Issue 172 | September/October 2025 - NZ AgriBusiness Magazine

MIRAVIS ® Flexi

The NEW SUPERPOWER in barley

INDUSTRY NEWS

Choosing a local loaf soon to get much easier

PARASITES

Let’s make the most of the moment of truth

PRODUCT UPDATE

Grow more, emit less, bank bigger profits

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR SUMMER.

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Visit corteva.co.nz to view our range of products and online horticultural resources.

Samuel Whitelock – Plant Science Graduate, Lincoln University.

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

Accounts & Admin Hilary Armstrong 027 443 3477 accounts@agrimedia.co.nz

Printed by Blueprint 2022 Limited 03 348 0538 michael@blueprintmedia.co.nz

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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. AgriMedia Ltd PO Box 36753, Merivale, Christchurch 8146 agrimedia.co.nz | novachem.co.nz

Hi everyone.

Welcome to the September October issue of Agribusiness. Wherever you are, here’s hoping spring is off to a great start.

It’s been a busy time across the industry recently, from the proposed Alliance-Dawn Meats deal and Fonterra confirming sale of its consumer business to Zespri’s record kiwifruit sales and robust export growth for our red meat sector.

Safe to say the outlook for most of your customers is much brighter than this time last year, and that’s nothing but good news. One big roadblock remains however –continued sluggish progress in getting innovative new crop protection and animal health products approved for sale. We have two op-eds on this pressing challenge inside, so check them out.

Having long observed the ludicrous regulatory delays that have hamstrung the whole industry in this regard for years, I’m

thrilled that people are finally speaking up about it.

I understand why staying silent for fear of offending the bureaucrats has prevailed until recently. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve tried to get comments on the record about the sheer cost of important new products being delayed in the regulatory pipeline year after year.

But silence has served no one, least of all farmers and growers. It’s one big reason we find ourselves in this situation now.

Hopefully the ship can still be turned before we end up too much further behind. Meantime, if you’ve never been too interested in intellectual property rights, take a look at page 8. PVR sounds boring as boiled mince until you think about how

much money advanced plant genetics earn this country.

Keep an eye on this one. It was all being proposed very quietly, but thankfully someone potentially affected by the changes spoke up.

We have heaps of other topical news for you this time, including some very practical advice about minimising parasites and drench resistance in spring lambs (page 11); more details on the PGGW/Nexan deal (page 25) and a special feature on the changing of the guard at ICD (page 38).

Enjoy! We’ll be back in November with our final issue of 2025.

• Over 110 new listings

• 70 discontinued products

• Numerous product label updates (new weed, pest & disease claims)

• All product labels reviewed for regulatory content and updated to GSH terminology.

Choosing a local loaf soon to get much easier

Bakers, breakfast cereal makers and plant-based milk manufacturers are already eyeing up the arable industry’s new home-grown logo to help consumers choose products made from local grain.

That’s according to Ivan Lawrie, general manager of business operations for the Foundation for Arable Research.

FAR has collaborated with Eat NZ to introduce the ‘NZ Grown Grains’ trademark for milling wheat, oats and barley.

It’s part of a wider industry campaign underway for about five years, to make NZ more self-sufficient in growing of milling wheat.

Lawrie says despite the arable industry’s reputation for quality product, at least three-quarters of the bread sold in NZ is made from imported grain, primarily from Australia.

Most consumers don’t realise this when they buy bread from the supermarket.

Market research has shown 50 per cent of bread buyers are prepared to pay up to 20 cents extra a loaf and some up to 50 cents for a loaf guaranteed to be made from NZgrown grain.

Eat NZ chief executive Angela Clifford says the new campaign is a unique opportunity for farmers to join with bakers, chefs and consumers using their grains and seeds, and tell a compelling story about what makes NZ-grown arable foods so wonderful.

“From the quality to the connection to our land, from food security to social license,

we all win when our farmers and those eating the food they grow, work together.”

Growers want to expand production and maintain a strong industry, but infrastructure remains a major hurdle.

Most cereal is grown in the South Island, but is expensive to transport to where most consumers live, in the North Island.

“It costs less to transport grain from Australia to the North Island than across Cook Strait from the main growing region of Canterbury,” Lawrie notes.

“Although the grain component may represent only a small share of a final product’s total cost, even a modest rise in demand can have significant long-term effects, encouraging investment by plant breeders, traders and processors and helping to maintain a diverse and resilient portfolio of cropping options for NZ growers.”

Research commissioned by FAR and Eat NZ has debunked some industry myths which questioned the suitability of NZ grown wheat for baking.

An independent analysis compared the performance of Australian wheat grades most often imported into NZ with domestically-grown wheat in terms of the baking properties of the flour. “This highlighted the superior performance

of NZ milling wheat compared with imported Australian grain. It is not only better than the Australian product, but as good as Canadian, which is rated as the international standard.”

Local grain growers are already certified through a United Wheatgrowers’ QAgrainz quality assurance and traceability programme.

In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, an analysis showed that one kilogram of flour milled in NZ from local wheat has a lower carbon footprint than one kilogram of flour milled using Australian wheat at the same mill.

NZ-grown grain not only has lower transport emissions, but its much higher yields result in lower emissions per tonne of grain, Lawrie says.

FAR owns the trademark which became available under license from July 1 for companies that meet its specifications. More publicity around the trademark is planned in spring as food and beverage makers are signed up.

Ivan Lawrie.

Green kiwi gets the health tick

Green kiwifruit is the first fresh fruit ever to receive an authorised health claim from the European Commission, marking a breakthrough for Zespri and the wider fresh produce industry.

“This milestone is not only a first for Zespri but for the entire fresh produce industry,” says CEO Jason Te Brake.

“The EU Commission’s recognition of green kiwifruit’s role in digestive health reflects one of the ways we are helping people thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit.

“The approval not only validates Zespri’s health and innovation programme, it also delivers tangible value to the industry and reflects the hard work of our green growers

to produce nutritious, greattasting kiwifruit.”

Zespri fully funded the application process and most of the key research submitted in the scientific substantiation, committing over 15 years to documenting the benefits of green kiwifruit.

The approval follows the submission of a comprehensive scientific dossier in 2018 which included 18 human intervention studies, six of which ultimately were considered as a strong basis for proving the effect of

green kiwifruit on intestinal function.

This authorisation is among only three health claims approved by the European Commission in the past five years, following a rigorous evaluation process in which only less than one out of eight claims submitted receive approval.

With this new authorisation, Zespri will begin integrating the health claim into its European communications.

Te Brake says the claim demonstrates the critical value

Grubbing for viable solutions beyond the ban

All eyes are on the regulators as New Zealand farmers and growers wait to find out what – if any – new products will be available to help control grass grub once using chlorpyrifos becomes illegal.

It’s now been just over 12 months since AgResearch, working with Midlands Holdings and Grasslanz Technology, filed the paperwork with ACVM to register a novel biological agent called AGR96X.

In the interim, despite chlorpyrifos being under scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Authority for the past four years, the ACVM approved a new generic liquid formulation for use in NZ as recently as May 2025.

An identical product was registered the same time last year.

As of July, farmers and growers using chlorpyrifos for grass grub have 18 months to phase it out, while those using it for a wide range of other crop pests like aphids, cutworm, Argentine grass grub, leaf roller, springtails and thrips have six months. Few submitters at the EPA reassessment

hearing in April argued against the phase out itself.

But there was widespread concern about the timeline, lack of alternatives for grass grub, and potential costs for farmers and growers after chlorpyrifos and diazinon are gone.

Industry sources point out the estimated financial losses currently caused by grass grub - up to $380 million on dairy farms and $205 million on sheep and beef every year – are based on research done six years ago; show the damage that occurs even with chlorpyrifos still available, and do not represent what might occur when chlorpyrifos cannot be used at all.

They also note the native NZ grass grub is not present in other countries that have banned or strictly limited the chemical, meaning our producers

of investing in health and nutrition science - both to build trust in the fresh category and to unlock further growth and demand for green kiwifruit.

In 2024/25, Zespri supplied a total of 220.9 million trays (Zespri Green, Zespri RubyRed and Zespri SunGoldKiwifruit) to more than 50 markets.

Known for its high quality and sweet/sour taste, Zespri Green kiwifruit is packed with essential nutrients including vitamins, and minerals, and is rich in dietary fibre.

are uniquely challenged.

Federated Farmers says it would be ‘disastrous’ for food production and NZ agricultural exports if farmers are left high and dry for any period without an effective control method for this pest.

AgResearch says AGR96X, a strain of the highly virulent Serratia proteamaculans bacterium, holds promise as a biocontrol for killing larvae of both the NZ grass grub and the NZ manuka beetle.

“Through more than 20 field trials located throughout NZ and assessing different crop types, AGR96X has been shown to be as effective as synthetic products.”

But even if it does get the tick from ACVM, observers say serious time and money would still be required before it could be deployed commercially at scale.

NZ-based BioStart, which developed and markets BioShield Grass Grub, says it is currently developing a second generation biopesticide targeting NZ grass grub larvae in both pastures and annual crops.

This work has been underway for the past three to four years, and has now moved from the lab to field trials.

BioShield is based on Serratia entomophila, a naturally occurring bacterium that causes amber disease, which kills grass grub larvae without harming other animals, beneficial insects, and soil ecology.

Novellus™

Soft on grapes, strong on results

Supporting your future growth

Introducing a novel, naturally derived fungicide for the control of Bunch rot ( Botrytis cinerea ) now registered for use by all grape growers.

Novellus contains three naturally occurring MRL exempt compounds found in plants: geraniol, eugenol and thymol.

The patented Capsule Suspension formulation releases these active ingredients slowly, giving greater efficacy.

Novel Mode of Action: disruption of cell walls, membranes and organelles that stops spore germination and mycelial growth.

Effective on strains of botrytis resistant to older chemistry.

The formulation is water-based making it safe to use on all grapes.

Novellus is widely used in Australia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and France.

Apply up to 14 days prior to harvest for all markets and nil residues under the Sustainable Wine Growing Program.

Approved as an allowable input for organic production in the UK, France, Italy, and Spain, with other countries pending.

User pays proposal could cost us all

New Zealand’s Plant Variety Rights (PVR) scheme, which protects the intellectual property behind dozens of species driving our $57 billion primary sector, costs more than twice as much to run as it earns in fees from plant breeders.

Now the government department which administers the scheme is looking at doubling or even quadrupling fees to help cover the shortfall, which was nearly $900,000 in the past financial year.

This is despite an independent report in 2023 which estimated plants protected by PVR contribute over $3 billion to our economy through improved performance and value.

Think everything from pasture, cereal, apples and kiwifruit to potatoes, hops, fresh vegetables and forestry trees.

For context, it currently costs at least $10,000 to gain PVR for a single new ryegrass or clover, from initial application through a minimum two years of growing trials to final examination. If the new cultivar needs three years of growing trials, the cost is closer to $15,000.

On top of that, successful applicants have to pay an annual fee for the life of their PVR protection.

Industry sources say the new fee proposal, which has so far been kept confidential, undermines the government’s own stated goal of doubling NZ export values by 2024.

They say it would make the lengthy, expensive and often risky business of commercial plant breeding in NZ yet more costly, even though it underpins so much of the primary sector’s efficiency.

The change could also discourage large foreign owned plant breeding companies from continuing to invest here.

PVR is run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment via the Intellectual Property Office of NZ (IPONZ). It ensures those who create advanced new plant species can recoup their investment, without others immediately ripping off their genetics, and thus are incentivised to continue their work, which can take decades to reach fruition.

Cultivars protected by PVR can only be bred and marketed by approved parties, and royalties are collected on every transaction. Peak industry organisations like Grain and Seed NZ and Horticulture NZ have been invited to feed back on the proposal to increase fees but these submissions remain private.

However, Sarah Clark, chief executive of Seed and Grain NZ and the NZ Plant Breeding and Research Association, says her members asked that fees remain unchanged, and that MBIE instead seek budget funding from the Crown to cover ongoing costs of PVR.

“Investment in the breeding and protection of new plant varieties is a cornerstone of successful food and fibre industries in NZ.

“The proposed increase to fees makes a dent to that foundation because it acts as a disincentive to investment, testing, trialling and protection of the next winning variety.”

Because PVR is related to intellectual property and not to value on-farm, the costs of increased fees would have to be absorbed rather than passed on to end users, one breeder points out.

“Margins are already slim,” he says.

“The government needs to look at how much downstream value is added to NZ GDP from having a full breeding to table capability in this country which supports our unique agricultural and horticultural industries, not the direct cost to one department in isolation.

“Hopefully some sense will prevail in the end.”

In the past five financial years, up to June 2025, IPONZ received a total 612 applications for PVR. Over half these were ornamentals, forest trees, fruits and nuts. Not all applications are granted.

Of interest to anyone dependent on our dairy, meat and fibre industries, just 11 PVR

applications during that time were for new clovers.

Thirty five were for ryegrass, two were for cocksfoot, four were for fescue and two were for lucerne.

Gaby Cowcill, IPONZ manager patents (science) and PVR, says the office last reviewed its fees in 2022, as part of the new Plant Variety Rights Act the same year.

“That review noted that there was a shortfall between the fees collected and scheme costs, and indicated that a future fee review would also take place.

‘Currently, the office is undertaking a review of the Plant Variety Rights fees. However, we are still in early engagement and no decisions have been made.

“We recently undertook some targeted engagement with stakeholders on fee options. These options will be further developed based on the feedback from the engagement.

“Once this engagement is completed and if a decision is made for updating the fees, a proposal will be sent to Cabinet for public consultation.”

this month we look at...

PARASITE CONTROL

Harness the power of forages against drench resistance

Words: Agricom

Forage crops have long played a role in maintaining summer production and reducing health issues linked to wild type endophyte and facial eczema.

Today, they’re also an essential tool for managing internal parasite burdens and addressing the growing challenge of drench resistance across New Zealand. Their ability to reduce parasite pressure and create opportunities to lift farm productivity is well recognised, particularly on farms already dealing with drench resistance issues.

A range of proven forage options can help reduce worm larval challenges onfarm, including forage herbs like Ecotain environmental plantain and Choice chicory, legumes such as Relish red clover and Titan 5 lucerne, and brassicas like Hunter leafy turnip, Mainstar and Spitfire forage rape, and SovGold kale.

These forages can significantly lower worm burdens, not only within the cropped

area, but across the whole farm system. In some cases, this can reduce the need for drenching which helps slow the development of drench resistance.

Agricom offers all of these forages as part of its comprehensive portfolio designed to support animal health and productivity.

The L3 larval stage of internal parasites is the infective stage of their life cycle and is what animals ingest while grazing pasture. These larvae thrive in warm, wet, and dark environments, conditions commonly found at the base of NZ’s grass pastures.

In contrast, the upright growth and open sward structure of the forage species mentioned earlier create a less favourable environment for infective larvae survival, making them a valuable alternative to traditional grass-based pastures.

Forages like Relish red clover not only create sward conditions that are less favourable for parasite larvae, but also offer higher levels of dietary protein and energy for grazing animals. This is crucial for both the animal’s immune response to parasite burdens and overall productivity, such as improved liveweight gain.

The more protein in the diet, the better equipped animals are to cope with parasite burden while remaining productive.

As a result, animals can reach finishing weights faster, which not only improves the farm’s bottom line but also reduces the time livestock spend spreading

parasites across the farm.

Typically, only about 5 per cent of a farm’s total parasite population resides within the animal, with the remaining 95 per cent living in the pasture.

Cropping rotations help break the parasite life cycle by effectively ‘burying the problem,’ as cultivation can significantly reduce larval loads within a paddock.

When this is followed by sowing a forage species with an architecture that’s unfavourable to parasite survival, the result is a powerful combination: a reduced parasite challenge for a period of time and a significant improvement to animal productivity.

For additional information on this topic check out The Al & Juddy Show podcast episodes ‘Fighting drench resistance with forage plants’ featuring Greg Mirams, and ‘Rethinking parasite control in NZ sheep farming’ with Trevor Cook.

You can also get in touch with your local Agricom representative for further information regarding forages to help combat drench resistance.

Relish red clover.

SovGold kale.

Let’s make the most of the moment of truth

Words: Mary Bowron, Wormwise

With the economic forecast for the red meat sector predicting ongoing record prices for the 2025/2026 season, every lamb born this spring is an opportunity to make money.

Tailing time is the first chance your farmers get to see how well lambing has gone, and to get an indication of how many lambs there will be at weaning time.

A farmer can’t sell a scanning percentage, yet that is a statistic that is often quoted. What is more important is the total weight of lamb sold and the timing of those sales.

Early-finished lambs are the goldminethey are generally worth more, and their departure frees up feed for the rest of the farm’s enterprises.

To maximise this potential, it is important your farmers ensure lambs continue to grow well through to weaning.

Energy and protein requirements for lambs increase after tailing.

Offering high quality, legume-dominant pasture is important, as milk production is dropping off and lambs are eating more grass.

Rotational grazing of mobs as soon as possible after tailing is a great way to ensure lambs are getting a fresh pick, and teaching them about moving around the farm.

A lamb drench at tailing time is typically not necessary.

Lambs aren’t old enough to mount an immune response to the important gut worms, so they don’t tend to suffer production losses at this point.

Any scouring seen is likely to be due to lambs fighting off Strongyloides parasite, which they will conquer without a drench anyway.

The rise in egg counts that some mixed age ewes experience around lambing will be decreasing at tailing as immunity kicks back in.

Whole-flock drenching of ewes at tailing is unlikely to be worthwhile.

However, younger ewes and fine wool breeds can take longer to regain immunity to parasites at this time.

Monitoring of these ewes with faecal egg counts keeps an eye on potential worm issues, especially if long acting drench products were given pre-lamb.

Tailing is a good time to test for any leakage of that product and to determine if

an exit drench is needed.

Whether or not a lamb pre-weaning drench is needed, depends on several factors.

If ewes have lambed in good condition, milked well and there’s plenty of legumedominant feed on offer, a response to drenching is less likely.

With quality feed and high grazing residuals, lambs will have lower worm burdens, so a pre-weaning drench may be of little benefit.

If it has been a tight season for feed, then a pre-weaning drench may help maintain lamb growth prior to the stressful weaning period.

Faecal egg counting of lambs pre-weaning can help with this decision.

The more information available regarding worm burden, then the more confident your farmers can be around that drenching decision.

Regional variation with parasite species can influence preweaning drench decisions, such as Nematodirus in Southland and in the top half of the country Haemonchus.

However, seasonality of parasites is shifting.

A recent survey completed by Waghorn et al, found some interesting differences from previous seasonality work.

With respect to egg outputs from ewes,

Bowron.

the dominant species were Cooperia curticei, Haemonchus contortus and Oesophagostomum venulosum

Of the three parasites H. contortus is the most pathogenic and was present yearround in all stock classes (predominantly North Island farms in the survey), providing evidence of anecdotal reports of barbers pole shifting south.

C. curticei (generally not considered as pathogenic for sheep) was higher from May through to August, often being the predominant parasite in ewe larval cultures in the winter.

In the spring/summer, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus vitrinus were prevalent in lambs and ewes. In the autumn, dominating in lambs was Trichostronglus colubriformis peaking in May-July. The mixed aged ewes showed consistently low levels of this parasite throughout the year. Considering lambs are drenched more often than other age groups of sheep, this finding may explain why there is such high triple drench resistance in T. colubriformis (51 per cent of farms, Awanui FECRT survey 2023/2024).

For those farmers finishing lambs, this is a significant detail to consider when planning sustainable parasite management.

Mary

AI takes on the heavy lifting for worm count samples

FECPAK has become the fastest, most efficient faecal egg counting test system on the global market, thanks to the release of instant results powered by proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) software.

Techion says the move is groundbreaking, and means no matter the day or time when a FEC test for sheep, cattle, goats or horses is processed and submitted using the FECPAK unit, the result is sent to users within a few minutes.

“Instant FEC results will significantly enhance productivity by allowing timely, real-time decision making onfarm,” says Techion founder and

managing director Greg Mirams.

“Farmers can quickly determine whether to bring their stock into the yards for treatment, optimising their management practices, saving time and ensuring healthier livestock.”

He says this is the first in a suite of new products that FECPAK will release this year.

The company’s working on a new digital microscope, the

Micro-1 300 with enhanced imaging capability that will enable a new range of tests including; Cattle coccidia; sheep coccidia; cattle parasite speciation; sheep parasite speciation; facial eczema and pasture spore counts.

The AI software behind the new service was developed and trained using more than 120,000 FEC tests, analysed by Techion’s technicians from samples submitted by customers over recent years.

Prior to launch, the software was validated on more than 22,000 samples, giving results with greater than 96 per cent accuracy – exceeding that of many human technicians.

FECPAK technicians will

continue to review tests over the coming few months to ensure the AI model is meeting performance standards and providing a reliable service.

An all-New Zealand collaboration is responsible for the cutting-edge technology.

Aware Group, recently purchased by HSO, and a Microsoft partner specialising in artificial intelligence and data solutions, worked with the Techion team to create the model.

Aware Group and HSO are known for expertise in AI and computer vision and leveraging state-of-the-art cloud architecture to create solutions for complex problems, Techion says.

Buildings, sheds and food storage areas can attract large numbers of rodents, so ongoing effort is required to reduce trap or bait shyness. Our toolbox will guide you through how to manage pests across your buildings and storage areas.

Keeping cows healthy at calving and pre-mating

Words: Zoetis

Cydectin Pour-On is a widely trusted worm and lice treatment for cattle, offering effective control against a broad spectrum of internal and external parasites.

Its active ingredient, moxidectin, is a member of the macrocyclic lactone family, renowned for its potency and extended action.

This product is particularly valued by farmers for its ease of application, longlasting efficacy, and its role in supporting animal health during critical periods such as calving and premating.

The unique formulation of Cydectin PourOn, with added excipients to enhance stickability and absorption across the skin, ensures rapid and consistent delivery of the active ingredient, targeting gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworm and lice.

Its residual activity means it continues to protect cattle for several weeks, (42 days for lungworm, 35 days for Ostertagia ostertagii ), enabling more protein and energy to be channeled into milk production, reproduction or growth.

Cows at calving (especially heifers) are under physiological stress, and their immune systems can be compromised, making them more susceptible to parasitic infections.

Treating at risk cows with Cydectin PourOn at calving helps minimise parasite burdens, which in turn supports better milk

production and overall cow health.

Healthier cows are more robust and more likely to maintain their condition and produce more milk during this demanding phase Ensuring cows are in optimal condition before mating is essential for conception rates and future productivity.

The daily challenge of parasite larvae can lead to weight loss, reduced appetite and poor body condition, all of which negatively impact reproductive performance.

Administering Cydectin Pour-On before mating eliminates the parasites within the cows and will prevent ingested larvae from establishing, supporting better weight gain, improved energy levels and enhanced fertility rates.

This proactive approach can lead to higher conception rates and a more synchronized calving pattern in the following season.

Cydectin Pour-On is an invaluable tool for dairy farmers, particularly around calving and premating.

Its ease of use, broad-spectrum efficacy, and long-lasting protection make it a preferred choice for supporting herd health and productivity.

By integrating Cydectin Pour-On into

strategic parasite control programs, farmers can help ensure their cattle reach their full genetic and productive potential, while also improving animal welfare and farm profitability.

1Murphy, A. The effect of treatment with moxidectin, a long acting endectocide, on milk production in lactating dairy cows. Buiatrics World Congress, 1998.

2McPherson WB, et al. Effect of a peri-parturient eprinomectin treatment of dairy cows on milk production. NZVJ, 2001.

3McPherson WB. The impact of eprinomectin treatment on dairy cattle reproductive performance. Proc Society of DCV NZVA, 2000.

4Sanchez J, et al. A meta-analysis of the milk-production response after anthelmintic treatment in naturally infected adult dairy cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2004.

Grow more, emit less, bank bigger profits

If your dairy farmers have been talking about emissions intensity lately, spring’s a great opportunity to advance that discussion with practical steps to help get their numbers down.

That’s because there’s a new way to make money this season that could add tens of thousands to the bottom line for dairy farms across New Zealand.

Think of it like carbon farming, but better –no pine trees!

Four years of research has just proved what we have long believed. Every kilo of homegrown feed eaten directly by cows cuts farm emissions intensity.

And milk with low emissions intensity is now worth serious money – up to 25c per kilogram of milksolids, depending on the dairy company.

On an average South Island dairy farm, producing 281,000 kg milksolids a year, a low emissions premium of 15c per kg adds up to $42,000 extra income. The same premium for an average North Island farm producing 136,000 kg milksolids a year is $20,400, The best part, according to a leading national pasture expert?

“This is something several hundred farmers can achieve, without a lot of disruption, using resources they already have. In fact, they can start working towards this straight away. And those not far off will be looking at how they can get their farm over the line.”

Graham Kerr, pasture specialist for Barenbrug, says key findings from the biggest study of its kind in New Zealand dairy farming are reassuring, in that cutting greenhouse gas emissions doesn’t reduce farm profitability.

“The study showed there was no relationship between the two. There are farms across the country combining industry leading profitably and industry leading emissions efficiency.”

Better yet, the effect holds true no matter the farm system, location or herd size. Emissions and Profitability is a joint project between DairyNZ, Fonterra and LIC that used data from 8000 NZ farms to analyse the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and farm profitability over the past four years.

Researchers released their first results in July, and say more analysis is planned this season.

Graham Kerr says all dairy farmers can start benefiting from what has come out of the study without delay.

That’s because the analysis found the best performing farms in terms of both emissions intensity and profitability had three things in common.

They all grew more feed, of higher quality, with more efficient use of nitrogen, than the others.

With spring here, there’s no better time to act on this knowledge, Kerr says.

His advice?

“In terms of growing more, first up, help your farmers do a really good job of this season’s pasture renewal and spring cropping.

“That means getting the right level of renewal or crop across the farm; identifying how many under-performing paddocks they have, and ticking all the boxes in the process of getting these back up to a high level of production.

“Well planned and established, this means they grow more feed at home.”

Barenbrug cultivars are well-suited to this goal.

“We’re hugely proud of the performance of our varieties in industry-run National Forage Variety Trials. Maxsyn and Array perennials, and Forge hybrid ryegrasses are particular standouts for high yields. And we have great crop options like 501 chicory, and Dynamo summer turnip.”

And spring’s the pivotal time for maintaining high pasture quality.

“Eighty per cent of pasture quality is influenced by management. That includes identifying and managing surplus pasture, and creating a culture of achieving consistent post-grazing residuals, day in, day out, to set up quality at the next grazing. But we have cultivars with the genetics to help.”

What about improving nitrogen use efficiency, the third common trait of high performing farms in the emissions and profitability study?

“Clover is king here, for its natural nitrogenfixing ability. When renewing pastures, remember clover seed must be sown shallow, no more than 10mm deep. So much is wasted every year because it never emerges.”

Growing more clover is a double win, Kerr says, because it also enhances feed quality.

“Use top clover genetics like Ruru and Kotuku to really improve clover performance in pastures. They’re aggressive growing, and high yielding with good pest resistance.”

If clover is missing or lacking, spring’s a good time to oversow seed.

Other ways of using nitrogen more efficiently include sowing Array perennial ryegrass, which can extract more nitrogen from the soil in deficit periods; and introducing tetraploid ryegrasses.

“On their own or mixed with diploids, they can be grazed half a leaf stage later than straight diploids, so again, you effectively harvest more feed from the same amount of nitrogen.”

Whatever path your farmers take using homegrown pasture to reduce emissions and lift profitability, help is at hand.

“We’re always here to discuss options and provide advice as needed,” Kerr says. “Just contact us.”

With the power of dual DMI fungicides

Prosaro® is the perfect partner for SDHI and strobilurin fungicides, which together can provide a significant return on investment at harvest.

• Use Prosaro for powerful broad spectrum disease control for wheat, barley and ryegrass seed crops

• Prosaro hits disease hard with two DMI fungicides, prothioconazole and tebuconazole

• Use in combination with VIMOY® iblon® to safeguard your yields and deliver higher returns

Insist on Prosaro from Bayer.

• Prosaro is trusted by NZ farmers to provide consistent disease control

The devil is in the detail with herbicide performance

Glyphosate is glyphosate, right?

Wrong, says Nufarm’s Joe Heng, business development manager for the upper North Island.

Particularly when you look not only at the number of salts contained in a glyphosate formulation, but also the length of time since they were initially discovered, which can date right back to the 1970s.

“Not all glyphosates on the market are the same, even if they do have a high load of active ingredient,” he says.

“And with spring spray-out coming up, now’s a really good time to remind your farmers that there’s a lot of value in understanding the differences between them.”

He likens using an old, single salt glyphosate to using a single active drench: “Most farmers don’t think twice about using a triple-active drench if they need it for parasite control, so why wouldn’t they use a triple-salt glyphosate?”

Developed in 2016, Crucial (Group 9) from Nufarm is the

only triple-salt glyphosate formulation on the New Zealand market with a novel surfactant package.

That means it offers performance characteristics that older technology cannot, including improved compatibility, speed of activity, rainfastness when used with Pulse Penetrant and control of harder-to-kill weeds.

The differences extend to handling attributes as well, like pourability, viscosity and mixing.

Heng says if you look at a timeline of glyphosate development, the first formulation marketed in the world featured an ispropylamine salt, and was launched in 1976. Potassium salt formulations did not arrive in the local market until 2003.

Dual-salt glyphosate reached farmers in 2013 and it was only six years ago that Nufarm released the world’s first triple-salt formulation, comprising potassium and

monoammonium salts plus the novel monomethylamine salt in Crucial.

“There are still several single ispropylamine salt formulation glyphosates in the New Zealand market, but that’s 50-year-old technology now. “

And the apparent savings in opting for these are outweighed by the costs of having to re-do a spray job if it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to the first time.

“It’s false economy at best. You might save $2 a hectare in herbicide, only to have to spend much more to fix up a problem with crop or pasture establishment.”

With farmgate returns looking positive for many producers this season, it’s not worth taking a risk on any new planting that will generate tonnes of low cost, high quality home-grown feed in the months ahead, and that includes getting the right spray-out result at the right time.

“A fast, reliable kill at the outset makes the rest of the process run much more efficiently, and helps ensure a good outcome,” Heng points out.

This is especially the case if your farmers use minimum tillage or direct drilling to reduce soil

disturbance: “In these situations, it’s imperative they use the best option - they need their glyphosate formulation to do the job right the first time.”

Paddocks sprayed with Crucial can be grazed, cultivated or drilled just one day after treatment for annual weeds, and three days for perennial weeds, he adds.

That’s two to four days sooner than some other glyphosate formulations, meaning farmers can get crops established quicker with less downtime, and move onto other jobs sooner, knowing that if for some reason their plans change they have extra leeway.

“Time is money for farmers, and getting the fastest possible turn-around at spring sowing is a great way to farm smarter, not harder, on a tight schedule,” he says.

Crucial helps achieve this in another important way – when applied as recommended with Pulse Penetrant, it carries a commercial performance guarantee of 15 minute rainfastness.

That sets a new benchmark in terms of flexibility and knowing the job is done properly even when conditions are unpredictable and challenging.

The unique solution to flexible cereal disease control.

Questar with Inatreq active offers a unique mode of action for persistent curative and protective control against all Septoria strains.

Using our patented i-Q4 formulation, it provides near 100% leaf coverage and high flexibility in application, delivering robust, market-leading protection so you can secure your yield and the future of your farm.

Discover outstanding Septoria control at corteva.co.nz

A natural breakthrough in botrytis control for NZ vineyards

Sipcam New Zealand has announced the launch of Novellus, a novel, naturally derived fungicide now registered for use by all grape growers across the country.

Designed to combat bunch rot (Botrytis cinerea), Novellus offers a powerful new solution that aligns with both conventional and growers wanting softer options.

Novellus contains three plantderived compounds—geraniol, eugenol and thymol—each of which is Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) exempt, making the product ideal for use close to harvest.

These active ingredients are encapsulated in a patented capsule suspension formulation, which allows for slow, controlled

release and enhanced field performance.

“This is a genuinely novel mode of action,” says Gordon Harris, technical and development manager at Sipcam NZ.

“Novellus disrupts fungal cell walls, membranes, and organelles, stopping spore germination and mycelial growth before the disease can take hold.”

Novellus has demonstrated strong efficacy in NZ field trials, including high-pressure sites in Eskdale, Hawke’s Bay; and Nelson Road, Gisborne.

In these trials, Novellus-treated vines showed significantly reduced botrytis infection compared to untreated and conventional programs.

For example, under extreme conditions in Gisborne, Novellus achieved just 4.2 per cent bunch area infection, outperforming synthetic chemistry and conventional programs.

Growers can apply Novellus at key timings—flowering, pre-bunch closure, veraison, and pre-harvest—with up to four applications per season depending on disease pressure. The formulation is water-based, safe for all grape varieties, and compatible with a wide range of tank mix partners.

Novellus can be applied up to 14 days before harvest with nil residues, making it an excellent fit for the Sustainable Wine Growing Program.

Timely label upgrade for spring

It is also approved as an allowable input for organic production in the UK, France, Italy and Spain, with further approvals pending.

“Novellus will give growers the flexibility they need to manage botrytis effectively, even late in the season,” adds Harris.

“It’s a softer chemistry that doesn’t compromise on performance, and it fits perfectly into conventional programs.”

Already widely used in Australia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and France, Novellus is now available to NZ growers looking for a reliable, residuefree solution to botrytis control. With its innovative formulation, proven field performance, and sustainability credentials, Novellus is poised to become an invaluable tool for integrated disease management strategies in vineyards nationwide.

Customers looking for ways to control a range of broadleaf weeds in straight ryegrass or mixed plantain ryegrass pastures, can now utilise selective herbicide Kamba 750 from Nufarm, thanks to a new label extension approved in July.

Previously Kamba 750 application for these uses was limited to spot spraying, and the change is expected to be welcome news for both resellers and growers as the new growing season gets underway.

Sonja Vreugdenhil, Nufarm technical specialist, says the new claim builds on trial work done by Nufarm to get Kamba 750 approved for use in plantain swards in 2018 and is a good example of the company’s ability to continue adding value to off-patent chemistry.

“This is going to complement a lot of farm systems, and the 14 day grazing withholding period will make it relatively easy for farmers to schedule applications in line with their grazing rotations.

“The new use we will see is on existing pure swards of annual ryegrass, if needed, as well as more permanent ryegrass pastures

where clover is absent, and can be easily re-sown after if required.

“Kamba 750 is very damaging to clover, so it should not be used where clover is present or desired.

“But the plantback is 28 days, so that gives farmers an option to clean up permanent pasture infested with broadleaf weeds then come back in after a month to sow and reestablish clover seed.”

It can also be used tank-mixed with Crucial glyphosate as part of spring spray-out ahead of sowing brassicas, cereals or new pasture.

Kamba 750 is a Group 4 herbicide, and contains 750 grams per litre dicamba, the only formulation which this concentration of active ingredient available in New Zealand.

It controls or suppresses many common broadleaf weeds, annual, biennial and perennial, including Californian thistle,

bindweed, fathen and dock; and is also approved for use in maize, cereals, turf, kale, linseed and oilseed rape.

Choice chicory delivers summer certainty for Hauraki sharemilkers

Hauraki Plains sharemilkers Brad and Courtney Edwards know a thing or two about navigating the challenges of dairy farming in a region renowned for its changeable conditions.

Farming 230 cows on a 90 ha milking platform near Ngatea, the couple have made it their mission to lift productivity by focusing on home-grown feed.

For them, Choice chicory has become the cornerstone of their summer strategy.

“Our goal was to build more summer resilience into the system,” Brad Edwards says.

“We’ve had seasons where pasture quality drops off fast in December, and we didn’t want to rely on too much imported feed to keep things going.

“Choice offered a way to reduce that need while improving cow performance.”

The Edwards’ began incorporating Choice chicory into their pasture renewal programme, under the guidance of their local Agricom sales rep, Jamin Benton.

With a desire to both refresh tired paddocks and maintain milk production during summer dry spells, the couple saw the potential in Choice’s high energy, high protein leaf.

The results came quickly.

“Once the herd hits the crop in December, we see an immediate lift in milk production, easily around 10%,”

Brad Edwards explains. “It’s highly digestible, the cows love it, and it holds that production curve when grass quality starts to slip.”

He is quick to point out that the benefits

go beyond just milk in the vat.

“There’s a real animal health gain too.

“We’ve noticed reduced heat stress and improved cow behaviour during hot spells. It’s a leafy crop with a low stem-to-leaf ratio, so all cows in the herd transition really well onto it.”

A focus on doing the basics well has been key to their success with chicory.

He recommends identifying paddocks early for renewal, conducting autumn soil tests, and ensuring any pH or fertility issues are addressed before spring.

“You’ve got to feed the crop properly,” he says. “Underfeeding chicory or cutting corners on prep is the quickest way to get disappointing results.”

Patience, he adds, is just as important.

“There are a lot of old grandad sayings, like always plant on Labour Weekend, but it’s better to wait for the right soil conditions. Good timing and a clean spray out make all the difference.”

For this couple, the decision to bring Choice chicory into the system has also helped futureproof the business.

With rising costs and increased volatility, they’ve found confidence in a forage they can rely on, season after season.

“It’s not just about production. Choice has given us the ability to rotate crops strategically, tidy up weeds, and introduce new grasses like Legion.

“That whole renewal cycle has helped us build a more efficient, lower cost system with less dependence on imported feed.”

Their approach is clearly working.

Earlier this year, they were named Hauraki/Pukekohe Regional Sharemilkers of the Year, a recognition they’re proud of.

“It’s pretty humbling, but we’ve just kept things simple,” Brad Edwards reflects.

“We’ve stuck to what works and focused on quality home grown feed. Choice chicory is a big part of that success.”

When asked if he’d recommend it to other farmers, he doesn’t hesitate:

“Absolutely. For us, it ’s delivered consistency, performance, and peace of mind, in a place like the Hauraki Plains, where seasons can throw anything at you.”

Ban proposed for vege herbicide

Interested parties have until early October to submit on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed ban of chlorthal-dimethyl herbicide in New Zealand.

It’s used pre-emergence to control wireweed in vegetable crops.

Last year, the EPA imposed restrictions on the chemical due to significant concerns about its effects on foetal development.

This followed an emergency suspension order issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Independent economic research found agricultural use of chlorthal-dimethyl was

already fairly low, EPA says.

Information from chemical suppliers shows about two-thirds of NZ growers have turned to using alternative products that are readily available and cheaper.

Brad Edwards.

Choice chicory.

Hit disease hard with DMI fungicide stacking

Words: Neil Waddingham, Bayer New Zealand.

What is DMI fungicide stacking and why is it important?

Speckled Leaf Blotch (SLB) is a very important disease of winter wheat in New Zealand and one which, if not controlled, will lead to significant loss of yield. It is also a disease that has developed resistance to several of the fungicide types we have available for its control throughout the world.

Over the past few years both Kestrel and Prosaro have delivered outstanding control of SLB in NZ.

Both Kestrel and Prosaro contain two DMI fungicides, prothioconazole and tebuconazole, and it is this that ensures consistent control of SLB.

The use of ready formulated fungicides containing multiple DMI active ingredients is referred to as DMI stacking.

Fungicide resistance is increasing

While fungicide resistance doesn’t get talked about as much as herbicide resistance, it is a real and increasing threat to cereal production in NZ. All cereal diseases are capable of developing resistance to

many of the available fungicide groups (DMI, QoI (strobilurin), SDHI) with septoria leaf blotch (SLB), scald, net blotch (NB) and ramularia leaf blotch (RLS) raising the greatest concern.

How can I delay disease resistance?

Prior to spring, careful cultivar choice, planning crop rotations and ensuring good paddock hygiene can all help.

But now spring is here, it comes down to responsible fungicide use, with the key actions being to apply a fungicide programme that incorporates different fungicide modes of action, and to apply the label dose rate.

DMI fungicides are a go-to choice

When it comes to planning fungicide programmes containing different modes of action, DMI fungicides are an essential element.

Speckled leaf blotch (SLB) is probably the most important wheat disease in NZ.

Fungicides such as Prosaro and Kestrel, which contain the DMI fungicides prothioconazole and tebuconazole, deliver excellent

Among products containing chlorthaldimethyl, Chlor-Back 75 WG is the only one currently registered under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act. Dacthal and Deramot Xtra have been deregistered since the temporary restrictions were imposed.

The chemical is now banned in Australia, Canada, the European Union and the United States.

“We analysed the toxicological studies, and these confirmed the potentially harmful effects of chlorthal-dimethyl,” says Dr Shaun Presow, acting hazardous

Autumn planted wheat in early October. Keep it healthy by applying a dual DMI fungicide such as Prosaro or Kestrel at GS31-32.

control and have been the foundation of SLB control in NZ for many years.

DMI stacking explained

Early in the development of prothioconazole it was observed that, while prothioconazole alone provides excellent control of SLB, more effective control could be achieved by mixing prothioconazole and tebuconazole together.

The term DMI stacking was adopted to describe this mixture.

Why does it work?

In any paddock, the population of the fungal pathogen which causes SLB (Zymoseptoria tritici ) is varied with different isolates varying in their susceptibility to different triazole fungicides.

By applying prothioconazole and tebuconazole in mixture, you deliver a double blow. Controlling more elements of the SLB population achieves more complete disease control. In turn, this leaves behind less fungal pathogens that may be in the process of developing resistance.

substances applications manager.

“Evidence indicates that chlorthaldimethyl presents risk primarily to pregnant bystanders, or pregnant workers who work with chlorthal-dimethyl, or those who enter treated fields after the substance has been applied.”

For anyone pregnant and exposed to the chemical, the endocrine effects could harm the development of the foetus and lead to significant impacts on offspring.

“Even the strictest application controls, such as wearing respirators and gloves during spraying, will not sufficiently

Stacking Prosaro and Kestrel

Two popular arable fungicides which adopt DMI stacking are Prosaro and Kestrel.

Both Prosaro and Kestrel contain the DMI fungicides prothioconazole and tebuconazole, formulated together into well balanced and very effective ratios that have been extensively tested under NZ conditions.

These products deliver very effective control of SLB and leaf and stripe rust in wheat while supporting a strong fungicide resistance management approach.

They are also very effective fungicides for the control of many key diseases of barley and ryegrass seed crops. With spring around the corner, and disease development starting anytime now, now is the time to plan your fungicide programmes.

Incorporate Prosaro or Kestrel in mixture with non-DMI fungicides, such as the very effective SDHI fungicide VIMOY iblon.

protect pregnant workers.

“Our research of the data also showed that there is a risk of chlorthal-dimethyl contaminating groundwater regardless of controls put in place,” says Presow.

“If revoked, all herbicide approvals containing chlorthal-dimethyl as an active ingredient would no longer be approved under the HSNO Act and banned for import and manufacture in NZ.”

The ban would come into effect immediately, and we would then propose a six-month period for disposal of existing stock.

Stick with us

Effective deposition isn’t a topic that typically lights up a dinner party.

Getting spray where it needs to be, maximises return on investment for farmers.

It can also extend vital spray windows for contractors and prevent spray negatively impacting nearby crops.

Li-1000 is a multipurpose adjuvant - a surfactant, penetrant, and drift retardant all in one.

Ash Pace, UPL NZ regional manager central South Island, says the non-ionic, low foam, surfactant enhances the activity and penetration of herbicides and other crop protection products.

“Li-1000 is the perfect partner, particularly for spray-out, knockdown herbicides such as glyphosate.”

Pace says Li-1000 is widely used in both ground and aerial spraying and has passionate advocates.

Someone who knows the aerial spray industry better than most is Helicopters South Canterbury CEO and pilot Richard Geary. Helicopters South Canterbury was founded in the 1990s and Geary, who has 20 years under his belt, heads an experienced

team, with an impressive fleet of helicopters.

Based near Timaru, the company operates primarily in South Canterbury, Mid Canterbury, and the Mackenzie Country.

Geary says every variable is always factored in, from the safety of staff to the ability to deliver an effective and efficient service to the farmers.

Spraying out old pastures, often over challenging terrain, is a staple for the busy company.

When using Roundup, Helicopters South Canterbury uses Li-1000 for drift control 95 per cent of the time.

“There are often sensitive crops nearby, like fodder beet or emerging grass, and Li1000 gives us that extra bit of certainty and security.”

Geary and his team discuss jobs with clients in depth before they commence spraying and make notes not only on what is required, but also on any adjacent crops or other potential issues.

Their focus: Delivering jobs better.

“Li-1000 trumps everything

else as a drift retardant and works well as a penetrant.”

Pace says factors including rotor wash (the downward movement of air caused by the action of the helicopter’s blades) mean helicopter spraying, while often the most practical and cost-effective solution, is heavily reliant on effective drift control.

“Li-1000 is great product.”

He explains systemic and translaminar products require time to enter the plant and are subject to wash off.

Due to its unique properties and multiple modes of actions, Li-1000 produces a more uniform spray pattern for reduced drift, increases droplet

spreading and retention and increases leaf penetration through the cuticle and translocation throughout the plant.

Glyphosate and other crop protection products are then taken into the plant faster.

Geary’s company also uses other UPL adjuvants including All Clear tank cleaner; Du-Wett Super-Spreader, which delivers better spray coverage, and Slikka, a super-penetrant used on gorse and brushweeds.

He says it is reassuring to know that there is solid research and science behind UPL’s products. “I can use their products with confidence knowing how much work has gone into them.”

Laser cleans up costly gull guano mess

When bird netting became part of the problem instead of the solution, one determined kiwifruit grower turned to cutting-edge laser bird control technology—and reclaimed control over his orchard.

Simon Horsfall, a grower in Hawke’s Bay, was facing a nightmare.

His 60 ha orchard, protected by overhead nets to guard against hail and wind, had unintentionally become a sanctuary for over 600 seagulls each night.

The result: bird droppings contaminating crops, fruit damage, and serious hygiene concerns during harvest season.

“The bird netting didn’t keep birds out—it gave them a roof,” said Horsfall. “It was costing me tens of thousands in lost fruit and cleaning efforts.”

Frustrated by traditional methods, Horsfall partnered with local bird control expert Michael Krause, who introduced him to the AVIX Autonomic Laser Bird Deterrent by Dutch company Bird Control Group - an automated, environmentally friendly solution that uses green

laser beams to scare birds away without harming them. The system was installed strategically throughout the orchard.

Within days, the bird activity dropped dramatically.

Over time, the nightly influx of gulls completely disappeared.

New fungicide well received by barley market last season

Miravis Flexi, a fourth generation SDHI (Group 7) fungicide powered by the active ingredient Adepidyn technology, gained registration in New Zealand in March 2024 and was widely adopted in the barley market last season.

Ross McCallum, territory sales manager for Syngenta, based in Ashburton, reports excellent feedback on this powerful and flexible formulation.

“The solo formulation of Miravis Flexi has been particularly appreciated,” he notes.

“It offers growers and field representatives the flexibility to choose the best fungicide mix partner for their specific conditions and needs.

“Growers understand that diseases such as Ramularia leaf spot and Scald can both cause significant yield losses if not properly controlled.

“The powerful, long lasting and consistent control of these diseases was evident with Miravis Flexi this season.

“Miravis Flexi has excellent compatibility with a range of other fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and plant growth regulators tested in our comprehensive crop

safety trials.

“This made my job easy to recommend different tank mix combinations, appropriate for any given situation, giving growers added peace of mind.”

Miravis Flexi can also be flexibly applied from GS 32-49 depending on the disease risk present at the time.

A minimum interval of 14 days must be observed if two consecutive applications are made.

McCallum says it is also important that resistance management guidelines, designed to delay the onset of resistance are, strictly followed. Therefore, a maximum of two Miravis Flexi or any Group 7 SDHI fungicides applications should be made per season.

“Miravis Flexi should always be applied preventatively at a rate of 1.2 litres per hectare and in mixture with another approved, non-cross resistant fungicide recommended

to control the same target diseases.

“The addition of an approved triazole fungicide is recommended,” he says. Syngenta has a deep investment in the NZ cereal industry and provides excellent stewardship to the products registered in cereals.

These include the well-known

brands Amistar, Elatus Plus and Moddus Evo and Twinax Xtra.

With continued industry support from growers and distributors, we look forward to bringing new products to the market in the future.

Growers are reminded that purchases of Miravis Flexi and other Syngenta products help them qualify for free nozzles.

“The laser changed everything,” says Horsfall. “It was immediate, effective, and far more sustainable than netting or other deterrents.”

The results were transformative. Horsfall estimates savings of over $105,000 per year from reduced fruit loss, lower cleanup costs, and improved harvest quality.

In addition, neighbouring growers—especially in the blueberry sector—have begun installing the same system after seeing the results.

“Michael’s local support and the Bird Control Group’s technology made this possible. It’s not just a tool - it’s a game changer.”

With increasing scrutiny on

the limitations of bird netting in NZ, growers are now exploring smarter, automated solutions like laser bird control.

The AVIX Autonomic system, already adopted in over 100 countries worldwide, is gaining traction in agriculture, airports, and industrial zones alike for its efficiency and eco-conscious design.

Bird Control Group provides innovative solutions to keep birds at a distance from agricultural and commercial activities, ensuring a safer working environment and a highly effective way of damage prevention.

Customers include Cargill, CocaCola, Heineken, and Google.

Sharing the load on safety

Onside has launched an industry-first digital platform to revolutionise shared safety management across agriculture supply chains in Australia and New Zealand.

Developed in partnership with ANZCO Foods, PCBU Enterprise addresses longstanding challenges related to joint safety responsibilities across the supply chain between enterprises, contractors, suppliers and transport operators.

Onside CEO Ryan Higgs says it’s his company’s biggest and most ambitious agri risk and safety product yet.

And he believes it could not be timelier.

“Recent high-profile safety incidents, including significant fines against senior executives for PCBUs (persons conducting a business or undertaking) breaching worker safety and health legislation, have reinforced the need for clear and coordinated safety management practices across the agricultural sector.”

The new platform offers a multi-party safety and risk network, enabling agribusinesses to collaboratively manage shared risk and map joint responsibility areas with their suppliers and contractors - allowing real-time communication, accurate compliance records, and interbusiness risk reports.

PCBU Enterprise integrates with Onside’s mobile app for rural risk management, which has already mapped over 21,000 rural properties across NZ and Australia, logging millions of movements collected

from contractor and visitor check-ins to properties, as well as machinery and plant movements.

Almost two years ago, Onside partnered with ANZCO Foods to tackle a complex problem the industry has been wrestling with: how to manage safety duties when it doesn’t neatly follow fence lines, but instead follows the supply chain.

“Loading yards, accessways, trucks, plants, paddocks, runways, irrigation trenches - anywhere operations intersect is where things can go wrong,” says Higgs.

“You can’t hide behind organisational layers when safety fails. With PCBU Enterprise, we’re making WorkSafe’s ‘3 C’s’ Consult, Cooperate, Coordinate, applicable across multiple PCBUs. This clarity ensures everyone knows who’s managing risk, creating a safer and more efficient supply chain.”

For meat companies, the shared safety duties extend across all producer properties and transport companies.

“ANZCO took the initiative, deciding it wasn’t good enough to wait for someone else to figure it out,” Higgs says.

“The result is we’ve created what we believe is a world-first agri enterprise solution that will improve safety outcomes across the sector.”

Ryan Higgs.

The platform has gained strong backing and collaboration from the National Livestock and Transport Safety Council, which leads NZ’s livestock transport sector in improving safety, standards, and outcomes across the industry.

End the damage from these three vile vermin in your forage brassica and fodder beet crops with SIVANTO prime. SIVANTO prime contains flupyradifurone, a powerful new insecticide providing rapid control of Nysius, green peach aphid and springtail.

• Rapid and effective control of key establishment pests in forage brassicas and fodder beet

• Can be effectively integrated into IPM programmes

• Innovative, odourless, liquid formulation that penetrates the plant quickly

• Can be applied by helicopter

Insist on SIVANTO prime from Bayer.

Kiwi drench maker sold to rural retailer

PGG Wrightson has paid $20 million for Auckland-based drench maker Nexan Group, bringing it fully in-house after years of close co-operation via exclusive distributorship through Agritrade.

PGW CEO Stephan Guerin describes the move as strategic, ensuring Nexan products remain New Zealand made, with the interests in NZ farmers in mind.

Gary Harrison and Jon Petherick, who cofounded Nexan in 2011 with majority owner Doug Halligan, have now joined PGW and will continue key operational roles along with five other team members. Halligan retired from Nexan post-settlement.

Nexan currently has more than 40 parasiticides registered with the ACVM for use in NZ, which are marketed under three brands – Vetmed, Active+ and most recently, Farma.

PGW says there are real advantages in keeping Nexan NZ-owned, which ensures the ongoing focus of the business will be to

provide on-farm solutions needed for local conditions.

“NZ is a relatively small market in international terms, and accordingly it is beneficial to have R&D capacity that is orientated towards providing solutions for the specific needs of the NZ farming environment,” says Julian Daly, PGW general manager corporate affairs,

“In recent times we have seen some large multinationals discontinuing their R&D operations in NZ citing the scale of our market and regulatory challenges as reasons for closing their local operations.

“Developments such as this make it even more important to ensure that R&D capacity is retained in NZ so that we have greater self-reliance.”

Anthelmintic resistance is a vulnerability for NZ and formulations need to be updated to overcome developing resistance, Daly adds.

“New parasitic variants are of concern and we are seeing increasingly that multinationals have not been prepared to invest in R&D to stay ahead of the variants.

“PGW considers that it is prudent and appropriate for NZ Inc to ensure that there is locally owned R&D capacity that will prioritise meeting the needs for NZ specific local animal health products.”

Asked if PGW plans to extend the Nexan portfolio to categories other than parasiticides, Daly says the product offering and range is expected to continue

Not enough gas in the tank

Ballance Agri-Nutrients is staying tight-lipped on plans for Kapuni after last month flagging a possible shutdown of the urea plant because of high gas prices.

The co-op’s current gas supply agreement expires at the end of this month, but as of late August no further details were available about progress finding ways to avert the shutdown.

Asked when a definite decision was expected to be made, Ballance would only say it continues to actively explore a range of options, and remains optimistic about securing a short-term gas supply.

“At the same time we are preparing for all possible outcomes, including a short-term

shutdown. We believe there are still potential longer-term gas supply options available, and will thoroughly explore these across the sector before making any long-term decision on the plant’s future.”

In his original announcement, Ballance CEO Kelvin Wickham said Kapuni could shut for up to four months.

“While New Zealand’s gas market is dynamic, the increasing pace of declining gas supply and the impact of this on price will continue to pose challenges for the energy

to grow under PGW ownership with the benefit of additional capital being available to the Nexan business.

“Over time, we would expect to see new range offering and further product development to meet the needs of our customers, though it is too soon to be specific about those opportunities at this time and the regulatory environment for products pending registration also places constraints on us in that regard.”

Nexan co-founders Gary Harrison and Jon Petherick say they are proud of its contribution to NZ farming, and joining PGW allows it to build on that legacy with greater reach and capability.

“By keeping the Nexan brand and operations within the country, we are safeguarding local jobs, R&D, knowledge and capability, while further strengthening our ability to support on-farm productivity,” Geurin says.

“Nexan is a strong and respected name in our agricultural landscape.

“This acquisition is not just about growth; it is about ensuring NZ farmers have access to locally developed and produced products that drive profitability and sustainability on-farm.

“Nexan’s offering as an innovator aligns well with PGW’s strategic objective of being the leader in bringing technical know-how and expertise to the market to benefit NZ farmers and growers.”

sector and for New Zealand.

“Although we remain optimistic about securing short-term supply, we’re also pragmatic and planning for other outcomes.

Right now, it’s prudent to plan for a shortterm shutdown.

“We recognise the significant impact even a short-term shutdown would have on our employees, shareholders, the wider agricultural sector and the Taranaki regional economy,” he says.

“Like many businesses we’re impacted by dwindling NZ gas supplies.

“We’ve been working hard to secure a reliable gas supply agreement at a price that is affordable for the business and our shareholders as NZ farmers and growers,” he said.

With spring here, the focus has been on ensuring enough nitrogen fertiliser is

Stephan Guerin.

Time to take back control of brassica crops

Farmers get a new choice for protecting forage brassica crops from key pests this season, one that is formulated with the interests of both users and beneficial insects in mind.

TwinGuard from Corteva Agriscience combines the company’s two proprietary active ingredients – Jemvelva (Group 5) and Isoclast (Group 4C) – in an IPM-compatible, user-friendly, waterdispersable granule.

Approved by the EPA in July, it is expected to be in store in time for this year’s forage brassica crops, and is labelled for control of aphids, springtails, leaf miner, caterpillars and Nysius.

Corteva marketing manager Nicole Morris says TwinGuard’s registration will be welcome news for growers and retailers alike, especially coming hard on the heels of the EPA announcement banning chlorpyrifos in the New Zealand market.

“We’re very excited to now be able to offer a new-generation control option for Nysius in particular,” she says. “It can be such a detrimental pest in its own right.”

Both Sparta (Jemvelva) and Transform (Isoclast) are well-proven in the NZ forage brassica insecticide market for their respective strengths, including caterpillars, leaf miner and springtails for Sparta, and aphids for Transform.

“Sparta will suppress Nysius, but TwinGuard is our first label claim for

available for farmers and growers in the weeks ahead.

“We’ve secured contingency supplies of nitrogen for spring and our industrial customers have sourced alternative supplies for their GoClear customers, keeping NZ’s trucking fleet on the road.”

Kapuni supplies about one third of NZ’s total urea, so the company already imports a large proportion of what it sells farmers.

To buffer a potential shutdown, it has increased urea imports, and will continue to bring in higher volumes and other products containing nitrogen like sulphate of ammonia and di-ammonium phosphate to meet demand.

Wickham says soil nutrients are vital in driving NZ’s economic prosperity through food and fibre exports, and about 41 per cent of the country’s agricultural exports are enabled by Ballance fertiliser.

control, making it the next step in crop protection for farmers who want to protect their forage brassicas from a wider range of insect pests while still looking after their beneficials,” Morris says.

And as more and more growers seek out chemistry that aligns with their IPM strategies, thanks in no small part to the ongoing efforts of retailers and suppliers to raise awareness of the value of beneficials, bringing new options to the market can only be a good thing.

Corteva first lodged its application for TwinGuard with the EPA in early 2022, and hoped to launch it in 2023, so it’s taken four years to reach end users.

Morris says early feedback from the market is positive.

“Product won’t be available until early November, but with the chlorpyrifos ban being announced, the industry is keen to move ahead and asking what other options can be used going forward.”

TwinGuard is approved for both ground and aerial application, and offers the additional benefit of a relatively wide application window, covering both early establishment and post-canopy closure, depending on the target pests.

“While this situation is disappointing, we’re fortunate our business is in a strong underlying position and we’ve factored various scenarios into our forward planning.”

The Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki,

The grazing withholding period for meat is 14 days, and 28 days for milk, meaning it can be used for both summer and winter forage brassicas.

operational since 1982 and employing around 120 people, manufactures approximately 260,000 tonnes of NZ’s urea annually, specifically for use as fertiliser.

Stops feeding faster Improved attraction and palatability quickly halts feeding, resulting in a 90% reduction in damage within three days.

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SCAN ME

EPA approves new fruit fungicide

The Environmental Protection Authority has approved a fungicide with a new active ingredient that controls blackspot and powdery mildew on apples and pears, and botrytis on grapes.

UPL New Zealand applied to import or manufacture Rhapsody, a fungicide containing 218 g/L ipflufenoquin, a chemical new to New Zealand.

UPL says Rhapsody gives growers an alternative to other products that may be becoming less effective due to increasing resistance, gives another option for late season use, and is lower risk to human health.

“This approval means growers will have access to an innovative tool with a new

mode of action, helping protect crops vital to NZ’s primary sector,” says Dr Lauren Fleury, EPA hazardous substances applications manager.

The apple industry contributed almost $2 billion to the NZ economy last year, and the wine export value reached approximately $2.4 billion.

The decision to approve Rhapsody was made following a rigorous assessment and consultation process, says Fleury. “As this product contains an

active ingredient that is new to NZ, we assessed the scientific data and evidence, as well as economic and local information, to enable access to new chemistry while continuing to protect people’s health and our unique environment.”

Ipflufenoquin has been approved in other countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA.

This decision is the latest for the EPA, which has reduced the queue of hazardous substance release applications by almost 21 per cent since 1 July 2024.

The EPA has set ambitious assessment targets for the coming year, including

Success squared – top crop wins twice over

Bumper growth from a new kale has impressed both two and four-legged judges in mid-Canterbury this season.

Yielding 18 tonnes dry matter/ha, Kea won the kale section of the local winter feed competition, and kept dairy heifers full and content during May and June.

“It’s very utilisable,” says farmer John Duncan. “Heifers ate it right to the ground, with hardly any residue left, and they cleaned it up because it’s good quality feed, not because they were hungry!”

Always keen to try new plant genetics, Duncan sowed five ha of Kea last spring on a dryland corner of his 70 ha, predominantly irrigated grazing and finishing block at Dromore.

“I heard about it from my rep, and it sounded good. I was able to use that small area as a trial planting; the rest of our kale area (14 ha) was sown in a different variety.”

Running a mix of dairy heifers, dry dairy cows over winter, and store lambs, Duncan says kale plays an important role in his system.

increasing the number of assessments for substances containing new active ingredients.

“We understand the importance of timely access to new products. Continuing to reduce the queue and assess new active ingredients is a top priority for us.”

The substance can only be used by professionals in commercial settings, and users must comply with specific controls.

As an agricultural compound, Rhapsody must also receive approval from the Ministry for Primary Industries before it can be used in NZ.

“It’s a very versatile winter crop; you can feed most animals on it, there’s very little transitioning required and it’s easy to feed.”

He wasn’t expecting such a high yield from Kea, especially after a dry spell in early establishment which saw young plants struggle for four or five weeks.

But regular rain through late December and January made all the difference.

“Once we got rain at Christmas, it just took off. I got one dressing of urea on it but by the time the second one was due, it was too high to get the spreader over.”

It’s the first kale he has entered in the Ashburton A&P Association annual winter feed competition and while he was pleased to win that section, he was more interested in how his client’s animals felt about it.

“Kea kale has small stems, and is very leafy with good quality. We have found that the animals are utilising it extremely well. I would definitely plant it again.”

The paddock was ploughed and sown on 30 October following a good rain.

Sowing rate was four kg per ha; early inputs were limited to base fertiliser, preemergence herbicide and insecticide.

Kea is a new intermediate kale from Cropmark Seeds, bred for quality, yield, high leaf percentage, disease tolerance and flexible grazing management.

Seed is available for sowing this spring.

John Duncan.

Clear the regulatory runway

Words: Animal and Plant Health NZ

If agriculture and horticulture are the engines of New Zealand’s economy, innovation is the fuel, and regulation is the runway that enables it to take flight.

Global R&D companies, the ones developing new tools to power the primary sector, are circling overhead, waiting to land innovation.

But there’s a blockage on the runway for NZ’s primary sector ambitions - access to new animal and plant health products.

These products underpin every primary sector goal, doubling export value, trade agreements, emissions targets, resistance management, animal welfare, sustainability, and replacing old chemistry that’s a trade and environmental risk.

These mission critical tools also support the delivery of many primary sector leaders’ KPIs.

Companies say the regulatory approval process for agricultural and horticultural products under the ACVM and HSNO Acts remains unpredictable and is not keeping pace with global innovation and harmonisation trends.

NZ used to be world leading in bringing innovation to market, but no more.

If a market cannot provide regulatory efficiency and certainty, farmers and growers miss out on tools needed to manage pests and fight diseases.

And veterinarians go without new options for drench resistance, preventative medicines and vaccines to strengthen animal health and reduce reliance on antibiotics. A broad toolkit with new solutions is needed to replace older chemicals, to compete globally, address resistance and meet growth expectations set by government.

While these tools sit within reach on the

Liz Shackleton.

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.

runway, primary industry is waiting at the baggage claim station for the latest pipeline of animal health and crop protection products to come through.

The Ministry for Regulation’s review of the regulatory process for agricultural and horticultural products calls for improved proportionality, efficiency, transparency and certainty of the approval path.

The review inspected the runway and estimated a 5.6 to 8.3-year timeframe to clear new products to land.

Cabinet greenlighted the plan and ministers set targets for regulators to crack on to clear the runway.

Air traffic controllers in the control tower are working on amendments to the ACVM and HSNO Acts, but legislative reform will take time.

The good news is there are operational levers that can be pulled right now.

Animal and Plant Health NZ has been working with regulators, bringing forwardlooking solutions, prior to this review.

Developed from the Ministry for Regulation review report recommendations, APHANZ has a shovel-ready blueprint for change.

The actions in this blueprint don’t need legislative changes, and propose three areas to deliver results on the ground, while legislative reform runs its course:

1. Specialist taskforce to clear applications for products with new active ingredients.

2. Use available tools (international harmonisation, trusted regulator data) to enable more efficient processing.

3. Meaningful engagement for agreed, workable solutions.

This is not about taking shortcuts in areas like animal welfare, safety or residues — it’s about cutting red tape and making balanced risk-based decisions in a timely way.

We want a runway that’s well-lit, wellmanaged, and responsive to the sector it serves.

When innovation lands safely, everyone wins, and NZ can reclaim its place with a world leading runway clear for innovation to land.

Decisive and rapid action is needed to fix delays in the regulatory approval process and improve investment confidence in NZ. Without it, R&D companies will continue to decrease their investment in NZ, jeopardising agricultural market access as well as equitability and affordability for NZ consumers.

The greatest risk is not having new products at all.

Let’s clear the regulatory runway, and let innovation land, so our primary sector can fly high.

Watching over your brassica crop so you don’t have

to.

Delivering a complete suite of crop protection solutions for today’s forage brassica growers.

Our portfolio of powerful, proven products has helped farmers from one end of the country to the other create and maintain thriving businesses, and has earned us a reputation as New Zealand’s brassica protection specialists.

With every product suitable for ground or aerial application, our suite of herbicides and insecticides provides local farmers with everything they need to win the war on pests and weeds.

Visit corteva.co.nz to view our range of online brassica resources.

Samuel Whitelock – Plant Science Graduate, Lincoln University.

Make short work of choosing your next lease fleet

Business vehicle leasing specialist

FleetPartners has launched a new calculator and car selector tool so business owners and fleet managers can browse, compare and view the estimated lease cost of hundreds of vehicles online.

The calculator lets users view the lease costs of over 600 different new make and model variants.

Users can search for vehicles that suit their business, shortlist and compare the weekly and monthly estimated lease payments.

Businesses can easily browse through models by searching for vehicle types, including utes, vans, sedans and SUVs, or by refining their results to search for specific makes or fuel types.

The results can also be filtered for more specific features like drive train, number of seats or within a weekly price

range that suits their budget.

Users then shortlist vehicles, create an online account and apply for credit online.

FleetPartners creates the final quote, including any changes to the kilometres or term required, and adds accessories, fitouts, or signwriting, before placing an order with a local dealer.

FleetPartners head of marketing and channel sales Cristy Spencer says the calculator is the latest step in the company’s support of its business customers, car manufacturers and dealers through its omni-channel technology solutions.

“Because the lease payment includes exclusive use of the vehicle for the life of the lease and most running costs like registration, servicing and replacement tyres, it’s now possible to digitally compare the potential total cost of ownership of a vehicle.

“Rather than just focusing on the RRP, a bundled lease helps compare the oftenforgotten running costs of a vehicle like depreciation to its expected resale value, and how much it costs to service and maintain the vehicle while using it for your business.

“We know business owners are focused on running their business and are time poor, so we are providing a solution that allows them to research vehicles and pricing online before contacting a fleet company or going into a dealership.

“After shortlisting vehicles users are interested in, they can apply for a credit limit through a secure online portal. Automated credit limits of up to $150k are possible for applications with no financial statements needed, or if your business is larger, you can request a higher credit limit.

“We are excited to launch an online tool like this to support Kiwi businesses with smaller fleets of typically two to 20 vehicles in their business.”

FleetPartners offers operating leases on any new passenger and light commercial vehicle from 24 to 60 months or up to 200,000 km.

The business leasing product is more than just a finance solution – it gives customers a flexible solution with no capital outlay, no balloon/residual payments, full in-life fleet management and a return and replace offering, helping to keep business vehicles safe and compliant on the road.

Rolleston robotics double potential soil testing capacity

ARL’s advanced new purpose-built soil testing laboratory in Rolleston will increase New Zealand’s capacity for soil and plant testing at a time of growing demand from the agriculture sector.

The new facility replaces ARL’s previous site in Hawke’s Bay, which was destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.

After operating from a temporary site in Hastings for two years, ARL owner Ravensdown decided to relocate it to Canterbury, closer to key research partners

and core farming communities.

Commissioned in June, the new lab is 50 per cent larger than the original one and includes automated robotics and five custom-built machines developed by ARL’s team.

These are expected to double the lab’s soil

Happy customer – Stephen Smith, Moa Brewing.

Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg at the new lab.

Bremworth builds back better after Gabrielle

Bremworth’s $6 million factory rebuild near Napier is a win not only for the company itself, but for the city and New Zealand manufacturing as a whole, says CEO Craig Woolford.

Key processes, including the site’s dye house and other lines, are already operational.

The first stage of the current equipment reinstatement is expected to be operational in a few weeks, with a second stage three months later.

Woolford says the company plans to operate three shifts 24 hours a day, every weekday, and will hire up to 40 new staff to accommodate expected demand.

“We’ll also be rehiring a range of specialised staff in the process.

“It’s not just about rebuilding production but also restoring local capability, building resilience and bringing jobs back to Hawke’s Bay.”

The big investment is expected to dramatically reduce lead times, from up to six months down to six weeks, and cut yarn inventory by half, while allowing the company to take full control of yarn quality again.

As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle more than two years ago, most of Bremworth’s Hawke’s Bay carpet facility at Awatoto was taken offline.

“To maintain carpet production, we introduced a hybrid yarn supply model

which saw increased quantity of our yarns processed externally, including offshore.

Rather than just reinstating everything, we’ve taken the opportunity to rebuild smarter – in the process, allowing us to ramp up yarn capacity as demand grows,” says Woolford.

“We’re bringing back the core pieces of equipment needed to give us flexibility and headroom while keeping costs down.

“The reinstated capacity brings Bremworth back to full operational strength, with both mills going to be able to meet current demands and support the company’s plans to scale for growing international demand.”

Woolford says the reconfigured site gives Bremworth the ability to scale quickly in response to export growth, including new interest from the US and Australian markets.

“If demand spikes, we’ve got capacity we can activate. Each new addition takes about three months and hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring online, but that’s a good problem to have,” he says.

Bremworth has already begun phasing out its temporary hybrid yarn supply model and plans to bring yarn production fully back into its own New Zealand facility. Woolford

says the move aligns with the company’s focus on quality control and environmental impact.

“We’re proud of what we are doing. It’s a win not just for the business, but for Napier and the wider New Zealand manufacturing story.”

Bremworth is working with industry group, Awatoto Industrial Action Group, to develop a flood mitigation solution in conjunction with the Hawkes’s Bay Regional Council and the Napier City Council to prevent a repeat of the impact to the business community in that location following Cyclone Gabrielle.

This initiative has local, regional and national government support.

testing capacity over the next five years.

“This new lab positions us to meet the growing demands of modern farming,” said ARL general manager Suzan Horst.

“Accurate, timely data is essential. It allows farmers to apply nutrients only where needed, which is good for the environment and increases crop production and pasture growth.”

Seven staff relocated to Canterbury from the original team when the decision was made to shift the facility south, helping preserve expertise while building a foundation for future growth.

The lab employs 30 people from diverse backgrounds, with over 50 tertiary qualifications across the team, including five PhDs.

It currently processes around 80,000 samples per year, mostly soil.

The new lab is capable of doubling that

in soil samples alone and expands testing capacity for plant, crops, and feed samples.

Selwyn District Council mayor Sam Broughton says it is ‘fantastic’ to see more investment in Rolleston.

The town’s strategic location—right on State Highway 1, at the junction of the South Island’s two main rail lines, and close to Christchurch’s airport and port—makes it an ideal base for businesses serving the agricultural sector, he says.

“Selwyn continues to be one of NZ’s most agriculturally productive districts, with a rural economy built on dairy, cropping, sheep and beef farming, and increasingly horticulture and viticulture. This new facility is a valuable asset that supports our farmers.”

The investment adds to the growing scientific and technical infrastructure of Canterbury, reinforcing its position as

a hub for agricultural innovation.

“This lab is about more than rebuilding,” says Ravensdown general manager of innovation Jasper van Halder.

“It’s about strengthening the systems that support farmers, researchers, and land managers across the country.”

ARL conducts more than 500,000 tests annually across 50 different test types. Most demand focuses on elements such as phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, and magnesium, essential to efficient fertiliser use and soil health.

ARL independently tests and has direct APIs with many organisations, including Hawkeye Pro, Ravensdown’s digital mapping and nutrient management platform.

These tools turn results from the lab into applicable tools farmers can use to effectively manage their farms.

Cool tech heats up fruit throughput

A new processing model developed by one of New Zealand’s largest apple exporters is reducing the time between harvest and packing by a quarter, boosting fruit quality and shelf life for millions of consumers in Asia and the Middle East while significantly cutting waste.

The model was created and trialled at a new 7000m2 smart logistics facility in Hawke’s Bay, which processes around 3000 apple bins daily and is set to help increase global demand for new and emerging premium varietals where visual appearance, firmness and internal condition are critical to growing high-value export returns.

The $24m coolstore will also anchor a new wholesale property investment fund aiming to grow a diversified portfolio of properties across infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing and office and retail sectors to $1 billion within five years.

Mr Apple, a subsidiary of NZX-listed agribusiness group Scales Corporation, is New Zealand’s largest vertically integrated apple grower, packer and exporter.

The company has expanded rapidly over the past 12 months, lifting export volumes by 11 per cent in 2024 to 3.03m tray carton equivalents.

Michael Caccioppoli, head of coolstores, logistics and engineering (post-harvest) for Mr Apple, says the company exports 79 per cent of its fruit each year to more than 33 countries.

Many markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, have strict standards around firmness, colour and sugar levels.

Delays in cooling or packing can impact the condition of fruit on arrival.

“The new system lets us move fruit from

the orchard into the coolstore and through to the packhouse 25 per cent faster than before.

“This turnaround speed directly supports export quality and by shortening the time from picking to cooling we are able to preserve internal fruit integrity.

“It improves shelf life, reduces quality complaints and lifts the eating experience for millions of consumers around the worldwhich is critical as we establish markets for new varieties,” he says.

The Hawke’s Bay site incorporates a range of smart design elements to maximise efficiency and sustainability.

Shorter row depths allow for quicker bin access and faster turnaround, significantly reducing handling time and labour input.

The building layout has been optimised to support a continuous flow of product from arrival to dispatch, avoiding bottlenecks common in older facilities.

Despite its scale and high daily throughput, the operation is managed by a team of just eight staff.

Advanced automation and system integration allow the team to monitor and control environmental variables with precision, helping maintain consistent product quality.

“With this facility, we have considered the size of the rooms and the volume of warm fruit we put into the coolstore, so the temperature matches refrigeration capacity perfectly. This allows us to reduce CO2 levels within the room.”

Caccioppoli says the benefits go beyond speed.

The system helps protect margin and reduce risk in a volatile global freight market.

The facility’s performance is also expected to support investor confidence. It will be the initial asset in a new property investment fund managed by Erskine Owen, which aims to reach $1 billion in diversified property holdings within five years.

Mr Apple CEO Andrew Van Werkum.

Why NZ’s food and fibre future hangs by a thread

Words: Fenton Hazlewood

The landscape hasn’t just shifted. It’s been quietly, radically reshaped - while most weren’t watching.

While the PM and government ministers ride the high of booming dairy, beef and kiwifruit export figures, a silent collapse is spreading through the rest of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. Wine grapes. Export onions. Domestic vegetable growers. Once strong, they’re fighting to survive in a system that’s lost its balance.

Beneath the surface lies a brutal truth: innovation is smothered by regulatory inertia, industry complacency, and a flood of generic products.

And the ones in power? They’re clapping for the headline numbers - completely blind to what’s lost in the fine print.

The data doesn’t lie - but we keep ignoring it

Each year, I scan the public data from ACVM registrations.

Every grower and every supplier could access this, but barely anyone does. Why? Because the truth is uncomfortable. We are being overwhelmed by generics. Before you assume I’m anti-generic, pause. I’m not.

Generics absolutely have a role. But let’s not pretend that role hasn’t changed.And not just from global and domestic players. Local resellers are now scrambling to justify their place in this evolving ecosystem.

Generic portfolios are no longer the backup plan. They are the front line.

And as regulatory approvals for new active ingredients and biologicals continue to stall - thanks to a severely risk-averse EPA and a sluggish, outdated system - the pipeline for true innovation keeps shrinking.

And the clock keeps ticking.

Innovation isn’t a luxury - it’s survival

Most growers want to do the right thing. They know their future depends on better, smarter inputs.

But it’s hard to act when input costs are rising, the rules keep shifting, and every product decision feels like a gamble. This is the part too many overlook - because it hurts to admit.

Even generic suppliers are beginning to feel the heat. They’re being asked tough questions about value, differentiation, and integrity.

Price alone doesn’t cut it anymore. The shift from commodity pricing to meaningful

positioning isn’t coming. It’s already here. A broken system can’t lead a thriving sector

The signals are there. The question is - are we brave enough to read them?

Our food and fibre sector delivers more than $59 billion in export value (with the government planning to double that by 2034).

We lead the world in dairy, beef, kiwifruit and more.

Yet, the regulatory frameworks designed to support this engine of our economy - EPA, MPI, ACVM - are misaligned, lethargic, and out of step with the pace of global change. Export regulations on chemical use - like MRL limits in Japan, Taiwan, the EU, and beyond - are tightening.

Resistance issues are mounting. Have we met the required metrics to supply the EU under the new Free Trade Agreement? And still, the system grinds on at a glacial pace. This isn’t just inefficient. It’s dangerous. The emotional cost of inaction

This one hits deep, because it’s already happening.

My heart aches for the growers who don’t even realise the ground is shifting beneath them.

This is for those who want to make better choices but can’t access the tools to do so.

For suppliers who remain locked into safe, familiar patterns, while the future walks out the back door.

There’s emotional fatigue. Economic pressure that squeezes decision-making. A gnawing uncertainty that never quite lets go.

If we don’t figure out how to support innovation – together – it won’t just stall. It will vanish.

What matters now

Transparency isn’t a buzzword. It’s a lifeline. Grower ownership isn’t a luxury. It’s the only model that aligns incentives to outcomes.

And quiet alignment – not noise, not sales spins – is what earns trust in the trenches.

The most powerful thing we can do is stop pretending this is someone else’s problem.

Because it’s not, it’s everyone’s.

It’s not about blame - it’s about urgency.

This is no longer about who’s right or wrong.

It’s about who’s willing to lead, act, and have the tough conversations that spark real change.

If we don’t protect innovation now, we risk losing the very sector that feeds our economy - and our families.

So, here’s the challenge:

• If you’re a consumer of food and fibre products, write to your local MP. Your voice matters more than you may think.

• If you’re a grower, demand more than price lists. Ask who’s backing your future.

• If you’re a supplier, does your go-tomarket strategy stand for something, or is it just about shelf space?

• If you’re a reseller, and all you’ve got is margin, you’re playing a short game.

• If you’re a regulator, step out of the office. Talk to the people carrying the cost of your delays.

• If you’re in government, stop clapping for the GDP and look under the hood. The system is cracking.

This is the moment

The old model is gone.The new one is being built by those with courage, honesty and backbone.

Let’s not be the generation that watched it all collapse while celebrating record exports. Let’s be the ones who stood up and said: “Enough. The future is ours to rebuild - and we start today.”

Big player backs its own for key roles

One of New Zealand’s leading crop protection suppliers has lived up to a reputation of fostering its own talent with not one but two senior internal promotions recently.

Glen Surgenor, who up until now has been marketing manager at Corteva Agriscience, has taken over as general manager, and technical specialist Nicole Morris has stepped up into his former role.

Both say the company is wellknown for advancing its people, and this commitment to ongoing professional development plays a key role in building and retaining a strong team.

In Surgenor’s case, what started as a summer student job at the then Dow AgroSciences Waireka Research Farm in Taranaki has become an entire career to date, even though he originally had no plans of joining the primary sector.

“Ag was not on my radar! I saw myself headed more for a corporate environment when I was at university. Getting that role at Waireka for three summers sparked my passion for the industry, and I was lucky enough the company had an

opening that allowed me to stay in it permanently.

“I couldn’t see myself in any other industry now.”

It’s a long way from completing a commerce degree at Otago University and joining customer services in 2002 to leading the national business 23 years later.

But the company has provided no shortage of professional opportunities during that time, both here and in Australia.

And Surgenor is excited about what lies ahead as he takes over from former Corteva general manager Richard Brenton-Rule.

“Richard’s been a fantastic leader in our business, particularly in guiding us through the merger that created Corteva.

“We worked very closely together, and now I’m really looking forward to picking up that commercial responsibility at a point where Corteva has some amazing new technology coming through in biologicals

and crop protection.

“We have a whole new portfolio to establish and position in the biologicals category, and a suite of new crop protection products on the way; it’s an exciting time to be in the industry.”

Meantime Nicole Morris, who first joined Corteva as technical specialist in 2021, says her new role as marketing manager shows there’s always flexibility in the primary sector to cross over from science-based to commercial positions.

“I think it’s a real strength for Corteva, the way the company transitions technical people into commercial roles. It’s a bit of a pivot for me, but it’s also a great opportunity to broaden my skill set, develop my leadership skills and take on more responsibility at a country level.

“I am still passionate about R&D and technical extension, as this underpins the success of our industry. This knowledge

New TM for Sipcam NZ

With over 25 years of experience in crop protection, rural retail, and production systems, the company says he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the role, at a time when the region is poised for renewed growth.

“Aidan’s career spans technical and managerial roles across viticulture, arable farming, and horticulture.

“His expertise in pest and disease management, irrigation

systems, and sustainable growing practices makes him well equipped to support growers and distributors alike.”

In his new role at Sipcam, Fredericksen will work closely with his customer base to deliver tailored crop protection solutions and product support.

“The role gives me the ability to engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds, covering a wide range of crops and growing systems which I

base will be valuable for the pipeline and product management portion of my new role.”

Morris came to the company with over 10 years’ experience in the seed industry, bringing with her a strong skillset in agronomy, research and science communication as well as the experience of growing up on a sheep and beef farm in South Otago.

She has worked with multiple crops across the forage, maize and seed production sectors so brings sound agronomic knowledge to Corteva.

She holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Masters in Agriculture Science (Pasture Agronomy) from Lincoln University; is a former Kellogg Rural Leadership scholar and last year received the Emerging Leader award from Animal and Plant Health NZ.

She is also Secretary OF the Agronomy Society of NZ.

really enjoy,” he says.

“I look forward to adding value, providing solutions, support and innovation to my customers.”

Aidan’s appointment further reinforces Sipcam’s commitment to delivering innovative, science-backed plant health and nutrition solutions and building strong partnerships across the region. Aidan Fredericksen can be reached at 021 304 309.

Sipcam New Zealand has appointed Aidan Fredericksen as territory manager for the East Coast and Lower North Island.

Nicole Morris and Glen Surgenor.

Aidan Fredericksen.

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Respected, influential leader passes the baton

After the best part of 30 years, one of the driving forces behind a unique ag servicing business group is stepping back this month, handing the reins to a well-known industry leader who in turn is looking forward to a new chapter in his career.

Both Stewart Craig and Richard Brenton-Rule say the collaborative model behind Independent Cropcare Distributors (ICD) remains as valuable to the domestic primary sector today as when the group started in 1989.

Stewart Craig joined ICD as chief executive in 1994 after five years as country manager with Rhone Poulenc, drawn by what he could see as real potential for growth akin to what was then IHD Group in Australia (now AgLink).

“ICD was taking products to market with a very high technical service business model that I was very comfortable with. I liked the people, and their way of doing business.

“That has never changed, and arguably has been the greatest reward from being inside the ICD tent.”

First founded by Crawford Ag, Grierson Chemicals, AB Annand, Kiwi Seed, Peter Cates and Wards Hort, ICD now has 10 members with 20 branches across the country, and more than 80 field agronomists onfarm every day.

Essentially it provides a platform for independent rural retailers to collaborate, share knowledge, and offer a comprehensive range of products and services to farmers and growers with a strong emphasis on cropping and pastoral agronomy. Tellingly, Craig says, no member has ever left the group except as a result of company mergers.

And together they have helped

set a high standard in technical sales and service for both suppliers, and farmers.

“The value and worth of plant protection products to the NZ economy and our farmer customers in particular is grossly under-estimated,”

Craig says. “ICD and its members are an integral part of that value.”

In an industry which is now highly complex and requires a high degree of stewardship in store and on the ground, the group’s technical focus is even more relevant today than ever before, he says.

But there’s another major inhouse benefit associated with the way it is organised and run – professional collegiality and networking between members who share a common business philosophy in a sector which can be highly competitive.

“We have a very strong culture of values and ethics.”

Richard Brenton-Rule comes to the group from several years with Corteva Agriscience and its legacy companies, having most recently headed the NZ Corteva team.

He’s excited about taking on a new challenge within a very different organisational structure to his previous roles, and says several attributes drew him to the position.

“I like the group’s high standards, and how it engages with all its stakeholders.

Members share a high level of competency; they’re keen to learn and innovate, and they’re focussed on delivering market leading service to their customers.

“There’s also an opportunity here to further strengthen collaboration with our group suppliers for the benefit of farmers and growers.”

Craig says Brenton-Rule brings to the role solid industry experience and knowledge, with a high degree of personal relationship and communication skills.

“Having Richard join heralds the beginning of a new era of ICD initiatives and achievements to come, and he will be the driver to implement these.”

ICD chairman Howard Clarke says Brenton-Rule is a fitting successor for Craig, a respected, influential leader

without whom the group would not have achieved what it has thus far.

“Stewart has contributed so much to ICD’s success –we’ve all benefited from his commitment over the past three decades. I know there was a lot of interest in the industry about who would take over from him, and we are delighted to have attracted someone of Richard’s calibre.”

In another important change, Clarke says, ICD has forged a closer relationship with AgLink Australia, and become a member of AgLink International, further enhancing the group’s strength.

Richard Brenton-Rule.

Stewart Craig.

ICD Members provide specialist services for crop protection, plant nutrition and seed products across New Zealand.

Ruapehu Farm Supplies ruapehufarmsupplies.nz

Feilding

Seed & Field sfnz.nz

Palmerston North

Hazlett Agronomy hazlett.nz

Canterbury

Seed & Field sfnz.nz

Rakaia

Cates Ltd

cates.co.nz

Rakaia | Ashburton

Advance Agriculture Ltd

advance-agriculture.co.nz

Gore | Balclutha | Invercargill

Northland Seed & Supplies (1997) Ltd northseedsupplies.co.nz

Whangārei

Seed & Field sfnz.nz

Pukekohe

Hazlett Agronomy

hazlett.nz

Gisborne

Corson Grain Ltd

corson.co.nz

Gisborne

Ruapehu Farm Supplies ruapehufarmsupplies.nz

Taihape

Keinzley Agvet Ltd keinzley.co.nz

Carterton | Masterton Eketahuna | Martinborough

Seed & Field sfnz.nz

Blenheim

Frame Grain & Seeds framegrainandseeds.com

Culverden

Luisetti Seeds luisettiseeds.co.nz

Rangiora | Ashburton

The ICD network has 20 branches and 81 eld agronomists on-farm every day.

Hard-work and commitment to NZ win through

Since its inauguration in 2013, the UPL Lincoln University Scholarship has been awarded annually to outstanding students.

This year is no exception, with Lucy Blakeman and Jonathan Jamieson taking home the 2025 scholarship.

The scholarship is for students undertaking studies in land-based degrees and who have an interest in arable farming, horticultural science, plant science, soil science and farm management.

It is one of the ways UPL NZ gives back to the industry and invests in the future of agriculture.

Ash Pace, NZ regional manager central South Island, and Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, regional manager upper North Island, were on the panel which interviewed the shortlist of eight exceptional candidates.

Pace says they were looking for people who are going to make a difference and have a huge passion for the sector.

“We also wanted hard workers who could help drive New Zealand forward. In

short – future role models.”

Blakeman, now in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, says she is loving her studies—particularly her animal and plant science classes.

Born and raised in Northland, her passion for farming was sparked during school holidays spent on her family’s farm in the King Country.

When home in the beautiful Far North, Lucy never misses a chance to saddle up during hunt season, or head out for a dive. She is passionate about changing perceptions of farming—bringing it back to its roots as the backbone of NZ, and a proud provider of food for this country and the world.

“Agriculture’s full of opportunity,” she says. “I’m excited to see where it takes me.”

Jamieson, from Bulls, comes from a proud rural background and is currently in his

Unique mix of experience, insight and skills

Lynda Coppersmith, recently appointed sales and marketing manager for CRV New Zealand, sees real opportunities to strengthen the company’s brand visibility here and leverage global expertise to support local farmers even more than it does now.

CEO of Young Farmers for the past seven years, she’s looking forward to getting out in the field, getting to know her new team and continuing to build strong relationships across the sector.

“It’s great to be joining an organisation that is so passionate about the success of New Zealand’s dairy industry.”

Coppersmith took over her new role mid July, and comes from a background in sales, farmer support, and business development at organisations like Fonterra, DairyNZ, and MYOB.

She’s keen to harness data and technology to support better on-farm decisions.

“CRV’s myHERD is a great example of where the industry is heading – towards

better integration and connectivity to make life easier for farmers and companies alike.

“The real opportunity lies in using the data collected by farmers and dairy companies, combined with modern technology, to help farmers make smarter decisions for their herds and their businesses.”

A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work on-farm.

“Every farm is different, and the decisions farmers make today shape the future of their businesses, which is especially true with genetics,” she says.

“CRV plays a vital role in providing tailored solutions to help farmers build herds that thrive in their specific environments, and I’m excited to be part of that.”

second year of a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) at Lincoln University.

With a strong passion for the arable sector and a love for all things farming, he’s looking forward to making his mark in the industry.

When he isn’t studying or working, he manages to fit in hunting, diving, fishing, playing rugby, or running—making the most of everything Christchurch has to offer.

One of Jamieson’s favourite quotes is very telling: “If you are standing still, you are going backwards.”

Pace says he and Van Der Westhuizen look forward to seeing both scholars representing agriculture in the future.

Along with the rest of the UPL NZ team, they wish them all the very best for their studies and for the future.

CRV New Zealand managing director James Smallwood is thrilled to welcome Coppersmith to the business.

“Lynda brings a unique combination of leadership experience, commercial insight, and strong people skills, along with a genuine commitment to understanding and supporting our farmer customers.

“We’re thrilled to have her on board as we continue to enhance our service to farmers.”

Jonathan Jamieson and Lucy Blakeman.

Lynda Coppersmith.

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