major exporting regions. Since the end of last year, global milk supply growth from major exporting regions has been on the rise.
RaboResearch thinks 2025 volumes are likely to hit around 323m tonnes, on par with the prior
year. Milk production momentum will continue through 2025, supported by improved profitability for farmers. RaboResearch forecasts 2025 production to be 0.8% year-on-year higher, a level not anticipated to overwhelm markets.
This year is also likely to be a year of improved margins for most producers in exporting regions.
Farmgate milk prices
are trending higher than year-ago levels.
Furthermore, across the global feed complex, there are no significant issues for dairy producers due to mostly favourable prices and availability.
Dairy farm margins are likely to benefit from these factors.
For New Zealand dairy farmers specifically, the year ahead is likely to be characterised by
improved demand from China, following multiple years of declining import volumes.
Farmgate milk prices in China shifted lower once more in December 2024 marking a 15% YOY decline. However, this trend reversed in January 2025, with the Chinese milk price shifting upward – a tentative signal that the oversupply of local dairy in the Chinese market has hit the bottom. This follows herd reductions and farm exits, particularly among smaller operators, earlier in the year.
Locally, New Zealand milk supplies have continued to grow. December 2024 milk collections were 1.4% higher than the prior year, bringing season-to-date production to 3.1% on a tonnage basis. The weather over
the summer period has supported excellent grass growth.
However, strong growth rates last December resulted in weaker monthly growth rates compared to the earlier trends of the season so far.
We will likely see stronger production figures compared to last year remain a theme over the beginning of 2025.
Beef
BEEF FARMGATE pricing is likely to remain above the five-year average throughout 2025. Currently, farmgate prices are up to $1.50/kg cwt higher than the fiveyear average.
A combination of procurement competition and strong demand from key export markets has kept prices steady,
with January schedules still close to the seasonal spring high. “Average” long-term data suggests pricing is likely to track sideways over the coming months. With market signals still strong, this will provide good returns in beef for 2025.
Beef livestock inventory presents a challenge for exporters keen to procure animals. Fewer calves were reared in the previous two seasons, and high milk prices have resulted in fewer cattle available compared to 2023 and 2024. Additionally, welcome summer rain across the east coast over the holiday season has relieved pressure to de-stock early.
New Zealand Meat Board slaughter data for the first three months of the export year (since October 1) sees total
national head count down 3% YOY with prime steer beef experiencing the largest YOY reduction at 12%.
RaboResearch forecasts a 4% decrease in total beef slaughter numbers for the export year (ending September 2025), leading to reduced overall production. The Beef + Lamb NZ survey for June 2024 projected a 2.8% decrease in total beef cattle numbers, down to 3.55m head. Although pricing will be strong for farmers, the total volume of exports is likely to be down YOY.
Overall, 2025 is set to be a strong and exciting year for beef farmers in New Zealand.
Sheepmeat 2025 BEGINS with a pleasantly different story in sheepmeat compared
to this time 12 months ago. Lamb farmgate pricing is now sitting close to 50c/kg cwt above the five-year average price – a difference not seen since May 2023. In November, average export prices for lamb reached $11.53/ kg cwt, the highest value since October 2022.
The main fundamentals shifting the needle in sheepmeat pricing both now and into 2025 are the slowly declining Australian sheep inventory and improved demand and exports to markets outside of China, espe-
cially for lamb. Although Australian sheep numbers remain high, they have decreased from the 2023 to 2024 highs.
The 2023-24 export year saw just over 18m head of lamb processed, according to New Zealand Meat Board numbers.
RaboResearch thinks lamb slaughter numbers in the 2024/25 export season may come in under 17m, with Beef + Lamb NZ estimating a 5% YOY decline in lamb crop (a reduction of South Island lamb inventory).
The total volume of
sheepmeat exports in the 2024 calendar year (up to the end of November) was down 2% YOY to 338,000 tonnes. During the same period, Europe became the top market for the value of sheepmeat exports at $851m and just over 55,000 tonnes, up 13% YOY for volume.
China remains ever important for volume with close to 150,000 tonnes shipped (down 29% YOY) at a value of $826m (up to the end of November).
Venison
IN 2024, venison production was a story of reduced supply and a positive post-pandemic market recovery, resulting in stable farmgate pricing. Prices are expected to remain strong for producers throughout 2025. At the start of the year, farmgate prices were 18% above the fiveyear average, at $9.10/ kg cwt. Although these prices are at five-year
highs for this time of the year, an industry target of $10.00+/kg cwt would help ensure strong margins with ever increasing on-farm costs.
On 1 July 2024, Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ), in collaboration with all five-venison exporters in New Zealand, launched its North America retail accelerator project. This initiative
received funding support from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) - Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF). The $5m investment is forecast to deliver an initial return of $20m through increased retail sales to the US, and keep balance with food service.
Early results of this programme appear positive, as exports to the
US and Canada show significant year-on-year increases in volumes in 2024.
Given the focus of the industry, this shift away from the traditional EU market is expected to continue for venison. The limiting factor for total volumes to offshore markets will most likely be supply limitations from New Zealand, rather than
weak demand.
With New Zealand leading the charge globally in farmed deer, and with a positive story to tell around biosecurity and animal welfare, along with diversified export markets, RaboResearch expects the deer industry in 2025 to focus on value, with solid returns likely to flow through to farmers this year.
Solid returns are likely to flow through to deer farmers this year.
Expo set to deliver in spades
THE COUNTDOWN is on to be one of the most anticipated events in the sheep and beef industry, the East Coast Farming Expo.
The two day mid-week gathering is renowned for its thought-provoking speakers, top-notch technology displays, expertise and as the place to go to mix and mingle with likeminded people.
Organiser Sue Wilson says the focus is always to ensure East Coast sheep and beef farmers have the very best of information and innovation at their fingertips to help them make positive changes to their businesses.
Trade is at a record level this year, and tickets to the Property Brokers Evening Muster, featuring rugby league legend Tawera Nikau are selling fast.
The Expo is a chance to hear from Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year Ben Purua who overcame the toughest of challenges to become the best version of himself and is now helping others.
Another guest speaker is the fascinating James Powrie, the chief executive of the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group, who are collaborating to do some exciting experimental projects with woody debris. He also leads the Urban Kakabeak Project that aims to secure genetics of the wild Kakabeak to ensure it doesn’t disappear forever.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand animal health research principal scientist Cara Brosnahan – the Wormwise facilitator for the Gisborne and Wairoa region – will discuss man-
aging facial eczema and parasites on farm.
Virtual fencing is the way of the future according to hill country farmer James Parsons who delves into this
“game changing” option during his presentation with Central Hawke’s Bay farmer Mathew Barham.
Ngā Wahine te Pamu Nancy Crawshaw, Mickey Trotter, Alice Anderson
Event details
and Ariana Hadfield are poised to give in-depth insights into the many opportunities and successes for women in the primary industries.
vibrant region, and they do that wherever they can. Trust chair Sefton Alexander says they know and understand the rural landscape and like to celebrate the innovation, talent and people of the East Coast.
Andrew Hoggard, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety and Associate Minister of Agriculture and for the Environment, will be speaking at 2.30pm on Thursday.
Land use options following the December Government announcement to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme will be the topic delved into by Property Brokers rural general manager Conrad Wilkshire on Wednesday.
The Rural News Cadet Challenge and Beef + Lamb NZ Station Challenge bring plenty of fun, with a serious message to the Expo.
The Wairoa Community Development Trust has been delivering the Expo for years now, riding out the challenging times including Covid and cyclones.
Their goal is simple – to enhance the rural social landscape and contribute to a thriving and
Wilson says the trust will continue to deliver an event designed especially to connect agribusinesses with sheep and beef farmers, enabling quality conversations and opportunities to keep building relationships with our East Coast farming communities.
“Events like this are important to our rural communities but can only be done with the ongoing support from our sponsors, volunteers and supporters,” she says.
CO-OP BOOSTS CHILLED EXPORTS TO CHINA
ALLIANCE GROUP has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.
The company’s Levin and Mataura plants have received certification to process and export chilled beef to China, strengthening Alliance’s ability to meet growing international demand.
“This is not only an excellent outcome for the important China market, but it also strengthens our global options,” says Wayne Shaw, general manager safety and processing at Alliance Group.
The company has already successfully shipped its first load of chilled beef from its Levin plant, which cleared customs in China in early January. A shipment from Mataura has arrived in China, further expanding the company’s footprint
in the premium chilled beef sector.
“China remain a significant market for New Zealand red meat, with strong demand for high-quality, grass-fed beef.
“The approval of additional processing plants gives Alliance greater flexibility in our supply chain and the ability to respond more effectively to market opportunities.
“It also allows us to optimise processing capacity across our network, providing better outcomes for both our farmer shareholders and our customers.”
The move aligns with Alliance Group’s long-term beef strategy, says Shaw.
“We’re continuing to invest in expanding our beef processing capabilities, including at our Levin plant, and driving growth in our premium beef brands.”
EDITORIAL
Will big be better?
THE SHAKEUP to the science sector with the proposed merger of four ag related crown research institutes (CRIs) into one conglomerate has drawn little public reaction.
Perhaps surprising given the importance of science to the future prosperity of NZ and the primary sector.
Much has been made by government that putting all the ag related CRI’s into one organisation will be in the interests of NZ, but no details about the cost of the benefits of the merger have been made public. These will apparently be ‘worked through’ as part of the transition planning.
The concept of a mega ag science institution sounds enticing, but the question remains, is big best? Will the new conglomerate deliver better science and be agile to change, or end up being another unwieldy bureaucratic conglomerate with a new logo? Size is not a guarantee of performance!
Former politician Steven Joyce noted in a newspaper article: “It’s a pity that the emphasis appears to be more on structure than delivery” and that “the merger is likely to be costly, distracting and achieve little” and has the hallmarks of rearranging the deckchairs in the science system.
Surprising to many is that the main gatekeeper of science funding, the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), wasn’t reviewed in tandem with the CRI’s. To leave them out of this review is questionable. Scientists have long complained that the biggest problem they face is dealing with MBIE’s complex ‘bureaucratic nightmare’ system to get bids for funding accepted.
There is talk of a review of MBIE and a proposal to create new science ministry. We had one of those in 1990’s and early 2000’s. So, is it back to square one again?
Finally, and most importantly, will there be more money for science in the future, and will there be better communication of science as the result of the report? Don’t hold your breath!
• Peter Burke is the founder of the Science Communicators Association of NZ
THE HOUND
Colonial science?
SCIENCE FUNDING for the bulwark of the nation, agriculture, is in a parlous state and less taxpayer money is shelled out for it every year. So, imagine your old mate’s surprise when he heard that instead of increasing funding for such ‘colonial science’, more is going to projects like ‘research’ into whether playing whale song to sick kauri trees can fix kauri die-back. Sounds ridiculous, and yet the project got the green light, was managed by MBIE, and the actual payments were funneled through Landcare Research. Officials are still refusing a line-by-line breakdown but, in total, this mātauranga Māoribased ‘research’ cost taxpayers $4,027,020. Te Tira Whakamātaki Ltd did the ‘work’. Its “co-founder and trustee”, Melanie MarkShadbolt, is also the co-director of the BioHeritage Science Challenge Science – i.e. the government initiative funding the project!
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Who’s the glutton?
WE ARE told there is a wine glut –production outstripping demand worldwide – and the words ‘wine lakes’ are being thrown around. This old mutt reckons that in this situation, the prices of wine in our supermarkets might fall, at least a tiny bit, but this doesn’t appear to be the case. So, what’s happening, are the winemakers holding up their prices or, more likely, are the wholesalers and retailers leaving the RRPs where they were and fattening their margins? It would be interesting to find out the truth, but these days, truth is a very scarce commodity. The only answer to good, cheap wine may be finding out that recipe of two thousand or more years ago of instantly turning water into wine.
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Veg, no meat?
WHY DO vegans and others opposed to eating meat try to convince others that a plant based diet is the best, when they themselves actively seek out veg-based products that taste like meat? Things like ‘Not Bacon’, ‘Not Sausages’ etc - the list is long - are designed to mimic the flavour of meat and are popular with those who actively criticise meat eaters. Yet the ‘not meat’ products they buy are a poor substitute for the real thing, judging by the failures of a number of manufacturers of this goop. Clearly, some vegans claim to hate meat, yet in their hearts, they really long for a juicy T-bone steak. Or perhaps bacon. They say the smell of bacon is the ‘gateway drug’ – good enough to turn a half-hearted vegetarian back from the dark side!
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Ruth reckons
RUTH RICHARDSON, architect of the 1991 ‘Mother of all Budgets’ and the economic reforms dubbed ‘Ruthanasia’, added her two cents to the Treaty Principles Bill with a submission that essentially says it’s time to “have the sovereign authority” define the principles of the Treaty “by design” rather than continue to let them be defined “by accident” by unaccountable institutions like activists in the Courts, the Waitangi Tribunal and officialdom. She says Parliament should define them, and she rejects assertions by some [e.g. NZ On Air’s media slush fund] that sovereignty was never ceded to the Crown, saying Article 1 clearly shows it was. The Bill will be voted down, but its true value lies in letting smarter cookies than your old mate thrash it out in a considered, reasoned fashion, aptly demonstrated by ‘Ruth’s Reckons’.
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“What a crazy sleep – I dreamt you’d been so moved by Waitangi day you’d gone out and got yourself a moko!”
Kiwi farmers are the best
PRE-PARLIAMENT, I was involved with the International Dairy Federation. I attended firstly business meetings at the annual conference, then later, board meetings as a sitting board member.
Unlike meetings in various parts of New Zealand, we didn’t have a karakia at the start of the meeting, or introductory prayer. What we did
my colleague Mark Cameron and his primary production select committee reporting back on their findings on the wider subject of that difference between rural and urban margins with the banking inquiry.
One of the banks did come out and say there was no proof of any collusion. Here’s the question I have for them: What are the steps that Net Zero Banking Alliance is taking
Given that experience, I understand where Federated Farmers were coming from when they asked the question of the Commerce Commission: is the Net Zero Banking Alliance not market collusion?
have was the reading of an anti-trust statementand us all accepting it - or leaving the room. That statement basically said that we wouldn’t discuss anything that could influence milk prices by discussing any sort of managing of supply. This was taken extremely seriously by the organisation; we wanted to ensure there was no perceived cartellike behaviour.
Given that experience, I understand where Federated Farmers were coming from when they asked the question of the Commerce Commission: is the Net Zero Banking Alliance not market collusion?
On the surface of it you have a grouping of companies who have come together, and it could be viewed as having started talking about reducing supply of their products to a segment of the market. You reduce supply; well, the law of supply and demand says quite clearly prices go up. The Net Zero Banking Alliance is a subset of the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative. It would be a stretch to think that Net Zero banking is solely responsible for the difference between rural and urban bank margins, but it’s a fair question to ask – does it play a part? I look forward to
free to do so, then I don’t see the problem.
We seem to see lots of organisations feeling they have a role in combating climate change, in some cases applying what I feel is rather narrowly focused thinking to a global issue.
A great example of
this that thankfully never saw the light of day, was in the previous government, where every government department was required to reduce its footprint.
Can you believe that Corrections were looking at whether they should shut down their farms
because owning those farms, in theory, was a considerable amount of their departmental emissions?
No thought given to prisoner rehabilitation, or the fact if they sold the farms, someone else just buys them and keeps farming, or that farms
IF HIGHER PRODUCTION IS YOUR END GOAL…
THEN LOOK TO THE START TO ENSURE YOU ACHIEVE IT.
produce fresh, locallygrown food.
Frankly, I back our farmers, because New Zealand farmers do it better than anyone else. • Andrew Hoggard is the Associate Minister for Agriculture.
to ensure that they are on the right side of antitrust laws? Do they have procedures in place to ensure that such behaviour shouldn’t occur? Is there no undue pressure placed on any bank to be a part of this program? What’s to stop any bank from deciding they quite like lending to farmers, so rather than reduce the amount of lending to farmers, they might increase it?
Now, they may well do so on the basis that those farmers have a lower intensity impact. But these are the questions that should be asked and answered.
Some discussion has been around whether the banks or others should even be operating in this space. Quite simply, every business should be free to choose who it does business with - with the obvious caveat that decision isn’t based around discriminating on race, gender, religion, or in the case of Canterbury, where you went to school.
Jokes aside, the decision should be an individual company’s decision, not a collective. Otherwise, this has major impacts on how the market functions. If one company wants to act like the superior moral voice of humanity, then as long as other companies who just want to provide a legal good or service are
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ANDREW HOGGARD
Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard
Everybody needs food
ALL MODELS are wrong.
All surveys are shaped by the designers by the choices given. All responses to survey questions are influenced by the starting point of the respondents. Everyone is looking for a bargain in one facet of life or
Everybody needs food. These basic points can be amended with the comment that the results from some models can be useful, survey results can give insights into the perspective of the creator as well as of respondents, and whether one does or
thing a bargain depends upon one’s values and position along the supply chain. But everybody does need food – no amendment necessary.
This need for food keeps the New Zealand economy afloat.
The Primary Purpose
the beginning of the year, showed that an increasing number of people in New Zealand acknowledge our role in food security and the economy. This is backed by the results of surveys from Research First, which means that the positive vibes about
more than one source –which is important when trying to gauge what is really happening.
There is more support from the Curia Poll data (Taxpayers’ Union, January 2025) and the results from IPSOS (October 2024) where the responses show clearly that cost of living and the economy are of more importance in day-today concern than anything else. In the Curia poll, the cost-of-living was the number one concern (over 22% of respondents), the economy was second (17.5%) and the environment was fifth (5.8%). In the IPSOS poll, cost-of-living was top concern (55%), healthcare was second (41%), economy was third (28%) and environment was seventeenth (5%).
This does not mean that people don’t care about the environment.
Primary Perspective results show environmental impact as the number one reason people might have negative views about food production. However, the reasons cited appear to be more connected with monocultural cropping overseas than any production system that we have in New Zea-
Education is required. The Primary Purpose survey results showed that older generations were more positive about farming than younger generations but didn’t ask what the alternatives to farming might be. Nor the unintended consequences of not farming…
If farmers and growers aren’t looking after the land, who will? The Department of Conservation is already spread too thinly (a $70 million funding gap over the next four years was predicted last July).
And where will food be sourced from? Other countries where adherence to environmental, animal welfare and human employment standards are lower than in New Zealand? Or the much-vaunted precision fermentation where sugar crops (which New Zealand can’t grow) are an important input? Will they take-up a plant-
based diet not realising the supplements that will be necessary to ensure nutritional adequacy? Or the fact that New Zealand doesn’t have enough cropping land to supply what would be needed?
In parts of the northern hemisphere, farmers are having these conversations with politicians and society through protests. In the UK, for instance, the inheritance tax has resulted in explanations that the family farm won’t exist in the future – and the question is being asked about the corporate alternative.
Family and friends might not realise how farmers in other countries are managing to survive. It is important to keep explaining the facts at summer gatherings. It is also important to remember that New Zealand farmers have a range of levy and membership bodies working with regional and national government to try and explain the realities of alternatives and unintended consequences. They are calculating the economic impact as well as the potential social disruption. The government has stated that the export economy cannot be doubled in value without the primary sector.
The Bio-Economy is a major focus for the science reorganisation. Michael Porter, American strategy guru, would approve. His mantra is taking your comparative advantage and turning it into a competitive advantage. It works on stage, the runway and the sporting field, and for companies and countries.
Farmers and growers are New Zealand’s competitive advantage. The models and surveys mostly have the same message – and people always need food.
• Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, CNZM HFNZIAHS, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, has an honours degree in Environmental Agriculture and a PhD in Soil Science. She is on the Board of Directors of DairyNZ, Deer Industry NZ and Ravensdown, and of the World Farmers’ Organisation Scientific Council.
GMO deregulation risky for farmers
DAVID WILLIAMS
RECENT PROGRESS in methods for gene manipulations suggests exciting new possibilities in medicine and agriculture, but significant risks remain and a lot could go wrong.
So, to get the best from them and to look after our health, the environment, and premium markets, they need to be well regulated.
I am aware of this as a scientist working on gene therapy techniques to treat inherited human diseases at the University of California Los Angeles.
So why is a scientist based in the US interested in how New Zealand handles GMOs?
I grew up on a sheep and beef farm on Banks Peninsula that my brother’s family now runs. I am currently back in NZ, staying on the the family farm where we have had discussions about proposed changes to regulating GMOs - especially the effects these changes could have on NZ farmers. I am also on the
board of the Sustainability Council, founded by Sir Peter Elworthy.
Here are some observations from my perspective about current gene technologies to produce GMOs, how government is proposing to handle them, and what that might mean for farming.
Unlike scientists working in NZ, I receive no research funding from NZ and have no financial conflict of interest with respect to this country’s GMO regulations.
Fundamentally, current gene editing approaches involve many of those used in generating earlier GMOs. They have been around for over 50 years.
More recently these approaches have become easier (and faster) to use, especially in making small changes in DNA to make a GMO. However, current methods haven’t reduced the risks. They still carry the risk of unintended changes, e.g. making alterations to other genes in addition to the gene being targeted.
And small changes in genes can be just as devastating as large changes. They are just harder to detect.
Hence, current GMO methods also allow for the creation of harm
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
reunion of Lincoln College’s Diploma of Agriculture Class of 1974, scheduled for April 10-12, 2025. Join us to celebrate with classmates from:
• 1974 Diploma of Agriculture (two-year course 1973/74)
• 1974 Diploma of Agriculture (one-year course)
• 1975 follow-on courses:
• Diploma in Valuation & Farm Manage-
easier (and faster), making regulation of GMOs even more essential.
Yet the Government is proposing to allow gene editing techniques and GMO test-
ing to be unregulated. That means no specific safety tests, no ability to set up methods for segregating gene edited crops within supply chains (and so preserving nonGMO production), and no legal liability if there is cross-contamination that results in rejection in an export market. This concerns me as a scientist using these techniques because they are highly experimental, especially from a safety perspective.
We continue to be presented with frequent surprises – the kind of surprises that should only happen in the confines of the lab – not in our fields or in foods.
A major reason the Government has stated for weakening the rules around GMOs is to make it easier to develop new medical therapies. However, this simply doesn’t make sense. Medical research occurs in laboratories that are regulated by laboratory biosafety regulations (as they are in other countries), and therefore it would be
AG CLASSMATE REUNION
ment
• Diploma in Farm Management, Foundation Year
• Diploma in Field Technology
In collaboration with the Lincoln University Alumni and Development Team, we are putting together an unforgettable reunion. However, we face the challenge of incomplete university records, which only list graduates.
Our goal is to include all attendees,
not just those who completed their courses.
Reunion Schedule:
Thursday, April 10th (Evening): Informal get-together at the Famous Grouse (Lincoln Hotel).
Friday, April 11th: Activities at Lincoln University and a reunion dinner at the Famous Grouse Hotel.
Saturday, April 12th: A free day for any activities (ideas welcome).
essentially unaffected by the proposed law changes.
We all want to solve problems like exotic pests and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as improve farm production. Yet there is no sound evidence that GMOs have delivered any sustainable net benefit to farmers, or will do so through easing GMO regulations. Historically, GM crops have not been a success. Over the past 30 years, three GM crops (corn, soy and cotton) have accounted for nearly all GMO production.
In support of deregulation, the Government has emphasized “pie in the sky” roles for GMOs.
An immediate effect is that this bias diverts attention from more pragmatic non-GMO approaches for addressing our environmental problems and advancing NZ farming.
Another effect is that it may make it harder for NZ farmers to access premium overseas markets.
As a consumer in the
We encourage you to bring your partners along. Special accommodation rates are available at Lincoln Motels (www.lincolnmotel.co.nz) and The Famous Grouse Hotel (https://www. famousgrousehotel.co.nz) under “Dip Ag 1974 Reunion.”
Registration opens in February 2025. Please email: dipag74reunion@gmail. com for help with missing contact details or to make sure you receive all updates.
US, I have noticed that a product’s GMO-free status has value. Verification by the Non-GMO Project, which is North America’s most-trusted third-party certifier, is a fast growing area in supermarkets in the US. Interestingly, organic food producers are seeking GMO-free verification in addition to the USDA Organic label. This often results in food with both labels, even though to obtain USDA organic verification the item cannot contain anything from a GMO. In other words, GMO-free verification has a marketing value that is worth paying for, even though it is redundant.
NZ farmers should understand the safety and market risks from GMOs and not let enthusiasm for remote possibilities extinguish the present premium standing in the marketplace.
• David Williams is professor of ophthalmology and neurobiology, university of California, Los Angeles.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact me directly. We’re looking forward to reconnecting and making this event memorable for all.
Ian Jenkins
Organiser (with support from Lincoln University Alumni and Development Team)
Phone: 0274523405
Email: dipag74reunion@gmail.com
Velvetleaf a real risk to crops
ANY FARMER that harvests or buys crops risks inviting one of the world’s most invasive pest plants onto their property – to their detriment.
Velvetleaf, which is spread by machinery or via contaminated maize, is currently found on 105 properties in nine regions
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of the North Island: 61 in the Waikato, 20 in Auckland, 15 in ManawatūWhanganui, three in Hawke’s Bay, two in Wellington, and one each in
Northland, Taranaki, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty. North Island Velvetleaf Coordinator Sally Linton, who is employed on behalf of the North
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Resupply orders can be paid for by credit card or bank transfer, and Ravensdown shareholders also have the
option to pay via invoice to benefit from their shareholder pricing and rebates.
Conveniently, delivery or pick-up is available for Resupply’s range of seed, chem and soil tests, while fertiliser orders are available for pick-up from Ravensdown stores nationwide.
To learn more about Resupply and take a look around the range of quality fertiliser, chemical, seed and soil tests now conveniently available direct online, visit resupply.co.nz
ABOUT VELVETLEAF
VELVETLEAF IS an annual broad-leaved herb that grows between one and 2.5 metres tall.
Seedlings are vigorous and the plant grows rapidly in the first few months after germination.
It has buttery-yellow flowers, about three centimetres across, from spring through to autumn. Leaves are large, heart-shaped and are velvety to the touch.
Island regional councils, Auckland Council and the Foundation for Arable Research, says the issue is that farmers buy maize from all over the country and even internationally, often sight unseen, and contractors who harvest crops often work multiple properties across large areas.
“It’s so invasive that if your neighbour has it and you are sharing equipment then you’re likely to get it if that machine is not cleaned.
“To be honest, no farmer that crops is free from risk – and that is the message we need to get out. Biosecurity starts at the gate. It’ll save you a lot of headaches.”
Velvetleaf was first found in New Zealand in the early 2000s, with infestations of the cropping weed mostly concentrated around Auckland and Waikato.
Overseas, velvetleaf has been reported as causing an up to 70 per cent reduction in crop yields by outcompeting crops for nutrients, space and water.
Linton says velvetleaf is a problem for farmers as it matures as it gets a woody stem that becomes resistant to many herbicides and normal weed management practices. Also, its seeds (up to 33,000 seeds per plant) can lie dormant in the soil for up to 50 years – springing into life in response to cultivation and movement of soil.
“The discovery of velvetleaf on a property can significantly impact farming businesses as crop-
ping is difficult and more costly,” says she says.
“So, while there are rules to prevent its spread from properties, we also do everything we can to support landowners who are affected.”
Landowners are responsible for destroying velvetleaf, which is an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act, and all machinery leaving an infested property must be cleaned.
“We work closely with the owners and managers to develop a biosecurity farm management plan for them, and we also talk to the cropping industry, in particular, to remind them of the ongoing risk of velvetleaf to our regions and the importance of good hygiene practices.
“Landowners should do themselves a favour when purchasing maize to check the crop in case it is contaminated, and, likewise, contractors should understand the biosecurity risks of the crops they’ve been asked to harvest and have a plan in place for managing weeds such as velvetleaf.”
Linton says a significant amount of work has gone into controlling velvetleaf by regional councils since it was first discovered.
“A big focus is the tracing of machinery and crop movement, so we can establish and mitigate the source of spread.”
Suspected sightings of velvetleaf should be reported to your regional council or Sally Linton sally.linton.nz@gmail. com.
A pest plant officer removing seed heads from velvetleaf at a site in Taupō.
Deer farmer targets poor performers, saves money
MANAGEMENT PRAC-
TISES that aim to cull the poor performers rather than boost the best are a key to success for Canterbury deer farmer Stu Stokes.
Stokes runs a red deer venison and velvet operation on a 240ha block at Sheffield which has been in the family since 1987. He took it over about 2000, adding a nearby 140ha “top block” in 2001.
He recently hosted a weaning management field day on the farm, which was organised by the local Deer Farmers Association branch and the Deer Industry Association of New Zealand (DINZ). The event attracted about 80 attendees.
It is not a stud but a purely commercial farm and is run accordingly, Stokes said.
This year he will be wintering about 900 stags, 600 in-calf hinds, 160 weaner stags and 270 weaner hinds.
“Deer were always my passion, and hinds were always to me the powerhouse behind it,” he said.
Stokes said he has dyslexia but the power of
SMALL HINDS
STU STOKES is happy to run small hinds, 52 to 55kg, which he calls the “Perendales or Jerseys” of the deer world.
He sells them off after three calvings.
He said there was a market for small productive hinds on finishing farms.
“They know they can put a decent-sized stag over them and end up with a decent weaner but they’ve got a small hind with a good nature.
“I have no hinds here that are going to be calved for the fourth time. They’re all gone. We’ve done it that way for, must be, nearly 10 years.”
A further trick he recommends is to drive into the paddock of weaners a few days after weaning and very quietly follow them around, idling in first gear. It naturally prompts the animals to learn to stick together without individuals bolting.
“It’s amazing how they change. They develop into a mob and you can actually move them as a mob.
“I’ll do that two or three times with a mob before I ever decide to try to shift them. Once you’ve done this, they actually hold together really well.”
that was it lets him think outside the box, with a lot of things on farm done quite differently. He also runs a lot of custom machinery of his own design.
“My focus is probably more on the bottom 10% of anything. So, I don’t really care about my top producing stags.
“It’s the bottom 10% of your operation that’s costing you money.”
Stokes weans before the rut, aiming to have weaning complete by
February 25, with mating due to start on March 9.
With the herd currently running on his top block, he will wean about 200 to 250 a day, getting them down to the home yards by trailer.
“All we do with them down there is we drench some with a drench and magnesium. We don’t do any tagging, we don’t do any vaccinating, or anything like that. I think, the poor wee sods, it’s a stressful enough day for them as it is.”
“My focus is probably more on the bottom 10% of anything. So, I don’t really care about my top producing stags.”
Because he sells no weaners immediately, vaccination and tagging can wait until the next time they’re in the yard.
But that first visit is when Stokes’ liking for doing things his own way kicks in, with his own method of identifying the poor performers of the herd.
He says that in each weaner mob of about 250, there might be eight to 10 “potlickers, tail-enders, runts, you name it.”
They are identified and held aside, then have their heads painted with a sticky blob of Milkeeze udder cream mixed with food grade blue dye, then are returned to the hinds.
“Those little pot lickers will go and find mum, diving underneath for a feed, and they’ll actually stain the whole belly blue.”
The hinds so identified will then be culled.
Stokes says they choose fawns that are not
merely late born, because late born fawns should still be outstanding even though they’re small.
“These things aren’t. They’re rough in the coat, they’ve struggled.
“My theory behind it is that we get a lot more mastitis and a lot more other issues in hinds than we’re willing to acknowledge. The indicator of that is that they haven’t produced a decent fawn.”
He says the identified hinds turn out to be the oddest-looking of the herd, all with some kind of issue.
“It’s amazing how accurate it is. If I put out nine fawns head painted, I’ll put money on it - I’ll get nine hinds back.
“And if I’ve only got eight I’ll guarantee you one of them is a set of twins.”
Stokes said it helps to “lift the bar” on his herd performance.
“Every year we do it. We’re not talking big numbers, but it tidies up those poor producing hinds.”
He has never kept any of those hinds to confirm that they would produce another runt in subsequent years, but says this year he may ask the vets to check their udders at slaughter.
“I know the milking platforms are discovering a lot more quarters that aren’t working and that sort of stuff.”
Stu Stokes (left) explains some of his deer weaning and management practises during a field day on his farm at Sheffield.
Record exhibitor numbers set tone for field days
NORTHLAND FIELD
Days organisers are giving a big shout out to exhibitors who have signed up for the threeday event later this month.
A month before the event, all sites were sold out. Organisers expect over 350 exhibitors at the event. Last year the event attracted 300 exhibitors.
Some exhibitors have booked for the first time, including a boat charter company from Fiordland and a travel company. Not only have the exhibitors paid for the stall, they have also generously forked out $20,000 worth of prizes for three lucky visitors.
For the first time, the Northland field days will hold a draw each day.
Visitors will be asked to fill out a form at the gate and all entries for the day go into the draw. The $20,000 prize pool will be divided into three prizes, with each drawn every day. Prizes range from tool sets to barbeque sets and air conditioning units to home air filter units. Also included are wines, grass seed, dog food and a knife set, among other things.
Northland Field Days president John Phillips says the support from
exhibitors has been overwhelming.
“The field days is all about two groups - the exhibitors who buy sites and the visitors who turn up,” he told Rural News.
“The exhibitors have come to the party this year and we are very grateful to them for their support. Our pavilions, food courts and market areas are full. We have had to turn some exhibitors away.
“We are very grateful to our exhibitors –without them we haven’t got a show.”
He hopes that visitors will turn up to support the exhibitors.
Phillips believes the uptick in exhibitor numbers is partly due
to the strong dairy milk price forecast for the season.
“Also, exhibitors are keen to get in front of customers given the current economic situation facing the country,” he says.
The Northland Field Days committee is made up of volunteers and the event runs with the help of other volunteers.
Phillips says committee members and supporters are putting final touches on the site. He says the extra income this year from exhibitor registrations has helped them upgrade roads and fencing at the site.
“We haven’t put a lot into the place over the last four years; the roads were in a pretty bad way,” he says.
Organisers are also keeping an eye on the sky. This year parts of Northland are gripped in drought. If the rains don’t arrive in the coming weeks, organisers will be forced to cart water for the event, resulting in extra work and costs for them.
Phillips says they have carted water to the field days in previous years but “it’s a lot of hard work and expensive”. Profit from the event is ploughed back into the community. Last year the committee donated money to rotary clubs and Dargaville Scouts. They also helped partly fund a local school’s study tour of Wellington and helped another school set up an orchard. The Northland Rescue Helicopter service, photography club and junior sport clubs also received funding. Phillips says this year the committee hopes to tertiary study grants. The committee is inviting registrations from Northland students who will be entering university to study agriculture-related studies. After the field days, the committee will decide how many grants to award. Each recipient will receive up to $2,000 to help towards university fees and other expenses.
SUDESH KISSUN
Northland Field Days president John Phillips is giving a big shout out to exhibitors supporting this year’s event.
One of the main attractions is a small maze within a maize field at the showgrounds.
Paint silage bales and win
FANCY PAINTING some
silage bales and winning prizes?
Then enter the 2025 Fosters Home Decor
Silage Bale Painting Art Trail Competition, run by Northland Field Days.
Entry is free and painting must be completed by February 24. The theme is ‘Climate Change and Agriculture in Kaipara’. All painting will be done at the field days site in Dargaville.
Northland Field Days
coordinator Luciana Schwarz says there are three categories for registrations: individuals, pairs and groups of three to seven people.
She says all entrants must adhere to the theme. Prior to the painting start date each person or team will be provided a form where to select
colours they would like to receive. Each project will be allocated eight colours.
Entrants will be provided with paint, paintbrushes, trays and water.
Everything must be returned when the project finishes.
Everyone on the Northland Field Days site must wear high-vis clothing, which will be pro-
vided by organisers.
Schwarz says entrants will be required to complete a Health & Safety Induction.
“Painting must be done between the 10th &
24th of February 2025 and it is the artists’ responsibility to protect the artwork from the weather elements. It is the artists’ responsibility to bring scaffolding/ladders to paint.”
Every participant will be given a three-day pass to the Northland Field
Days.
The Sponsor’s Choice trophy, which is kept at the Northland Field Days headquarters, comes with a $100 Fosters Home Decor Voucher.
For the top individual painting, where one silage bale is painted, the winner gets $100 plus a
$50 Fosters voucher.
For the top pair, who must submit three silage bales painted mural style, they get $200 and $50 Fosters voucher.
The group category winners, submitting five silage bales done mural style, get $500 and $100 Gordon Harris voucher.
SUDESH KISSUN
sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
Luciana Schwarz of Northland Field Days with the sponsor’s choice trophy.
A set of painted silage bales at last year’s Northland Field Days.
Krone unveils trailer suited for field and road work
WHILE WIDELY known
for its extensive agricultural machinery ranges, German company is also a major producer of trailers for the commercial road haulage industry in Europe.
Now it looks like Krone is pulling its two areas of expertise together and bridging the gap between agriculture and road transport, with the recently announced GX 520 AgriLiner trailer - an extension of its GX universal transport wagon range.
Intended for field and road work and coupled to the fifth wheel of a road truck, rather than a tractor hitch, the GX 520 AgriLiner is based on the body of the GX 520 universal transport wagon with the third axle removed, allowing space the rear axle of the prime mover.
At this stage, the company mentions the trailer being matched an Agro Truck, with images of a matching green tractor cab unit taking up towing duties. This appears to be a Mercedes Benz Arocs tractor unit, from a range that is currently aimed at the construction and utilities industries. Vehicles from this stable are available in a multitude of combinations with
all-wheel-drive and two grades of chassis build, as well as various axle arrangements, so pulling a trailer of forage around a field would be one of the easier tasks asked of them.
The Mercedes ArgoTruck is listed as delivering 510hp, putting it on par with the largest field tractors in general use on European farms, although applying that to the ground via road size tyre equipment, may offer a challenge in some conditions, although having it available for general haulage duties is a huge bonus.
Rural News understands that speeding up
the haulage element of forage harvesting chain is the main aim of the new combination, a fact already recognised in New Zealand, with many contractors using roadbased trucks as part of their operations.
Offering a volume of up to 52m³ which, in combination with the spring-loaded conveyor belt connected to the front wall, allows a variety of goods to be conveyed without damage.
To facilitate loading, the floor belt can be run in either direction, enabling not only loose material to be carried, but also pallet goods and other miscellaneous items.
Northland Field Days
See us on Site H9
MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
Krone is bridging the gap between agriculture and road transport, with its new GX 520 AgriLiner trailer.
The GX 520 AgriLiner is coupled to the fifth wheel of a road truck, rather than a tractor hitch.
CAT’s 100th anniversary
vesters’ in 1885, before introducing of a steampowered unit in 1889.
WHILE INSTANTLY
recognised as the major player in construction equipment, Caterpillar Inc, more commonly known as CAT, has its roots set in the farming regions in the west of the United States.
There, two pioneers, Benjamin Holt and Daniel Best, embarked on the mechanisation of agriculture, with a focus on combine harvesters.
Located at Stockton, east of San Francisco, Holt became a leading player in harvester development, adapting machines to run on hillsides, and building the first self-propelled combine powered by an internal combustion engine in 1910. At San Leandro, to the west, Best had built ‘travelling combined har-
Holt focused on combine production, while Best leaned more towards tractors, but a fierce competition developed between the companies during the first few years of the 20th century in the field, but also in the courts as they disputed various patent transgressions. This ended in 1908, when Daniel Best retired and sold two thirds of his company to Benjamin Holt.
Clarence Leo Best, who owned the other third of the business, eventually left to form his own company in 1910, focusing on the manufacture of engine-driven, wheeled, and eventually, tracked tractors.
After the First World War, sales dropped alarmingly, so the new com-
pany was restructured and renamed the C.L Best Tractor Company, refocusing on smaller farm scale tractors, whereas Holt was still wedded to the production of larger military machines. The Holt Manufacturing Company had done well during the conflict, selling a number of crawlers to move guns and sup-
plies across the otherwise impassable fields of France. However, come November 1918, crawlers were not needed by the armies.
In the early 1920s, the companies found them-
selves weakened and struggling, so a merger into a single entity occurred in 1925. The union of the two companies brought into existence what we now know as Caterpillar Inc.
Despite Holt turning the track-laying vehicle into a commercial success, the mechanism was designed and patented by Richard Hornsby and Sons of Grantham in Lincolnshire in 1904. After failing to interest the British Army in the design, the company sold the rights to Holt in 1911. The idea was far from new but what Hornsby & Sons had done was include a separate drive to each track with its own clutch, thus enabling the machine to be steered without the use of a front mounted tiller wheel.
With the range of Caterpillar machines confined to only tracked models, the problem arose for dealers of not
being able to offer both tracked and wheeled tractors.
Caterpillar’s only other foray into the agricultural market started in 1986 when it created the Challenger brand of rubber-tracked tractors. This was originally sold in Cat’s own distinctive yellow livery, although a joint venture with the German company Claas saw the product sold in Europe as a Claas Challenger, while harvesters were sold in North America as Cat Lexion. Challenger was eventually sold off to AGCO in 2002, who still produce Fendt Challenger tracked machines up to 673hp.
MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
Caterpillar created the Challenger brand of rubber-tracked tractors in 1986.
First-time contestant named region’s best young farmer
A FRANKLIN dairy farmer has inched closer to national victory after being crowned Northland’s top young farmer.
Justin Ruygrok, 28, was announced as the winner of the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year recently, after spending the day competing in a series of challenges at the Helensville A&P Showgrounds.
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition is dedicated to showcasing the very
best talent in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. Now, in its 57th year, the title of FMG Young Farmer of the Year is held as the most prestigious farming award in the country.
“I’m stoked to have won, I had no idea what to expect heading into the competition, so to come out on top is pretty unreal,” Ruygrok says.
“The whole experience has been awesome, from having a crack at the District Contest to now gearing up for the Grand Final. Tim Dangen [FMG
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Young Farmer of the Year 2022] talked me into entering, so I’ll be hitting him up for some tips.”
Participants entered one of three categories based on age, ranging from the AgriKidsNZ competition for primary school pupils, the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year for High School Students, and the tightly fought FMG Young Farmer of the Year category, where just seven contestants battled it out for the top spot.
Ruygrok edged his way to victory by clocking up the most points on the day (310.3 points), defeating Auckland Young Farmers member Jack Holloway who finished up with a score of 291.4 Kurtis Danks from Kaipara Young Farmers
nabbed the final spot on the podium.
With several individual challenges thrown their way, including a head-tohead, general knowledge ‘buzzer-style’ quiz and sponsor-led modules, contestants were tested on a broad range of practical skills, technical know-how, and their ability to cope under pressure.
“The practical side was heaps of fun, but the theory, and being up in front of a crowd, was definitely more of a challenge,” Ruygrok explains.
“Some of the answers you know, but you’ve got to be quick on the buzzer. I had no idea what to expect heading into the competition, but it was a heap of fun.”
The AgriKidsNZ competition was another crowd-favourite. After a busy morning being challenged to their industry know-how, Grace Fitchett, Katie Caldwell, and Renee Hardwick (all 12) from Te Kamo Intermediate emerged as the region’s victors. Annabelle Baker (11), Deanna Finlayson (12) and Jenna Crawford (12) also from Te Kamo Intermediate placed second, just ahead of Sofia FloresJochmann (10), Madison Lironi-Irvine (10) and Naomi Varney (9) from
Helensville Primary and home-schooled, who trailed close behind.
Meanwhile, Chloe Fergusson and Nicky Wellwood from Whangarei Girls’ High School took out the title of Northern FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year, ahead of Isla Stephenson and Maddy Cameron from Mount Albert Grammar School.
Along with Ruygrok, the top AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior teams will now compete in July’s Grand Final in Invercargill.
New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith says the competition continues to highlight the incredible skill and talent of young people in the food and fibre sector.
“Every year, we see more emerging talent stepping up to the challenge. It’s awesome to witness so many firsttime competitors putting their skills to the test and showcasing the depth of ability in our industry.”
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is proudly supported by FMG, Ravensdown, Woolworths, Ministry for Primary Industries, Milwaukee, Honda, Lincoln University, Massey University, PTS Logistics, New Holland and Bushbuck.
Justin Ruygrok competing in the Farmlet challenge at Helensville.
Outdoor zone for adventure seekers
SUDESH
AN EXCITING feature of this year’s Northland Field Days will be the new outdoor zone.
It will feature exhibitors promoting agriculture, hunting and fishing and four-wheel adventures going through.
A highlight will be Kauri Coast 4wd Club running a four-wheel drive competition or ‘mud drags’ on a newly built track at the showgrounds. The new track includes side by side mud pools.
Glen Newlove from Kauri Coast 4wd Club says the race will start on Saturday with some “axle twisters”, then through the mud pool and over a hump with logs on the top, then down into a berm at the back. The vehicles then turn around and come back. The vehicle will then swap sides and go again.
THE
He
Newlove says the plan is to run some heats in the morning with the final taking place in the afternoon.
“We
Newlove wants people to come along and watch the show. “We’ll put on a great display for every body. So, come along and support the Northland Field Days.”
Northland Field Days president John Phillips (right) and vice-president Robbie Yates on the new track built for four-wheel drive action.
Four-wheel drives will be in action at the field days.
28 NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS
CAN-AM WILL be using the upcoming Northland Field Days (Stand E6) to give farmers the opportunity to see the Defender HD 10 for themselves.
Built tough to tackle all conditions, the HD 10 has 82 hp/69 lb-ft torque, powered by a Rotax engine, mated to the Pro-Torq CVT transmission that also provides improved cooling and electronic belt protection for increased durability.
Selectable Turf Mode/ 2WD/ 4WD with ViscoLok† auto-locking front differential allows users to customise the machine for different terrains or conditions. Capa-
ble of towing tow up to 1,134kg (2,500lbs) and with a payload of 680kg (1,499lbs), the HD10 also offers multiple storage options available from the bed tool-box to an under-seat area, as well as an option to purchase a gas assisted tilt bed for seamless unloading.
The Defender also offers a 200-hour service interval, twice that of other machines in its class, said to give users peace of mind that their units will do what they need them to do day in, day out.
Featuring Versa-Pro bench seats, the passenger seats flip up allowing for cargo to be transported within the protection of the cab, and it
has adjustable tilt steering. The Defender offers an intuitive cockpit with optimised visibility and additional lateral support, ensuring effortless hopping in and out.
A range of options
includes windscreen defrosting and heating for those cold winter mornings. There are also multiple audio options available including a waterproof audio roof.
For those looking
for a quad bike format, the Can-Am Outlander PRO has seen a development journey that began 6 years ago when the Can-Am Global ATV product team visited New Zealand to gather insights
and local input from farmers, service centres and dealerships.
Outlander PRO features the new Rotax single cylinder engine with horsepower and torque up to 50hp/41lb-
ft, delivering the extra power necessary to navigate the tough New Zealand terrain. The integrated transmission offers less strain on the belt and lower running temperatures, helping to improve durability, alongside precise ease of shifting of multiple front differential modes.
A speed limiter switch helps set a constant pace while spraying, and utility bumpers and 6-ply tyres provide added protection. Designed with the rider in mind, comfortable ergonomics and a smooth ride are complemented by an extremely low centre of gravity, giving increased confidence and safe operation.
Visit Site E6.
Sparta leads the charge against fall armyworm
ACCESS TO innovation
will benefit New Zealand farmers and growers with a broad toolkit of options.
As an example, Fall armyworm (FAW) is one of the world’s most devastating agricultural insect pests. When it was first detected in New Zealand in February 2022, access to effective registered options to manage it was a significant challenge.
By November 2022, thanks to the joint efforts of APHANZ member Corteva Agriscience, industry groups and the Ministry of Primary Industries, access to an innovative product called Sparta was approved for use against FAW in corn and maize crops as part of the initial response.
As it is safe to key beneficial insects that control pests, Sparta is now part of a long-term Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, a great example of combining biological, chemical and cultural controls to maximise use of beneficial insects whilst minimising unnecessary insecticide use.
FAW can feed on over 350 plant species, preferring grasses and cereals, especially sweetcorn and maize. It is extremely difficult to manage, and adult moths can travel hundreds of kilometres on wind – as it did to arrive in New Zealand from Australia. So, eradication is unlikely.
“When FAW was detected in New Zealand, we could see that the industry didn’t have a good option registered for FAW,” says Glen Surgenor, New Zealand marketing manager of US-based Corteva Agriscience, who produce Sparta.
“There were some organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid products they could use in maize, but based on overseas experience there is known resistance to this chemistry.”
Broad-spectrum chemicals also don’t offer the
BENEFITS OF INNOVATION
SPARTA IS currently the only product registered for use on FAW in corn and maize in New Zealand and can be applied by ground-spray and aerial applications.
The benefit of this innovation is that it is safe for key beneficial insects that help control insect pests like lady birds, lacewings and spiders and so can work as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme. Its low toxicity means it has a short withholding period (the time elapsed between the last application and harvest).
“IPM-friendly products are an option to traditional broad-spectrum insecticides. Unfortunately, there is a number of new IPM-friendly products sitting in the New Zealand regulatory queue. Meanwhile farmers are using organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids,” says Glen Surgenor.
“Likewise with biologicals that go through the same regulatory pathway as synthetics so can take four to five years
same level of protection as Sparta, which has been approved and used effectively to manage FAW in Asia Pacific, Australia and the Americas since the pest began to impact those markets.
When FAW was first detected here, Seed and Grain Readiness and Response (SGRR), New Zealand’s arable sector alliance for biosecurity, played a lead role in the response and looked to this active ingredient as the first line of defence.
The active ingredient in Sparta spinetoram –derived from a naturally occurring soil bacterium that is safer to users, the environment and most beneficial insects – is already registered for use in New Zealand for pest control in fruit crops.
However, a new application to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI),
to be approved. Meanwhile other countries like the US and Brazil have prioritised biologicals so that the approval; process takes only eight to 12 months.”
Its unique ‘mode of action’ (the way the control agent affects the pest) also means it controls insects resistant to other insecticides. FAW has a strong track record of developing resistance to many commonly used insecticides that are no longer providing control of the pest.
Ashley Mills, arable biosecurity & industry relationships officer at FAR, says having other modes of action available for the industry is critical to maintaining effective IPM for FAW into the future.
“We need an active toolbox of solutions appropriate for FAW to reduce the risk of resistance and to give growers the confidence they need in an integrated pest management programme. If you have at least two modes of action you can come up with a robust strategy, especially where one is soft on beneficial insects.”
Animal Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group (ACVMG) was required to register it for use against FAW in corn and maize crops under the ACVM Act.
Surgenor says Corteva began internal discussions in July 2022 around how they could support these biosecurity efforts by seeking some level of regulatory approval for Sparta on FAW in New Zealand.
After initially seeking an operating plan for managed use, with applications having to be tracked and recorded, ACVM accepted their submission through the usual application process, allowing the claims to move to the label.
“Our regulatory team both here and in Australia worked closely with staff at the Ministry for Primary Industries ACVMG
on FAW across multiple climate zones. For the regulator to accept that was unique and very valu-
“Without all that overseas experience in securing regulatory approval, and access to all the trial approval process entails, we would not have been in a position to apply for the FAW claim here in
and the Environmental Protection Authority to lodge the application and bring Sparta to market here as quickly as possible.”
In addition to this, letters of support from industry groups and companies such as the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), Pioneer and rural resellers helped reinforce the importance of having access for growers to help protect their crops against FAW in the current season and beyond.
Surgenor says access to international data was also key to fast-tracking the approval process.
“Usually, we have to generate local data through many New Zealand based trials, across multiple years, which is costly. With Sparta, we could use overseas data showing its effectiveness
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Fall armyworm is one of the world’s most devastating agricultural insect pests.
Sparta is currently the only product registered for use on FAW in corn and maize in New Zealand.
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New home for JCB Agriculture
POWER FARMING has announced a new chapter in its partnership with
JCB, which having represented the UK-based company’s construction equipment for over three years, now sees the relationship expanding to
include the renowned JCB Agriculture product range.
From February 1, 2025, Power Farming will officially begin its role as
the exclusive distributor of JCB Agriculture in New Zealand, offering an extensive product line up, that includes models such as the JCB Fastrac Icon,
Loadall Telehandlers, and the 435/457 Wheel Loaders. Comprehensive workshop, parts and warranty support is already in place to ensure a seamless transition for existing JCB owners.
“Power Farming is a family-owned business with its global headquarters in Morrinsville, Waikato. With over 75 years of operation across New Zealand, Australia, and more recently the United States, the addition of JCB Agriculture is a significant milestone in our ongoing growth,” said Tom Ruddenklau, chief executive of Power Farming New Zealand.
This partnership not only enhances Power Farming’s product portfolio but also ensures continuity and innovation in serving JCB Agriculture customers. The JCB Agriculture brand is already well established in New Zealand, and Power Farming says it extends its
gratitude to the Landpower team for their exceptional care and leadership in developing the brand and setting a high standard for customer service. “Power Farming is committed to ensuring continuity and a seamless transition for JCB Agriculture customers as they join our network.”
With a world-class portfolio of agricultural and construction equipment that includes leading brands such as McHale, Kverneland, Deutz-Fahr, Kioti, and Maschio, Power Farming is uniquely positioned to meet the diverse needs of farmers and contractors.
“Our customers deserve the bestwhether it’s cutting-edge machinery, tailored solutions, or reliable aftersales support.
“We’re confident this partnership with JCB Agriculture will deliver exactly that,” concluded Ruddenklau.
Power Farming is now the exclusive distributor of JCB Agriculture in New Zealand.
The JCB range includes Loadall Telehandlers
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