Wairarapa Rural Outlook Sept 2023

The Shepherdess Muster returns

The Shepherdess Muster is coming to Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February 2024.

Originally scheduled for February of this year, the event was postponed due to Cyclone Gabrielle hitting the region in the same week.

The Shepherdess Muster is a not-forpro t event, for women only, led by Shepherdess, a social enterprise with the mission of making rural folk feel connected through community building, storytelling, and events.

The immersive festival will see a full programme of creatives, speakers and artists from around Aotearoa descend on the tiny village of Motu – an hour from Gisborne.

The long weekend is an opportunity for women to engage in experiences daily life doesn’t always leave much time for, from arts to entrepreneurship, and provides a chance for open and frank discussions around often taboo subjects like menopause, sex and relationships.

Event founder, and publisher of Shepherdess magazine Kristy McGregor, says there has been nothing quite like The Shepherdess Muster ever before in New Zealand.

The Shepherdess Muster is based on the popular Country Ladies Day in outback Queensland Australia which was founded by Kristy.

“The event is to escape the pressures of day to day life – housework, kids, cooking. And to just come and focus on yourself for a weekend - not you as a farmer, mother or wife, but your own interests and ideas.

“This is an all-inclusive weekend so you don’t have to think of a single thing once you walk out the door.”

The event is run by a dedicated committee of women based in Tairāwhitiand surrounds, helmed by Kristy who lives on a

farm in the Horowhenua and knows all too well the challenges of juggling work, farm life and children.

“Life on farm can be tough and isolating and The Muster is a chance for women living in provincial Aotearoa to get together for three days with no obligations except to have a bloody great time.

“As women, we do so much for our families and our communities and not often do we get the chance to really take time for ourselves to grow our own interests and ambitions.

“I think it’s absolutely vital that we model to our daughters and those following in our footsteps and looking up to us, the importance of looking after and nurturing ourselves.”

The programme and tickets are available now at www.shepherdessmuster.co.nz

A surf therapy initiative which is helping improve mental health and wellbeing in New Zealand’s rural communities is set to return to beaches across the country, including Riversdale, this summer.

Sur ng for Farmers is back for its sixth season across 28 locations. Launched in Gisborne in 2018 by Stephen Thomson, thousands of farmers around the country have taken part in the initiative.

The Sur ng for Farmers programme gives people in the farming community including farmers, farm sta , farming professionals, ag contractors and growers the opportunity to step away from what can be an all-consuming business, get out on the water for a surf, enjoy a BBQ, and share stories with others in the rural community.

All equipment and coaching is provided free of charge. It is for all abilities, from rst timers to experienced surfers.

Wairarapa Sur ng For Farmers co-ordinator Richard Moore says this will be Sur ng For Farmers fourth season in Wairarapa.

“We will be running 13 Thursday evening surfs at Riversdale Beach, starting 23 November at 6pm.

“Head to our Facebook page ‘Sur ng for Farmers Wairarapa’ for weekly updates and details.”

Richard has lived and surfed at Riversdale most of his life.

“I part own Wairarapa Property Consultants, a valuation and rural consultancy business in Masterton, plus live on the family farm ve kilometres from

Riversdale with my wife Hannah. And I lease in an equity partnership with Rosie and Richard Puddy. It’s been a pleasure linking two of my life’s passions together with this fantastic initiative.

“The past year has seen our rural communities and their businesses put under immense pressure so we can’t wait to get up and running and give our farmers a weekly break they deserve.”

Last season Sur ng For Farmers “was dealt with a gnarly summer weatherwise,” Richard says.

“The two cyclones and rainy nights meant conditions were less than ideal. We still had an absolute blast, with an average 20 farmers and industry professionals hitting the waves each night. It’s been amazing watching the joy and stress relief the waves and ocean o er.

“Our farmers turn up dusty and tired and everyone has a big smile on their face at the end. Shout out and major thanks to our premium national sponsors who without them sur ng for farmers wouldn’t happen – Ballance Agri-nutrients, Bayleys, NZ Beef & Lamb, Jarden, Rabobank and Rural Support Trust.

“Last season we had amazing local legend sponsors who we couldn’t have done it without.

“Cloud Yards, TFM Tractors, Wairarapa Property Consultants, Lawson Avery Accountants, Reisima Haulage, BakerAg, Powerco, Homegrown Butcher Deli-Pantry, Sargent Motorcycles, Forest 360, LIC.

“We are looking for sponsors to come on board this season, so if you are interested please get in touch (Richard Moore, 021 313 877).”

Early season decision making recommended for dairy farmers

The coming six to eight months are going to be challenging for dairy farmers in Wairarapa. But there are actions they can take now which will help them get through this tough time, says BakerAg Managing Director Chris Lewis.

A specialist dairy consultant, Chris is editor of Milklines, a monthly report for dairy farmers and rural professionals.

“There are two really serious challenges in front of us that will have a signi cant impact on farmers,” Chris says.

“One is the low farmgate milk price payouts, and the other is El Niño.

“The industry is under a dark cloud at the moment, but appropriate preparations now will help farmers navigate their way through this.”

El Niño weather patterns can vary but East Coast farmers can generally expect more persistent dry westerly winds and below average rainfall, and possibly drought conditions.

“Farmers are taking the El Niño forecast more seriously than they would have in the past which is a good thing,” says Chris.

“We have had extreme wet conditions. Farmers know the farm team, animals and soils have su ered. Recent sun and drying winds have brought relief.

“The next steps will be to bring forward farm management decisions that will protect their core assets.

“Farmers will need to bring forward their supplementary feed making like silage, baleage and even hay, while getting summer forage crops like turnips into the ground sooner.”

Last month Fonterra reduced its 2023/24 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price range from $6.25 - $7.75 to $6.00 - $7.50 per kgMS.

Chris says most farmers will not be expecting to make a pro t this season, “and it will be a very hard year even to break even.”

“However sharp farm husbandry decisions will deliver accurate grazing management and high yielding crops, which in turn keeps the cost of supplementary feed as low as possible.

“Other expenses will need to be pruned such as spending on fertiliser, running a simple reproduction plan to get cows in calf, bringing forward cow cull dates, and deferring non-urgent improvements around the farm.”

But farmers should continue to look after their sta and be mindful that contractors and merchants are also under pressure, Chris says.

He suggests that everyone in the industry look out for each other and continue to enjoy the simple, low-cost things of life such as spending time with friends and family.

The longer term looks more positive, Chris notes, with an expected improvement in the farmgate milk price in the 24/25 season.

This is backed up by the Farmgate milk futures market.

Chris suggests farmers keep an eye on the milk futures market, oil prices as a related commodity, and the exchange rate to get a sense of where milk prices are heading.

With the next six to 12 months looking to bring nancial challenges for many farmers, there are a number of government schemes and other sources available to help make things a little easier.

LOAN GUARANTEE SCHEME

Available until 30 June 2024, this enables commercial lenders to provide loans to highly a ected businesses across all sectors with more favourable terms such as reduced interest rates.

Those in need and that are impacted are being told to get in touch with their lenders/banks for more information and to determine your eligibility.

www.treasury.govt.nz/informationand-services/other-services/north-islandweather-events-loan-guarantee-scheme

FARM BUSINESS ADVICE FUND

Qualifying farmers can receive up to $6000 to seek independent nancial or business advice. Apply through the Rural Support Trust:

www.ruralsupport.org.nz/Help-Support/ Financial-Pressure

RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND – ADVERSE EVENTS RELIEF FUND

This fund provides nancial assistance where there is an identi ed urgent need due to a classi ed adverse event such as a drought, re, ood or earthquake.

It is available to individuals, communities and groups, with a particular emphasis on rural women and children: www.ruralwomennz.nz/our-funds-andgrants/

FARM DEBT

MEDIATION SCHEME

If you’re under nancial stress, the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme helps level the playing eld in debt discussions with your creditor. Farmers can request mediation at any time.

MPI can also assist with the costs of mediation and preparing for mediation through a hardship fund.

www.mpi.govt.nz/ funding-rural-support/ farming-fundsandprogrammes/the-farmdebt-mediation-scheme-2/

NATIONAL FEED COORDINATION SERVICE

Keeping livestock fed, MPI and Federated Farmers have restarted the national Feed Coordination Service.

The service matches people with grazing or supplementary feed for sale to those who need it.

For further information phone 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) or visit www.fedfarm.org.nz

TAX RELIEF

IRD are available to help with tax relief, including alternative payment arrangements, and removing penalties and interest.

Requests for a business advisory via the website below and someone will respond to your request.

www.ird.govt.nz/contactus/businessadvisory-social-policy Appointments can be made at the Featherston Community Centre Community Centre Phone line: 06 308 8239.

You can also book through the Business advisory request on the website to see the IRD at the Work and Income o ce in Lincoln Road, Masterton. IRD have also announced that they will be available for face-to-face appointments on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

If people would like to make an appointment to meet with an IRD representative they can pop into the MSD o ce and make a booking with the reception team.

A full list of all North Island Schemes is available at www.mpi.govt.nz/fundingrural-support/adverse-events/cyclonegabrielle-recovery-advice-support-andfunding-available/

Preparing for a dry summer

Predicted El Nino patterns could mean dry conditions along the east coast of both Islands this summer, but early decisionmaking and simple management strategies can help ensure farmers protect the performance of their capital stock.

Will Halliday, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Senior Advisor Biosecurity and Animal Welfare encourages farmers to make a plan for the coming spring and summer which could include key trigger dates and levers that can be pulled.

For example, if it is looking very dry by early November, it might be worth

thinking about early weaning or making the decision to draft lambs to slightly lighter weights.

“It is better to be proactive than be left struggling to nish lambs on falling pasture covers or sell store lambs when everyone else is trying to do the same thing.”

He recommends booking processor space early to avoid having to carry unproductive stock such as cull ewes over summer.

With at lamb prices, high input costs and predicted drought in some areas, Will says this is likely to be a challenging season for sheep farmers in particular, but it is critical to protect the performance of capital stock.

“After weaning, the focus should be maintaining or lifting the Body Condition of breeding ewes. You want to be able to put any bad years behind you as quickly as possible and the impacts of compromising ewe performance this season could linger into next year’s lamb crop.”

He says B+LNZ has some great resources to help farmers prepare and manage through dry conditions and these include strategies North Canterbury farmers used during the region’s last prolonged drought.

Five minutes with Federated Farmers Wairarapa

President

David Hayes

Above average temperatures predicted

Near average or above average temperatures are predicted for the Wairarapa for the next three months by NIWA in its Seasonal climate outlook September-November 2023.

“Frequent westerly winds may increase the chance for hot days later in the season.

“Rainfall totals are most likely to be

below normal. Although the rst half of September will be unsettled at times, an increased frequency of westerly winds will likely lead to longer spells of drier than normal conditions. Seasonal wind speeds may be stronger than normal.

“Soil moisture levels are most likely to be below normal while river ows are about equally likely to be below normal or near normal.”

What’s the general mood of farmers in Wairarapa at the moment?

We are all pleased to see the end of winter and some sunny spring days. However, that is tempered by the forecast El Niño and the likelihood of a long hot and dry summer. Farmer con dence is at its lowest for many years. Overly complicated regulations and the damage from Cyclone Gabrielle that is still to be repaired are not helping.

Our sectors, including dairy, sheep, and beef, are in a period of stagnating production levels with many being converted into pine trees.

Wairarapa farmers have been living through a period of unprecedented regulatory change with a swathe of new requirements for improving water quality, biodiversity, and the climate that have taken a real toll on the wellbeing of our rural communities.

With lower lamb and milk prices expected are most farmers strong enough to manage okay and stay pro table? What sort of nancial decisions will they be making in the near future?

There are farms and orchards along the east coast of the North Island including the Wairarapa that are in signi cant nancial stress following Cyclone Gabrielle. Low payouts and prices are a ecting most

Beef + Lamb Seminar for dif cult times

Beef + Lamb NZ is holding two Wairarapa Farming for Pro t Day: Managing Di cult Times seminars on Monday 9 October. This event aims to assist farmers in implementing crucial strategies to safeguard their businesses and nances during an impending agriculture sector downturn. “As we stare down the barrel of serious downturn across the agriculture sector, farmers now must circle the wagons and look to protect themselves and their business from what lies ahead,” Beef + Lamb NZ says.

“For a lot of farmers, the current situation will come as a real shock. At these sessions we will look at key strategies that farmers can implement to balance cash ow and position themselves so they are in the best possible position when we come out the other side.”

Morning session: 9.30am to noon at Gladstone Complex (lunch supplied). Afternoon session: 2.00pm to 4.30pm at Alfredton Hall (BBQ & refreshments supplied).

We are 100% New Zealand owned and operated. All of our products are produced from all-natural limestone, quarried right here in Wairarapa. We don’t use unnecessary additives or chemicals and offer both organic and non-organic options.

sectors. For hill country farmers the shortterm cash ow may be OK as stock is sold leading into the predicted dry summer, but longer-term nancial planning will be a focus for every farmer.

What sort of impact has the long period of rain had on farming operations? Are farmers good to go for the spring/ summer?

Yes, they are good to go for the summer. Arable farmers are now planting the cereal crops following a welcome break to spring. The two years of rain has had a huge e ect on the mental health and resilience for many. Everyday there is still more to x and damage to repair while trying to keep up with the normal workloads.

Farmers are already planning for the summer and where necessary culling stock to reduce numbers and feed demand.

SPEAKERS

Chris Garland, BakerAg along with local farmer panels at each session.

TOPICS COVERED

Learning from those that have been here before Putting things into perspective Managing cash ow and budgeting Protecting revenue and cost control choices | Fertiliser decision | Getting the best bang for your buck E ects of

withholding fertiliser Other strategies – soil testing, deferential spreading | Re ning the Farm System | Sheep vs cattle Cropping policy | Revised Hill Country Budget | How to stay positive | Importance of connections | Investing in yourself | Sta structures. You can register online at https:// bee ambnz.com/events/blnz-wairarapafarming-pro t-day-managing-di cult-times

Wairarapa College

INSPIRING FUTURE FARMERS

Wairarapa

HanzonJob app widens scope

The HanzonJobs app has been updated and is already in use for the 2023/24 season of rural contracting.

Its developer Richard Houston says while the core focus remains the work done on the land for rural contractors, the wider bene ts of the app are starting to be realised.

That wide capture of tasks is why Richard is now promoting HanzonJobs outside rural contracting to anyone doing a job on a farm.

He points to comments from Mabey Contracting about how the use of the app last season by RCNZ Trainee of the Year Jessica Bills had impressed WorkSafe during a visit.

“The work records include activities linked to improving or ensuring health and safety performance and these are really useful in assessments and audits.”

He says the software is also not just limited to time spent in the operator’s seat. It records any agricultural-related job including maintenance and servicing of machinery, fencing, helping with calves or shearing.

“Some of those using the app over winter got into a bit of metal fabrication – that’s

all captured along with greasing and diagnosing faults.”

Within rural contracting itself, raking by far remains the single biggest task recorded on the HanzonJobs app but time in the workshop is second.

Richard says all of this is useful information to employers. He regards them as mentors and the trainees as apprentices.

“At the end of the season we create reports which highlight the areas where they’ve gained experience. These demonstrate the time and energy in guiding the apprentices/trainees as well as the skills they’ve learned.”

Ultimately, he says, HanzonJobs is helping raise the skills of the rural contracting sector and the wider rural community.

Rural Contractors NZ CEO Andrew Olsen says his organisation is pleased to have supported HanzonJobs to the point that it’s become the basis of assessing candidates for RCNZ’s Trainee Contractor of the Year, which is supported by MPI.

“We are underway in our third season promoting the use of the app. It’s a brilliant tool both for trainees and our members.

“They get a ready record of what their trainees are doing and that can be the basis for feedback and encouragement as well as a whole range of other uses.”

He’s encouraging those RCNZ members who have not yet signed up themselves or new workers to do so.

“This remains a free tool with a range of very real bene ts to hard-pressed rural contractors. For a few minutes a day by trainees, employers get a daily record of what they’ve been doing be it raking or repairing.”

This then provides the opportunity for mentoring the trainee and building skills which are included in the end of season report.

“And anything that helps your health & safety performance is a real bonus,” says Andrew.

Higher re risk for East Coast forests

The shift from a La Niña to an El Niño weather pattern across New Zealand this summer is anticipated to signi cantly elevate re danger levels, particularly in the East Coast, and could compound the wild re risk.

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) is urging action over impending summer re risks.

NZIF President James Treadwell, is calling for better coordination and management of these re risks, saying there is an urgent need to prioritise at-risk land management issues over deployment of re ghting aircrafts and building of more re trucks.

Fire risks speci c to New Zealand are the vast areas covered by self-sown exotics or retired hill and high-country tussock grasslands, which were historically burned every seven to ten years by leaseholding farmers.

“The ceasing of these practices has resulted in an accumulation of fuel across the hill and high-country landscape throughout the country,” Treadwell says.

Previously, much of this landscape had lower fuel loadings, enabling swift containment of unwanted res.

The NZIF strongly urges Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to collaborate more closely with landowners

and forestry professionals to promote and ensure better management and support in reducing fuel loadings in the hill and high-country environment, to raise re prevention awareness and preparedness and to develop tighter protocols for prevention and avoidance of res in the rural environment including power line maintenance and automatic cutouts, and restrictions on high re risk activities during times of high re danger.

“A comprehensive training program, to ensure there is a su cient resource of rural forest re ghters who can safely operate in tall timber, hill and highcountry environments, is also sorely needed,” Treadwell says.

“Such a program would reduce reliance on urban community-based volunteer re ghters and the excessive deployment of aircraft to contain landscape res.”

A centralised re service entity for urban re protection and re management in the forest and rural landscape was established in 2017.

However, James Treadwell says the re response-driven culture within FENZ isn’t what’s needed to address the present risks.

“Rather, a proactive approach towards land management and preventative practices, is what’s needed.

Failure to take corrective action to protect New Zealand’s forest and rural landscapes may lead to repeated forest losses as witnessed from past wild res – akin to the wild res we are currently observing in Greece.

“The NZIF wants to stress the importance of learning from history to avoid devastating consequences to our whenua.

“Collectively, we need to front foot these re risks through collaboration, education and proactive management.

“If immediate steps are not taken to consider land management measures, such as fuel load reduction and rebreaks (including green rebreaks); and the intensi cation of a re training program, we risk leaving a detrimental legacy for the generations of land managers and foresters who follow” Treadwell says.”

Richard Houston, rural contractor and founder of the HanzonJobs app.

2023 Vintage will support strong demand for New Zealand wine

The total value of New Zealand wine industry exports (year to May 2023) is $2.4 billion, up 25% on 2022.In 2022 New Zealand was the world’s sixth largest wine exporter by value, despite producing only 1% of the world’s wine.

Strong export value and increasing international demand will help support further export growth over the next 12 months, despite a challenging season and a smaller harvest than last year, reports New Zealand Winegrowers.

“Reaching another new record level of wine exports into some of the world’s largest and most competitive markets is an outstanding achievement for New Zealand wine exporters, and testi es to the

increasingly strong global demand for our wines,” says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.

“New Zealand wine, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, is going from strength to strength in the USA, as consumers appreciate the distinctive avours, commitment to quality, and know it is a unique product that they can trust.”

This year’s vintage will help the industry to meet increasing international demand, and consumers can look forward to some exceptional 2023 New Zealand wines.

Nationally, harvest was down 6% on the record level 2022 vintage.

“Regions across the North Island were hit hard by the unprecedented wet weather throughout summer, but their incredible hard work and commitment to producing premium quality wines means that consumers will continue to enjoy the distinctive wines that they know and love.”

The success of the 2023 vintage further emphasises the resilience of the industry, as surging production costs continue to impact growers and wineries, and the scarcity of skilled workers remains a concern, along with operating in an uncertain economic environment.

Meanwhile with the easing of covid-19 restrictions world-wide, many in the industry are pleased to see the return of

international wine tourists to New Zealand.

In its 2023 Vintage Report, Martinborough winery Nga Waka says the 22-23 growing season was both mild and very wet, and “the summer that wasn’t.”

“What made it more challenging was that the rainfall was evenly spread across the growing season so we didn’t get any sustained dry periods for favourable ripening.

“The weather presented huge challenges for the vineyard team throughout the growing season.

“They had to deal with excessive weed and canopy growth, disease pressure and narrow windows of opportunity to get much-needed sprays applied.

“It is to their credit that reasonable quality fruit, and in some cases better quality fruit, was able to be harvested and delivered to the winery.

“The positive story of the 2023 vintage is the quality of the white varieties and rose which, while not exceptional, will still allow us to produce su cient volumes of good quality wines for our main Nga Waka label.

“Although El Nino years present di erent challenges, the prediction that we are moving in that direction and away from the disruptive La Nina phase will, I think, be welcomed by every New Zealand grapegrower and winemaker. Roll on 2024!”

Wine speci c apprenticeship now available

Primary ITO has responded to the wine growing industry’s need for a programme dedicated to its unique requirements.

The New Zealand Apprenticeship in Wine Growing (Level 3 and 4) has been launched with the support of the industry and enrolments are now open.

Primary ITO Sector Manager for wine growing Jimmy Crockett says that previously, learners had enrolled in a fruit production apprenticeship, which wasn’t ideal for their speci c needs.

Wine Growing is a unique programme in that it deals with growing a product which still needs a lot of work after it’s picked.

“If you think about apples and pears, they’re packaged as a nal product just like that.

“But with wine, it starts with the grapes. So any aspect of vineyard work has an e ect on the wine that they’re producing from these crops. They’re not actually producing fruit, they’re producing wine.”

The new apprenticeship o ers on-job training at all stages of the wine growing process, from establishing a vineyard right through to harvest time. There’s also an introduction to the history of the industry in New Zealand and the winemaking process.

“It’s really important for people on the vineyard to understand the winemaking process as it can’t work without people growing top quality grapes to make it.”

Jimmy expects that most people enrolling in the programme will have done a reasonable amount of work on a vineyard already.

“That means they will have an understanding of the basic tasks, but this training will help them develop the knowledge of why that work is necessary, which is critical to progressing in the industry.”

Within the programme, there are many choices to cater to the speci c needs of the employer and the learner.

The main roles it’s suitable for are vineyard supervisors, managers and assistant managers.

Call for East Coast shearing competition circuit

Long time shearing journalist Doug Laing would love to see the East Coast of the North Island have its own dedicated shearing and wool handling competitive circuit.

But the number has declined along with the number of sheep in New Zealand.

A passionate shearing enthusiast of many years standing, every shearing season Doug has been providing an invaluable service to the sport with his reports on shearing competitions from Whangarei down to Gore, from the Golden Shears down to humble A&P shows.

This season there are 40 competitions, starting this weekend with the New Zealand Merino Championships at Alexandra, and ending with New Zealand Shears at Te Kuiti from April 4th to 6th next year.

One of his favourites was the “Golden Circle” which was extremely popular with all grades but gradually faded away over the years.

“The sport needs to see more of these. Part of the issue for young shearers is that they are shy and don’t want to get up on stage.

“It’s a bit like dipping your toes in the water. Often they will surprise themselves by doing reasonably well.

“Once they do start competing, they start making friends, and getting good advice from more experienced shearers.

competitions in late October and early November that includes Gisborne, Hastings, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Waipukurau, all being on consecutive weekends. And then another cluster in January and February including Dannevirke, Wairoa, and Pahiatua.

These include a number of individual competitive shearing and wool handling circuits, often over-lapping with each other. Doug, who grew up in Wairarapa and now lives in Hawke’s Bay, can remember when there were around 85 competitions in the mid-1980s.

“They become a bit like a rugby team, travelling away every weekend together, and building up a really good camaraderie.

They celebrate each other’s victories, with no bitter rivalries.

The East Coast series of competitions is already perfectly set up for its own points circuit, Doug believes, with a cluster of

“The East Coast is well-placed to have a circuit because of the physical proximity of so many competitions to each other, but also because you have this bunch of competitions early in the season, and then again just before the Golden Shears. It would be a good opportunity for new competitors in the Wairarapa. It would need some good planning and cohesion between circuit competitions to get more circuit competitions going, Doug believes.

“Like any sport at the moment, shearing is struggling to nd people to be on committees.

“But while there’s a lot of work to run a show, the work involved in creating a circuit is quite small not as much as one might think.

Doug would like to see the shearing competition at the upcoming Wairarapa A&P Show become part of an east coast circuit.

“But supporting such a circuit would be positive for sponsors as they are supporting people who are working in their own industry, and also hopefully attracting some new customers.”

“The biggie is getting good sponsorship packages to appeal to younger shearers who are travelling 500 kilometres every weekend to shear on stage for just a few minutes.

A wine growing apprenticeship has been introduced.

Federated Farmers is calling for whoever is in government after next month’s elections, to amend KiwiSaver rules to allow young farmers to invest in their rst home, herd, or farm.

Federated Farmers have released their policy platform for the 2023 election, setting out a rural roadmap in its paper “Restoring Farmer Con dence: 12 Key Policy Changes For New Zealand’s Next Government.

Federated Farmers is calling on the next Government to amend KiwiSaver to allow young farmers to use KiwiSaver to invest in their rst herd or farm, and to allow workers who have a home provided by an employer to use KiwiSaver to buy a house that they don’t presently live in.

This will also be an important policy to support farm succession.

Since its formation in 2007 millions of Kiwis have signed up to the KiwiSaver Scheme as a great way to put money aside for their retirement – or in many cases to help them save a deposit for their rst home, the paper says.

“The trouble for farmers and other rural workers is that there are very strict rules about when and how you can access these funds that aren’t compatible with

the farming lifestyle. “For example, you can access your KiwiSaver to buy your rst home, but you need to live in it rst.

“This is problematic for farmers who will often be provided a house on-farm as part of their employment agreement, meaning they miss out of the use of that valuable capital to help them get ahead in life.

“Equally, a young farmer’s aspiration may not be to own a home, but rather to own a herd of cows or farm.

“For those that do go on to owning their own farm, their dream is likely to be that when they retire they will be able to employ a farm manager or enter into a share farming agreement, with the

farm income being used to support their retirement while also promoting further succession through the industry.

“With this context in mind, it doesn’t really make sense for farmers to be putting all their money into an investment fund through KiwiSaver.

“They want to be able to access some of their savings to buy their own farm, herd, equity partnership or home.”

Federated Farmers’ 12 policy priorities for the next Government are:

1 Support better use of technologies.

2 Unlock potential through water storage.

3 Allowing young farmers to access their KiwiSaver.

4 Urgently review our methane targets.

5 Rethink our ETS, Forestry Rules and net-zero target.

6 Scrap the Ute tax and x our infrastructure.

7 Give back control to local communities.

8 Fix our unworkable freshwater rules.

9 Get RMA reform right.

10 Simplify Signi cant Natural Areas.

11 Build the farmer workforce.

12 Show scal and monetary discipline.

New streamlined competition for Young Farmers

Traditionally, the Young Farmer of the Year competition has seen Wairarapa hosting a district competition with the winner going on to compete at the East Coast Regional Final. However, this season FMG Young Farmer Of The Year is trialling a new format in all seven regions to look at ways that it can still nd New Zealand’s best Young Farmer, but in a way that is potentially more streamlined.

Day 1 (Friday) will see up to 30 contestants complete 10 to15 short modules, with the top 8 contestants move on to Day 2.

On Day 2 (Saturday) the top 8 contestants from Day 1 will compete in two Head-to-Heads, a Farmlet during the day and the Buzzer Quiz at the evening show. The winner will move to Grand Final.

The FMG Junior and AgriKidsNZ competitions will still take place on the Saturday of the Regional Final.

The East Coast Regional Final will take place in Masterton on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 March, with registrations open from Wednesday 18 October 2023. Hamilton will host the Grand Final.

The Grand Final event, now in its 56th year, is a highlight on the rural calendar and will see seven national nalists battle it out over three days for the prestigious title of ‘FMG Young Farmer of The Year’.

Fourteen FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year teams will also compete for a national title, along with 63 AgriKidsNZ competitors from across Aotearoa. The new format was trialled in the Northern and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regions last year. All going well this season, it could become a permanent x, says New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith.

“It means we don’t have to organise 14 separate district competitions, which will be a huge weight o our incredible team of volunteers who support us year in, year out. They put so many hours into each competition, so hopefully by streamlining the contest in this way we’ll be able to take o some of the pressure.”

Farmers everywhere are still buzzing after this year’s Grand Final winner, Emma Poole, made history as the rst woman ever to top the podium, Lynda says.

“I’d love to see Emma’s win give more young people the con dence to stand up and give it a go. Last year around 40% of competitors were female and we’d love to see that gure go even higher in 2024.”

Season 56 entries for all three levels of the Contest will open on Wednesday 18 October 2023 on the New Zealand Young Farmers’ website. The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest series would not be possible without its family of sponsors: FMG, Ravensdown, WorkSafe, Ministry for Primary Industries, Milwaukee, Honda, Lincoln University, Massey University, PTS Logistics, New Holland and Bushbuck.

A young farmer’s aspiration may not be to own a home, but rather to own a herd of cows.

Young Wairarapa farmers will go straight to the regional competition in Masterton next March.

RURAL OUTLOOK

Wairarapa rural professional wins top award

Environmental and dairy consultant Sarah Hawkins has been named as the Farmax/FarmIQ Emerging Rural Professional of the Year for 2023, the top contender in a eld of highly talented and passionate nominees.

Sarah is a consultant at BakerAg in Masterton, specialising in a number of areas, including environmental plans, nancial analysis, farm system design and nutrient management.

She brings her skills working with programs such as Overseer, FARMAX and mapping software to help farmers nd solutions in whichever space they need assistance in. Additionally, Sarah works on projects with Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Plant and Food Research, Our Land and Water, and Dairy Systems Monitoring, and she assists in BakerAg’s Integrated Farm Planning Workshops as an expert in soil and nutrient management, helping to interpret legislation and how it will a ect farmers on the ground.

After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University in 2017, Sarah spent three years travelling and working overseas, largely in Western

Australia on grain farms in the wheatbelt.

Once Sarah returned to New Zealand, it wasn’t long before she started at BakerAg, and her role has developed from dairy systems consultant to dairy and environmental consultant, due to increasing demand in the ever-growing environmental space.

Sarah’s win was announced during the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management’s (NZIPIM) National Conference Awards Dinner in Christchurch on 21 August 2023.

The judges were highly impressed with the calibre of all the candidates for the Farmax/FarmIQ Emerging Rural Professional of the Year award, and found it di cult to separate the outstanding candidates. In making their nal decision, the judges noted Sarah’s broad knowledge of the food and bre sector, deep insights into global and national issues impacting our primary industries and a well-developed understanding of her clients’ needs.

Sarah said winning the award was a very exciting surprise:

“I couldn’t be more excited and grateful about winning the award – it was de nitely unexpected as the other nalists are all incredibly skilled rural professionals.

“Winning the award gives me con dence that I am growing and developing with the support of my employer, BakerAg, and that the direction I am moving in is one of value to our rural industries.

“Rural industries are facing unprecedented change and we all need to work together to continue having successful farming businesses.”

The Farmax/FarmIQ Emerging Rural Professional of the Year prize includes funds to put towards a research project, professional development courses or international research travel, and Sarah plans to use her award to conduct an overseas study tour looking at how other primary sector businesses are managing change and building resilience.

Sarah with Gavin McEwen, Chief Operations O cer at FarmIQ Ltd.