Rural News 11 March 2025

Red meat rebound

THE RED meat sector is poised for a strong rebound this season, with export receipts forecast to top $10 billion and farm profitability to almost double.

However, challenges including more regulatory costs imposed by the coalition Government and President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imports into the US could yet spoil the party.

According to Beef+Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) mid-season update, global demand, particularly from the United Kingdom, the European Union, the US and Canada, has remained strong, helping to offset weaker demand from China.

As a result, export receipts are forecast to increase by $1.2 billion on last year to reach $10.2 billion in 2024-25, despite lower overall export volumes.

Farm-gate prices have lifted significantly this season: lamb prices are forecast to reach $155/head, up 20% from last season and 9% above the five-year average.

Mutton prices are expected to rise to $90/head – a 70% increase on last season. Cattle prices are projected to hit record levels, with an all-beef price of 618c/kg, 16% higher than last season and 20% above the five-year average.

As a result, farm profitability is set to improve. The average farm profit for 2024-25 is forecast at $106,500 – nearly double last season’s $56,400 but still

below the five-year average.

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland, who hosted Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay on her farm in Canterbury last Thursday, says her message to the Government is that the red meat sector is “really crucial to the recovery of exports and the economy”.

Acland told Rural News that the Government must ensure the primary sector remains profitable and productive. Farmers want more clarity around looming policies around climate change and freshwater use and what it would cost the farming sector.

“Farmer confidence is slowly recovering, but regulatory uncertainty around climate change, freshwater and other policy issues continue to weigh heavily on their minds.

“Stability in these areas is critical for long-term confidence and investment. New Zealand’s red meat sector is resilient, and with the right policy settings, we can build on this recovery and strengthen our industry for the future.”

Acland says that a lift in farmer profitability is good news, but costs remain a concern.

“While revenue has improved, farm input costs have risen 33% over the past four years, meaning profitability is still below long-term sustainable levels.”

Shifting global trade patterns have played a key role in the sector’s recovery. While China remains an important market, New Zealand exporters have diversified, increasing shipments to markets where demand is stronger. Meanwhile, constrained supply from New Zealand and record-low US cattle numbers have further supported farmgate prices.

says when the agriculture sector does well, the NZ economy benefits.

Beyond farm profits, the red meat sector continues to make a significant contribution to the New Zealand economy.

This season, sheep and beef farmers are expected to generate about $6.4 billion in income.

Every day, they spend around $15 million on goods and services, with 80-90% of that money staying in local communities, helping businesses, and creating jobs.

Acland

SUDESH KISSUN

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says the sector is “really crucial to the recovery of exports and the economy”.

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An anxious wait as tariff wars play out

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

THE RED meat sector is watching anxiously as the US embarks on a tariffs war with its key trading partners.

While Beef+Lamb NZ doesn’t expect the Trump administration to slap tariffs on NZ imports, the trade war could result in more meat products directed into our key markets thus impacting prices.

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland told Rural News that strong demand and a lower New Zealand dollar have lifted red meat prices.

“There are, however, risks on the horizon. We are keeping a very close eye on US trade policy developments which have the potential to create global market volatility,” she says.

Acland says it’s hard to predict how the tariffs war will play out.

“We don’t expect direct tariffs on us, but some global exporters could direct products into our key markets.”

US President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada took effect last week, along with a doubling of duties on Chinese goods to 20%, launching new

trade conflicts with the top three US trading partners. The three countries have retaliated with their own set of tariffs on US goods.

Acland, who recently visited the US, says her meetings with US farmers and ranchers were “an eye opener”.

“US farmers are very concerned about the impact of higher tariffs. Just like us, they consider themselves as an export industry.”

The NZ red meat sector’s key mar-

kets are China, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the US and Canada.

Demand for red meat in the US, UK, EU and Canada has been very strong and has offset the continued weakness of China. New Zealand’s exporters have pivoted to the stronger markets with significant increases in volumes to these countries and a major decrease to China. These factors, combined with a

Miraka CEO quits

MĀORI-OWNED MILK processor

Miraka is looking for a new chief executive following the resignation of Karl Gradon last week.

Gradon, who was appointed chief executive three years ago, is leaving for personal and family reasons.

Miraka chair Bruce Scott attributed much of Miraka’s recent growth and success during the past three years to Gradon’s leadership and

efforts resetting the business for future success.

“Karl Gradon has successfully navigated Miraka through a significant period of change, leading the reorganisation of the business to set Miraka up for long-term, intergenerational success, as was envisioned by our founding leaders and shareholders.

“There are many successes and wins we attribute to Karl’s leader-

ship. This includes building a strong senior leadership team, evolving from single products to optimising customer focus and our portfolio of value-added products.”

Gradon says that leading Miraka has been a rewarding experience both professionally and personally.

“I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together as a whānau and business. I am confident

lower New Zealand dollar, lead to a major increase in the average export values for beef, lamb and mutton.

B+LNZ notes that demand in China for red meat is expected to remain low for the rest of 2024-25. The weak residential market, high youth unemployment, low foreign direct investment, and failing rural banks continue to weigh on any recovery in consumer spending.

It says that the Chinese government has announced stimulus packages to revive growth and has injected some liquidity for its biggest banks, but this has so far not had a major impact on NZ’s exports.

On a positive note, global shipping costs (including insurance) are decreasing. Freight rates spiked in December and January, as shipments from China to the US increased to get in before any proposed tariffs were to take effect.

The security issues in the Red Sea, which have affected passage to the Suez Canal, seem to have lowered and there has been more capacity and lower shipping rates on offer, rather than shipping around the Cape of Good Hope.

in the company’s continued success.

“Our shareholders bestowed a set of values that I personally admire, and I look forward to seeing this valuesbased approach continue to flourish through the generations as our founders intended.”

The Miraka board has begun a search for Gradon’s replacement. Miraka chief operating officer, Richard Harding, is now acting as CEO.

New Zealand farmers don’t expect direct US tariffs but some global exporters could direct products into our key markets.

Growers praise response to second fruit fly discovery

THE QUICK response to the discovery of another fruit fly in Auckland is being praised by fruit and vegetable growers.

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) chief executive Kate Scott says growers will likely be concerned about the discovery in Birkdale on Auckland’s North Shore.

“Growers will be concerned, as the Oriental fruit fly poses a significant risk to horticulture, with its larvae capable of feeding on more than 300 types of fruit and vegetables,” Scott told Rural News. “Home gardeners would also be affected.”

Scott says New Zealand has strong biosecurity measures in place and the quick response to the detection of this fruit fly proves the system is working.

“Vigilance, surveillance, and containment efforts remain essential to protecting the horticulture sector,” she says.

“Protecting New Zealand’s horticulture sector from biosecurity threats like the fruit fly is critical to our economy and our reputation for producing high-quality fruit and vegetables.”

Late last month, the fruit fly was discovered in a suburban backyard. It followed a similar discovery in Papatoetoe in

January.

However, Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner,

north, says that genetic testing has confirmed that – despite being the same species – these are not linked. It’s not the first time New Zealand has experienced multiple detections

like this. Back in 2019, Biosecurity New Zealand responded to fruit fly detections in three Auckland suburbs.

Upon the detection of the fruit fly, trapping in the Birkdale area increased with daily checks in the 200-metre zone surrounding the location of the original find.

Checks are also being performed in the three days in a second zone which stretches to 1,500 metres surrounding the location of the original find.

Legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in Birkdale and nearby suburbs have also been put in place.

“Biosecurity New Zealand thanks the local community in Birkdale and neighbouring areas for their efforts to date and their support of the important work underway,” Inglis says.

“There has been a really positive response from local businesses and residents to the rules around the movement of fruit and vegetables,” he adds.

This marks the fourteenth fruit fly incursion in New Zealand, all of which have been eradicated so far, says MPI.

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

JESSICA MARSHALL

Special disposal bins for fruit and vegetables have now been placed throughout Zones A and B in the Birkdale area.

More regions to face drought declarations

RURAL COMMUNITIES

Minister Mark Patterson says the present weather conditions remain challenging for farmers.

This follows the recent decision to declare a medium scale adverse event in Taranaki which has been experiencing very dry conditions for the past few months especially in coastal areas from Manaia to Waverley.

The declaration means that the sum of $30,000 will be made available to rural support groups who are working with farmers in that region.

Patterson told Rural News that they are looking at several other regions around the country as well who are suffering from the dry conditions. He says these include the western parts of Northland and down the east coast of the North Island and the top of the South Island.

He says farmers

should be assured that the situation right around the country is being closely monitored.

“It’s about trying to establish what is a normal summer dry verses something that might be going beyond that. Taking account of the availability of feed and water for stock and any other animal welfare issues. Quite a few factors come into play and we rely on local input before a drought declaration is made,” he says.

Patterson says when an adverse event is declared there are financial implications for government and that is why they have clearly defined thresholds that need to be met before government intervenes.

In the last couple of weeks, Patterson has been in many parts of the country including the Waikato, Wairoa and down to the Wairarapa and further south to Otago and Southland. He says he’s got a pretty

TOUGH TIMES

MPI’S HEAD of their On Farm Support Team, Dr John Roche, says the declaration of a drought or adverse event is a recognition that things are tough in a region such as Taranaki.

He says MPI has been working with other organisations such as Beef+Lamb NZ, DairyNZ and the local Rural Support Trust to run seminars on how to deal with the dry conditions, and social occasions to get farmers to meet and support each other. Roche says different groups of people are affected in different ways.

“For example, your dairy farmer has a good milk price to look forward to and so does your sharemilker, but your contract milker is depending on the milk coming in to get their revenue. So we are just trying to cater for all the different people who will be differently affected,” he says.

He says while sheep and beef farmers have little supplement, they tend to react more quickly, for example, destocking, when the drought starts to appear.

“The idea of a declaration is that it recognises that it has been much drier than a normal summer,” he says.

Roche was at the Northland Field Days recently and says conditions are very dry on the west coast of the north. He says the area around Dargaville is very dry and farmers there have been feeding out for the past couple of months.

RURAL ONLINE

good first-hand picture of how things are. Apart from Taranaki, the Waikato is the driest of the other regions.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers and growers in Taranaki are facing challenging situations.

He says conditions on the ground are becoming extremely difficult with limited feed and pasture available.

“Taranaki is experiencing hot, dry conditions and below average rainfall. This has affected pasture growth and farmers have had to feed-out or sell livestock earlier to fill the gap,” he says.

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

Mark Patterson

Trade balance with US a saving grace – report

Donald Trump’s trade policies by the skin of its teeth

NEW ZEALAND is so far escaping the unpredictable vagaries of President

According to Rabobank’s general manager for Australia and NZ, Stefan Vogel, this is partly because the US has a relatively small trade deficit with us.

Vogel says this has helped keep NZ food

and agri exports off the US trade tariff ‘wheel of misfortune’ but he adds the tariff threat remains.

A new Rabobank report on US tariffs

and global food and agribusiness identifies nine waves of economic and geopolitical measures that have been imposed, are underway or likely

CHINA/NZ TRADE TIES

AN INTERNATIONAL trade specialist and former diplomat Stephen Jacobi says he senses that NZ’s relationship with China may be faltering.

Jacobi says the recent dispute between NZ and the Cook Islands, which indirectly involves China and the presence of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea, would suggest China is not as well disposed to NZ as it was. This comes when world trade is in one of the most disruptive periods seen for a long time. He says with the Trump administration making some big calls on trade with new tariffs being imposed on the likes of Canada, Mexico and China, other countries such as NZ could get caught in the fallout.

Like Stefan Vogel, Jacobi believes NZ is lucky that it doesn’t have a large trade imbalance with the US and so far has stayed below Trump’s radar, but adds that might not last forever.

“Things are not good because they give rise to significant instability, uncertainty and potentially trade diversion. The whole geopolitical situation is one of uncertainty and no one quite knows what policies Trump is going to implement next. And at the same time, NZ cannot afford to antagonise China,” he says.

The present situation is a nightmare for government ministers and their officials who are engaging in what amounts to ‘tip-toe diplomacy’ – keeping on side with all parties while at the same time trying to drive an independent foreign and trade agenda.

to be introduced by the new US administration.

These include tariffs on Colombian coffee and steel imports from other countries into the US, including China. Stefan Vogel says these measures are starting to have a flow on effect in other countries.

“Their potential impacts on global food and agribusiness range from minor ripple effects to heavy disruptions. It has been a stormy start to the year with many waves and more to be expected later in 2025,” he says.

But Vogel says the fact that NZ uses a relatively low share of its GDP on defence may become

a factor later on as the trade storm grows in intensity. The report notes the importance of the US market to NZ’s primary exports – in 2024 it overtook China as the largest export destination for our meat. Beef exports to the US are also now ahead of China.

Finally, the report says current US policy is using tools of “statecraft”, such as tariffs, to achieve wider political goals and in doing so, creating waves that are hitting shores abroad. It says food and agribusiness sectors will see wide-ranging impacts across the globe and along the entire supply chain.

Stefan Vogel, Rabobank

‘Wool wide web’ launch

WOOLS OF New Zealand will soon launch the international version of an online global wool marketplace designed to bring farmers and manufacturers closer together.

The Natural Fibre Exchange (NFX) was first launched in New Zealand in 2018 by Wools of New Zealand and Charles River Associates International as a multiseller open trading platform.

Online trading events occur every fortnight, starting on Tuesdays 2pm New Zealand time, during which products will be bid on over multiple rounds, continuing until a round sees no new bids after which the product is sold.

Wools of New Zealand

chief executive John McWhirter says that given the current rising international market demand for strong wool exceeding supply, NFX should help unlock increased returns for wool growers.

“The NFX offers online access from anywhere in the world, creating a global marketplace that connects buyers and sellers for seamless international trading.”

Apart from direct contracting, wool is primarily sold at open cry auctions. These have the downside that all bidders must have representatives and an auctioneer in a single physical location and, with wool being handled by middle men in between harvest and auction, prices may not accurately reflect current markets. With its online access and dynamic currency updates, McWhirter says

that not only will Natural Fibre Exchange make trading in wool easier, it would also make it more

accurate in terms of market demand.

But first, the system had to be overhauled to fit its new task.

“We got the people who wrote the local dairy trade auction software to upgrade ours so we could trade globally. The platform now trades foreign exchange and also manages transport,” says McWhirter.

“To make it work in the international market we also have people employed by Wools NZ in China, India, Turkey and Europe. We’ve had to put an international team on to manage international customers.”

Although the international version of the platform does not launch until April, the software in the system has already been applied to the domestic version

of the site for the last six months.

McWhirter says that NFX is designed to be user-friendly, scalable and equipped with unique features not found in other platforms, all aimed at fostering growth in the wool trade.

McWhirter believes this move will position New Zealand’s wool industry as a leader in digital innovation by enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the wool industry and setting a new standard for online trading.

“Going back over the years there had been an oversupply of strong wool in the NZ market, causing price deflation because no one had to bid hard. Over that time there have been a number of activities engaged by ourselves and others to stimulate

the demand for strong wool, such as investment in wool carpeting.

“International customers are showing interest in the electronic platform because they need wool and that encourages the bidding for wool on the global basis.

“We expect the NFX platform to have a positive impact on the global wool trade, leading to better outcomes for growers and encouraging collaboration between growers, buyers, and processors.”

Farmers interested in selling their wool directly to international markets are encouraged to contact Wools of New Zealand. The international platform will officially be launched in April, but the site can be visited at www.naturalfibreexchange. com.

LEO ARGENT

Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter

Farm’s saviour is rocket science

A LARGE Māori farm on the Mahia Peninsula in northern Hawke’s Bay has rocket science to thank for improving its viability.

Onenui Station is a sheep and beef station run by the proprietors of Tawapata South and it’s here that sheep and cattle graze around a high-tech rocket launch pad –and probably wonder what this is all about.

Onenui station runs 15,000 stock units including 6,000 breeding ewes and 600 breeding cattle on 1700ha (eff.). About three quarters of the land is classified as steep

North Island hard hill country and the remaining 350 hectares is productive flat land.

According to the chair of the organisation, Lester White, his goal and the goal of the previ-

ous chair and committee was to ‘diversify’. He says there was a realisation that their operation was not in a particularly good space financially. This was because of relatively poor returns for meat and wool.

“But in 2016 we struck it lucky when the large international space company Rocket Lab asked if we’d be willing to allow them to launch their rockets from our farm. What was special for us was it was owned by a New Zealander, Sir Peter Beck. This changed our position dramatically,” he told Rural News.

Rocket Lab has leased land from the Māori owners and has established a launch pad at Ahuriri Point, right on the tip of Mahia Peninsular, from where their rockets are launched.

White says the relationship with Rocket Lab aligns with their strategy to diversify income opportunities while still maintaining the integrity of the whenua/land. He says Rocket Lab has brought investment to the region, creating jobs and fostering innovation.

“Rocket Lab takes a small footprint of our whenua but returns on that investment means a lot to our operation. We are able to do a lot of things operationally that we may not have been able to have done before and so it helps the financial position of our farming operation,” he says.

White says the partnership with Rocket Lab has been an amazing journey with benefits to both parties.

POSITIVE SIGNALS BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN

PGG WRIGHTSON (PGW) chief executive Stephen Guerin says that while there are positive signals within the market, there are also challenges.

Last month, the rural retailer released its halfyear results, revealing that the company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 13% and net profit after tax (NPAT) jumped up 25%.

The result improves upon the 2024 full-year result released in July which saw NPAT drop to $3.1 million and EBIDTA drop by 17%.

Guerin says that there have been some significant highs for the company in the past six months.

“For us, it’s playing out in a couple of ways,” he told Rural News. He says that in the past six months, PGW’s real estate arm has sold several farm properties valued at over $10 million.

This, Guerin says, shows that farmers are seeing different opportunities available to them. “We’re working our way through some changes in our livestock saleyard footprint. We’ve sold two saleyards in that regard so that’s contributed to our cash.” Guerin says that the current higher commodity prices – like with the rising farmgate

are improving optimism

Rocket Lab uses the farm to launch their rockets. PHOTO: ALPHA PIX

Hear the voice of farmers

JO LUXTON

AS A food-growing nation, few would argue that much of New Zealand’s future economy lies in the growth of our food exports, and many would support the goal of doubling their value. But the real question is not about reaching this target, it’s about how we get there.

As a trading nation, our global reputation relies on our clean and green image. Achieving this requires not only bold policies and investment but a thoughtful approach that embraces our unique challenges and opportunities as an

island nation.

One of the most significant recent developments the Government is steamrolling in is the Gene Technology Bill, a piece of legislation that could have damaging implications on our agricultural future.

During the select committee process, many agricultural stakeholders such as DairyNZ, the Meat Industry Association, Beef+Lamb NZ, NZ Winegrowers and farmers I’ve spoken with formally asked the Government for an extension on submission times to properly research and prepare their submissions on the Gene Technology Bill.

Yet, this Government has chosen to ignore these requests and continue to move through the parliamentary process to make this bill law.

There was also no eco-

nomic cost-benefit analysis completed. This means the impact this bill could have on our export markets is largely unknown.

While the promise of

the Gene Technology Bill is higher agricultural productivity and sustainability through solutions such as increasing crop yields, supporting mitigation of methane production, and creating drought-resistant crops, we must proceed with caution and be confident that we have done our homework.

If the Government truly believes farmers are the backbone of New Zealand’s agricultural success, wouldn’t they pause and ensure that the voices of farmers are heard? Any rushed bill risks creating unintended consequences, and with the risk of

damage to New Zealand’s long-held reputation as a world leader in sustainable and ethical farming, the stakes of this one are high.

Once enabled, genetic technologies are not easily reversed, and if not handled properly, they could potentially harm the very reputation we need to protect.

The idea that technology alone can solve all of agriculture’s challenges might be appealing, but it’s not good enough for this Government to rely on new technologies alone without considering the broader implications. This Government needs to take the time to

Why treaty bill is still relevant

LAST MONTH marked the beginning of the political year, beginning with Waitangi Day. This placed ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill front and centre and understandably it was the topic of many conversations. In parallel the select committee process began in Wellington.

Some may see the Treaty Principles Bill as a bit of a distraction or a niche issue, and that we have more fundamental economic issues that we need to focus on here in 2025 rather than worrying about who meant what back in 1840. Personally, I think the Bill is relevant to the here and now and, more importantly, what sort of country we will be in 2040.

Firstly, some fact checking. The Bill does not seek to rewrite the Treaty. It seeks to define the principles that were said to exist in the 1975 Treaty of Waitangi Act but were never actually defined by Parliament. Those

principles have since been decided by the courts but never by New Zealand’s elected representatives. One of the principles that seems to have crept its way into our lives over the last 40 years is that of the Treaty being a partnership between two races, which has led to the push for co-governance.

There were many overt examples of this in the previous government, but the area that has given me the most concern has been at regional level, where many if not all regional councils have decided that to hold firm to this idea of partnership, this means that effectively when it comes to resource consents that every consent needs sign-off from local mana whenua.

Sixteen years ago, when my consent for discharge of effluent to land was granted, it was a fairly straightforward process. I knew from the council the land area I needed to apply it over and the amount of storage I

required, which could be influenced by the application depth that my spreader was able to achieve. I also knew the separation distance that I had to achieve from waterways, public roads, and the boundary. I had to consult with any neighbours that might

be affected, and if they did have an issue, the council could take that into account or decide that they felt I was being reasonable enough and issue the consent. Council arrived at these points that I needed to address in my consent through consultation with the community including iwi.

All in all, I had confidence that by investing in the required storage and equipment I would be granted a consent. I also had confidence at that time about my ability to farm for the next 20 years.

Fast forward 16 years, and I hear from many farmers who are lacking in confidence about whether they can get a consent because now it is no longer a clear process through council.

I have heard from vegetable growers who have been told they won’t be given a consent for water takes. But also, we have situations where only very short consents are being granted. This current interpretation

consult thoroughly with farmers, industry leaders, and experts before rushing the bill through Parliament.

By listening to the concerns of those on the ground, we can ensure that the technologies we adopt today will benefit New Zealand’s farmers, our environment, and our international reputation for generations to come. The future of New Zealand’s agricultural success is not just about increasing the scale and value of production, it’s how we produce it.

• Jo Luxton is Labour List MP and party spokesman on agriculture, biosecurity and rural communities.

of the Treaty as a “partnership” creates a situation where confidence is a lot lower than what I experienced 16 years ago, and if you think that doesn’t have an impact on the economy, you are dreaming.

We could address these issues through RMA changes, but my concern will be that the phrase “must give effect to the principles of the Treaty” is so ingrained in the courts and the bureaucracy, will those changes be able to occur?

The ultimate protection is to do what should have been done 50 years ago and define what the Treaty principles are. Let’s have the debate.

ACT has put forward principles that respect the past but more importantly safeguard our democracy going forward. Most importantly, every citizen would have equal rights.

If others believe they have better wording, I would love to hear it.

• Andrew Hoggard is Associate Minister for Agriculture

Labour’s ag spokesperson Jo Luxton

ANDREW HOGGARD

Andrew Hoggard

Sue’s secret to boardroom success

A CAREER she never planned – that’s how Cantabrian Sue Suckling OBE, describes her trajectory as a director.

Now, as she heads into her fourth decade on boards, she has received the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) highest honour of Distinguished Fellow (DistFInstD).

Suckling was appointed to her first board role at the age of 27, holding her own on what was then a newly established Crown entity, the Trade Development Board, where she was appointed by then Minister of Trade and Enterprise, Mike Moore.

At the time, she was CEO of an innovative

meat industry joint venture between a New Zealand and German company and was headhunted after being named ‘Businesswoman of the Year’.

“The Minister put me in as the meat industry person because I think he wanted a different view other than the traditional leaders of the big commodity businesses, which were huge,” Suckling said.

The board consisted of “key export earners and innovative leaders in the industry” – all of them, men. Suckling and Dame Patsy Reddy were among the very few women on New Zealand boards at that time.

Holding first class

honours and a master’s in biotechnology, Suckling, who was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2015, was not intimidated by the men at the table. Had

she been, she wouldn’t be here to tell her story.

“Everyone could have been my grandfather in terms of age – they were highly networked busi-

nessmen, including the heads of the wool, dairy, kiwifruit and tourism boards,” said Suckling, who recalls how they almost had a language of their own.

“I had to have the confidence to contribute and that came about because I believed in what we were doing. I thought about my contribution and how it could make a difference.”

Suckling has made major contributions to many boards, including chairing NIWA, NZQA, Barker Fruit Processors, AssureQuality, Southpower (now Orion) and Callaghan Innovation. She is also one of the founders of

FRUIT DELIVERIES CRUCIAL TO CLASSROOMS

NOW IN its 20th year, the Fruit in Schools (FIS) programme is playing an increasingly vital role in supporting children facing hunger.

Launched in 2005, FIS is funded by Health New Zealand and delivered by United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated, a not-for-profit, fresh produce industry organisation.

The programme provides daily fresh fruit and vegetables for Year 18 children in schools in high deprivation areas, supplying fresh fruit to over 126,000 students and educators across a quarter of New Zealand’s primary schools.

FIS project manager Stephanie Wrathall says the programme has become a critical lifeline amid the rising issue of food deprivation among students, as the Government’s revamped lunch programme tries to fix ongoing issues.

She says the urgency of FIS’s mission is underscored by alarming find-

the Oxford Clinic (now Forte Health), and the first independent female director on the New Zealand Dairy Board in its lead-up to the formation of Fonterra.

Passionate about driving growth in SMEs, she chairs Jade Software, Jacobsen’s Group, Rubix Project Management and Boulcott Hospital. So, with a longstanding governance career, what is the secret to remaining engaged in this space, especially as a busy mother of four?

“I’ve always been someone to make things happen. I get up every day and look at what we’re trying to do and what we want to

ethnic breakdown showed over 50% of FIS students are Māori and over 30% are Pasifika, proving the programme is reaching those who need it most.”

Although 90% of the 565 schools involved also participate in the government-funded school lunch scheme, Wrathall says many principals report that the provided meals lack fresh fruit. Feedback gathered from schools shows how essential FIS has become to support classroom learning, boost attendance and foster healthy eating habits in the wider community.

Papatoetoe East School deputy principal, Philippa Cowper, says FIS is an essential part of the daily routine.

achieve,” she said.

For Suckling, it was never about sitting on boards per se. But rather, a pure desire to help companies or organisations achieve their goals and bring them to life.

“I stepped into it, and that’s sort of how I lived my career really.”

Her get-up-and-go attitude is mostly innate and part of her dynamic personality.

When she’s excited about an idea, she has a drive to manifest it.

But she also cites her mother as a strong influence and, as a child, she was immersed in a world where “if you wanted to do something, you could make it happen”.

nomically efficient way, sourcing it through wholesale members of United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated and creating an economic boost and employment in our most deprived regions.

United Fresh president, Jerry Prendergast, says a comprehensive evidence review of FIS was conducted by The AgriChain Centre last year. It found the programme worked well, the supporting logic is sound and its current operation was effective and efficient.

“It is a bleak picture and something everyone should be deeply concerned about,” says Wrathall.

“We are seeing a rise in food insecurity like never before. But FIS is making a real difference. Our 2022

ings from the Salvation Army’s 2025 State of the Nation report which highlights a dramatic rise in food insecurity. One in four households with children now reports going without food ‘sometimes’ or ‘often,’ with Pasifika families experiencing even higher levels of deprivation, with one in two saying they go without food regularly.

“It provides an additional source of nutrition for many of our students, especially those who don’t always have breakfast in the mornings. It also exposes all our students to different fruits that they may not always have access to and discover they enjoy.”

FIS delivers fresh fruit in an eco-

Prendergast points out there is also a direct correlation between hungry bellies and student achievement. The Program for International Student Achievement (PISA) began measuring food poverty in 2022 alongside maths, science and reading proficiency levels. It ranked New Zealand second worst in the OECD for the number of students missing meals due to lack of money.

Sue Suckling

The Fruit in Schools programme supplies fresh fruit to over 126,000 students in NZ primary schools.

SOUTH ISLAND

FIELD DAYS

High commodity prices, farmer optimism bode well for event

THE 2025 SOUTH Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) chairman, Rangiora farmer Andrew Stewart, is predicting a successful event on the back of good news coming out of the farming sector and with it a greater level of optimism among farmers.

“The first half of the 2024-25 farming year was tough.

“But since Christmas there has been considerably more good news about commodity values, and we are picking many farmers will be keen to bring forward plans they may have had for upgrading or replacing equipment they have held back on.”

The biennial event, held in rotation with the Southern Field Days at Waimumu in Southland, will be back at its dedicated site at Kirwee from March 26-28.

“The South Island Agricultural Field Days is certainly the place to come to for weighing up your options,” says Stewart.

A big new attraction for this year is the Cowboy Challenge, a competition for horse and rider negotiating a series of obstacles over a timed course, judged on

performance and horsemanship.

MATE Teaser Harnesses are for use with MATINGMARK Harnesses to physically prevent mating. Rams can be temporarily made into teasers before being used for mating. Save on the cost of vasectomies and feed, and get the benefits of earlier and/or condensed lambing and higher lambing percentage*.

machinery suppliers were “still as keen as ever. I’d say we will have 40-plus machines”.

While previous years have used crops including fodder beet or maize, this year they are keeping it simple with one paddock of grass pasture and one of triticale for the harvesting and cultivation machinery demonstrations.

“The field days are an essential event for anyone engaged in agribusiness and farming, and we are more excited than ever to bring together such a diverse range of exhibitors to highlight the innovation and expertise in the sector,” he says.

The tried and true management aid; ram harnesses used at tupping is cheap insurance to check ewes are cycling and rams are working. With harnessed rams, mated ewes can be taken off high quality “flushing” feed and onto maintenance rations.

chance to get a few of those people.”

There will also be an Ag Kids agriculture skills event for youngsters, the popular fencing competition, and the Tractor Shootout, testing competitors’ abilities in operating a telehandler.

Stewart says there are over 600 exhibitors booked.

*As shown by Vet Services Hawkes Bay trial work.

the NOMATE and MATINGMARK videos on the Rurtec youtube channel for more info

Some events that have previously been only one day will run on all three this year.

The covered marquee will be a lot bigger this year and another marquee is going in for indoor lifestyle sites.

“We’ve had a bit of interest over the past few years and with the way the Christchurch Show ended up this year we thought it was a good

NO MATE Teaser Harnesses are for use with MATINGMARK Harnesses to physically prevent mating. Rams can be temporarily made into teasers before being used for mating. Save on the cost of vasectomies and feed, and get the benefits of earlier and/or condensed lambing and higher lambing percentage*.

The second marquee was already “well sold,” he says.

Stewart is taking his turn chairing the event after running the machinery demonstrations in previous years.

He could not yet say how many machines will be put through their paces but the usual

ewes and enable ewes to be split into lambing groups for savings in pasture/ feed costs and improved lambing management.

*As shown by Vet Services Hawkes Bay trial work.

NIGEL MALTHUS

South Island Agricultural Field Days chairman for 2025, Andrew Stewart.

Cowboy Challenge comes to the South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee for the first time this year.

2 SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS

New admin building

A BRAND-SPANKING

new administration building will greet visitors to this year’s South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) at Kirwee.

Replacing a battered old Portacom, the new 12m by 20m building houses an office, lobby, large committee room, and accessible toilets with shower.

The building epitomises the steady development SIAFD has put into the Kirwee site since it was bought about 10 years ago as the permanent home for the biennial event.

They have also renovated many of the shingle tracks, with a new track into the carpark and a new loop through the lifestyle section, to help weather-proof the site.

This year’s committee chair Andrew Stewart is coy about the price but says they always wanted a permanent office and finally took the plunge, knowing building costs would only get dearer.

“What we found the worst was everyone trying to set up on the Tuesday when it was wet.

“All of them coming in with their cars and that was what made the most mess. It tended to be the smaller sites.

“We just keep chipping away. Every year

there’s something new happening,” he says.

Following this event, they will also install an irrigation well, removing their reliance on water from the neighbouring farm.

While there are power lines across the property, they are not connected to the national grid to avoid year-round fixed charges and are powered up with generators for each event.

But a permanent connection is now being established for the new

administration building and the well, and they will need fewer generators this year.

“Now that we’re putting the well in, we’ve got quite a big transformer going in,” says Stewart.

“It’s always been in our thinking that we needed to be self-contained at some point.

“Working through consents and stuff is a bit challenging but we’re getting there.”

@rural_news

facebook.com/ruralnews

NIGEL MALTHUS

SIAFD chair Andrew Stewart says the new building epitomises the steady development it has put into the Kirwee site.

Nedap aims to help farmers maximise herd’s potential

LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT technology provider Nedap is on a mission – to put the power of precision farming on the side of New Zealand dairy farmers.

Monitoring six million cows globally, Nedap, headquartered in Groenlo, Netherlands, announced the launch of Nedap New Zealand on January 1 this year.

Nedap currently offers its Cow Collar and cloud software technology in NZ through its business partners - GEA, Waikato Milking Systems, Lely and Censortec - and is looking to introduce Nedap ‘SmartSort’ and Nedap ‘SmartFlow over time.

Nedap general manager Oceania Mike Wilson says the company strives to improve farmers bottom line with Nedap solutions that maximise dairy herd performance and save time, labour and costs.

Wilson told Rural News the Nedap Cow Collar paired with Nedap Now software offers upto-date insights into cow health, fertility, and activity, helping farmers maximise their herd’s potential.

“With 24/7 monitoring, you can reduce labour, make informed decisions, and boost both

productivity and animal well-being—all while keeping your farm running smoothly,” says Wilson.

He points out that currently about 18% of New Zealand farmers utilise wearable technology.

However, Nedap expects the adoption rate to rise significantly in the coming years.

“Globally adoption is much higher and Nedap views cow monitoring as a natural step into further on farm automation,” he says.

“Nedap’s business partners are at the cutting edge of robotic milking systems, the Nedap Collar is used to provide insights and identification for these systems globally.”

Nedap Cow Collar automatically tracks signs of heat, such as increased activity, chin resting and mounting behaviour. The

system shows a clear list of all cows in heat with their optimal insemination moment for effective insemination with the highest chance of conception. It also provides additional reproduction insights, helping farmers find cows with irregular heats, non-cycling cows and non-pregnant cows.

It’s also suited for health monitoring – to keep cows healthy, fertile and productive.

“Nedap Health Monitoring is an essential tool to keep track of your cow’s health, picking up changes before you see them,” says Wilson.

“The system compares all behaviour with standards for optimum condition, the previous behaviour of the cow and the behaviour of the group she is in and detects changes or abnormalities.

“It provides early and

reliable health alerts for cows that need urgent attention and shows a list of cows that need to be checked today, allowing you to treat health issues before they become problems.

“It also enables you to intensively monitor transition cows and posttreatment recovery.”

Wilson says another benefit of the Nedap Now software is that it evaluates group and herd behaviour.

“It shows you how external factors and management decisions may have influenced the herd’s performance.”

Wilson says Nedap will be at the South Island Field Days at Kirwee this month to support dairy farmers.

“New Zealand is a global leader in dairy production. Its dairy industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, con-

tributing over $26 billion in export revenue annually and employing nearly 55,000 people who support many rural towns and communities.

“The adoption of advanced technology is crucial for maintaining this leadership position.

Nedap New Zealand and its partners are poised to be pivotal in supporting this industry transformation,” says Wilson.

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

Nedap currently offers its Cow Collar and cloud software technology in NZ through its business partners.

Foliar feeding ‘lifts N efficiency’

Trials across four dairy farms in Wales two years ago compared conventional granular nitrogen fertilisers with foliarapplied nitrogen, which is absorbed directly through the leaves. The results showed up to 315% higher NUE in foliar-fed systems, requiring significantly less nitrogen to achieve similar dry matter

yields.

Published in the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Wales, the results point out that dairy farmers can reduce nitrogen fertiliser costs by up to 39% per litre of milk produced, without compromising yield.

The research executive summary notes that most nitrogen fertilisers are applied to grassland systems in solid form. The nutrients are washed into the topsoil by rain and subsequently taken up by the roots of the plants.

However, it says there is another, more direct, method of getting nitrogen into the plant which is through the pores in the leaves.

“Previous trials have shown that foliar feeding, applied as a spray, can decrease the amount of nitrogen applied while maintaining dry matter yields,” it says.

The project tested this theory on four dairy farms in mid and southwest Wales. On each

NO REGRETS

TARANAKI FARMER Allan Marx embraced foliar feeding seven years ago and doesn’t regret it.

Marx was running a conventional style, pasture based dairy system. Nutrients were applied in solid form using a bulky up to 6 times a year. Application was always weather dependant and particularly urea, was a waste of time without any rain, he points out.

After seeing Tow and Fert machines at National Fieldays, he talked to friend in the South Island who used a contractor to apply his fertiliser with a Tow and Fert machine. Convinced by the contractor, he went to Metalform in Dannevirke to get a Tow and Fert Multi 4000 built for his farm.

And the results have been seen across the farm in a short space of time.

Marx recalls that with the summer of 2018-19 being hot and dry farms in Taranaki suffered. Milk production graph clearly shows the drop off in the district as the heat took hold. But at Marx’s farm, the grass held on a heck of lot better than surrounding farms meaning he did not have to reduce milking turnaround times to every 16 hours or once a day.

Since taking ownership of the Multi 4000, Marx’s farming system has changed significantly. From a largely conventional nutrition system, he has moved into a system that focuses on the ecosystem of the farm, considering the soil, grass and the animal.

farm, one field – about 6ha - was divided into three plots of equal size and the following fertiliser regimes imple-

mented:

• Plot 1: Conventional prilled nitrogen (N) application every 21 days

• Plot 2: Foliar feed

(a mixture of urea and humic acid) was applied at intervals of 21 days during the grazing season

• Plot 3: A control of no nitrogen plots was mostly grazed, but in 2020, additional plots were set up on one of the farms to look at this approach in the context of silage systems.

The first two years’ results suggested that, while in absolute terms, the yields were higher on the conventional fertiliser plots, the NUE – the increase in DM/ kgN applied was much higher in the foliar fed plots. The farmers were interested in whether, by increasing the N concentration in the foliar feed mix, absolute yields could be increased to be comparable with the conventional plots.

Key findings were:

• It is possible to achieve comparable yields to the conventional plots using foliar feed systems.

• At lower rates of N application, yields were lower in the foliar fed systems. However, the (NUE) was much greater (between 2 and 3 times higher) in foliar fed systems.

• Foliar fed systems achieved higher yields in adverse conditions, for example cool and/or dry conditions. This could be because absorption through the leaves was less affected by adverse soil conditions compared to uptake through the roots.

Tow and Fert Multi 4000 delivers liquid fertiliser to pasture.

‘Cheap seed comes with major risks’

CHOOSING PASTURE

seed at bargain prices may seem an attractive way for farmers to reduce autumn or spring re-sowing costs, but it comes with significant risks, says the NZ Plant Breeders and Research Association (PBRA).

As the autumn re-grassing season approaches, the association is urging farmers to choose modern proprietary cultivars which are supported by years of investment, testing and development.

Choosing uncertified or unknown cultivar options can result in poorer strike rates and weed infestation.

Cheap pasture seed may also contain unknown and potentially low or non-existent endophyte, crucial for pasture persistence and good livestock performance.

Newly appointed

PBRA chief executive Sarah Clark says modern ryegrass cultivars are inoculated with new and known endophyte strains which are designed to reduce the effects of some performance-limiting livestock challenges and enhance persistence.

Clark says PBRA member companies deploy specific management systems to ensure endophyte levels and seed quality are maintained, and they also come with support and advice from experienced field staff. “It might be tempting to consider buying cheap, uncertified seed, but the risk of poor pasture performance is high, as is the risk to onfarm biosecurity from the introduction of unwanted weeds,” she says.

“Buying seed of unknown quality and provenance buys a risk of high weed control costs

and reduced pasture and animal productivity. The cost of additional management inputs and lost animal productivity can far exceed the premium paid for buying known and proven cultivar pasture seed.”

Many PBRA member companies make significant long-term investments in proprietary cultivar development, and she says the support of farmers is vital to maintain those programmes, so they continue to provide cultivars which perform better and mitigate some of today’s farming challenges.

The general manager of PBRA member company Germinal New Zealand, Simon Larsen, says many of the proprietary cultivars have also been included in multiple National Forage Variety Trials across several regions, so farmers

can compare their performance against other options in similar farming areas to their own.

“Those trials are independently run and audited, so farmers can view the results, make their own selections with confidence and know the cultivar choice they make will provide value for their farm,” Larsen says.

PBRA member companies have good supplies of their proprietary ryegrass cultivars available for sowing this autumn after last year’s challenging season resulting from lower farm gate prices and the hike in input costs experienced over the past two years.

Larsen expects improving farmgate prices will have a positive influence on the volume of seed sown in this autumn’s re-grassing period.

“The cost pressures on

farms mean there’s been a lot more short-term crops repeated over the past couple of years and pasture renovation deferral. At some point those paddocks will return to perennial pasture as part

of the farms re-grassing programme,” he says.

The PBRA represents plant breeders, intellectual property owners and managers of proprietary agricultural seed. Association members are companies whose primary focus is the development and marketing of plant intellectual property through demonstrating the strength of researchproven standards of performance.

Newly appointed Plant Breeders and Research Association chief executive Sarah Clark (inset) wants farmers to choose modern proprietary cultivars which are supported by years of investment, testing and development.

Come and connect with us

WE’RE EXCITED to connect with dairy farmers at the upcoming South Island Agricultural Fieldays.

This event will provide a great opportunity to connect with our upper South Island regional team who are passionate about supporting dairy farmers to succeed, by providing farm systems solutions and connecting farmers with the right people.

We will be showcasing some of our farmer tools and resources, which have been developed with DairyNZ’s research and farm systems expertise, to support success on farm. These include our Facts & Figures book, body condition score and pasture field guides.

There are also a range

of interesting events coming up across the region. These regional events are helping to provide greater access to our scientists, experts and our research, with a focus on farm systems application, while continuing to support farmers to connect with other farmers in their local region.

Dairy training the next generation:

We will also have some of the Dairy Training Limited team, a DairyNZ subsidiary, on site to talk about their NextGen programme, which is currently seeking both host farmers and Year 12 and 13 students to join.

This programme is designed to help grow the next generation of skilled dairy farmers. NextGen is a NZQA-accredited programme designed for year

12 and 13 school leavers, providing them with the foundation for a successful career in dairy farming.

It includes hands on pre-employment training, six months of onfarm employment, which includes weekly training days and ongoing pastoral care and support as they start their dairy farming career.

Come and talk about how Dairy Training is helping shape the next generation of skilled dairy farmers and consider if being a host farmer trainer is something suitable for your farming operation, or whether you know students who may be interested in this unique opportunity.

Try to reel in a prize: Alongside connecting with some of the DairyNZ team, each day brings the

To Give A ‘Better Use Of Water’

We connect your water meter data with climate, soil moisture to give a real basis to irrigate or use water with: • The right amount • At the right time

Good Value... cost effective data

Easy setup and easy to use • Uncomplicated presentation giving simple farm management decisions

• Nationwide service and backup

• We are well established being the leading provider of water measuring systems

• Equipment is reliable land well proven to perform

• We support you in your audit and environmental reporting

ANNA HALL

Anna Hall

Meeting face-to-face with vegetable, fruit growers

THE HORTICULTURE

New Zealand (HortNZ) team is looking forward to connecting with growers at the upcoming South Island Agricultural Field Days, says HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott.

HortNZ will be sharing a stand with Potatoes NZ at Site C61, where members of its policy team and Canterbury regional representative, Chelsea Donnelly, will be available to meet growers.

“We’re always ready to support growers and appreciate taking the

opportunity to meet faceto-face” says Scott.

“That’s why we encourage everyone to stop by and see us at the event.”

These are exciting times for New Zealand’s horticulture sector, with export revenues expected to reach a record $8 billion by 30 June - an impressive 12% increase.

However, growers also face significant challenges, including extreme weather, rising costs, and increased regulation.

Biosecurity remains a top priority, highlighted

by the recent discovery of a second male Oriental fruit fly in Auckland.

“HortNZ is committed to helping growers navigate these challenges while continuing to grow their businesses and contribute to the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan’s goal of doubling the farmgate value of horticultural production by 2035.”

Donnelly’s appointment last year marked the start of a pilot programme introducing four regional representatives.

“Having Chelsea on

the ground means growers in the South have a direct link to us,” says Scott.

“She regularly visits growers, but she’s also just a phone call away for any questions or concerns. She ensures growers’ insights and ideas reach Wellington, shaping our discussions with the Government on key policies.”

With this direct connection, we can tailor industry meetings across the regions to be as relevant and useful as possible for growers.

Soil Aeration Specialists

RURAL ONLINE

TPW Xpress Woolpress

With industry leading safety features, the #1 selling and most trusted woolpress helps to keep you and your workers safe in the shed. The TPW Xpress now comes with the new indicator with audible and visible alarms that let you know when you’re approaching the target weight.

Watch our equipment in action! See us at South Island Field Days Site M173

Revamped cattle crush – easy on workers, cattle

ciency in the yards, especially for any new owner of a cattle crush.

COMBI CLAMP prides itself for being well known for offering sheep and cattle equipment solutions that are easy to operate and safer for users, while also ensuring an animal’s wellbeing and comfort.

- 1.8m boom. At only 78kg, it’s easy to install with no loss of load space and features hydraulic lift and pressure regulated downwards movement

In their range of cattle crushes, ongoing development has seen the removal of the two-handed release levers of the auto head yoke, replaced with single lever action, in both weighing and catching modes.

Combi Clamp suggests this is a game changer that simplifies any operation, while increasing effi-

The new release mechanism is coupled with the existing auto head yoke that automatically catches any cattle beast as it tries to move through the crush.

“This enables the operator to work the auto head yoke from the rear of the Cattle Crush, with one hand, while the other is used to control the entry sliding gate, so streamlining the process and reducing the time spent in the yards, to free up time to do other things” said Wayne Coffey, a farmer, designer and owner of Combi Clamp.

The company has also been work-

ing on designing a traditional style head bail system, with a Combi Clamp twist.

Manually operated and designed to prioritise the user’s and animals’ comfort and wellbeing, the company wanted a fail-safe way to quickly release an animal that might have gone down in the crush.

If an animal should go down the bail can be opened instantly at the bottom, ensuring there are no restrictions to air or blood flows. The bail is non-handed, so it can be set up to work in either way direction, while also being adjustable to suit differing sized animals.

www.combiclamp.co.nz

The auto head yoke automatically catches any cattle beast as it tries to move through the crush.

Power Farming and Topcon join forces

OVER THE last halfdecade, the rapid adoption of GPS, guidance and a host of management and data recording functions has emphasised the need for a knowledgeable and reliable product and support provider.

Manufacturer Topcon announced a strategic distribution agreement with Power Farming New Zealand (PF), who import, distribute a comprehensive range of tractors and machinery, for agriculture and construction, which in turn is sold through its 21-strong dealer network.

The collaboration means that PF will now be able to offer and extend Topcon’s industry leading solutions beyond its existing customers to a wider audience, irrespective of their tractor or machinery brands.

Power Farming is wellversed in Topcon’s GPS and guidance systems, via a long-standing OEM agreement with Same Deutz Fahr (SDF), who supply PF with a wide offering of tractors from 60 to 340hp. The new tie-up will mean that customers will gain access to existing and emerging solutions that will make life easier, more efficient, traceable and increase bottom line returns.

Getting started means PF will reach a wider audience with Topcon’s Value line Series that includes a receiver, display unit and steering wheel motor, with an unlocked connection to the StarPoint Satellite for a correction signal, offering 15cm accuracy, at an extremely competitive $10,000. Upgrades include a licence to StarPoint Pro for 2.5cm pass-

to-pass accuracy, or a RTK offering with a UHF frequency radio receiver connection for 1cm accuracy.

General manager SDF at Power Farming, Alistair Horrocks comments, “we already have more than a decade of experience with the Topcon products via the SDF OEM agreement, so it makes great sense to work together to expand the offering. The other point is that many of the implements we import are already compatible via integrated Topcon technology, easily accessed via integral ISOBUS systems”.

Horrocks goes on to explain that alongside what is typically described as GPS and steering, many customers are already using Auto Section Control and Variable Rate Application for fertiliser and spraying operations, alongside Auto Headland turns for a wide range of field operations.

Moving forwards, he believes the “norm” will include the likes of onthe-go yield monitoring, looking at variability and total yields, weighing systems for mixer wagons, with overall feed management, and even basic weighing for front-end loaders.

Additionally, as farmers and growers come under even more intense regulatory oversight, the latest technology will offer proof of placement, including application date, time, weather conditions and weights or volumes of fertiliser/effluent applied.

The new agreement allows Power Farming to further enhance the existing relationship and adds more support, with the recent appointment

of a dedicated support manager, more training and more market specific offerings for new

and existing customers of Topcon and Power Farming.

www.powerfarming.co.nz

MARK DANIEL

markd@ruralnews.co.nz

Power Farming can now offer and extend Topcon’s industry leading solutions beyond its existing customers to a wider audience.

Ford’s new addition

FORD NEW Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely popular SUV family, said to offer improved offroad capabilities, without compromising on towing capacity or on-road comfort.

The Everest Tremor offers a 3.0-litre V6 turbo

diesel engine delivering 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque, complemented by enhanced suspension and tyres, that feature Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, new springs, and General

Grabber AT3 All-Terrain Tyres that provide 26mm of additional ground clearance compared to the standard Everest.

Complementing these features, a Rock Crawl Drive Mode, unique

of torque.

within the Everest range, optimises traction and momentum on loose and rocky surfaces, ensuring confident off-road exploration. Completing the package, a rugged exterior design includes a distinctive honeycomb grille design with auxiliary LED lamps, a steel bash plate,

heavy-duty side steps, and signature Tremor badging.

The Everest Tremor continues to offer a 3,500kg maximum braked towing capacity alongside a premium interior with Tremor-embossed leather accented seats, ebony-coloured interior

accents, and all-weather floor mats to provide a comfortable and stylish cabin. Everest Tremor will be available in the exclusive Command Grey exterior colour along with Meteor Grey, Arctic White and Absolute Black. Available from June 2025.

ROBOT SETS RECORD

WHILE WE might be familiar with huge daily outputs with ‘manned’ machinery, it looks like the future may only be just around the corner with the AgXeed autonomous robotic tractor.

Having already set a record for autonomous cultivation, knocking over 120ha in 90 hours and picking up a Tractor of the Year Award at last November’s EIMA show, the machine has now set an autonomous world drilling record with a Kongskilde combination, planting 30.7ha (76 acres) in 14 hours.

The drilling record one was established across four heavy clay fields near Cambridge in the UK, with a standard tracked 5.115T2 AgBot paired to a 6m Kongskilde Vibroseeder and 1,900l front hopper.

The manufacturer suggests that the record probably won’t stand for very long, as the original plan was to run for 24 hours, but because of severe weather, that target was cut 10 hours short.

The fully loaded 10.4 tonne, driver-

less vehicle covered an average of 2.19 ha/hr, suggesting that it should be possible to cover around 50ha in 24 hours. For the event, the field boundaries were preloaded, so that as each field was completed, a simple button press initiated movement to the next field. To oversee progress, an ISOBUS seed monitoring system was also used for remote viewing of all 40 coulters during drilling. Working at a depth of 8-10cm, the Vibroseeder planted Crusoe winter milling wheat at a rate of 225 kg/ha, refilled five times during the process.

Operating at a preset drilling speed of 7km/h, turning speeds at the headlands was reduced to 4.5km/h, with an average fuel consumption of 17 litres/hr. William Mumford of Agden Green farm said, “After receiving five months’ rain in four days, much of the area was waterlogged, making the AgBot’s light footprint essential for planting – our wheeled tractors would have simply gotten stuck”.

The Everest Tremor offers a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine delivering 184kW of power and 600Nm

MARK DANIEL

New seed drill tech coming

INCORPORATING VAD -

ERSTAD’S latest seed drill technology, the Proceed V 24, is said to improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for New Zealand farmers and growers from the 2026 season.

First shown in 2021, Proceed has picked up

“Proceed

with millimetre precision, resulting in a 50% lower seed rate for the same yield.

“The heart of Proceed is its high-precision row units and PowerShoot technology,” says Greg.

Available with 24 rows and a working width of six metres, the Proceed V 24 operates with either 225mm or 250mm row spacing with a 2,200-

V 24 represents a new category of seeding machines, by offering one machine that can increase the yield potential in a variety of crops.”

awards, including the2022 and 2023 Machine of the Year, alongside SIMA in France, LAMMA in the UK, AGROmash in Hungary and at the Agrosalon in Slovakia.

“Proceed V 24 represents a new category of seeding machines, by offering one machine that can increase the yield potential in a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sugar beet, peas, maize, sunflower,” says Greg Moore, Norwood brand manager – equipment.

Previously, there has been a clear distinction between grain seed drills and precision planters for row crops.

Said to ensure the exact same start for all seeds, the merging of seeding and planting technologies in the Proceed V 24 brings the precision of planters to grain crops, while also maintaining the ability to plant at wider row distances, resulting in unprecedented crop quality and increased versatility.

Built around a variation of the familiar Gilstring seed metering unit from the Väderstad Tempo precision planter, the Proceed V 24 will plant even the smallest seed at the perfect depth

litre seed hopper. A front hopper can also be utilised to enable in-row fertiliser distribution.

Individually mounted pre-consolidation wheels ensure consistent conditions for each seed, while air pressure is used in three ways through the Väderstad PowerShoot system.

Positive air pressure ensures each seed is placed individually on the rotating seed discs. Air pressure is momentarily cut to allow the seed to be accurately placed into the seed tube, before resuming, to shoot or fire the seed down to the seedbed. When it leaves the short seed tube, the seed is received by a stop wheel, which ensures optimal seed-to-soil contact at the selected depth over the entire working width.

As part of the development journey, Väderstad’s engineers and testing department conducted extensive field tests throughout Europe to understand how farmers can get the most out of the Proceed, while independent researchers assessed results throughout the growing season. Proceed V 24 is available for NZ customers to order for spring 2026.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

Proceed V 24 will improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for NZ farmers and growers from the 2026 season.

Minerals make a difference

can be fed ad-lib in the paddock has seen the range expanded.

ENSURING LIVESTOCK

receive a balanced and adequate mineral intake is essential for optimal health and productivity, as they play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including growth, reproduction, and disease resistance.

CP Lime Solutions has announced their new range of Vitalise mineral supplements for sheep and beef, using micronised mineral pellets containing calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and trace elements.

The company has provided mineral supplements for dairy cows over the last 17 years, but a growing demand from sheep (especially fine wool) and beef cattle farmers for minerals that

Looking at minerals in more detail, calcium and phosphorus are fundamental for the development of strong bones and teeth in livestock. Any deficiency in these minerals can lead to skeletal abnormalities and reduced growth rates.

By incorporating mineral supplements into the diet, farmers can ensure that their animals receive the necessary nutrients to support robust growth and structural integrity. This is particularly important for young animals whose rapid development demands higher mineral intake.

Reproductive efficiency is another critical factor in the profitability of pastoral farming, with trace minerals such as zinc, selenium,

and copper having been shown to influence fertility positively.

As an example, zinc plays a vital role in hormone production and ovulation, while selenium is essential for sperm motility and overall reproductive health. Supplementing livestock diets with these miner-

als can lead to improved conception rates and healthier offspring, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the farming operation.

In the dairy sector, milk yield and quality are directly linked to mineral nutrition, with calcium in particular, being a major component of milk and

required in significant amounts during lactation.

Insufficient calcium levels can result in decreased milk production and conditions such as milk fever.

CP Lime Solutions says Vitalise mineral products are formulated to provide adequate calcium and other essential minerals, supporting optimal milk

production and quality.

A well-functioning immune system is essential for livestock to resist infections and recover from illnesses, with minerals like zinc and selenium known to bolster immune responses. Zinc is linked to maintaining skin integrity and wound healing, while selenium acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. Regular supplements containing these minerals can reduce the incidence of diseases, leading to lower veterinary costs and improved animal welfare.

Metabolic disorders, such as grass tetany and milk fever, can also be linked to mineral imbalances. For example, grass tetany is associated with low magnesium levels and can be fatal if not addressed promptly.

Incorporating mag-

nesium-rich supplements can help prevent such conditions. Similarly, ensuring adequate calcium intake pre- and post-calving can mitigate the risk of milk fever, while promoting smoother lactation transitions.

Investing in high-quality mineral supplements can lead to significant long-term savings, as healthy animals with balanced mineral nutrition exhibit better growth rates, reproductive performance, and disease resistance, leading to increased productivity and reduced healthcare expenses. Moreover, preventing mineral deficiency-related issues before they arise is more cost-effective than treating them after they develop.

www.cplimesolutions. net.nz

MARK DANIEL

CP Lime Solutions has announced their new range of Vitalise mineral supplements for sheep.

Wool pellets to boost gardens

gardens”.

WITH WOOL prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.

Kieran and Jessica White found that while they sold some of their wool, a lot of the daggywool and the lower quality wool wasn’t getting used and would often end up in landfill.

So about six months ago the couple launched Cozy Crops, producing 100% wool pellets as fertiliser and mulch for plants.

Jessica describes Cozy Crops as “an innovative new gardening product helping Kiwis cultivate fertile, hydrated soil for healthy, productive

She says the feedback from users and retail stockists has been phenomenal. “I believe our product and story aligns well with the values of supporting NZ made natural gardening products,” she told Rural News

“As a nutritionist, knowing where my food comes from and how it’s grown is so important. Our product allows anyone to cultivate fertile, hydrated gardens so they can produce more of their own food that’s free from artificial fertilisers and pesticides.”

Jessica says Cozy Crops was born out of the desire to make the most out of their sheep and make sure nothing they produce goes to waste.

“We also like that by putting the wool back

into the ground we are keeping the nutrients and the carbon in the earth.

“The benefits of wool as a textile are well known, but little thought

has been given to the low-quality wool produced in New Zealand.

“The fact of the matter is that not all sheep are producing top quality wool that can be used for clothing, but they still need to be shorn, so there is always going to be a wool byproduct. If this low-quality wool isn’t utilised it will end up in landfill. Rather than letting this wool go to waste we have decided to utilise it to help Kiwi’s grow better, healthier crops in their own gardens.”

Jessica adds that the wool pellets act as both a mulch and a fertiliser.

The wool pellets help deter slugs and snails, suppress weed growth, reduce soil water loss, and provide nutrition and structure to the soil.

She says Cozy Crops wool pellets provide a range of benefits for both plants and the environment.

“These pellets are an all-natural fertiliser with a slow-release nutrient profile, making them suitable for most plant and soil types,” she says.

“The pellets also retain water, reducing the need for frequent watering and keeping soil hydrated in dry conditions, saving up to 25% in water usage. The rough texture of the wool effectively deters pests like slugs and snails, ensuring a pet-safe solution to garden pests.

“Additionally, Cozy Crops wool pellets serve as a powerful mulch, suppressing weeds and preserving soil moisture for months. As a result, they make gardening more efficient, healthier, and more productive, all while supporting New Zealand’s wool industry.”

EDITORIAL

Escaping Trump’s wrath

PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s bizarre hard line approach to the world of what was once ‘rules-based trade’ has got New Zealand government officials, politicians and exporters on tenterhooks.

They are crossing their fingers that NZ will somehow avoid the wrath that Trump has inflicted on Canada, Mexico and to a slightly lesser degree on China, while leaving the supposed enemy, Russia unscathed. Trump and his hatchet team have thrown the whole world into chaos, yet, unbelievably, many Americans think they are right.

The strategy from NZ thus far has been to be a ‘stealth fighter jet’ and remain unseen by Trump’s radar. But how long will this be possible? NZ has a few things going for it, starting with the fact that we don’t have a major trade imbalance with the US. And maybe being small is helpful – who knows.

The problem for NZ is that the US has grown in importance as a market for our meat, so yes, we do need the US, probably more than they need us.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s comments on the Trump administration have been carefully phrased so as not to offend. He has wisely taken the line of his officials, avoiding at all costs any comment that might offend or spark a negative response to NZ.

But despite this delicate diplomacy, the chances are that through no fault of its own, NZ will likely get caught in the crossfire between the US and the other countries it is targeting.

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins has said it’s unlikely that NZ will get off scot-free in the turmoil that Donald Trump is creating. If any of NZ’s trading partners suffer economically from what is happening, we too will likely suffer.

As of now, the Government is playing its cards right with the US and one can only hope this helps mitigate any major damage to our economy.

SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND?

GOT SOMETHING on your mind about the latest issues affecting our farming industry? Put your pen to paper or your fingers to your keyboard, and let our readers know what you think. Contact us by either post or email. Don’t forget to put your name and address. Note: Letters may be edited.

post to: Letter to the Editor PO Box 331100 Takapuna , Auckland 0740. or Email: editor@ruralnews.co.nz

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THE HOUND

Chicken Little

IF YOU’RE one of the few still reading the NZ Herald, you’d have seen Chicken Little academics screaming that the sky is falling because Judith Collins has focused Marsden science grants on actual science. When they say she is “driving the car that represents our research, science, innovation and technology system, and just simply crashed it and destroyed a large chunk of it”, what they mean is their pet woke projects will no longer get funding.

Your old mate reckons much of the wasteful spend has for too long been focused on race-based virtue signaling and social engineering.

As if to prove the Hound’s point, the Green Party said the ditched projects were “a critical part of the ongoing critique and improvement of our society”. As usual, if the Greens think it’s a bad idea, Crusher Collins is probably on the money!

House in order?

YOUR OLD mate reckons a wake-up call is overdue for the platoons of non-productive (and now unemployed) bureaucrats, researchers and various other bludgers whingeing about the current government putting out the bonfire of taxpayer money that burned so brightly in recent years. NZ is not in good financial state (income dropping, debt increasing, etc) and the world order is changing rapidly. Chinese warships firing live rounds in the Tasman Sea with little to no warning is a good indicator that a future anchored to China buying our produce, or sending us tourists, is not going to be a winning strategy for much longer. We need to get the books in order sooner rather than later, and like it or not, up our military contribution compared to our allies. And, despite the wailing and moaning, that means cutting out the deadwood.

Banks on notice

SHANE ‘MATUA’ Jones, crusader against all things woke, including “woke banks”, couldn’t have scripted it better when his NZ First colleague Andy Foster had his Members’ Bill drawn from the ballot recently. The Bill, it is hoped, will stop lenders from unfairly debanking legitimate businesses and industries (such as petrol stations) on ideological grounds. As Feds’ banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says, “Banks have been under huge pressure recently for some of their more unpalatable lending practices. This Bill [will] add to that scrutiny and shine a white-hot light on big banks that have been forcing their ideological views down the throats of New Zealanders”. While not their Bill, the Feds are claiming this as a moral victory for them. Fair enough too, they’ve been vocal critics of the banking sector in recent years and helped get the select committee inquiry currently underway.

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound? Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

Waffle man

PRIME MINISTER Christopher Luxon sometimes can’t escape his own corporate instinct for evasion, and in a what should have been a soft interview with ZB’s Mike Hosking, Luxon unnecessarily “made a meal of it”, to paraphrase Hosking. It was farcical and all too common from the PM. The Hound wonders if new terminology will enter the NZ lexicon: ‘Doing a Luxon – (v) meaning to waffle on, talk gibberish, churning out buzz words and corporate speak in volumes equal to what the average cow emits after a big feed’. Luxon’s inability to speak off the cuff in language the average person connects with is a problem for his minders. Is he not taking advice? One commentator suggested it would be easier to teach a dog to play golf than teach Luxon to speak the language of the people.

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“No problem – with all this global warming, who needs a greenhouse!”

‘Just answer the damn question!’

THE FIRST thing one should look for in an article about climate change is what conflicts of interest the author has.

The word of a scientist, or maybe a whole panel of them, whose livelihood and whose future funding relies on the message they deliver, looking to make a specific point or even report to the government, must be viewed with a healthy dose of scepticism.

I openly disclose that I am a member of the Methane Science Accord, a sheep farmer and a supplier of genetics to many other farmers, therefore my livelihood depends on the viability of sheep farming and a halt to the blanket pine tree scourge and talk of costly and ridiculous methane mitigation methods which are

effectively a tax. Does this mean I have a conflict of interest with the truth when it comes to the science of GHG’s and methane in particular? Definitely not, and the reason is that my greatest concern is for the economic future of our wonderful nation; what is good for me is good for every New Zealander.

A prosperous rural sector with full employment and vibrant schools and communities is and always has been the fuel which this country runs on.

New Zealand used to be a nation of leaders, from conquering mountains and oceans to splitting atoms and agricultural innovation, but sadly we have let the opportunity slip to inform and lead the world around the physics

of GHG emissions, particularly ruminant methane.

Worse than that, not a single politician or farming industry ‘advocate’ will address the one simple question that would end the pointless waste of hundreds of millions of dollars

and the prospect of a ‘tax’ on livestock farmers. The question is: How much warming are our ruminants causing? Just answer the damn question!

Our industry advocates and politicians have a blind obsession with emissions but will not

stop to consider what effect those emissions have on atmospheric temperature, even though their own scientific advisors have told them the answer is at best 4 millionths of a degree per year (effectively zero!)

I don’t want to lay out all the science that makes a mockery of the NZ GHG emissions reduction targets, except to say that even if one doesn’t accept that ruminants are causing no warming, the UN body which basically gives the Government the guidelines to follow has said the warming effect of methane that NZ uses in its models is overstated by 300-400%.

So, what is wrong with our people, what is in their heads… apart from rocks?

Here’s another couple of questions:

1. How can we prog-

ress our economy with a PM that has stated he is ‘fixated on net zero’?

Professor Michael Kelly of Oxford University has calculated that the cost of achieving the PM’s dream of net zero by 2050 will be well in excess of $500 billion! That’s $4,000 per man woman and child in NZ, every year for 25 years.

2. If we need to rush through a new Gene Technology Bill, apparently to give our pastoral sector some ‘market advantage’ and to mitigate our ruminant emissions (which are causing no warming) with novel grasses and rumen altering biotech, then why are the submissions being heard by the Health Committee?

3. Despite the Government telling us the country will face a $24 billion dollar penalty if we don’t

meet our emissions targets, it turns out that is not actually true – there is no penalty to pay, just the risk of losing exports to woke countries, so exactly which are those countries?

4. It has been stated that a biotech bolus inserted into the rumen of cattle would likely cost over $100/hd/yr. There are approximately 10 million cattle in NZ, so the cost is a billion dollars per year. Tell me how that makes any sense. This is a call to action from every New Zealander with an ounce of common sense to lobby your MPs and industry advocates, ring them and email them, tell them to wake up and answer the damn question.

• Hamish De Lautour is a Wairarapa sheep farmer and member of the Methane Science Accord.

HAMISH DE LAUTOUR

Hamish De Lautour

The social licence to operate

IN THE 2023 election, 77.5% of the 3.69 million people eligible to vote took the privilege and right of making their wishes known about the governance of New Zealand.

The 2.86 million people who voted, might or might not be experiencing what they thought

they had voted for. This is because the previous decisions in New Zealand and ongoing global issues continue to affect activities here. But whatever we in the rural communities think, it will be very difficult to achieve what we want if we don’t have the support of the 2.9-3.7 million people who might

vote in the next election – now less than two years away.

Of course, one might continue to ask questions about the three-year electoral term in New Zealand, noting that most other developed countries operate on a four(like US, Germany) or five- (like UK, France)

year cycle. But an apolitical agreement on electoral term is unlikely when ruling parties want longer in leadership and opposition wants the chance to knock them from their position of control as soon as possible. For the rural sector, maintaining social licence to operate remains the

key. Whatever we do in the next few months will allow the voters to support attempts from Wellington to enable economic redevelopment, or not.

There are few people in economics and banking that have not acknowledged the importance of the primary sector in stimulating growth.

The current Government’s goal of doubling the value of the export economy has been reiterated on many occasions, and the positive news of the Global Dairy Trade increases has been greeted with delight by economists predicting what it will mean for New Zealand.

Immediately there have been negative comments from other groups about environmental impact. The announcement of the new greenhouse gas targets (Nationally Determined Contributions) reinvigorated the concern. This vocal minority has potential to gain traction, but we know from many surveys that people are far more concerned about the cost of living and impact on their own back pocket than either climate change or the state of the environment.

We also know that most people appreciate the work the rural sector does in producing food and managing the environment. This means that reiterating the statements that “we are doing everything we can while the science and technology advances” is the best route forward.

We have the Paris Agreement that says, ‘do everything you can do reduce greenhouse gases without impacting food production’.

We have the data suggesting that we are (mostly) at best practice and doing our best to do ever better.

We have active research in many areas to do with productivity (more product per hour, per hectare and per agricultural input). Further, our track record through StatsNZ shows that we have been more successful in productivity gains than other sectors in the past.

But we will have to overcome the disruption in the science sector that might lead to a hiatus in what we need for the future. Research is continuing through the levy bodies, Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and Agrizero, but the general disruption in science is not good for scientists, nor for future recruitment.

We can make that point when talking at gatherings.

We can also answer the cost-of-living questions about ‘food being so expensive in NZ despite production of surplus…’. GST is on all products at 15%. We are unique in this. The UK, for instance, has VAT ranging from 0% on pharmaceuticals and ‘certain foodstuffs’ to 20% on TV cable subscriptions, admission to sporting events, pharmaceuticals, and ‘certain foodstuffs, restaurants and catering’. Further digging reveals that ‘food and drink that is designed for human consumption is usually zero rated’.

Another point for New Zealand is the amount of food we import – tropical (including bananas and out of season fruit), chocolate, cereals, rice, lentils, beans, coffee, tea, sugar… some of which are staples and some of which can be grown here, but at greater cost than imports.

The major take-home message remains: we are doing everything we can and coping with interest rates that are higher than those they pay for mortgages. Keeping society with us will enable the social licence to operate to continue. The alternative does not bear contemplation, but maybe is part of the discussion. What would New Zealand look like without the primary sector? Export economy decimated and the Department of Conservation unable to cope? It wouldn’t be a pretty sight.

• Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, CNZM HFNZIAHS, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is on the board of directors of DairyNZ, Deer Industry NZ and Ravensdown, and of the World Farmers’ Organisation Scientific Council.

COMMENT

Jacqueline Rowarth

Genetics helping breed the best farm working dogs

SOON FARMERS and working dog breeders will be able to have a dog that best suits their needs thanks to a team of researchers at Massey University.

The team is half-way through a three-year programme to get some definitive science around the genetic makeup of our heading dogs and huntaways.

Dr Nick Sneddon is one of those involved in the project which is being funded by MPI through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund and with the support of stateowned farming entity, Pāmu. Sneddon has a personal interest in the project as his parents, who are dairy farmers in the South Waikato, also bred working dogs and he says this prompted him to become involved in the study.

He says if you think about sheep and cattle, a huge amount of scientific data is available about them, including all their specific genetic traits.

“But one of the most valuable assets on any farm is the working dog and we know little about their genetic traits. We don’t really know what is in the background of Huntaways and heading dogs,” he told Rural News

“Wherever you go, you get a slightly different story about their genetic makeup and background and we don’t know how much is hearsay and how much is true. This project is getting some hard scientific data to prove or disprove the anecdotal information,” he says.

Sneddon says the farm working dog is an amazing investment for a farmer. He says a dog may cost between $500 and $1,000 but over a

FAMILY CONNECTION

PERHAPS ONE of the most interesting and surprising elements of the project is that they are using Ancestry – commonly used by genealogists and others to trace their family history.

Nick Sneddon says Ancestry also has a ‘pet’ section and by using that tool they will be able to better compare phenotypes of up to 2,000 working dogs and see if there are any signs of other breeds in their history.

Compared with pet dogs, the working dog has some obvious and distinct traits – one of these being loyalty to the shep-

herd. Sneddon says a pet dog will often wander away from its owner, whereas a working dog will stay close to their heel.

“But we are also looking at traits other than just genetic diseases, we are interested in if a dog can be left alone with sheep, or how easy it was to train,” he says. Sneddon says by the end of the three year programme, they hope to have some good data that will benefit both farmers and breeders. He says it’s giving them hard data for breeding purposes so that farmers get a dog that best meets their needs.

ten-year period it produces about $40,000 worth of labour.

“That’s a very good return on the investment,” he says.

To that end, Seddon and the Massey research team have been supported by Pāmu as it gave them easy access to many working dogs in single locations. Two hundred of them have had their whole genome sequenced.

During their research,

“Wherever you go, you get a slightly different story about their genetic makeup.”

Sneddon says they have found some pretty cool things about the working dogs. He says they have been able to determine that there is little overlap in the genetics of heading dogs and Huntaways – they are separate breeds and by and large are purebreds. He says there are few mutations in the dogs, meaning that there are few signs of frequent genetic disease, currently these mutations are in between 2 to 8 % of the dogs.

“What we have also been able to do is see if there are any mutations which may impinge on a dog’s health such as hip dysplasia or myopathy which can cause muscle weakness over time, and also seeing if there are any neurodegenerative signs which could cause blindness and weakness,” he says.

Sneddon says they are also working with a couple of vet clinics including VetLife to learn more about twisted gut –a particular problem with larger dogs.

The tried and true

Farm working dog is an amazing investment for a farmer - costing $500 to $1,000 but over a ten-year period it produces about $40,000 worth of labour. PHOTO: PAM STEPHEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Farmer input needed to combat FE

BEEF+LAMB NEW Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on livestock farmers to take part in a survey measuring the financial impact of facial eczema (FE).

The results will help shape practical solutions through the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI) programme.

The survey deadline has been extended to 14 March 2025, giving farmers more time to share their experiences and go in the draw to win one of five Greenlea Meats vouchers.

FE costs the New Zealand livestock industry an estimated $332 million annually, yet its full impact on individual farms is still not well understood. Whether or not you’ve had issues with FE, your insights will help researchers develop targeted strate-

EFEI PROGRAMME

B+LNZ IS leading the $20.75 million, seven-year EFEI programme, co-funded by the Government through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFFF) fund. The programme focuses on:

• Improving FE risk prediction

• Developing better diagnostic tests and management strategies

• Raising awareness of FE’s impact

“This is your opportunity to make a difference,” says Dr Suzi Keeling.

“By sharing your experience, you’re helping build tools and strategies that will support farming businesses and communities for years to come.”

All responses are anonymous and will directly inform practical tools and solutions.

• To complete the survey or learn more, visit www. beeflambnz.com/efei or contact research@beeflambnz. com.

gies to reduce costs and improve management.

Dr Suzi Keeling, B+LNZ’s head of science and research, says farmer participation is vital.

“The insights we are already gaining from the survey reinforce the need for practical, affordable solutions to help farm ers manage FE. The more farmers who take part, the stronger the data will be,” she says.

Early responses highlight key challenges— many farmers find

preventative treatments costly and labour-intensive, while most see pasture spore counting as a valuable monitoring tool.

“We know farmers are already stretched, but this is a chance to have your say and ensure the solutions being developed

genuinely work for you.”

The survey takes 15–20 minutes to complete and asks for farm financial and management data,

such as revenue, stock classes, and animal health costs.

Facial eczema costs the NZ livestock industry an estimated $332 million annually.

Local experts in pregnancy scanning, calf disbudding

Made in New Zealand is a feature that looks at the wealth of design and manufacturing ability we have in New Zealand, producing productive and costeffective products for the agricultural sector. This week Machinery Editor Mark Daniel takes a closer look at Ultra-Scan, catching up with franchisors Glenn Chambers and Bianca Bothma.

When was the company founded, by whom and why?

Ultra-Scan was founded in 1994 by David McDonald who used the first ultrasound pregnancy testing technology for cattle imported into the country. The method of internal ultrasonic pregnancy testing increased the speed and accuracy of identifying in-calf cattle, as well as accurately dating the stage of gestation of the foetus. The ‘traditional’ method of ‘internal palpation’ using a hand was slow, did not age the foetus and was tiresome on the technician.

The ‘Seeing is Believing’ technology allowed the technician and farmers to be able to view the size and characteristics of the foetus on a stationary screen, so demand grew exponentially. Factor-

ing in the then-prohibitive cost of an ultrasound scanner, McDonald established a franchise model with local technicians owning their own equipment. In late 2023, UltraScan was purchased by Glenn and Bianca. Where is the business located?

Ultra-Scan operates 21 franchised territories nationwide, with skilled local technicians specialising in pregnancy scanning and calf disbudding. The businesses follow strict biosecurity standards, including washing and disinfecting their equipment between each job. A national support office remains in Matamata where the company was first established.

What are the key products?

Pregnancy diagnosis in cattle, with accurate foetal ageing at 35-90 days from conception.

This is complemented by 6-week in-calf scans to confirm pregnancy to artificial breeding /insemination dates, alongside detection of twins and foetal demise or abortion.

Calf disbudding is carried out, with animals kept conscious in purpose-built restraint crates. The process uses local anaesthetic and LPG burners to disbud calves from four days to ten weeks of age, with no interruption to feeding regimes. Additional services include ear tagging, spare teat removal, vaccinations, DNA testing and elastration.

Some territories also offer pre-mating scans to detect deep set infections and cysts, alongside goat and deer scanning, and disbudding.

Looking at an ever-evolving market, what changes have you made over the last few

years, or what will UltraScan have to do in future?

Ultra-Scan helped MPI draft regulations around the safe and comfortable calf disbudding techniques, with the introduction of compulsory anaesthetics to reduce the pain during the procedure. Scanning equipment is continuously evolving to increase accuracy and speed.

The introduction of the backpack scanner and

headset display in 2011, allowed scanning of rows of cattle more quickly, with greater mobility for the operator. Our scanning equipment is of the latest technology. We offer the most accurate method of foetal detection and ageing, physically seeing the foetus, which means the process is superior to any other pregnancy detection techniques such as cow collars or milk testing, which

only offer assumptions of conception dates. What has been the company’s greatest success?

Our specialisation has seen us become NZ’s largest pregnancy scanning and disbudding service provider, scanning over 660,000 cattle each year and disbudding more than 200,000 calves alongside supporting the goat and deer industries in some territories.

As a business, Ultra-

Scan is still providing our two core services after more than 30 years, and we continue to grow and expand across New Zealand. Kiwi-owned and operated, our local franchisees are family and community orientated, run independently, with the support of the national office in Matamata, allowing growth and subdivision potential to acquire more loyal customers.

18 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Combine harvester put through its paces in Oz

DANIEL

TWELVE MONTHS after its release, the all-new John Deere S7 combine harvester has been put through its paces across a range of grain-growing regions, so producers can see first-hand its potential productivity and efficiency benefits.

The Armstrong family from Central Queensland farm 8,500ha of mostly dryland cropping, predominantly growing a rotation of wheat in winter and sorghum in summer at Coolibah Plains south of Comet. Long-time John Deere customers, they operate a fleet that includes three S770 combine harvesters.

During their harvest of 5,200ha of wheat in October, they had the chance to trial the all-new S7 combine harvester alongside their current line-up.

Featuring an updated cab design, new engines, a re-designed grain loss sensing system, and new residue management features, the new S7 offers a suite of automation features, aimed at taking operator performance to the next level.

Ground Speed Auto-

mation manages the combine’s speed based on operator inputs for grain loss, engine load and rotor pressure to maintain consistent throughput. Harvest Settings Automation automatically adjusts rotor speed, fan speed, and concave, chaffer, and sieve clearances based upon acceptable limits for grain loss, foreign material, and broken grain.

This is said to deliver a more consistent and higher quality harvest,

irrespective of operator skill level.

Meanwhile, the predictive ground speed automation uses ground speed automation as the foundation, with the addition of two forward-looking cameras, to visually assess changing crop conditions and a pre-harvest satellite image to generate a predictive field map. The combine merges the two inputs to proactively manage ground speed and maximise combine throughput.

Xander Armstrong commented, “The technology pack on the new S7 is impressive; with the technology optimised for our conditions, we saw a 15 to 20% increase in productivity in the S7 compared to our current machines. If you can sustainably achieve a conservative extra 15% productivity, over a harvest that takes four weeks, you can easily reduce that time by four or five days. This may not seem like much,

■ Ideal for shearing sheep, alpacas, goats and cow tails.

■ Variable speed from 2600-3500 rpm.

■ Latest brushless motor technology means minimal heat build up

■ 1400gms means 100-200gms lighter than standard handpiece.

■ At 2800 rpm the 12-volt lithium battery will crutch 300-400 sheep or trim 400-500 cow tails.

■ We customise cables for lifestyle shearers.

but every farmer knows if you’re harvesting and suddenly there’s rain or storms coming, those extra couple of days make a big difference.” Typically, averag-

ing yields of across the whole area of 3.5t/ha, Xander commented on the re-designed grain loss monitoring system, commenting, “that technology makes a big difference,

not only in ensuring more grain ends up in the bin for you, but also in the months following harvest. If we can improve our grain loss percentages, once you start getting rain, there’s less pressure to get back into the paddock soon after harvest to control weeds and volunteer plants that are emerging”.

He also noted how well the new high-efficiency residue management system distributed material across the stubble, which will also help with post-harvest management Xander summed up by commenting, “We’re very happy with the fleet we currently have, but we try to trade in our machines for new every five or six years, so when it comes time to trade our current fleet in, we’ll certainly be confident in taking home the new S7 with the automation technology”.

ALPEGO EYES ELECTRIC POWER HARROW

DISTRIBUTED BY OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event, taking away an innovation award. While the base machine is still mechanical, heavy metal groupies will notice the absence of a PTO shaft, while the gearbox used to drive the interlocking gears across the bed of the machine has also been removed. Instead, the rotors are powered by five electric motors, one for every two rotors. Currently being tested behind a new hybrid tractor, a 700v DC con-

nection provides the Alysium with 50-60kW of electrical power. Still in the early stages of development prototype, development is centred around understanding what is possible with electrical propulsion, according to the company. Challenges so far include safety, but already testers have found that the tractor uses up to 35% less fuel. Further benefits are the possibility of controlling rotor speed electrically, with variable speeds to offer real-time adaption to changing soils. It has not been confirmed when, or if, the concept will make it to production.– Mark Daniel

Australian farmer says the technology pack on the new S7 is impressive.

Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event.

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