Over thirty years of combining and breeding superior ryegrass genetics from across New Zealand and around the world results in our strongest portfolio yet.
NEW
*
NEW
•Very high annual drymatter production
•Excellent spring quality and summer leafiness
•Outstanding use of summer irrigation or natural rainfall
•Excellent crown rust tolerance
•Outstanding summer, autumn and winter growth
•Excellent density for periods of set stocking and winter grazing
•Very low aftermath seeding and excellent summer leafiness
•Very good tiller size and leaf length
•Well balanced seasonal growth with excellent early spring growth
•Very good tiller density
•Extremely low aftermath heading in summer
•Excellent tolerance to a wide range of environments
NEW
•High annual yields
•Very strong summer and autumn growth
•Excellent crown rust tolerance
•Ideal for dairy pastures, and sheep and beef finishing
INDUSTRY NEWS
Failed technology project comes at high cost
AUTUMN SOWING AgYields a valuable tool for pasture planning
PRODUCT UPDATE Vigilance needed to safeguard yields this summer
Combining our powers of innovation
ADAMA are always looking for ways to innovate new crop protection solutions for farmers and growers in New Zealand and around the world. So we are proud to announce the acquisition of a like minded local company, Grochem. This will allow us to continue to deliver you all the great products we are both already known for, as well as combining our inventive thinking to develop new product solutions that best serve farmers and growers in the future. For more information contact your local ADAMA or Grochem representative.
PEOPLE WOOL OPS MANAGER CONFIDENT ABOUT INDUSTRY FUTURE
Editor Kathy Davis 03 577 5640 kathy@thelastword.net.nz
Advertising Manager Lisa Phelan 021 782 228 lisa@agrimedia.co.nz
Production & Design Amanda Vroombout 027 7788 274 production@agrimedia.co.nz
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily that of the publisher and suggest independent advice be sought before acting on information or suggestions contained herein.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Editorial and photographic contributions are welcomed and should be sent directly to the editor, Kathy Davis. Editing of submissions is at the sole discretion of the editor and will accept no responsibility for unsolicited material.
Happy New Year, everyone!
I hope you were able to get at least a bit of a break with friends and family, and an opportunity to relax and recharge over the summer.
No matter what the next couple of months bring, in terms of weather, markets, politics and/or global events, at least one thing is certain – new pasture will be on the priority list for many of your customers.
So be sure to check out our special feature on autumn sowing, starting page 10. There you’ll find the latest on new pasture cultivars and market support for the busy weeks ahead.
If you have any involvement with crop protection, we have an update in our product section on where the regulators are headed with one widely used insecticide active, and in our business pages, we chart the progress of a fast-
growing contract research company.
By the time you read this, the Bovaer backlash and boycott overseas will be old news. But if we ever needed a reminder the customer is always right, that was it.
Those thousands of people who pushed back on something being added to their dairy food that they didn’t want? They’re the consumers we want in our corner. Here’s why. They are passionately invested in real milk and real meat as part in their diet. They don’t subscribe to the belief that cows are killing the planet with climate change via methane.
And they have enough money and motivation to instantly change buying habits when they lose trust in a brand.
It doesn’t matter what we think of their thinking. What matters is that they have the final say between what flies off a supermarket shelf at full price, and what sits there with a ‘try now for free’ sticker all over it.
Enjoy this issue, and do have a look at our new website and social media pages. You can also read us on line, all details are on the previous page.
See you in March.
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Future-proofing unsung heroes of NZ primary production
A new arable industry strategy aims to provide cropping farmers with the skills, quality assurance and infrastructure needed to achieve future growth and profitability.
Called Future Fields 2030, the New Zealand Arable Production Growth Strategy is a collaboration between the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), Federated Farmers’ Arable Sector Group, United Wheatgrowers and the Ministry for Primary Industries. It was launched at FAR’s CROPS field day at its Chertsey Arable Research Site near Ashburton.
The strategy considers how arable growers’ businesses, and the sector overall, might be strengthened and better equipped to identify and pursue high value opportunities into the future.
Federated Farmers Arable Industry Group chair David Birkett says the strategy “will enable growers to better capture future opportunities and develop more autonomy within their businesses”.
Future Fields 2030 builds on the arable sector’s strong base of agronomy-focused research and extension, adding three priorities: building skills for success,
Grosafe
standards of excellence and enabling infrastructure.
Building skills includes everything from improving financial literacy to evaluating value chain opportunities beyond the farm gate, enabling arable farmers to connect with food innovators, start-ups and existing food businesses.
Standards of excellence involves identifying and verifying the production and environmental assurance standards required to provide customer confidence and build preference for NZ arable growers and their products.
The third tier involves identifying infrastructure opportunities, both on-and off-farm.
This includes exploring possible machinery pools/syndicates to reduce costs of production, addressing infrastructure gaps on-farm and opportunities for investment off-farm in arable transport, storage and processing infrastructure.
FAR chair Steven Bierema says FAR is pleased to support the Future Fields 2030 strategy. “This strategy is crucial for ensuring that our growers are equipped to meet emerging market demands and is directly aligned with FAR’s commitment to driving research and development to enhance farmer profitability and sustainability.”
The strategy has set time-lines and measures for delivery through to 2030, with funding sought from levies, industry and government.
Arable farmers are the unsung heroes of NZ’s primary sector, contributing more than $2 billion to the economy through their production of grain, high value seed and an increasing range of other crops.
Outputs from the arable sector are also vital to the $35 billion livestock industry, through seeds for pastures, grains and other inputs for animal feed.
becomes Sipcam NZ
Grosafe Group, based in Tauranga, has become part of Sipcam Oxon, a global plant protection organisation headquartered in Italy.
Now known as Sipcam
wake of the change.
Sipcam Oxon was founded in 1946 and operates in more than 20 countries.
It produces chemical intermediates, pesticides, biologicals, biostimulants, plant growth regulators, fertilisers and seeds, integrating its expertise in synthesis of active ingredients and capabilities in formulation development with registration of finished products.
Chief executive Paolo Brogi says acquiring Grosafe is a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy.
“By strengthening our presence in the Asia Pacific region, we aim to better serve our existing clients and explore new opportunities.
“We look forward to leveraging the combined strengths of Sipcam New
Zealand and Sipcam Oxon to develop a comprehensive product portfolio that addresses the evolving needs of our customers.”
David MacGibbon, who joined Grosafe as chief executive in 2021, says the move marks the start of a new chapter for the company, committed to delivering exceptional value and contributing to the sustainable growth of NZ’s primary sector.
“Our enduring success is rooted in the strong partnerships we have forged with our valued customers. We are excited to build upon these relationships and introduce innovative solutions that will further support farmers in achieving optimal crop yields.”
The deal was finalised early December.
David Birkett and FAR’s Alison Stewart.
New Zealand, it is headed by chief executive David MacGibbon, who says his team is excited about future opportunities in the
David MacGibbon.
New name for a new era
The New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association has become Seed and Grain NZ in a change it says better reflects what it does.
“It’s about having a name that can act as an umbrella to the diverse range of activities that we participate in, and the current name does not encapsulate the breadth of activities the association is involved in,” president Charlotte Connoley told those at the industry body’s annual conference.
“GeneTech is going to be a critical debate for our industry. We need to ensure we are seen as the voice of the industry on all matters not just trade.
“Our depth of involvement is far beyond that of trade and includes all the areas that
interface with trade - plant breeding, intellectual property, standards and certification, education and training, advocacy and regulatory, market access, phytosanitary, biosecurity, research and development, events and communications.”
The new name aligns with other changes to the organisation, including the appointment of a chief executive; more mentoring and governance opportunities for young people in the industry and the beginning of a combined conference with the Australian Seed Federation. Further, Connoley says, having
a name that aligns with other industry representative bodies such as Beef & Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, HortNZ, and Potatoes NZ creates better brand awareness and a seat at the same
table as these organisations.
“Trade enabling advocacy is core to our activities. With our current heavy program of regulatory consultations and policy review, profile has never been more important.”
information you need, right at your finger
Packed with tools like yield and financial return calculators, detailed insights on all companies’ cultivars, and key resources, this app empowers you to make informed decisions - even with limited cellphone coverage. Whether you’re providing tailored advice or planning for your own farm, you’ll have everything you need to boost productivity and profitability.
Among those at the event were, from left, Stephen Bennett, PGGW Seeds; Steve Pugh, GVI Logistics; and Callum Davidson, Cropmark Seeds.
Charlotte Connoley, far right, speaking at the conference.
Photos Paul Petch.
Failed technology project comes at high cost
OSPRI has apologised to levy-payers for the cost of its failed major technology upgrade and says it will now focus on rebuilding a national animal identification and tracing (NAIT) programme that in future will be able to integrate with its other systems.
This follows what those who own the organisation describe as significant issues with the intended MyOSPRI upgrade; a $16.6 million dollar write-off, resignation of chair Paul Reynolds and the appointment of three new OSPRI directors.
The heads of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ and Deer Industry NZ say they are very disappointed in the financial impact of the ditched platform, which was supposed to integrate animal disease management and traceability.
Work on the Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) began five years ago.
It was supposed to simplify data input for farmers, and enhance data sharing across OSPRI programmes but cost overruns and delays led to it being paused earlier in 2024.
A subsequent review found it was overly complex, not fit for purpose and would be costly to maintain, hence the big write-off in the 2023/24 accounts which was equally accrued to NAIT and TBfree.
“We are working hard to rebuild the balance
sheet through driving better efficiency and savings. But we can assure stakeholders we are still able to fully deliver our programmes,” Kate Acland, Tracy Brown and Paddy Boyd say.
“It is clear that OSPRI’s leadership and capability in relation to this technology upgrade needed significant improvements.
“These new arrangements, underpinned by the revised legal constitution, will enable shareholders and funders to keep OSPRI accountable for providing greater transparency, performance, and decisionmaking into the future.
“The improvements made give us confidence the organisation can deliver on its promise to provide a NAIT replacement system that meets the needs of NZ’s primary sector.
“We are assured that these issues do not affect the existing NAIT programme, and farmers can continue to depend on NAIT for traceability and disease management purposes.”
Following reviews of both the planned new system and OSPRI’S governance structure, they say several improvements have been made to ensure OSPRI is successful in the future.
These include formation of a new shareholders and funder group with a direct role in monitoring the overall performance and functioning of the OSPRI board.
The board is accountable to this group, with formal reporting and quarterly meetings with senior industry representatives and MPI.
This group takes over the responsibility for selecting director candidates for the OSPRI Board.
Three new directors have been appointed to fill current vacancies on the OSPRI Board, effective from 1 November, namely DairyNZ director Mark Todd, B+LNZ director Alexandre Guilleux, and former OSPRI board observer Hugh Martyn, who chairs Waimakariri Irrigation.
Separately, two new directors, FarmRight shareholder and director Tony Cleland, and AgResearch and Tatua director Louise Cullen, have replaced outgoing directors James Parsons and Fenton Wilson after OSPRI’s annual meeting late last year.
The stakeholders’ council has been disestablished and replaced with a stakeholder forum, meeting at least every six months, with an aim to facilitate deeper engagement between OSPRI and its stakeholders and enable OSPRI to receive feedback on the operation of OSPRI and its subsidiaries.
Insurer bucks trend with new build
Local growth and rising demand for services have prompted FMG to open a new office in the heart of Ashburton.
“At a time when many rural and local towns are experiencing the loss of essential services as branches close and relocate to larger cities, we take pride in not only maintaining but growing our presence in communities like Ashburton,” says chief executive Adam Heath.
FMG partnered with New Zealand architects Design Group Stapleton Elliot, and local building firm Bradfords, to create a fit-out that will provide the Ashburton team with a space to work, connect, collaborate, look after clients, and host local community events.
The new office also features 100 per cent
New Zealand wool carpet tiles, an important and deliberate choice to better support the NZ wool sector, and a move FMG’s sustainability specialist Emma Rowe hopes won’t be the last.
“FMG has long aspired to use more wool carpet across our 32 regional offices, but admittedly, finding wool carpet tiles or commercial flooring products that can withstand high-traffic areas has been a challenge,” she says.
“Compared to the wide availability of residential wool carpets, commercial options are limited, making it tough to compete with synthetic alternatives.”
FMG commends the support it received from partners Carpet Court and Godfrey Hirst, helping it source a 100 per cent NZ wool product that met the demands of the new office.
“As a mutual our clients’ success is our success. That’s why we look to get behind our farmers wherever we can and showing our commitment to the strong wool sector is one way we can do this,” Rowe says.
FMG has served the Ashburton community for over a decade, and the new premises provide a larger, modern space to better accommodate the growing local team and support their clients and community.
Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown at the opening.
Walking the talk – NZ wool carpet throughout.
this month we look at...
AUTUMN SOWING
AgYields a valuable tool for pasture planning
Beef+Lamb New Zealand is encouraging farmers to work with their consultants about how best to take advantage of AgYields, a national free forage database launched in 2022 to make pasture planning and crop selection easier.
By pulling together data from across NZ, AgYields provides farmers, rural professionals and researchers detailed insights into what’s been grown locally and how well it has performed.
For many, accessing reliable, localised pasture data has been a constant challenge.
AgYields helps solve this by offering a wealth of information, including both peerreviewed studies and unpublished data in one place.
It allows farmers, advisors and resellers to see which pastures and crops have been grown in their districts and how much they grew so they can select more resilient pasture and crop systems.
It covers important details like soil types, management practices, and pasture species in different regions, giving farmers a better understanding of what works best on similar land.
Dr Suzi Keeling, head of science and research at B+LNZ, explains that AgYields isn’t just about today’s needs—it’s about the future.
“Farmers themselves or with the assistance of their consultants can access pasture growth rate data that can inform feed planning and budgeting decisions,” she says.
“Access to data on a wide range of species can help farmers address challenges related to unpredictable weather and meet environmental regulations.”
The database was developed by Professor Derrick Moot of Lincoln University, with funding from the T R Ellett Trust and support from B+LNZ, RAGT NZ and PGG
Wrightson Seeds through the Hill Country Futures programme,
AgYields is a breakthrough for NZ agriculture.
Launched in 2022, it brings together information that was previously scattered across different platforms, making it easier to access and use.
Dr Carmen Teixeira, from the Dryland Pastures Research Group at Lincoln University, says it’s had strong uptake since the launch.
“We’ve seen a great adoption of this tool, with 426 users already using it to optimise their pasture planning. This demonstrates
the immediate value it offers to the farming community.
“As more farmers and rural professionals add to the database, it will become an even richer resource, helping the entire farming community today and in the future.”
Professor Derek Moot says measuring yield and growth rates for pastures and crops is vital for the prosperity of NZ’s agricultural sector.
“These data are expensive to collect and are often stored across a range of electronic and physical platforms, making it difficult to access easily. For the first time, the AgYields website consolidates this data into a publicly accessible resource.”
Having a single source of data reduces duplication, Suzi Keeling adds.
“It means we don’t have to repeat the same experiments over and over.”
By using AgYields, farmers can make decisions that boost both productivity and sustainability. Best of all, the database is free to access at www.agyields.co.nz, and farmers are encouraged to explore the data—and even contribute their own findings.
Redefining pasture performance for NZ farming
Words: Agricom
Agricom’s new generation of perennial ryegrasses is set to revolutionise pastoral farming in New Zealand and provide farmers with a suite of options to maximise pasture performance, persistence and profitability.
The past five years have seen significant activity for Agricom’s product development manager, Allister Moorhead, as the entire perennial ryegrass portfolio has been refreshed with several exciting releases.
The first of the new generation, Legion, was released in 2019.
Legion replaced Prospect as a late heading diploid all-round ryegrass offering improved autumn production, low aftermath seedhead, and versatility across all farming systems.
Reason followed in 2021, setting a new benchmark for mid heading ryegrasses. It is one of NZ’s highest performing cultivars for early spring production, yet maintains excellent quality through the summer.
This is thanks to its low aftermath seedhead production and improved disease resistance compared to traditional mid heading cultivars.
While mid heading cultivars are typically well suited for summer dry beef and sheep systems, Reason has seen significant uptake into dairy and finishing systems. Its high quality forage and dry matter
production is competitive with the highest producing late heading genetics available.
The past two years have seen another two releases from Agricom.
Three60 succeeds the iconic ONE50, while Align, described by Moorhead as Agricom’s ‘smartest grass yet’, is set to revolutionise the use of tetraploid ryegrasses in NZ farming systems.
Replacing ONE50 was always going to be a huge challenge.
Its consistent, robust performance over many years in a wide range of environments and farm systems resulted in it being one of the most widely sown cultivars in NZ over the past 15 years.
After many years of evaluation, the team at Agricom is thrilled to introduce the next generation of late heading diploid perennial ryegrasses: Three60.
Three60 offers marked improvements in dry matter production, low aftermath seedhead and rust tolerance.
Bred from plants sourced across Northland, Waikato, Manawatu, and Canterbury, Three60 boasts a robust lineage of elite genetics.
Its development is grounded in extensive internal and industry trials, solidifying its status as the successor to ONE50.
Agricom’s latest release, Align tetraploid perennial ryegrass, is perhaps one of the most innovative and revolutionary ryegrasses to enter the NZ market in many years.
Tetraploid ryegrasses can offer increases in animal intake and metabolisable energy compared to diploids.
However, this has traditionally come with trade-offs, including the requirement for more careful management and compromise in tiller density and persistence under grazing. However, Agricom’s ‘smartest grass yet’, Align, redefines expectations for tetraploid ryegrasses.
It possesses high tiller density, particularly when tetraploids are typically prone to pugging damage in winter and spring.
As a very late heading cultivar, Align remains in a vegetative state throughout the summer and autumn period, delivering large amounts of leafy, high quality dry matter production during this time.
It has been an exciting period for Agricom, with the release of Three60 and Align perennial ryegrasses capping off a strong portfolio.
These new additions provide NZ pastoral farmers with a diverse range of improved genetics, offering traits and production capabilities that suit a wide range of farming systems.
Allister Moorhead.
Help farmers pick winners and prosper this season
If your farmers have not yet decided which pasture cultivars represent best value for sowing this autumn, it’s time to talk to them about the latest National Forage Variety Trial results.
That’s the advice from Barenbrug pasture specialist Graham Kerr, who says the NFVT system, which has been running for more than 30 years, and the cultivars it tests, represent the best of what proprietary plant breeding does for New Zealand agriculture.
“We’re not just talking about superior plant genetics being extensively tested prior to market release.
“This is our way, and our industry’s way, of reducing the risk farmers take when they renew their pastures, so they can be confident of a good outcome.”
And with high quality pasture more important than ever for efficient, costeffective milk and meat production, carefully considering ryegrass choice this autumn is time well spent.
“We’re really proud that Array has remained unbeaten among diploid perennials for yield in the national NFVT rankings that have been just released for the 2024/25 year,” Kerr says.
Array is not the only stand-out, however.
Barenbrug has bred three of the top four perennials in the latest results, including Maxsyn and Tyson; 4front has topped the tetraploid ryegrasses tested, and Forge has come out on top of the national hybrid ryegrass category, with Shogun NEA12 number two.
“These results are an endorsement of our on-going effort to develop ryegrasses that both add value to today’s farm businesses, and minimise the risk of a poor result.”
And with latest industry sales figures for proprietary pasture seed confirming that Maxsyn is now the top selling diploid perennial ryegrass in NZ, with 4front the top selling tetraploid, and Forge Barenbrug’s top selling hybrid, there’s maybe an even more telling endorsement from the most important stake holders of all – farmers themselves.
“They’re recognising the value of these pastures, and repeatedly buying them for
Change the game with smarter forage decisions
Words: Cropmark Seeds
Cropmark Seeds is proud to announce the launch of ForageSelect, a cutting-edge app designed to simplify forage planning and boost farm productivity.
ForageSelect embodies our commitment to delivering smarter, more practical solutions that respond to the real needs of New Zealand farmers and retailers. The story behind the app ForageSelect was originally developed by Cropmark Seeds’ plant breeder, Nick Cameron.
As part of his side hobby in app development, Cameron wanted to create something that would make forage
decisions easier and more effective. It was a collaborative approach that saw him working closely with the technical staff within the company, utilising their expertise and regional knowledge to develop the tools found within it.
“The app was so innovative and practical that it quickly became clear it was too good not to share with the wider farming community,” says Callum Davidson, NZ sales manager.
the gains they are delivering to them.”
Cultivar choice is a critical first step in sowing strong new pasture, as it determines a range of things including longevity, seasonal growth and heading date. But it’s important to remember this is just part of the check-list for success, Kerr says.
“Pasture renewal is like a chain made up of many different links, from choosing the right paddocks, soil testing, checking for pests and achieving a good spray out right through to using the correct seed drill.
“Each link is as important as the next, and if one is weak, the chain is compromised.
“That’s why it’s always a great idea for your farmers to have someone walk the farm with them, to share ideas and come up with a robust renewal plan.
“Reseller reps, consultants and contractors are all super helpful in this context, and our area managers are always available to support you too.”
Your go-to resource
ForageSelect provides detailed, up-todate descriptions of all commercially available forage cultivars in NZ.
This includes guidance on the best fit for each cultivar, taking into account region, animal type, soil acidity, and summer rainfall.
Can ryegrass be beaten for carbon?
Around the world, soils under managed grasslands hold a lot of carbon, up to 22 per cent of all land-based carbon stocks.
How the land is managed affects whether these soils gain, lose, or keep their carbon – and historically, much carbon has been lost as natural ecosystems have been converted into grassland.
Land management to maximise soil carbon stocks in grasslands could help New Zealand’s overall greenhouse gas balance. With managed grasslands making up around 55 per cent of NZ’s land area, mostly for sheep, beef and dairy production, and with greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector accounting for around 50 per cent of the nation’s total, it is important to optimise pasture management to preserve or increase soil carbon stocks and avoid losses.
Best-practice grazed grassland management, which broadly aims to limit environmental impacts, relies on practices such as rotating grazing areas, maintaining plant cover yearround, irrigation, pasture renewal, periodic cropping of pastures and increasing pasture plant diversity away from conventional ryegrass and white clover.
These practices, and others such as planting deeper-rooted pasture species, are also
thought beneficial to soil carbon stocks.
The effects of these practices are not easy to quantify due to labour-intensive measures and lack of replication between farms.
Scientists from Manaaki
Whenua and the University of Waikato recently combined the available data from three dairy farms in Waikato and two in Canterbury over 68 site-years, between 2008 and 2022, to calculate how different management practices have affected soil carbon stocks. On these farms, the net CO₂ exchange of the pasture was continuously measured, and carbon removals and additions associated with grazing, harvesting, effluent and fertiliser application were monitored.
Although the data were limited to five farms and only four main soil types, the results make for interesting, and perhaps unexpected, reading.
Soil carbon stocks under grazed pastures were largely steady-state.
None of the management practices assessed on these farms showed increases in soil carbon stocks over time, other than when carbon was added in
With ForageSelect, you and your clients will have everything you need to make informed decisions, even when working in areas with limited cell phone coverage. Innovative tools
Designed to streamline decision-making, ForageSelect offers tools to improve productivity and profitability, including:
• Financial benefit analysis: Assess the economic advantages of different forage options.
the form of manure or effluent. Some practices, such as periodic feed cropping and pasture renewal, led to net soil carbon loss, although some or all of the carbon could be recovered over subsequent years.
Irrigation did not seem to make a difference to soil carbon in Canterbury, while enabling large increases in grass production.
The researchers also found no evidence in their data that pastures with moderately increased diversity (five species) increased carbon stocks compared with conventional ryegrass/white clover mixes.
It appeared that use of a conventional ryegrass/white clover mix, the most common pasture mix in use in NZ over the past century, gave the best
opportunity for maintaining soil carbon stocks in NZ’s temperate climate, while also producing enough biomass to support dairy cows.
However, the studied farms did not use highly diverse species mixes or altered grazing management aiming for higher standing biomass after grazing, which are practices explored by the growing regenerative agriculture movement.
“Research into the carbon effects of these practices is underway,” says Dr Johannes Laubach, a senior researcher in greenhouse gases at Manaaki Whenua, “including measurements of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide, to identify trade-offs or synergy effects of management practices on net greenhouse gas emissions.”
• Yield calculators: Accurately project crop yields for smarter planning.
• Pasture score tools: Evaluate pasture performance and identify areas for improvement.
Why ForageSelect?
No other resource consolidates this level of information and functionality into a single platform. As a trusted advisor, ForageSelect not only helps
you recommend the right cultivars but also provides critical tools for analysing potential returns and maximising yields.
ForageSelect works offline, so it can be used anywhere—whether you’re on-farm, in the back paddock, or out of cell phone range.
It’s the practical tool you and your clients need for smarter farming decisions. The app is free to download, and available now.
The Programmed Approach is back
Words: PGG Wrightson Seeds
Farming has many moving parts, but fundamental to a profitable pasture system in New Zealand is the need to grow and harvest homegrown feed.
Underpinning the delivery of feed to meet livestock demand are grass and cloverbased pastures.
Starting in spring this year, with follow through in autumn and beyond, PGG Wrightson Seeds has reintroduced the Programmed Approach which looks at an individual farm system and identifies where opportunities exist to improve livestock performance and then meet this shift in feed demand by utilising the various pasture, forage crop options and technologies within the PGG Wrightson Seeds portfolio.
“The difference is we look at the whole farm rather than just focusing on an individual paddock. It is a process of developing a sustainable long-term pasture and forage cropping plan that meets a system’s agronomic and nutritional requirements,” says Wayne Nichol, national technical manager for PGG Wrightson Seeds.
“We are running interactive seminars explaining the concept to our retail partners, which involves some new underlying concepts to illustrate what various product traits and technologies can offer to support these systems.”
For example, Midway, which is a new diploid early flowering perennial ryegrass with AR37 endophyte, has the early
season dry matter production to help feed availability at lambing and calving time and also autumn performance to match the later flowering perennials, providing a more seasonal growth curve across the year.
To help recognise this growth, cultivars like Midway will be matched with one or, in the case of something like Midway, both of the two new brands being released as part of the Programmed Approach which are ‘CSA (cool season active)’ and ‘WSA (warm season active)’.
Both brands recognise products that can be grown and fed in-situ or continue growing during the cool or warm season periods of the year.
Alongside this, we need to also recognise the quality of the feed grown, especially during the summer months, so for products like Midway that are selected and have proven summer quality traits, we can add the new SQ (summer quality) logo.
It’s an easy way for retailers and farmers to select cultivars based on seasonal growth requirements and those that have proven to have quality differences.
Thus, a pasture mix with Midway may also include other SQ products, such as Quartz white clover and Amigain red clover. Whereas if specialist forage crops are needed, then we can use WSA and CSA
to help select the right fit of product and know for crops such as Sika chicory, clovers and forage brassicas such as Sarge kale and Pallaton Raphno brassica that they have proven production benefits as recognised by the SQ logo.
Introducing Midway
Midway is a diploid, mid-flowering perennial ryegrass, that could fit across any pasture-based system in New Zealand, especially where early spring growth is required.
A combination of high seasonal dry matter production and tiller density, excellent rust tolerance and selection for spring/ summer quality through reduced aftermath seed heading makes Midway an option for those farmers looking for an all-purpose grass with resilience and longevity.
Midway will add value to farmers who are looking for that early spring feed prior to and post lambing and calving but also strong pasture growth in the following seasons.
• Strong, year-round dry matter production
• Mid-season heading (Mid +3)
• Strong persistence (AR37)
• Selected for low aftermath heading
• Strong rust tolerance.
Midway, the new perennial ryegrass.
Wayne Nichol.
Rising from the ashes
Imagine this. You’re woken from sleep on a Sunday night to be told your well-established agri supply business is literally in flames.
Rebuild due to be finished soon.
Most stock and equipment is destroyed, and a busy sales season is just around the corner. Insurance should cover a rebuild, but only a part of the plant and stock and not the loss of income. Do you walk away, or start all over again?
“We had never been so well stocked,” says Rurtec owner Ian Carr. “And the updating of insurance cover unfortunately hadn’t happened.
“A main thing that made me say yes, let’s go again, was the LANATI. After three and
a half years of development we’d only just launched it. I knew we would be able to get back up and running with new stock pretty quickly.”
He’s talking about the LANATI ASTRON, the unique, slimline, high torque cordless handpiece Rurtec released to market mere weeks before fire consumed its headquarters in Hamilton on 17 December 2023.
Since 2012, the building had served as a manufacturing and distribution base for
Rurtec’s animal husbandry products.
In a few weeks, Carr says, he and his team hope to be back in – Waikato Construction is expected to have finished the re-build for a return to business in March.
Before then, however, the company needs to get cracking on crayon supply for the start of autumn mating, and that means having 250,000 crayons ready to go for the NZ and export markets by April.
“We were lucky; when we dug down through the melted mess there were cartons of crayons underneath that were largely untouched aside from being waterlogged from the hoses used to fight the fire. Enough was salvaged to see us through most of the southern hemisphere season. We had to short supply the European market however which was a bit hard to swallow,” Carr says.
The vats used to make the crayons were also salvaged, and with the stirrer motors rewound and new heating elements installed they were up and running again in a transportable facility at Rurtec’s temporary site by late November.
New machinery for harness manufacture was purchased and set up at the temporary site in the weeks after the fire, ensuring these were available for both domestic and export sales after stock levels were rebuilt.
Carr says Rurtec customers have been very supportive throughout the recovery process, and have been kept in the loop from soon after the event.
A very positive light throughout has been the market success of the LANATI ASTRON, he says.
Manufactured overseas, these have been selling strongly through NZ retailers and vets for use in both sheep and dairy cattle, for tail trimming.
“As usual, the Southern Field Days at Waimumu in February was a real pleasure and a great event – interest in the ASTRON handpiece was very strong there, and at the CD Field Days in Feilding in March. “We were also helped by Alleva Animal Health, which used them for a promotion with one of their sheep products that went really well.”
There’s strong interest from Australia by way of a large existing cordless handpiece supplier who was looking at developing something similar for its own range, and talks on a distribution deal are underway. Further afield, Rurtec is also fielding interest from the United States, both for dairy herds and the smaller sheep flocks which prevail in the eastern states.
“We just got it into the UK at the start of November, and we’re pretty excited about that.”
Samuel Whitelock, farmer.
I’ve had some great teammates over the years and my friends at Corteva Agriscience are up there with the best of them.
Their suite of world class products – including Tordon™ Brushkiller XT, Tordon™ PastureBoss™, Korvetto™, Sparta™ and Transform™ - helps farmers achieve truly exceptional results.
Corteva are on a mission to enrich lives for generations to come – and that’s exactly the kind of company I want on my side.
For more information talk to your agricultural merchant or call 0800 803 939 today.
Always read the label before use.
Samuel Whitelock – Plant Science Graduate, Lincoln University.
Natives provide food and shelter for beneficials
Almost 3000 insects, spiders and mites have been found in native planting at a Pukekohe demonstration vegetable farm, designed to provide food and habitat to maintain beneficial species populations over winter.
From June to October, Plant and Food Research (PFR) carried out fortnightly monitoring of the native plant species in the non-cropping areas of the farm to increase understanding of the role the plants play in supporting key beneficial invertebrate populations from winter into spring.
The biodiversity project is a partnership between A Lighter Touch, Vegetables New Zealand and Onions NZ.
PFR entomologist Asha Chhagan says using sweep netting, nearly 3000 individual invertebrates were identified from the first seven of 10 monitoring visits and were categorised as natural enemy, pest, pollinator or other.
“We monitored at least 30 flowering native plants during each visit in order to gather
data based on as many different flowering species as possible.”
Chhagan says the most abundant beneficial group of invertebrates found in the monitoring were spiders, which are known to attack a variety of vegetable pests, including mites, aphids and caterpillars.
“Three different hoverfly species were identified. Their larvae are voracious generalist predators and feed on a range of soft-bodied pests, including aphids, caterpillars, psyllids and mealybugs.”
Also found were various parasitoid wasps, including species which attack scale insects and the eggs of stink bugs such as green vegetable bugs.
Other beneficial species included predatory
Hoverflies were among beneficial species identified in the biodiverse planting.
mites, beetles and ladybirds. A range of pollinating fly species were identified, as well as a few pest species.
The permanent native planting on the demonstration farm is made up of a mix of ground covers and shrubs, and is one component of the biodiversity project, which also includes cover crops, annual flower strips and mobile insectaries.
Planted in non-cropping areas such as beside fence lines and waterways, the plant species selected were chosen to provide year round food sources, and shelter for the beneficial invertebrate species over winter. They were also selected based on full growth size in order to avoid impeding machinery and minimise the need for maintenance such as trimming.
Ground cover species included carex, muehlenbekia and pratia, with shrubs such as coprosma, olearia and pittosporum.
• Over 140 new listings
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Helping farmers and growers stay safe online
Over a century ago, at FMG’s inception, the idea of being safe online would have been a vastly foreign concept.
Now it is part of the day to day offering from FMG alongside the likes of fire safety and theft advice.
The company has recently launched an online learning module aimed at helping to upskill their clients (and anyone else who wants to give it a go) on how to stay safe online.
Advice service manager Angela Taylor says when farmers and growers become increasingly reliant on digital technologies for their businesses and personal lives, they become more vulnerable to cyber threats.
“We know that small businesses including smaller rural businesses are increasingly becoming targets for cyber-crime and we need to find new ways of engaging with clients when it comes to complex topics like these.”
In fact, the scary reality is that, according to the National Cyber Security Centre, New Zealanders lose $198 million to scams each year.
“Farmers and growers need to understand the value of the data they hold, the compounding impacts a cyber breach may have and the potential vulnerabilities
within their systems. The new module is designed to do just that and give them tools to reduce the risk of being exposed to cyber-crime.”
Taylor’s recommendations to those keen to improve their cyber smarts:
• Use FMG’s learning module to upskill you and those around you on the various methods hackers use and how to protect yourself online.
• Have strong password practices and adopt twofactor authentication on main accounts. These online security practices can help
New sensor measures water loss from plants and soil
CropX has launched what it says is a first-of-its-kind sensor for monitoring the real-time plant water use in a field through evapotranspiration (ET).
This new, above-canopy sensor connects to the CropX agronomic farm management system to give its users ‘unprecedented’ knowledge of crop water use and needs, allowing for data-driven irrigation scheduling and remote management that maximizes water efficiency.
Available in both New Zealand and Australia, the Actual ET can reduce irrigation water by up to 50 per cent for CropX system users, while still protecting and even improving their productivity, the company says.
The launch follows CropX’s 2022 acquisition of Tule Technologies, a California-based company that developed the patented technology.
CropX has continued to refine it and developed a version that can be mounted on a centre pivot.
“It is exciting to bring evapotranspiration sensing to NZ and Australia and the rest of the region, as we expand the universe of tools for effectively managing water, the most valuable natural resource we have,” says Eitan Dan, managing director of CropX Australasia.
The CropX Actual ET sensor can be used alongside soil moisture sensors to gain a complete picture of water use in a field.
It can also be an alternative to a soil moisture sensor when rocky soils make an in-ground soil moisture sensor challenging. Regional evapotranspiration values are
to minimise the amount of money New Zealanders lose to scammers each year.
• Have an incident response plan. Know who to call at your bank or your internet service provider and what steps you might take in the event your details are compromised. According to statistics from NZ’s National Cyber Security Centre, nearly half of people use the same passwords for their online accounts; and a third neither use strong passwords nor two factor authentication for their main online accounts.
commonly used by farmers to estimate how much and when to irrigate, but the CropX option offers the first measurement that covers a specific field on a daily basis.
This specificity can reveal microclimate differences, crop stage water uptake differences, and can provide an early detection method for crop stress, the company says.
CropX’s agronomic farm management system links sensors in fields and satellite data with cloud-based advanced agronomic analytics.
The system delivers field, weather, and crop data and recommendations via mobile or desktop app.
CropX’s soil sensors collect data that is transformed into helpful visualizations and advisory insights that guide the timing and amount of irrigation, fungal disease crop protection, and planting and harvest dates, while acting as a recording repository for on-farm management activities.
Dairy Holdings, a NZ dairy collective that covers over 20,000 hectares, has used CropX as a key tool to reduce irrigation use by 30 per cent while improving the quality and quantity of their yield.
Ag and hort insecticide on the way out?
After a lengthy reassessment process first approved late 2020, it now proposes to ban the insecticide in New Zealand, and has called for submissions by 12 February.
Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum organophosphate used in agriculture and horticulture, and for biosecurity treatment of pest species.
Fifteen products containing this active ingredient, from thirteen crop protection companies, are currently listed on the ACVM register.
They cover many crops, including avocados, kiwifruit, wine grapes, pip and stone fruit, onions, squash and potatoes. Chlorpyrifos-based insecticides are also approved for use in cereals, lucerne, forage brassica, fodder beet, maize and pasture. Labelled pests range from grass grub, porina, Argentine stem weevil and cutworm to aphids, white butterfly, leafroller, diamond back moth and mealy bug.
In addition to these ACVM registered products, several more are approved but no longer registered.
In October, Australian regulators removed most agricultural and urban pest control uses of chlorpyrifos for worker health and safety and environmental risks. It has been banned in Canada; is not approved in the European Union and is under review in the United States.
The EU has also proposed that chlorpyrifos be listed as a persistence organic pollutant under the Stockholm Convention.
Risks posed by chlorpyrifos to humans and the environment now outweigh its benefits, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) says. Chlorpyrifos is labelled for use on lucerne against aphids and sitona weevil.
If this goes ahead, the EPA says it would prevent the manufacture, export and import, supply and use of the substance in NZ.
Further, it says in a 100-page staff assessment report, “there is evidence to indicate that the value of chlorpyrifos as a plant protection product on crops for export markets has decreased.
“Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) values and tolerances in international markets are being revoked or significantly reduced.
“This and other social and market pressures suggest that markets are likely to move away from the use of chlorpyrifos.”
As international import markets ban its use of chlorpyrifos and/or consumers move away from it, the ability to use chlorpyrifos on export crops in NZ and/or the value of crops treated with chlorpyrifos for export markets will become increasingly limited.
“Alongside any decline in acceptance, a proportion of the monetary benefits associated with the use of chlorpyrifos in turn decreases.”
The report lists alternative crop protection options for currently labelled use patterns, with diazinon one of the few active ingredients listed for army caterpillar, lucerne flea, porina, grass grub and manuka beetle in pasture.
However, diazinon is itself being phased out, and must not be used after 1 July 2028.
The only other chemical family listed as an alternative for controlling grass grub in
pasture – the neonicotinoids clothianidin and imidacloprid – is also being reassessed by the EPA.
Hazardous substances reassessments manager Dr Shaun Presow says the authority wants information from organisations that use chlorpyrifos to better understand benefits of using it, and any potential impacts of a ban.
“We have assessed the risks to human health and the environment, but we need to carefully consider all the evidence about how chlorpyrifos is used and its risks.
“It’s important to hear from as many people as possible before we make final decisions.”
The EPA reassessed plant protection products containing chlorpyrifos as part of a larger reassessment of organophosphate and carbamate substances in 2013.
At that time risks of its use to human health and the environment were deemed as ranging from negligible to high, but significant benefits were derived from plant protection and biosecurity uses.
With application of additional controls, it was approved for plant protection.
Since then, international regulatory reviews have been undertaken, and in the case of human health, the toxicological threshold for adverse effects is now 10 times lower than the 2013 NZ assessment.
The new assessment shows most uses now have human health risks which may not be mitigated with controls, the EPA says.
“Those which can be mitigated are those with low application rates and would require significant restrictions.
“All uses are considered to present risks to the environment.
“Our assessments, and those of international regulators, show chlorpyrifos presents significant risks to the environment for all uses, and to human health for most uses.”
Showcasing arable innovation
Syngenta attended the Foundation for Arable Research CROPS event at Chertsey late last year, as a platinum sponsor of this flagship industry event.
Held every second year, CROPS is an opportunity to view FAR trials on-site and for companies like Syngenta to promote new innovations.
Syngenta has a long history of providing high-quality fungicide solutions to the cereal market and back in 2012 CROPS was used to highlight SEGURIS Flexi, the first SDHI registered for use in cereal crops in New Zealand.
“This year we took the opportunity to showcase MIRAVIS Flexi fungicide, which is powered by ADEPIDYN technology, to the barley market.
“MIRAVIS Flexi is our newest SDHI (Group 7) fungicide,” says Ross McCallum, Syngenta territory sales manager based in Ashburton.
“It is a new active ingredient for barley growers offering powerful activity and long-lasting control of ramularia leaf spot and scald.
“Based on seven years of pre-release trials by Syngenta and our industry partners, MIRAVIS® Flexi provides market-leading control of ramularia.”
The aim was to demonstrate to barley growers the flexible nature of the product.
MIRAVIS Flexi is a solo-active formulation, which means growers have the flexibility to add the most suitable tank-mix partner to control the spectrum of diseases that present a threat at the time.
“At the site we showcased the powerful disease control of MIRAVIS Flexi when used with three potential tank mix partners in the iconic X shape in the centre of the site, along with an untreated control as a comparison.
For Syngenta it is important to be at this event to show new innovations as they come to the market.
“It represents an important networking opportunity with farmers, who we
don’t always get to interact with, along with other industry people, including agronomists and advisors.”
Maximise yields, reduce costs
It could be the perfect storm. Diminishing margins and rising costs, combined with forecast higher temperatures meaning increased insect pressure on crops.
Forage brassicas are notoriously hard to wet.
An efficacious insect protection and control programme is vital for threats including white butterfly, diamondback moths, aphids, and fall armyworm.
But David Lingan, UPL NZ’s adjuvant product manager says that’s only part of the solution.
“To get the most out of an insecticide, it has to be on target and available to the pest. And when it comes to dense crops, like forage brassicas, or getting spray to stay, cover, and spread on waxy foliage, that’s a challenge in itself.”
To maximise the results from insecticide applications, Lingan recommends using the super spreader Du-Wett for optimal crop coverage.
“It saves time, reduces waste and, critically, there’s going to be a better outcome.
“Insects, by their nature, are all over the place, so effective control relies very heavily on actual contact or ingestion. The
active in the spray needs to be present on the plant surface to maximise insect control. Du-Wett maximises spread and coverage of the plant.”
Lingan says in these cost-conscious times, products without an active (adjuvants) such as Du-Wett can be a hard sell.
“What people need to understand is that it will more than pay for itself.
“It means sprays can deliver to their full potential without the waste you’d otherwise have. Contractors, themselves, have said they can see the difference.”
He says, particularly with helicopter and any application where low water volume is important, Du-Wett provides significant savings in time and fuel.
“With Du-Wett you cover a greater area faster, with a much-reduced water volume and still get better protection for the crop.
“Water use is a hot topic now, whereas not too long ago, the volume of water in spray programmes wasn’t a big deal.
Clever sensors win prestigious innovation award for water use
The team behind novel yet simple technology that reads plant moisture status directly from the stem of permanent crops like grapevines, kiwifruit and apple trees has beaten an impressive line up of finalists to win the 2024 Innovation in Irrigation Award.
Croptide was up against Nanobubble Agritech, Bactosure, and Rangitata South Irrigation Scheme (RSIL) and Meteorology Solutions for the biennial award, which recognises pioneers of irrigation technology.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the Innovation in Irrigation Award and to stand alongside other forward-thinking leaders in this industry,” says Elisha Milmine, chief of staff at Croptide.
“It reaffirms our commitment to advancing sustainable irrigation solutions that benefit not only our growers but also our communities and environment.”
Croptide has been dubbed the smart watch for plants. Sensors collect continuous electrical data from plant tissues, including membranes and sap.
This is analysed using the company’s proprietary algorithms to provide
“With rising fuel, labour and spray costs, and shifts in attitudes towards the use of water itself, that’s changing. In addition, there’s the simple science. Water’s high surface tension doesn’t give the spread or coverage needed for the optimal insecticide performance.”
Du-Wett reduces the surface tension of spray droplets.
precise insights into plant water status.
The information is then transmitted to the cloud and displayed in real-time via an app, allowing growers to monitor crop water needs with exceptional accuracy.
The device’s simplicity and ease of installation make it scalable for widespread use in orchards and vineyards, and it is currently deployed across over 100 pilot sites in NZ, including with leading companies like Zespri and Villa Maria.
“Croptide’s unique approach to irrigation technology has set new standards in the agricultural sector, addressing some of the most pressing challenges of water conservation,” award organiser Irrigation NZ says.
“By leveraging advanced data analytics and precision technology, Croptide empowers growers to make informed irrigation decisions, ultimately optimising
One spray droplet containing Du-Wett can provide up to 20 times the spread of active compared to an insecticide applied without an adjuvant and at least six to eight times compared to a conventional, non-ionic adjuvant.
Du-Wett is also compatible with major insecticides including Sparta, Exirel and Aphidex.
water use and promoting sustainable farming practices.”
All finalists had demonstrated ‘outstanding’ contributions to the field.
Fellow finalist Rangitata South Irrigation Scheme (RSIL), in collaboration with Meteorology Solutions, made the cut for an innovative AI powered river flow prediction system which is expected to become a vital operational asset for the farmer-owned irrigation scheme in South Canterbury. It could also potentially be adopted by other irrigation schemes to manage water restrictions and prepare for future rainfall events.
Bactosure has developed a portable, battery-powered device that automates laboratory grade water quality testing, providing rural communities with an efficient, reliable solution for detecting and counting harmful bacteria in irrigation water, such as E. coli and total coliforms. This system eliminates the need for lengthy and costly sample transportation, ensuring faster results, and reducing contamination risk.
Nanobubble Agritech has demonstrated significant improvements in irrigation efficiency and pasture growth with technology that injects high concentrations of oxygen into irrigation water, for better soil aeration and plant uptake of water and nutrients.
Implemented on five commercial farms across NZ – including Henderson Farms, where it covers 92 hectares under a pivot irrigator – the technology has reduced water use by 15 per cent and increased pasture production by 25–30 per cent compared to control areas.
The innovation award is sponsored by Vantage, and was last presented to Brendon Hamilton, founder of H20rtigator, in 2022.
Lingan recommends using Du-Wett at 200 mL per ha for most insecticides, except for Attack (300 mL per ha) and chlorpyrifos (250 mL per ha).
Water volumes are 50-250 L per ha for ground applications and 50-100 L per ha for aerial applications.
Optimum spreading and wetting from DuWett will occur between pH 5 and pH 9.
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• Over 140 new listings
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Plus the latest regulatory amendments
The definitive guide to agrichemicals registered for use in New Zealand.
A comprehensive alphabetical listing of products, active ingredients, crop & weed tables, weed & pest identification and much, much more all in one single publication. It really is the definitive agrichemical guide and the only one you’ll ever need.
Purchase a manual to receive a FREE 12-month subscription to our subscriber only website.
The website is continually updated and contains product listings, a fully searchable online product manual, a powerful search engine of weeds, diseases & pests, including photo galleries with all the agrichemical options to use on individual crops as well as up-to-date SDS’s, Haznotes and product labels, plus posts about industry news and information.
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Nufarm has achieved Toitu carbonreduce certification, demonstrating its commitment to measuring, managing, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Toitu Envirocare is a leader in sustainability verification with its certifications being some of the first in the world to be accredited under ISO 14065.
“Becoming Toitu carbonreduce certified is a huge opportunity for Nufarm to add more value to our customers and end users,” says sustainability lead Debbie Arnold.
To achieve certification, Nufarm measured its emissions for freight, business travel, waste, electricity usage and fuel in vehicles.
“We want to do the right thing not only for our people and customers, but for the environments in which we live and work. Our purpose is to grow a better tomorrow, and agricultural sustainability is integral to this.”
Key carbon reductions made to the New Zealand business in the past three years include replacing diesel forklifts with electric forklifts and reach trucks; transitioning to hybrid cars in the company fleet and installing solar panels to power its Christchurch Distribution Centre.
Nufarm is also drawing sustainable connections with its customers.
“Our sustainability initiative with PGG Wrightson ‘Wright for Waterways’ has been a huge highlight.
“Together, over the past two years, we grew 180,000 manuka trees and supplied these to their growers to plant on-farm or donate to rural communities throughout the country,” Emma Ault, Nufarm marketing manager, says.
In addition, Nufarm’s move to high active ingredient load products, such as CRUCIAL, Kamba 750, Archer 750 and Nail 600 is saving tonnes of plastic packaging and cutting container shipping requirements, when compared to their predecessors.
Becoming Toitu carbonreduce certified means the NZ business will now be audited every year to ensure it continues making progress in reducing its carbon footprint.
This ongoing commitment is part of Nufarm’s greater corporate focus on creating a more sustainable future.
“We are proud to have achieved this
NZ sustainability lead Debbie Arnold (left) planting Wright for Waterways seedlings on-farm.
certification, and to join the likes of Fonterra, Farmlands, Pamu, Silver Fern Farms and other agri-sector organisations which have gained this internationally recognised certification,” Arnold says. Globally, Nuseed, the seed division of Nufarm, has established itself as a pioneer in agricultural biotechnology.
It was the first to develop and commercialise plant-based long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from canola, branded as Nutriterra for human health and Aquaterra for aquaculture.
These products provide sustainable alternatives to marine-sourced omega-3s, reducing pressure on wild fish stocks while delivering essential nutritional benefits.
Cost effective, clover friendly option for early weed control
Words: Arxada
Headstart, containing 50 grams per litre flumetsulam with inbuilt adjuvant technology, has established itself as a key tool for early weed control in pasture.
Establishing new pasture is an expensive exercise.
For the best results and persistence of your farmers’ new pasture, early weed control is critical by eliminating weed competition at an early stage. Improved pasture performance will in turn improve longevity, aiding overall farm profitability.
Unlike other herbicides, the timing of a Headstart application is not governed by crop stage. Proven by field trials, demonstrating crop safety with effective weed control, recent additional label claims now allow it to be applied as a postplant pre-emergent option.
This increased flexibility of timing, from sowing to emergence, provides confidence around crop safety achieving efficient weed control at the most appropriate timings.
Formulated, developed and manufactured in New Zealand with Arxada’s Oleo Technology built into the formulation, allows for improved results in the field, by incorporating the active ingredients with all the necessary surfactants and oils, making Headstart unique in the market. The liquid formulation is easier to measure and mix, compared to granular products which then also require oil to be added to the tank mix.
The improved results achieved in the field with Headstart has allowed nine* extra weeds to be added to the label, over and
above what the granule versions will control.
The increased efficacy is due to the optimal ratio of active ingredient with adjuvant in every spray droplet delivered to the target.
Using sufficient water rates is key to success, as coverage is a key factor when using a flumetsulam-based product. Headstart is compatible with several other pastural herbicides for controlling broadleaf weeds.
In fact, the adjuvants and oils that are present in the Headstart formulation can enhance the herbicidal activity of tank mix partners.
The mixing of Headstart with MCPA and MCPB based herbicides is not uncommon and will improve thistle control as well as control of a range of other broadleaf weeds.
Headstart is also compatible with grass weed herbicides like clethodim, for controlling unwanted grass species in other herb-based crops.
Please consult your Arxada territory manager when attempting these mixes, to ensure the correct mixing order and always adhere to the label instructions.
How to get the best results from Headstart?
Apply when the weeds are small and actively growing. Moist soil conditions also enable longevity on the soil, if left undisturbed.
Additionally, Nuseed’s Carinata crop is an advanced bioenergy feedstock specifically developed for producing renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The oil from Carinata is certified sustainable and works seamlessly with existing liquid fuel infrastructure. In 2023, Nuseed achieved a significant milestone by harvesting and processing Carinata under a 10-year agreement with BP,
If weeds are under significant stress due to moisture availability or temperature extremes, the efficacy may be reduced. Caution should be observed when applying Headstart in hot, dry conditions as the inbuilt surfactants (as is the case for any flumetsulam + oil combination) can cause adverse crop burning, especially to legumes, but you can be confident that they will grow out of it.
It is also worthwhile to note that Headstart has no effect on ryegrass or clover applied anytime from sowing, other than the precautions above.
Headstart also has claims for use over lucerne, chicory, and cereals (barley and wheat), making Headstart a staple option in the spray shed.
*Extra weeds are nodding thistle, broadleaved dock, inkweed, storksbill, twincress, dandelion, hawkbit, scrambling speedwell and field madder broadleaf weeds.
It is best to consult with your field representative for further advice before considering a specific tank mix partner for Headstart.
marking a step forward in renewable energy solutions. Looking ahead, Nuseed is actively expanding Carinata production to meet the growing global demand for low-carbon energy sources, further contributing to renewable fuel markets and climate goals. Globally, Nufarm aims to cut type 1 and type 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. Domestically, the target is 20 per cent fewer type 1 and 2 emissions by 2027.
Vigilance needed to safeguard yields this summer
High insect pest pressure in spring-sown pastures and crops means close surveillance is even more important than normal as summer advances.
Novel chemistry from one of New Zealand’s leading crop protection specialists was in strong demand during the spring spray-out and early establishment phases, with high populations of springtails, army worm and cut worm reported.
Corteva marketing manager Glen Surgenor says a mild winter in many areas may be part of the reason.
Regardless of cause, however, with peak caterpillar and aphid season on the horizon, now’s not the time to ease up on monitoring forage brassicas to keep them thriving through the warmer months.
“The level of pest pressure we’ve already seen in these crops has been very noticeable. Springtails in particular have been rampant. Summer conditions may be less favourable, but our advice for both farmers and reseller reps is to stay vigilant.”
He says there are two options available from Corteva for the increasing number of farmers who want to move away from older, harsher pest control chemistry like organo-phosphates (OPs) and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs).
Sparta (Jemvelva active, Group 5) controls diamond back moth and white butterfly caterpillars as well as looper caterpillars, leaf miner and springtails in forage brassicas.
Transform (with Isoclast active, Group 4C) controls aphids in forage brassicas and cereals, as well as vegetable crops.
Many farmers may be creatures of habit, Surgenor says, but using chemistry that goes hard on insect pests while staying soft on beneficials is becoming more and more popular.
“We are seeing bigger uptake as farmers move on from products they’ve used for 20 years or more.
“Interestingly, the ones who change to the likes of Sparta don’t go back to organophosphates or synthetic pyrethroids. Once they start using it, they keep using it.”
With chlorpyrifos in the regulatory spotlight, and potentially facing a ban in New Zealand (see story page 20), he says Corteva’s decision in 2020 to exit that active ingredient world-wide has stood the test of time.
“It made a lot of sense for the business. It didn’t align with our focus on sustainable solutions and it was good to be able to demonstrate to our customers and end users that we are walking the talk.”
Sparta contains spinetoram, which is based on a naturally occurring active ingredient that poses minimal risk to people, animals and the environment. Its unique chemistry offers proven and powerful control of diamondback moth and white butterfly, Surgenor says.
Users appreciate its speed and exceptional control as well as knowing it’s safer for them, the environment and beneficial insects.
In addition, Sparta’s unique mode of action mean OP and SP resistant insects will be effectively controlled.
Transform meantime provides best in class aphid control, with a different mode of action, high end user safety and low environmental risk.
Its active ingredient Isoclast belongs to a unique insecticide group known as the sulfoximines which do not have cross resistance to any other insecticide group, making Transform an ideal rotation
partner for insecticides with alternate modes of action in resistance management programmes.
Key points of difference include Transform’s ability to provide longer residual control than some alternatives, Surgenor says.
Both Sparta and Transform are registered for aerial as well as ground application and can be combined when both aphids and caterpillars are an issue in crops.
White butterfly caterpillars like forage brassicas just as much as sheep and cows do.
Effective parasite management for equines
Words: Zoetis
Equest Plus Tape horse wormer, containing the active ingredient moxidectin, is a widely used anthelmintic for controlling internal parasites in horses.
Moxidectin is particularly effective against a range of parasites, including small redworms (cyathostomins), large redworms, pinworms, and bots.
Its unique low dose gel formulation allows for a prolonged effect, reducing the egg contamination on pasture between treatments and protecting horses for longer in contaminated environments. Why Equest?
Equest stands out due to its palatability, efficacy and long-lasting action.
Moxidectin is a macrocyclic lactone that disrupts the nervous system of parasites, leading to their paralysis and death.
One of the key benefits of Equest is its ability to target encysted small redworm larvae, which other wormers are unable to kill.
This makes it an essential tool in any equine parasite control program.
Equest is easy to administer.
The low volume, palatable gel dissolves in the mouth, reducing the likelihood of the product being spat out (avoiding accidental underdosing).
Best practice parasite management
Historically, horse owners have been advised to treat all horses every six weeks, regardless of need.
However, a recent New Zealand-wide survey has revealed extensive resistance to ivermectin, moxidectin, oxfendazole and a combination pyrantel product1 . Efficacies on the properties ranged from 100 per cent to 0 per cent and there was evidence of anthelmintic resistance to all actives on many individual farms.
In order to prolong the life of these important anthelmintics, we need to involve more than just regular deworming. Below are some best practices to ensure horses remain healthy and parasites are controlled.
1. Fecal Egg Counts (FECs): Regular fecal egg counts help determine the parasite burden in horses and the effectiveness of the deworming program. Conduct FECs at least twice a year, ideally in spring and autumn, to monitor and adjust the deworming schedule as needed.
2. Targeted deworming: Use the results of FECs to implement targeted deworming. This approach helps reduce the risk of anthelmintic resistance by only treating horses that need it. High shedders (horses with high egg counts) and younger or compromised horses should be treated more frequently, while low shedders may require less frequent treatments.
3. Pasture management: Good pasture management is crucial in reducing parasite loads. Regularly remove manure from pastures to minimise the contamination of grazing areas. Rotating pastures and cross-grazing with other livestock can also help reduce infective larvae on pasture.
4. Environmental control: Avoid overstocking pastures to reduce the risk of parasite transmission. Ensure that horses have adequate space to graze and are not forced to eat close to manure piles. Composting manure before spreading it on pastures can kill parasite eggs and larvae.
5. Seasonal deworming: Adjust your deworming schedule based on the season and the specific parasites prevalent at different times of the year. For example, treat for bots in late autumn after the first frost, and encysted cyathostomins late winter/ early spring.
Incorporating Equest horse wormer into a parasite management routine, along with these best practices, will help maintain horses’ health and well-being. Key elements of a successful parasite control strategy include regular monitoring, targeted treatments, and effective pasture management.
1Blue, H. Assessment of equine anthelmintic resistance in New Zealand. Proceedings of the Equine Veterinarians Branch of the NZVA, 2024. Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 963 847; www.zoetis.co.nz. Equest is a registered trade mark of Zoetis. ACVM No. A9085.
Fly control and biosecurity in equine environments
In
Flies can cause more harm to a horse than discomfort, AgriVantage points out. They spread diseases, can cause allergies, and often cause impact-related injuries, too, as horses attempt to escape their relentless attention.
Using Stalosan F at least once a week will considerably reduce the number of flies in the stable area.
It should be spread cross the entire floor area, and liberally in wet, damp areas and along edges.
A powerful, non-toxic drying agent, Stalosan F has been proven effective against many biosecurity issues, including those caused by bacteria or aggravated by certain parasites.
Stalosan F also helps to reduce ammonia concentration in the stable area. It reduces ammonia emissions by inhibiting urease activity and binding any ammonia in the environment.
Bedding stays fresh longer when using Stalosan F, typically reducing the need to replace bedding by 10–15 per cent.
Stalosan F can also be used as a dry ‘hoof bath’.
Where there are many horses, spread a bag of Stalosan F onto a foam mat and lead the horses through it once or twice a week. A guide to applying Stalosan F in stables When starting to use Stalosan F in stables, apply to the bedding once a day for three days, then consistently
one or two times a week thereafter. In case of an acute, severe problem and after acute treatment by the vet, Stalosan F may be applied to bedding once a day for eight days, and then consistently one to two times a week to reduce the risk of infection.
The recommended application rate is 50g per square metre, but it may be worth concentrating on the critical areas in the stable.
In stalls, apply Stalosan F directly on the existing mat and particularly in the back end, along edges and in damp areas of the stall.
Without predator control, these habitats and the native wildlife that depends on them will continue to decline — even with stock exclusion. Our toolbox will guide you through how to manage pests in these unique spaces.
Regulatory review vital to primary sector growth
Words: Animal and Plant Health New Zealand
In coming weeks, the primary sector expects the outcomes from the vitally important agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review.
This review by the Ministry for Regulation has the potential to facilitate farmers and growers getting access to innovative new products to improve sustainability and productivity.
The Ministry is reviewing the agricultural and horticultural product approval pathway through both the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) regulatory systems, as implemented by the regulators Environmental Protection Agency and NZ Food Safety (Ministry for Primary Industries).
The Ministry’s timetable suggests Cabinet is due to consider the findings of the review in February.
Animal and Plant Health NZ members seek tangible action from the review to address the current backlog of new products awaiting approval.
They want to see the backlog prioritised in a way that is fair and consistent for all stakeholders.
NZ’s farmers and growers are facing big challenges such as climate change, emerging biosecurity threats, and increasing productivity and export value. They need rapid access to new tools to tackle these challenges – such as treatments for emerging diseases, softer improved crop protection treatments, biologicals, vaccines and innovative solutions like methane inhibitors.
Currently there is a significant backlog of applications for approval of new products.
As at September 2024, the EPA reported 116 release applications in the queue.
A 2023 Sapere report estimated two to four years to clear the queue, assuming no
new applications and an additional 12-18 months assessment.
Members recognise the need for appropriate regulation to manage risks but want to see a balanced risk mindset and a more efficient, consistent and effective approvals process.
Members’ feedback is that the system currently is not striking the right balance. They are concerned the primary sector is at risk of diminishing investment and innovation for plant and animal health products because of unpredictable delays, time to market, and a lack of clarity around the decision-making process.
Members support adequate resource for regulators but say that more industry funding has not moved the dial to date.
For example, members report their ACVM funding doubled in the past five years to support more resource, but they are still experiencing delays in their approvals.
Members want to see greater transparency of how sector funding is being used, resource focus and the outcomes that are being delivered for that.
Clear objectives, a business-like approach and strong governance are important for NZ to grow.
Members want to work with the regulators and have identified potential solutions to current issues.
The first proposed solution is a Group Standard for Trial Products, for example for lower risk trials run to international standards, and away from environmentally sensitive areas.
A group standard sets out conditions that enable a group of hazardous substances to be managed safely.
Most domestic and workplace chemicals
and veterinary medicines are approved under group standards. Compliance requirements still apply.
This approach saves time and frees up resources to reduce the backlog of other applications.
Members also propose a strategic leadership forum bringing together regulators, government, industry and independent expertise.
This offers a forum for meaningful strategic engagement, inclusive of all stakeholders, to inform risk management, priorities and resource allocation.
For agricultural compounds and vet medicines, members propose streamlining minor changes that align with international practices for well-established products and processes, by introducing self-assessment.
Members also propose harmonising with international standards, for example rule of two for companion animals (that is, where two regulators in selected countries have approved a product, then it can be accepted here) and label harmonisation where appropriate.
Animal and Plant Health NZ represents the New Zealand animal health and crop protection industries as well as rural retailers. The industry association promotes the benefits of safe, effective, quality products and services for the health of animals (including pet care) and crops. Its members are committed to the responsible use of products from research to disposal.
Liz Shackleton.
Busy local research firm takes another big step
An independent contract research organisation that started in Canterbury with just one person has got so busy and diverse it has now bought its own 10 ha trial farm.
Pasture First Research took possession of the land, on prime irrigated soils near Leeston, in early December and will start planting trials there in late summer or early autumn, once the block has been set up.
Founder Nigel Johnston, who heads a national team of seven, says it’s an exciting move that will allow the firm to consolidate trials in one place, cutting down on travel and giving it more control over containment and access.
“We will still need to use other areas for some trials, but we won’t have them all on commercial farms spread far and wide across Canterbury, as they have been up until now.”
Finding the right block of land, in the right location, took time, but he says the result is worth the wait.
Johnston, a research agronomist, created the company in 2011, after several years in the industry both here and in Australia, working for Cropmark Seeds and Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva Agriscience).
“At the time I saw a need for an independent business focussing first and foremost on pasture research. There were a lot of arable research specialists, but noone was working purely with pasture.
“So that was where most of our efforts were directed for the first few years.”
Fast forward to 2024, and the scope of the business has broadened considerably, he says.
With three research agronomists based in the North Island, and four in the South Island, they can and do work on a wide range of crops, including maize, grapes, apples, vegetables, kiwifruit, forage brassicas and cereals.
“We run trials for all the major crop protection companies, as well as the seed companies,” Johnston explains. “We also run National Forage Variety Trials for the New Zealand Plant Breeding and Research Association.”
Other clients include suppliers of biostimulants, biologicals and fertiliser as well as European and North American seed companies requiring contra-season field research capability.
Independent contract research organisations play a valuable role in supporting agri suppliers in many product categories, Johnston says.
One reason is that the industry itself has changed in terms of companies employing their own research staff.
“This is particularly the case in crop protection. Ten to 15 years ago the main crop protection companies had four to five field staff running trials. Now the majority may only have one or two
at most, meaning a lot of work gets contracted out to the likes of our team.”
The NFVT is another good example of this value in action.
“The data we generate from these trials are totally independent from suppliers’ own in-house research and, therefore, should give farmers greater confidence in the results.”
Pasture First has been involved in the NFVT programme since 2016, first in Canterbury and now in Manawatu, Taranaki and Waikato.
“Currently we are running four individual trials in Waikato and Taranaki,” Johnston explains.
This entails responsibility for everything from source suitable farms and trial sites to sowing, harvesting and looking after trial plots to keep them healthy and weed free.
In 2016 the company also established itself across the Tasman via a separate business, Pasture First Research Australia.
“Our focus there is mainly on pasture seed trials, having run trials for the retail network as well as for the PTN which is the Australian version of the NFVT program.
“In recent years we have been conducting a number of nitrification inhibitor trials for a US technology company as well as other fertiliser and biostimulant trials.”
The first trials will be sown on the new block in coming weeks.
Cereals are now part of the business, along with other crops like grapes, apples and maize.
Discover the power of Independent field trials with Pasture First research - nationwide!
TIM REYNOLDS RESEARCH AGRONOMIST
UPPER NORTH ISLAND
South Auckland, Waikato, BOP regions
BIA OLIVEIRA RESEARCH AGRONOMIST
LOWER NORTH ISLAND
Taranaki, Manawatu, Horowhenua
NICK REED RESEARCH AGRONOMIST CANTERBURY
SUSAN NEIGHBOURS R&D MANAGER HAWKES BAY
JOHN VAN DEN BOSCH RESEARCH AGRONOMIST CANTERBURY
BREANNA TAYLOR RESEARCH AGRONOMIST CANTERBURY
“We specialise in providing independent field trials for the Crop Protection, Fertiliser, Biological, and Biostimulant industries. With a nationwide presence and over a decade of expertise, we deliver reliable research for a diverse range of crops.
We’re more than just pasture!”
Nigel Johnston - Managing Director
Agtech leader targets huge Brazilian cattle herd
Gallagher Animal Management’s new sales and service office in Brazil is a long-term commitment that comes at a good time for an industry with enormous potential, the company says.
Brazil is the world’s largest beef exporter and has the world’s second-largest cattle herd, at over 190 million head, second only to India which exceeds 300 million.
As livestock numbers decline in Europe, Brazil and other Latin American countries are expected to become even more important meat exporters.
“This new office will allow us to better
serve our growing customer base in Brazil and across Latin America,” says Lisbeth Jacobs, chief executive.
“We are excited to bring our world-leading animal management solutions closer to the heart of one of the most dynamic agricultural markets in the world.”
The new office will provide local farmers and agribusinesses with direct access to Gallagher’s range of innovative technologies, including advanced electric fencing, virtual fencing, livestock weighing and electronic identification (EID) systems, pest control, data collection, and satellite liquid monitoring systems.
It will also mean faster response times, enhanced customer support, and a deeper understanding of the specific needs of Brazilian producers.
The expansion into Brazil comes at a good time as farmer confidence is showing signs of recovering, with beef exports surging after a tough 2023 in which Brazil experienced serious drought and challenging economic conditions.
Hamish Wiig, general manager for Latam, Asia, Middle East and Africa, notes that Gallagher is making a longterm commitment to Brazilian farmers by providing a reliable supply of high-quality
animal fencing, weighing, and EID solutions, no matter what challenges arise.
“In addition, many Brazilian farming groups already run highly sophisticated operations where turning data into intelligence for better decision-making is part of their day-to-day.”
As part of the company’s long-term investment in the region, the new office will also foster relationships with local distributors, technology partners and industry stakeholders, helping drive sustainable and profitable farming practices throughout Brazil.
The company sees enormous potential for growth and innovation in the region’s livestock sector and is committed to providing solutions that enhance productivity, animal welfare and land management.
The move comes as part of Gallagher’s participation in the New Zealand Trade Mission to Brazil, led by New Zealand Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Hon Todd McClay, further highlighting the company’s role in strengthening New ZealandBrazil trade relations and supporting the agriculture industry through leading-edge technologies.
“New Zealand has a global reputation for developing world-leading technology. I believe there is huge potential for New Zealand companies to add value and impact to Brazil’s agricultural sector with innovation that increases efficiency and productivity,” Todd McLay says.
“Gallagher Animal Management’s expansion into the Brazil market is a great example of a pioneering Kiwi company that is meeting the needs of farmers globally and I am pleased that they are embracing new opportunities in this major market.”
A new pathway to farm ownership in NZ
Landify, a purpose-driven company, says it’s is shaking up the agricultural sector with a new platform designed to make farming partnerships accessible to the next generation.
Recognizing the persistent challenges younger farmers face in securing capital for farm ownership, co-founders Sarah How and Tara Dwyer developed Landify as a simple, yet innovative solution to open up ownership pathways and disrupt the ongoing trend of farm consolidation.
“It’s no secret that many of our established farmers are nearing retirement and looking for ways to step back,” says How.
“At the same time, we have a generation of skilled, passionate younger farmers who want to gain and grow a stake in the industry but lack the capital to compete in traditional markets. We knew there had to be a better way to connect these two groups.”
Landify serves as a secure, anonymous platform for exploring a variety of farming partnerships, from leasing and equity partnerships, to share-farming and vendor financing.
“These types of partnerships are underexplored, partly because of the lack of accessible ways for families to consider them discreetly,” Dwyer explains.
“Landify provides a space to safely explore these options and potentially secure a future for family farming in New Zealand.”
Since its launch, Landify has attracted almost 800 users, with the Listings page amassing over 2500 views.
The platform connects established farmers, aspiring farm owners, and investors throughout NZ, supporting those ready to explore partnership possibilities that may otherwise be out of reach.
What sets Landify apart is its social mission, namely creating viable pathways to farm ownership for the next generation. Users can anonymously browse listings and, if desired, join as verified members to post their own opportunities or enquire about existing ones.
This system encourages wide participation while supporting serious connections that bring farmers and investors together.
For How and Dwyer, Landify’s early success is only the beginning. “We’re grateful for the support of our advisory board, including well known members of the rural community, Brent Irving, Sarah Barr, Sarah Perriam-Lampp, and Phil Veal,” says How.
“We have a long way to go, but seeing farmers and investors on our platform reassures us that we’re moving in the right direction.”
The ultimate goal is to see established farmers consider partnership options that support the next generation before defaulting to the open market.
Success would also be that younger farmers are prompted to think seriously and realistically about their goals and planning, with good advisors at their side.
New wine leaders’ roots run deep
New Zealand Winegrowers has appointed two new leaders to its board: Fabian Yukich as chair, and Emma Taylor as deputy chair.
His father Frank Yukich made the bold move of planting the first large scale vineyards in Marlborough and his foresight is now recognised as a pivotal moment for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and its subsequent rise to fame around the world.
Fabian Yukich’s onw professional career has spanned winemaking, sales, project management and executive leadership positions.
He has served on the board of NZ Winegrowers since being elected in 2012, most recently as deputy chair since 2020.
“Underpinned by the consistent high quality and consumer acceptance of its products, NZ wine has seen extraordinary growth in the past three decades.
“It is one of the country’s most successful
Yukich comes from a strong wine legacy, growing up in a pioneering family that
established the original Montana Wines winery in West Auckland.
Fabian Yukich and Emma Taylor.
Sarah How and Tara Dwyer.
Coastal freight shipping catches on
Using coastal shipping to send Northland dairy exports overseas via a weekly container service between Northport and Port of Tauranga has proved a viable alternative to road transport, those involved say.
An initial trial, involving Fonterra and Kotahi, New Zealand’s largest containerised freight manager, took place last year and saw about 100 refrigerated containers full of dairy produce carried to Port of Tauranga by Pacifica Shipping.
Northport’s commercial manager David Finchett said the port had been in discussion with the Fonterra and Kotahi ‘for some time’ around the efficiencies offered by coastal shipping for Northland dairy products exported through Tauranga. Road transport disruptions and the introduction last May of Pacifica’s weekly coastal shipping service had triggered the decision to shift from road to sea.
At the time of the launch of Pacifica Shipping’s weekly container service
Finchett said it would ensure much more frequent, efficient connections between Northland and the world, and give shippers more options to reduce their carbon footprint and improve supply chain resilience and efficiency.
David Ross, chief executive of Kotahi says the coastal shipping trial of refrigerated containers from Northport to Port of Tauranga had been successful.
“The trial demonstrated that Northport is an efficient transport option to build stability to NZ’s supply chain and ensure product can get to export markets reliably.
export industries. As chair of the board, I believe we need to bring a strong focus on providing the necessary support for our members to remain at the forefront of quality, innovation, and sustainability in winegrowing.”
Emma Taylor brings a wealth of expertise and experience from a grower’s perspective. Winner of the 2007 Young Viticulturist and Young Horticulturist of the Year, her career has gone from strength to strength, with various viticulture roles at
Villa Maria and later Vineyard Plants Ltd.
In 2020 Taylor launched a viticulture consultancy business and currently works with a range of clients as well as being viticulture business manager for Craigmore Sustainables.
Giving back to the industry has always been a priority. She has spent significant time and energy on the Young Viticulturist committee, pan sector water allocation committees, and was heavily involved in the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.
“Following this success, we are now trialling coastal shipping dry containers between Northport and Port of Tauranga which will likely run into the New Year and offer an alternative to planned rail closures.”
The NZ Shipping Federation says that coastal shipping produces significantly lower emissions per tonne of freight than other modes of freight transportation.
European Union figures show that coastal shipping produces around 12.5 per cent of the emissions per tonne of freight moved by road and around 60 per cent of the emissions per tonne of freight moved by rail.
A more recent University of Canterbury study, which includes port-side emissions, indicates that in the NZ context coastal shipping produces around 20 per cent of the emissions per tonne of freight moved by road, and just under half the emissions of rail.
The Ministry of Transport forecasts that total freight volumes will increase by at least 50 per cent by 2040. This builds on a 50 per cent increase in freight volumes moved by coastal shipping over the past 10 years.
“We’re pleased to help Northland exporters drive this change,” Northport’s Finchett says.
“They can have their containers loaded at Northport and just over 12 hours later the ship will be in Tauranga, from where there are regular connections available to almost anywhere.”
The weekly service has also improved freight transit times for Northland importers, bypassing State Highway 1 roadworks and detours, Auckland traffic and Cook Strait.
In recognition of her services to the region, Taylor was inducted as a Fellow of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers this year, and she is also a director of the Bragato Research Institute (BRI).
“The future of NZ wine lies in our ability to protect our borders through vigilance with biosecurity, and to invest in research and development to provide innovative solutions for our members’ long-term sustainability,” she says.
Photo Northport.
Helping farmers thrive with science and practical advice
Simon Butler, ruminant nutrition extension specialist at SealesWinslow, is converting science into practical advice to help New Zealand dairy farmers feed more efficient herds.
Butler holds a Bachelor of Science from Massey University and developed a passion for the dairy industry while working on Massey University’s dairy research farm while studying.
He worked on the research farm for three years before joining state-owned enterprise Pamu’s dairying operation for another two.
“I got really practical hands-on dairy farming experience and what got me was that we can approach dairy farming from
a very scientific standpoint, but it needs to be placed in context and given as practical advice.
“I wanted to help other farmers demystify the science to better their businesses.”
Butler joined SealesWinslow in March 2022, starting out in the sales team and stepped into his new role in October 2024.
“SealesWinslow has really helped me with my career progression,” he says.
“I was a member of the sales team, and
because they knew I had this scientific background I spent a lot of time with my fellow team members sharing my scientific knowledge on ruminant nutrition and dairy farm systems.”
When the ruminant nutrition role became available, Butler was an obvious candidate.
“I really appreciate that SealesWinslow has supported me to take my career in the direction I have and follow what I am passionate about, which is
Simon Butler.
Wool ops manager confident about industry future
With four years spent in the finance team supporting the wool and real estate business units, Dan Nicholls is not new to PGG Wrightson.
But after an opportunity to become the wool operations and business manager presented itself, he knew he was ready to take the next career step.
“I had a lot of exposure to the wool business and the management team in my previous role, and I really enjoyed assisting them over those years,” he says.
“This enabled me to build an appreciation for the wool industry as a whole, from a personal and business perspective. Then when this role came up, it appealed to me as I liked the idea of being able to work with a more operational and commercial mindset.”
From Christchurch, Nicholls studied a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Canterbury before moving to Wellington for a graduate role at Deloitte.
Here he started in the insolvency team - witnessing
what not to do in business - and then moved into corporate finance where he helped agricultural and transport-related companies with financial advisory and transactional support.
Nicholls left Deloitte to join Dulux NZ’s finance team, where he gained exposure to the inner workings of a corporate, before heading off for an OE.
After returning to New Zealand, he secured his first job at PGW.
This latest move is not only a new role for Nicholls, but a newly established position within the wool business unit. It comes with the responsibility to oversee and contribute to the four PGW woolstores around the country to ensure they have the right resources, people and equipment in place to continue delivering the high service levels that customers and growers have come to expect.
Alongside this is nurturing key relationships with those
using science to help NZ dairy farmers.”
Butler wears multiple hats in his new role, combining training, science, and clear communication to bridge the gap between the latest nutrition research and SealesWinslow’s farmer customers.
Based in Rangitikei, his work still directly supports farmers and the SealesWinslow sales team by translating complex nutritional science into practical, relatable advice.
“My role is focused on conveying information from the latest research and making sure it’s relatable and clear, so SealesWinslow can have a real impact on farmers’ businesses.”
suppliers and customers, as well as developing and driving forward strategic initiatives, with a future focus in mind.
“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have an extensive background in wool, like so many people here at PGW. But after getting out amongst the business over the last few years, I certainly have an ever-growing appreciation of the fibre and everything that goes into taking the wool from a sheep and turning it into a woollen garment or product.”
While the long term trend has been a declining sheep population, which has a direct impact on wool production, Nicholls is confident that PGW’s history in the wool industry has it well positioned.
“There has certainly been this global change to pursuing a more eco-friendly approach, and the wool fibre ticks all the right boxes with its amazing natural characteristics,” he says.
“So it’s about us ensuring the product gets put into the market in the most effective
Butler is passionate about his work and says it is driven by his love of dairy cows and his fascination with how they grow and produce.
“I love figuring out what’s happening inside a cow, and how nutrition can drive productivity and efficiency in dairy herds. Cows are complex systems. Understanding the rumen and how to maximise its efficiency is the key to it all,” he says.
He also understands farmers’ needs to maintain their social license as more focus is put on sustainability.
“Mitigating the effect agriculture has on climate change is one thing,” he says.
“But by maximising feed conversion
way possible and making sure we can facilitate and leverage the supply chain traceability requirements that come with this sustainability focus.”
Nicholls is positive about how he and the rest of his team can tackle pending challenges head on, and exploring new ideas and possibilities will certainly be part of the job.
“There is an incredible amount of expertise in and around our woolstores, and their knowledge will absolutely be essential in guiding and sense checking possible avenues for change and improvements to the way we do things.
“I feel that people like myself, coming into the industry from the outside, can bring a different perspective and way of thinking to the table, but be balanced by those who have the experience to know if it is something that has been tried before, or if it has potential.
“I’ll certainly be leaning into those who have that deep understanding which can only come from having a whole career in wool.”
efficiency through effective stocking and feeding practices, dairy farming can be more profitable while still meeting the environmental targets set by our markets.
“It’s exciting to be a part of the process.”
Away from work, Butler enjoys hunting, cycling, and gardening at his rural Rangitikei home.
He and his partner are also preparing for the arrival of their first child in February 2025.
Looking ahead, he says the couple hopes to one day own their own dairy farm.
“We’d love to do it ourselves, applying what I’ve learned to be more sustainable and profitable.”
Dan Nicholls.
Top agribusiness talents shine
The Zanda McDonald Award, Australasia’s premier accolade for emerging agricultural leaders, has revealed its highly anticipated 2025 shortlist.
Ten outstanding young professionals from across Australia and New Zealand have been selected for this prestigious recognition, now in its 10th year.
The coveted award recognises future leaders working in agriculture and provides an impressive prize package centred around tailored mentoring and education.
The shortlist of ten - five from Australia and five from New Zealand - have been selected for their leadership skills, passion, and the contribution they’re making within the primary sector.
New Zealanders who made the cut this year are:
• Hamish Best (34), a sheep and beef farmer and founder of red meat brand Conscious Valley, Wellington;
• Maegen Blom (24), operations manager of family business Mills Bay Mussels, Marlborough;
• Sarah How (33), co-founder and general manager of Landify, South Canterbury;
• Ben Purua (30), farm manager at Waimakariri Lands and winner of the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award;
• Claire Williamson (34), founder of sustainable wool fashion brand Velma and Beverly and managing director of My Mortgage, Waikato.
Award chairman Shane McManaway is excited about the calibre and diversity of this year’s applicants.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the talent emerging from the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Govt scholars announced
‘This award has been instrumental in fostering growth and development in the industry for the past decade, and we continue to be inspired by the individuals coming forward. We look forward to meeting this year’s shortlist and learning more about their vision for the future of agriculture.”
The ten will undergo interviews next month, with three finalists from each country chosen to attend the Zanda McDonald Award Impact Summit in Australia in March. Here, one Australian and one New Zealand winner will be announced.
Each will receive a personalised professional development package, including a mentoring trip across both Australia and NZ via private jet.
The coalition government has awarded scholarships to six tertiary students as part of efforts to boost on-the-ground support for farmers and growers Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard have announced.
“We are reducing the regulatory burden on farmers and growers and providing support to adapt and innovate. This includes funding the On Farm Support Science Scholarships,” McClay says.
“The On Farm Support Science Scholarships help build a knowledgeable advisory sector ready to provide practical, specialized support to our primary industries.”
The scholarships, each valued at $5000,
have been awarded to Lincoln University students Georgia Higinbottom, Ashton Robinson and Henry Bartrum; Massey University students Mac Williams and Ella Bryan; and Otago University student Georgie Burdon, who are studying agricultural science, veterinary science, science, or commerce.
“These impressive scholarship recipients represent the future of primary industry advisory services, and they’ll play a key
role in helping our food and fibre sector thrive,” Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
New Zealand’s agriculture sector remains central to the economy, with food and fibre exports generating $53.3 billion in revenue as of June 2024.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to double export value over the next ten years.
Claire Williamson.
Maegan Blom.
Hamish Best.
Disbelief turns to excitement for nursery sector winner
A sales co-ordinator for a large, busy wholesale plant nursery in North Canterbury has been named 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year, with second place going to botanic garden curator and third to an arborist.
Anna England, from Elliott’s Wholesale Nursery in Amberley, says her initial reaction of disbelief quickly turned to great excitement when she won the coveted title in front of her partner, parents and employers.
The competition is renowned for its rigor and finalists are judged on several challenges including practical skills, industry expertise, leadership ability, business knowledge and communication.
Representing the Young Plant Producer category, England has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Information Systems, a Diploma in Horticulture and is only seven months off completing her part time studies toward a diploma in Primary Industry Business Management.
Judges were impressed with how she applies her knowledge in business and IT, as well as horticulture, to a diverse role.
The five industry categories represented in the 2024 award were arboriculture, amenity, viticulture, fruit and vegetable and plant production.
Runner-up Kyla Mathewson of Dunedin is curator of the geographic collection at Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and represented the amenity sector.
Third place getter Craig Scott of Motueka is a contract arborist.
The competition’s 2024 prize pool equates to more than $56,500 in cash, professional development and leadership scholarships and products.
England’s first prize includes $7500 cash, plus a $7500 professional development package, including travel and accommodation.
Mathewson’s second prize is $5000 cash, plus the same amount for professional development including travel and accommodation.
And Scott takes home $2500 in cash and the same amount for professional development.
Nelson orchardist Meryn Whitehead won the competition last year. The 2022 winner was Regan Judd, also an orchardist, while viticulturists took the top prize in the three preceding years.
Young Horticulturist chair Shaun Trevan says all the 2024 finalists - including young grower Taylor Leabourn from SKU Product
in Pukekohe, and young viticulturist Tai Nelson from Soljans’ Estate Winery in Kumeu - represent the best in young horticultural talent in New Zealand.
“They are highly competent and forwardthinking young people seeding the country’s horticultural future.”
The Young Horticulturalist of the Year
competition is important for horticulture in New Zealand and couldn’t occur without the support of official partners, supporters, and friends of the competition, he adds.
Official sponsors are Woolworths, Fruitfed Supplies and T & G Fresh with Bayer, Craigmore Sustainables and Horticentre Charitable Trust as silver sponsors.
Anna England.
Anna England, Taylor Leabourn, Craig Scott, Tai Nelson, Kyla Mathewson.
Photo Sarah Weber.
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Tech team gets a boost
Nufarm has recently appointed Celese Smit and Justin France as technical specialists, based in southern Waikato and Hawke’s Bay respectively.
Smit is responsible for kiwifruit, vegetables, pasture and maize, and France horticulture and viticulture.
“We’re excited about these moves,” Nufarm NZ portfolio solutions lead Duncan Ibbotson says.
“Both Celese and Justin bring wide ranging skills and experience to their new roles, and will be valuable assets to drive our future pipeline development and technical transfer to our own team, as well as our customers.”
Smit is no stranger to the Nufarm business, having joined in 2022 as territory manager for east Waikato, Hauraki Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
Coming from an R&D background, she’s always planned to advance to a more technical role and is excited to be taking the next step in her career with Nufarm.
Almost three years’ commercial experience, however, on top of her handson involvement in the primary sector, has been great exposure to real-world realities that sometimes trump the pure ideals of straight research.
And she’s keen to maintain this focus on practicalities as well as science going forward.
She and her husband have been dairy farming for six years.
“It’s our industry, we live and breathe it, and that helps give me a broader
understanding of what works on-farm, and why.
“Certainly, whenever I’m looking at different products, I look at them from a farmers’ perspective and often question practicality or best fit because of that.”
From a sheep and beef background in the Manawatu, Smit holds a B.Ag.Sci majoring in agriculture from Massey University and has always wanted to work in the primary sector.
“I knew it would be a career that would never disappear – there would always be a need for agronomy and primary production. By the same token, it’s always changing.
“It’s one of those industries where you can never say you know it all, because there is always something you don’t know, and I really like that.”
Justin France’s pathway into the NZ primary sector has been different, but he is likewise happy to have had the opportunity to join it, initially in a technical role conducting horticultural field trials for AgFirst consultants in Hawke’s Bay.
Most recently he spent 18 months in a national role with MPI as specialist horticultural advisor.
France was raised in a small town in upstate New York, surrounded by agriculture and horticulture, and spent time working on local farms and orchards
before doing his first degree, in landscape design and construction.
When it became apparent that type of work didn’t set him alight, he re-oriented himself to horticulture instead, by way of overseas travel that led him to the olive groves and vineyards of Tuscany, and coincidentally to his now-wife, who is a Kiwi.
“That’s where I fell in love with horticulture and growing food, so when we came to NZ together I went to Massey and did my under-grad and honours degree in horticultural science.”
A master’s degree in viticulture and winemaking from Cornell University followed, and he’s currently about half way through a PhD on a type of technology that is currently re-shaping many aspects of NZ primary production, in this case remote sensing in apples.
“I’ve been quite interested in remote sensing for about 10 years. When I was doing my master’s, I helped out on a project evaluating drone imagery to measure grape canopy health and estimate yield, and that made me want to learn more.”
Naturally drawn to maths, numbers and analytics, he says working for MPI was a valuable eye-opener into the complexities, challenges and long timeframes required to bring new science to the market in NZ as well as a great way to build good relationships with industry bodies.
“But I missed the applied science part of it – being out in the field doing trials. I wanted to use my science background to add value to NZ horticulture that way.”
Both Smit and France took over their new roles late last year.
Celese Smit.
Justin France.
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