Canterbury Farming, December 2025

Top effort: Nova Natives nursery manager Jake Linklater is all smiles after taking out 2025 Young Horticulturist of the Year title.

Back to back for Canterbury

For the second year in a row a Canterbury nursery worker has taken out the title of Young Horticulturist of the Year.

] by Kent Caddick

Jake Linklater, nursery manager at Nova Natives in Templeton near Christchurch has taken top honours at the 2025 Young Horticulturist of the Year final in Karaka.

His win follows on from last year’s winning effort by Amberley nursery worker Anna England in the 2024 competition.

The judges for the competition, run by New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated (NZPPI) praised the 29-year-old Linklater for his high level of skill and his ability “to see things through a broad lens”.

Linklater swept the awards by also claim-

ing the Sector, Sustainability and Best Practice Awards. His success follows his earlier win at the Young Plant Producer of the Year competition in June, making this a remarkable year for the talented young professional.

This marks the second consecutive year a plant producer has won the prestigious title, following Anna England’s 2024 victory.

His role as a young leader in the plant production industry is one Linklater takes seriously and one he wants to develop further.

“Over the next few years, I hope to become a better and more natural leader. We have significant development potential here at the Nova Trust nursery and I would like

TAKE THE BEACH BACK TO THE PADDOCK

to build a team who are passionate to learn about plants and the industry.”

It was his second time entering the competition after first competing in 2023.

“I entered again as I want to challenge myself and meet other like-minded people from different parts of the industry,” Linklater said.

NZPPI Chief Executive Matt Dolan said Jake has done plant producers and nursery businesses up and down the country proud.

“Winning back-to-back Young Horticulturist of the Year trophies is a fantastic result that highlights the high calibre of talent in our sector.”

December 2025 Edition

30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast for over 25 years

The Incorporated Societies Act

There are about 24,000 incorporated societies in New Zealand and most of our sporting clubs, hobby clubs and other interest groups will be registered as incorporated societies under the Incorporated Societies Act.

] with bessie Paterson

LLb

] Ronald W Angland & Son

From the early 1900s until 2022 these organisations were governed under the Act of 1908. It is now essential that all clubs which intend to continue in their roles are re-registered under the new Act no later than 5 April 2026.

If a club does not wish to continue as a registered club it needs to appoint a liquidator or apply to be dissolved before 5 April 2026. If no steps are taken the society will cease to exist from 5 April 2026.

The new Act effectively modernises the law relating to Societies and clarifies the requirements for holding meetings and what

has to be raised at meetings, dispute resolution processes and other processes affecting incorporated societies.

The Society also needs to be able to confirm that it has a minimum membership of ten persons and a committee of at least three people. A contact person is also required and no doubt one of the committee would be a suitable person for that role.

If a society decides that it needs to continue as an incorporated society, the process will take some time to reregister under the new legislation. A draft constitution needs to be prepared which includes the statutory requirements including but not limited to the committee’s obligations and the resolution of disputes.

We’re investing in your electricity network Have your say on our plans

To continue providing the safe, reliable and resilient power supply that you depend on, we must invest more.

This includes renewing ageing assets, expanding capacity, and strengthening resilience. While this means a small increase in electricity distribution charges, you’ll benefit from a reliable and future-ready network. Visit haveyoursay.oriongroup.co.nz/cpp to share your thoughts.

This document will take some time to prepare, and some decisions will need to be made on the personnel who will be involved in the running of the club, in other words the club’s governance.

A meeting will need to be held where the members will be required to confirm the decision to reregister, approve the constitution and elect a committee for the club and any other essential matters which may have arisen during the reregistration process.

All new officers of the club will need to consent to their appointment and confirm that they are not disqualified from their roles. Under the new system officers of the Society will need to arrange for the storage of accounting records, the register of mem-

bers and any conflicts of interest.

Reregistration of the society within the statutory time limits is essential and on completion of reregistration the Companies Office will update the Incorporated Society’s Register and forward a new certificate of incorporation to the Society.

One of the essential matters to consider is that the incorporated society is a separate legal entity from its members and is required to meet its own liabilities which it incurs. Creditors cannot therefore look to a society’s members for a debt owing by the society.

This article has been prepared by bessie Paterson, a partner at ronald W Angland & Son, Lawyers, 2 Chapman Street, Leeston

Sheffield farmer elected to NZPork board

Canterbury farmer Sean Molloy has been appointed to the New Zealand Pork Industry Board, following the recent director election.

] by Kent Caddick

Molloy, who farms in the Selwyn district, will be a producer representative for NZPork’s Region 3, covering the South Island.

NZPork chair Paul Bucknell said Mr Molloy will be a valuable addition to the board.

“Sean’s family have been farming pigs for more than 40 years,” Bucknell said.

“He is a strong advocate for the industry and passionate about pig welfare, sustainable farming systems and advancements in technology.

“We are looking forward to the insights, skills and knowledge he will bring to the board table.”

Molloy’s Offaly Farms at Sheffield is home to 400 breeding sows, with the farm also growing its own barley as feed for the pigs.

Effluent from their stock is treated and used as fertiliser on their irrigated land.

Molloy has been elected for the period until 31 July 2028.

He replaces Nigel Young, who has stepped down as a director.

Elected: Sheffield farmer Sean molloy has been appointed to the New Zealand Pork Industry board.

The value of on-farm biodiversity

Biodiversity can deliver significant ecological, economic, and social value to farming operations.

] by Kent Caddick

In light of this the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (BPCT) is offering Banks Peninsula and Selwyn farmers the opportunity to realise the potential of their farm’s natural features.

BPCT was formed by farmers in 2001 in response to proposed changes to the District Plan.

BPCT programme coordinator Josh Foster said their Farm Biodiversity team can come on farm and work alongside farmers to understand the biodiversity values present on their land.

“We then work together to create a plan to protect and enhance that biodiversity, as well as increase business efficiency, production values and profitability, all while fitting into their existing farming system,” Foster said.

“The Farm Biodiversity team comes equipped with a high-tech drone that can map biodiversity, look into remote ecosystems and safely access difficult or isolated areas.

“Their dynamic online biodiversity platform provides visual, interactive and comparative data that allows farmers to drill down into paddock-level data, as well as understand catchment-level actions and impacts.

“Farmers are natural ecologists. They know the intrinsic value of their farm’s natural features. We come in as neutral advisors.

“We’re not regulations or rules-based, so whilst the advice we provide fits within local and regional regulatory frameworks, it’s designed to enable farmers to do what they want to do on their property, it makes use of their everyday and historical knowledge, and it respects their budgets, timeframes and priorities.”

BPCT’s Farm Biodiversity programme is a New Zealand-first and is funded by the Ministry for the Environment and operated by MPI.

“The programme combines academic and practical knowledge with actionable data and is designed to contribute to farm productivity and profitability.”

Farmers in the Banks Peninsula region, which includes parts of Selwyn district and the Port Hills, are eligible to access this free advisory service. You can get in touch with our team at: farmbiodiversity@bpct.org.nz

The BPCT Farm Biodiversity team are biodiversity specialists.

me the stats: An example of Farm biodiversity dashboard data.

Josh Foster is a conservation ecologist; James Wright has a degree in environmental Science and is also a geospatial consultant and Helena Quilter has a background in freshwater ecology and chemistry and is also coordinating the Trust’s community trapping network.

Information for this article was supplied by the banks Peninsula Conservation Trust. For more information about the Farm biodiversity programme and the Trust can be found at www.bpct.org.nz

Ready for flight: Farm biodiversity staff setting up for a drone survey, with landowner, Annabel Craw (right).

Show

Canterbury mirrored by the show

The Canterbury A&P Show has taken a hiding over the past few years but looking at the crowds and exhibitors this year, I think it is great again, and that it also mirrors our region.

] with rob Cope-Williams

In spite of rain on day one and a hailstorm on Saturday, the crowds poured through the gates and the atmosphere was just as it was years ago.

I felt the buzz from the moment I arrived, and the feeling of togetherness during the traditional Presidents gathering on Friday night was like a comfortable old favourite jacket.

President Brent Chamberlain, who was the fourth family member to hold that position, worked extremely hard to lead his team over the past 12 months and it showed.

Things just happened, for example the ring was very cut up by the horses, and while others were relaxing after a hard day, one of his team was out there rolling the area.

The exhibitors all seemed to be having a profitable time. I asked several about trade, and all said it was like old times, despite the so-called costs of living crisis

Having the warm glow that all is well, I let my mind wander about the rest of Canterbury and the glow intensified.

Rural Co reports that the cropping scene looks very solid, and that modern cropping is working very well.

We have become the leading region with respect to cropping so it is brilliant we have companies such as them in our corner.

Mind you, I can’t get my head around a chemical that they suggest which kills the bad bugs and lets the good ones survive.

The beef industry is booming, and wool has the eight ball within sight.

The irrigators all seem to be happy with water available despite a lack of decent snow, and the dairy industry still flies the export flag for New Zealand.

Remember when dairy conversions were the new thing? The people who scoff at it are very quiet now that we are a country leader.

Plus, the city is sharing positive vibes, new houses are popping up like mushrooms and people are smiling rather than having furrowed brows.

Be proud of Canterbury, we have turned the corner and have become the envy of the rest of the country.

booming Canterbury.

Lower on-farm inflation good news for farmers

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s annual on-farm inflation report shows prices for farm inputs fell by 0.6 percent in the year to March 2025.

] by Kent Caddick

The report shows the fall is primarily due to lower interest rates, while there were also modest decreases in some other input prices such as weed and pest control, fuel and fertiliser, lime and seeds.

“This is a welcome respite for farmers after a 30 percent increase in prices since 2020,” B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland said.

“An overall reduction in input prices, or deflation, is an infrequent occurrence.”

The report showed interest costs, which are a key driver of on-farm inflation, fell 13.9 percent, while the prices for weed and pest control and fuel also declined, by 5.3 percent and 3.7 percent respectively. Prices for fertiliser, lime and seeds also fell by 0.7 percent.

However, the prices for other inputs increased, with insurance and rates up 11 percent and electricity up nearly 7 percent.

Underlying inflation, which is the change in farm input prices if interest costs is excluded, was 1.8 percent in the year to March 2025.

Acland said farm-gate prices remain strong, and the outlook is relatively good.

“This is a positive change from recent years, when high on-farm inflation eroded profitability. This year, profits are expected to increase, even though total expenditure remains high.

“Overall, farmers have grounds for optimism, as over the last decade, consumer price inflation and on-farm inflation have both been over 33 percent,” Acland said.

The on-farm inflation report predicts interest rates for farm lending are expected to ease further and remain stable into 2026, providing further relief on debt servicing costs. However, it says any unexpected rise in inflation or global shocks could slow or reverse this trend.

RURAL MATTERS

Good times: The success of Canterbury A&P Association’s Royal New Zealand Show this year reflects a

Good news: b+LNZ Chair Kate Acland says a drop in on-farm inflation is good news for sheep and beef farmers.

Farmers doing their part in emissions reduction says survey

A new nationwide survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions but also gives them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.

] by Kent Caddick

The survey, conducted by Primary Purpose, found that 70% of New Zealanders say it is important that farmers and food producers reduce their emissions, with support stronger among urban audiences.

Nearly half (48%) believe farmers are doing well in managing emissions, while only 12% think they are performing poorly.

Meanwhile, 31% believe farmers are doing more to manage emissions than other industries, compared to just 8% who believe they are doing less.

The public also places equal responsibility for emissions reduction on farmers/growers, government, and the food industry (all at 79%), ahead of consumers (64%).

Primary Purpose partner Marc Elliott said the results present an opportunity for the primary sector to build on.

“The public clearly sees farmers as central to New Zealand’s emissions challenge, but they also acknowledge the efforts underway. This is a significant opportunity for the primary sector to continue leading while building public trust,” Elliott said.

“The findings suggest New Zealanders want a collaborative approach, with farmers, government, and the wider industry working together to meet climate goals.”

Key messages from the survey

There is a strong public expectation for farmers and food producers to reduce emissions, with 70% of New Zealanders saying this is

important, more so among urban and younger audiences.

A larger share of New Zealanders (48%) believe farmers and food producers are managing greenhouse gas emissions effectively, compared with 12% who see their performance as poor. Older respondents are more likely to view food producers’ efforts positively.

New Zealanders are more likely to believe that farming and food producers are doing more than other industries in managing emis-

sions (31%) compared to 8% who perceive they are doing less than other industries.

New Zealanders clearly identified a shared responsibility in reducing food production related greenhouse gas emissions.

Farmers/growers, Government, and the wider food producing industry received equal responsibility ratings (79%). These ranking higher than responsibility assigned to consumers (64%).

The results in the survey were from

Public trust: A new nationwide survey shows that public perception is that farmers and food producers are doing better than other industries at cutting greenhouse gas emissions. rangitata river photo by eCan

questions in a Primary Purpose Nationwide omnibus, an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1077 New Zealanders, over the age of 18. The survey ran between July 11 to July 21, 2025.

“For a 50% figure at the 95% confidence level, the margin of error for this size survey is plus or minus 3.1%,” Elliott said.

more detailed results are available at: www.primarypurpose.co.nz/news

] with Jo Luxton ] Labour spokesperson

] for Agriculture

Shifting investment into the productive economy

We need to grow the economy so that everyone benefits and back Kiwi businesses.

That’s why I’m proud to stand by Labour’s policy announcement for a simple, targeted Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

Farms and the family home are not included in this tax – in fact 9 out of 10 people won’t pay it, but everyone will reap the benefits.

Our CGT is designed to focus investment into the productive economy, and every dollar raised will be ring-fenced for health.

It’s time to reward people creating jobs and growing the economy, rather than property speculation, so our simple, targeted tax changes will make sure those profiting from property pay their fair share, leveling the playing field for Kiwi businesses and innovation.

The CGT applies only to profits made on residential investment property and commercial property, and will come into effect after 1 July 2027, and only when a property is sold. KiwiSaver, shares, business assets, inheritances, and any other personal items are exempt.

] with Steve Abel ] Green Party ] Spokesperson for ] Agriculture

Keeping farms productive, and fully exempt

Farming is vital to our rural communities and to the whole of New Zealand. That’s why I want to reassure our farmers that farms are exempt from this tax.

According to the legislation, farmland means land that:

• is actively being worked in a farming or agricultural business by the land’s owner, including accommodation for farm workers when it’s part of the business.

• is capable of being worked as a farming or agricultural business because of its area and nature.

This policy protects the future of our farmers while still encouraging investment into the productive economy as a whole.

Funding what matters: your health

One in six New Zealanders delay seeing their GP because they can’t afford it. When people

can’t get help early, health issues get worse, while hospitals get busier.

Getting people to the doctor before they end up in hospital is one of the most practical, and meaningful things we can do to reduce pressure on the health system and keep people well.

Building a more productive investment framework

Labour has also announced a Future Fund to support investment in infrastructure and innovative Kiwi business to create good, secure jobs and give people a reason to stay and build their future here.

New Zealand cannot continue to build prosperity through housing bubbles. That model doesn’t boost export income, innovation, or productivity growth. Instead, it leaves our economy vulnerable to a boom-and-bust cycle, where some are locked out of homeownership simply due to timing, while others make short-term gains.

‘New Zealand cannot continue to build prosperity through housing bubbles that leaves our economy vulnerable to a boom-andbust cycle.

New Zealand deserves a future where investment drives growth, where families can afford a doctor when they need one, and where our economy works for everyone.

A fairer tax system and free doctor’s visits for every Kiwi: and that’s what our plan delivers.

Line-in-sand against mining our most precious landscapes

The Luxon government’s extreme focus on extractive industries is a step backwards for nature and people, and goes against our core values as New Zealanders.

Mining promises a sugar hit for regions but the infamously boom-and-bust coal and gold industries come with a nasty cost.

They leave destroyed ecology, cratered landscapes, and a toxic intergenerational legacy of cyanide-laden tailings dams and acid mine drainage long after the jobs have dried up and the Aussie miners have repatriated the profits.

On the week submissions closed for making the fast-track laws even less democratic, the Greens drew a line in the sand on the most destructive forms of mining proposed in the fast-track approvals process.

That line stretches from the sandy ocean floor of Bream Bay to the sandstone cap on the Buller Plateau and out to the rugged, rolling hills of Otago.

We commit to revoke any consents or permits handed out under the fast-track process for coal, hardrock gold and seabed mining.

This will directly impact seven projects currently in line for fast-track including the mining of the unique Denniston Plateau and the seabed of the Taranaki bight.

It would also capture future gold, coal and seabed mining projects that use fast-track such as Siren’s prospective gold and arsenic mine in Takaka. These projects, if approved, will have been through a process that categorically fails to meet reasonable standards of transparency, accountability, and environmental responsibility.

We cannot mine our way to a liveable planet. We cannot live by the fallacy that exploiting and destroying nature is a pathway to human thriving. In 2025 we outlined in our Green Budget and Industrial Policy, how we would ensure the livelihoods of New Zealanders are based on renewable industries. We have shown we can employ tens of thousands of people in a way that doesn’t destroy the ecological basis of our existence for the profits of the few.

To the people in Taranaki, in Coromandel, in Takaka, in Otago, in Northland, on the West Coast, and everywhere else where local iwi, communities, and activists have stood in defence of our precious nature and fought these mining projects, in some instances for years, our announcement is to make it as crystal clear as the precious Springs of Te Waikoropupu that the Green Party of Aotearoa stands with you in defence of nature.

‘These projects, if approved, will have been through a process that categorically fails to meet reasonable standards of transparency, accountability, and environmental responsibility.

Beef tariff move welcomed

The United States Government’s announcement it will be removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef, is a welcome move according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association.

] by Kent Caddick

Chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand Kate Acland said they are still seeking clarification on the exact details of the decision.

“However, based on our initial analysis, it appears the US has removed the additional 15% tariff on our beef that was imposed under the bilateral tariffs applied across the board on the August 1,” Acland said.

“This means that our beef will go back to facing a tariff of less than 1% under our WTO country specific tariff rate quota and will restore a level-playing field with our key competitors”.

Chair of the Meat Industry Association Nathan Guy said the US is New Zealand’s largest beef market.

“This will be a boost for our exporters as it reduces the uncertainty they had been experiencing in the last few months,” Guy said.

“Since these additional tariffs were imposed, volumes of New Zealand’s beef and lamb to the US have decreased compared to last year, despite strong demand and firm prices.

“Since April, New Zealand beef imports into the US have incurred tariffs costs of over NZ$300million.

“Clearly the tariffs have been having an impact on US food inflation, so this is a sensible move to alleviate the pressure on US consumers.

“With US production at 70-year lows and consumption at record levels, the US needs our high-quality red meat.”

Acland said they hope the U.S. will also consider taking a similar approach to New Zealand lamb, which continues to face an ad-

ditional 15% tariff and has been experiencing similarly high prices.

“New Zealand is a complementary trading partner, being an important source of lean beef that is mixed with US domestic grain-fed beef to produce burger patties. It is also becoming an important sheepmeat market for high value premium cuts.”

‘Our beef will go back to facing a tariff of less than 1%. This restores a levelplaying field with our key competitors.

Tariff drop: Chair of the meat Industry Association Nathan Guy says since additional tariffs were imposed, volumes of New Zealand’s beef and lamb to the US have decreased compared to last year, despite strong demand and firm prices.

Nathan Guy Chair, Meat Industry Association

Interest rates have further to fall

New Zealand’s economy struggled over the first half of 2025. However, more timely indicators suggest that conditions are beginning to improve as we move towards 2026.

] with Andrew Wyllie ] Forsyth Barr

There are already pockets of strength emerging across the economy. Agriculture and hor-

Looking at off-farm investments?

ticulture are performing well, supported by firm global commodity prices.

Fonterra delivered a record NZ$10.16 per kilogram of milk solids for the 2024/25 season, with another payout exceeding NZ$10 likely for the current season.

When you are thinking about your investment options, talk to Forsyth Barr

To get personalised investment advice and portfolio management specific to your investing needs, talk to Investment Adviser Andrew Wyllie in confidence on (03) 365 4244 or email andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz

Farmers are expected to use some of this additional income initially to reduce debt. Yet, with another strong year anticipated, and a windfall from the sale of Fonterra’s consumer business, more of this cash is likely to flow through rural communities.

Tourism also continues to recover, with international arrivals now around 90% of pre-COVID levels.

While the rebound has been slower than in some other countries, the steady increase is helping to underpin regional economies.

By contrast, the picture in Auckland and Wellington has been more downbeat. Weaker construction activity, softer housing markets, and subdued consumer sen-

timent have kept growth on the back foot. The housing market is particularly impactful – with falling prices tending to sap confidence and suppress spending.

Reporting Season Update

New Zealand’s August reporting season showed ongoing challenges for many companies. Results were uneven, with continued revenue pressure, margin compression, and cyclical weakness.

On a brighter note, a number of firms reported that rising costs are moderating and that customer demand is beginning to stabilise.

Despite the challenging macro backdrop and mixed reporting season, the S&P/NZX 50 Index has gained +5.7% over the most recent quarter, as confidence builds that the worst is behind us.

There is increasing appeal in New Zealand’s defensive profile of high-quality, dividend-paying companies, particularly as interest rates continue to fall, which is starting to positively impact local stocks.

New Zealand economy remains sluggish

Interest rates have continued to fall, with the Reserve Bank cutting the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50bp at its latest meeting in Octo-

ber, and another 25bp rate cut expected to be announced on 26 November.

Borrowing costs for mortgages and business loans are easing further, offering some welcome relief to households and companies facing higher repayment burdens.

At the same time, lower rates are impacting savers. Returns on cash and term deposits may fall further, prompting some to reassess whether their money is still working hard enough.

With interest rates shifting, now could be a good time to review where your savings are parked – and whether other options might offer a better balance between risk and return.

If you would like to review your investments or discuss the market outlook in more detail, please get in touch.

This article was prepared as at 31 October 2025 and provides market commentary for the three-month period ending on that date. Andrew Wyllie is an Investment Adviser and Forsyth barr’s Christchurch manager. He can be contacted regarding portfolio management, fixed interest, or share investments on 0800 367 227 or andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz. This column is general in nature, has been prepared in good faith based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and accurate, and should not be regarded as financial advice.

Protecting your farm from Summer fire risks

As summer approaches, the risk of fire increases significantly. Fires can cause severe damage and loss to buildings, equipment, crops, and livestock, while also creating legal liability if they spread to neighbouring properties.

] with Amelia Kearney ] Helmores Lawyers

To help protect your farm from these risks, it is essential to understand relevant fire regulations, seasonal restrictions and ensure that you have appropriate insurance coverage in place.

In New Zealand, fire safety on farms is governed primarily by the Fire and Emergency

New Zealand Act 2017. These laws give authorities the power to intervene when serious fire hazards arise and require landowners to take reasonable precautions to assess and control fire risks.

A key part of taking precautions is understanding the fire season that applies to your area. There are three fire season types:

• Open fire season: Outdoor fires can be lit without a permit.

• Restricted fire season: Most outdoor fires require a permit and must comply with specific safety conditions.

• Prohibited fire season: No outdoor fires are permitted at all.

Before lighting any fire, always check the current fire season and if it’s permitted using Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s “Check It’s Alright Before You Light” website or phone service. This helps prevent accidental fires and protects properties.

Additional rules apply even in permitted seasons:

• Position the fire at least 100m upwind and 50m in any other direction from neighbouring properties.

• Burn only dry material (moisture content <25%).

• Check local regional rules, as extra restrictions may apply.

Unfortunately, even with careful fire prevention and compliance with legal obligations, accidental or unforeseen fires can still occur. This is where insurance plays a vital role in protecting you from financial loss. There are two primary types of rural fire insurance to consider for your farm:

Property Loss and Replacement Insurance:

This covers damage to or loss of property caused by fire, including homes, farm buildings, vehicles, machinery, crops, fences, and forests.

This type of cover helps you manage the

cost of repairing or replacing essential assets, allowing your farming operation to recover more quickly after a fire event.

Public Liability Insurance:

Fires can escape from your property and cause damage to third parties. Under New Zealand’s Forest and Rural Fires Act, landowners may be held liable for the costs associated with containing, extinguishing, and compensating for fire damage originating from their land, even when reasonable precautions were taken.

Public liability insurance protects you financially against claims by third parties relating to any fire expenses caused.

Insurance policies often include specific conditions – such as requiring fires to be supervised, limiting when fires can be lit based on fire seasons, and ensuring contractors working on your land carry their own insurance.

So, it is very important you follow these rules and obligations to ensure you are eligible for an insurance claim if fire damage were to occur on your or neighbouring properties.

In conclusion, taking the time to understand fire regulations, seasonal restrictions, and the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage is essential for managing the risks associated with rural fires.

Proper preparation protects your property, minimises financial stress, and supports the continuity of your farming operations should the unexpected occur.

] with Laura Wood

] LGW Accounting

Looking back, looking forward:

A reflection before the New Year

December is a rare month on the farm, a mixture of wrap-up, wind-down, and winding up for next season. It’s also a chance to pause and take stock. Not just of the stock in the paddock, but of all the decisions, challenges, and lessons that shaped the year behind us.

Taking even a small moment to reflect now can make a big difference to how you step into the year ahead.

This year, a few themes have emerged across many farms I’ve worked with. As we close out 2025, they’re worth keeping in mind going forward.

Take the time to check your foundations

Many farmers admit that things like budgets, cashflows, and business plans start out strong then get forgotten once the yard fills up and the season breaks.

But when the unexpected happens: a drop in payout, a failed crop, or machinery breakdown, those numbers are your safety net. If your budget is buried under paperwork or somewhere in your email, now’s the time to dust it off. Even spending 30 minutes reviewing it over a coffee can make the new year feel more manageable.

Don’t overlook the small leaks

In farming, a thousand small decisions often matter more than one big one. Rising costs

for feed, fuel, and admin expenses can nibble away at margins unless they’re tracked.

Make it a habit to review those regular, sneaky expenses. Not because every cent needs a spreadsheet, but because awareness keeps you in control. A business that knows where every dollar is going is one that can pivot faster when the environment shifts. Use this time to recharge, properly

This is often the hardest one. Farming doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas, and the cows won’t milk themselves. But it’s still important to carve out even a small stretch of time with family before the year resets.

Whether it’s a picnic by the river, a barbecue on the deck, or just a couple of days offfarm on a roadie, time with the people who support you matters just as much as time spent working. A rested farmer makes better calls. A connected family makes a stronger business.

Give yourself permission to think bigger

December is the perfect month to dream beyond day-to-day survival. What do you want the farm to look like in five years? How can you make next year less stressful? Do you need more help, more structure, or more balance?

These aren’t just business questions, they’re lifestyle questions and they deserve space.

As the year closes, don’t let reflection feel like a luxury. It’s a tool. This summer, take note, spend time with family, and set even one clear intention for next year. Because running a farm isn’t just about farming, it’s about building a good life.

Dealing with stress

How do you manage unhealthy stress? Awareness is key. The earlier you recognise the signs of unhealthy stress the better you’ll be able to manage them.

] Article supplied by Farmstrong Recovery periods are vital. Daily and weekly ‘down time’ is important as well as taking a holiday after really busy times.

Secondly, come up with a plan. Instead of trying to do everything, it’s about asking yourself what are the one or two top things I need to work on right now? Focus on them and park everything else.

Once you’re feeling back in charge and your stress levels go down, some of the other issues bugging you may disappear.

A way to cope with lots of demands is by reducing or delegating them to others. At what point would you consider it more than just ‘calving stress’ and be seeking help?

A general rule of thumb that a person is under unhealthy stress, is when their daily functioning and relationships are being impacted.

For example, if the person doesn’t seem themselves and shows ongoing changes in their normal behaviour and thinking patterns.

When we just keep going without a break from the ongoing physical or mental demands we are facing, our body finds it hard to keep up and the cracks begin to show.

A catch-up with your GP, a local counsellor, Rural Support Trust worker or supportive friend, can give you some ideas or a plan to get things back on track.

How do you prevent burnout?

When people are under pressure the things that disappear are often the things that keep us well and prevent us getting burnt out.

Continue to:

• socialise with other people

• exercise regularly

• eat well

• continue to learn

• contribute to the community

• get off the farm and do something you enjoy with others.

Building in enjoyable activities is really important. Those are the things that give us more coping space and keep us feeling on top of things.

For more on how to maintain your mental health wellbeing on the farm go to: www.farmstrong.co.nz. Canterbury Farming thanks Farmstrong for being able to reproduce this article.

Abundant Health Bettaflex

Super Joint Formula

BEST BUY!

$99.95 for 3 bottles free freight or 1 bottle for $36.95 plus $5.99 postage

60 Capsules per Bottle

What is Bettaflex?

• Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function.

• Bettaflex has 400mg (per capsule) of high-grade avian chondroitin, 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of BioSolve® bioavailable Curcumin (from turmeric).

• Try Bettaflex for 3 months and see for yourself.

How can Bettaflex help?

• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.

• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.

• New BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin helps joint function while gentle on the stomach.

• Research indicates that chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.

John Arts comments:

“My latest Bettaflex formula includes BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin for faster results. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend an initial higher dose for 1-3 bottles to saturate joint tissue.”

John Arts, Founder, Abundant Health

] with John Arts

Understanding osteoarthritis

Last edition I mentioned that I am regularly contacted by people with severe osteoarthritis. This is commonly farmers who have become restricted by knee osteoarthritis.

The pain and discomfort result in significant loss of mobility with joint replacement the only option. lack of mobility can cause a downward spiral of reduced exercise, weight gain and general lack of fitness.

Severe osteoarthritis needs intensive nutritional therapy. If medications and circumstances allow, I usually start people on a 12-week intensive programme involving 3 different supplements. These combined give initial doses of Chondroitin 1600mg, 100% water soluble (pepperfree) Curcumin 1200mg, EPA from fish oils 1000mg and Glucosamine 1600mg.

While Chondroitin is the most important, adding a 100% water soluble Curcumin (from turmeric) extract is very helpful due to its potent anti-inflammatory capacity.

For those living with severe osteoarthritis, regular supplementation with Curcumin has been associated with reduced joint pain, improved function, and less morning stiffness. Additionally, Curcumin’s antioxidative action may offer further protection by combating oxidative stress, a factor be-

lieved to accelerate joint deterioration in osteoarthritis.

Most Curcumin extracts need black pepper extract to be absorbed. This is because Curcumin is insoluble in water. Unfortunately, pepper extract can over time cause digestive upsets such reflux.

I previously used such an extract and had many having to cease Curcumin despite being helpful. A few years ago, I became aware of a new generation Curcumin complex that is 100% water soluble. This means it is gently on the stomach and absorbed better than standard curcumin as it does not need pepper extract.

I have many clients with severe osteoarthritis that are now more comfortable. While the arthritis remains, reducing inflammation and improving joint repair processes can make a real difference.

John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz

Major investment in time critical care

] Article supplied by Canterbury ] West Coast Air Rescue Trust

We hear how the community can help get these world-class machines in the air and meet one brave family who knows first-hand how the speed of the helicopter makes all the difference.

Tracey Whitwell has no doubt her son Garnett is here today because of the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter. She still remembers the day he lay limp in her arms as they raced for help.

Tracey and husband Harry were working on a dairy farm near Ashburton when their one-year-old son became gravely ill. A nut was stuck in his bronchi tube, the tube that takes air into the lungs, and it had become infected. At the time, Tracey and Harry had no idea.

“Harry and I had returned from milking the cows and sat down for breakfast. We noticed Garnett wasn’t quite right.”

Then Tracey noticed his breathing was a little shallow. They decided to take him to Ashburton Hospital. That’s when Garnett started going downhill, fast.

“By the time we reached hospital, Garnett had lost all colour and wasn’t responding to us.”

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was immediately called. Tracey could not believe how fast it arrived.

“Without the rescue helicopter Garnett would have died. It’s that simple.”

Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO Christine Prince says Tracey’s story is one they hear often.

“When a life is on the line, seconds count.

New state-of-the-art rescue helicopters will soon be taking to the skies.

That’s why we’re investing in a fleet of stateof-the-art H145 helicopters. These machines are faster with more life-saving capabilities than ever before,” Prince says.

The Trust has purchased three H145 helicopters to service Canterbury and the West Coast. The focus is now on raising $100,000 for specialist pilot training so they can get these machines in the air.

“The rescue helicopter is a critical link for rural communities. We’re asking our community to give generously to help us get these world-class helicopters saving lives as soon as possible,” Prince says.

Edward Fry is an H145 pilot. He says the H145 is going to revolutionise the Canterbury and West Coast rescue helicopter service.

“The H145 is hands down the best machine you can have for air ambulance work, and we’re going to have a whole fleet of them.”

The H145 is more powerful, providing increased performance and reliability. Its advanced avionics includes functions like auto-hover, which provides far greater stability. It can also be flown using Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) which means it can fly in more adverse weather.

For Tracey, the speed of the rescue helicopter, and how it saved her little boy’s life, blows her mind.

“We will never forget what the rescue helicopter did for us. It saved Garnett’s life.”

To donate to the rescue helicopter go to www.airrescue.co.nz/christmas, where you can hear more about Garnett’s story and learn about the difference the H145 will make.

Lifeline: The Westpac rescue Helicopter was vital in saving the life of young Garnett Whitwell.

When

Fry, Pilot, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

From quote to completion Bagrie has you covered

For their excavation, drainage, and foundation work more and more Cantabrians are turning to Bagrie Excavation & Drainage for quality work and reliability.

]

Advertorial by ]

Bagrie Excavation

& Drainage

Bagrie Excavation & Drainage, owned and operated by Scott Bagrie who is experienced in excavation, drainage, and foundation work, provides hands-on, reliable service from quote to completion.

“I am proud to deliver reliable, high-quality excavation and drainage services to Canterbury’s farms, homes, and building projects,” Scott says.

“We are locally owned and operated and growing steadily through strong word of mouth and repeat clients Canterbury wide.

“I believe in fast communication and honest pricing backed by one-person accountability with rural and residential expertise using modern, efficient machinery.”

Bagrie Excavation & Drainage services include foundations and site prep, drainage and soak pits, plumbing groundworks and service trenches, rural earthworks, driveways, cartage, and material supply, plus free quotes and practical advice.

Foundations

The ground is prepared to create a sturdy foundation for your architectural dreams. This involves digging, levelling and making sure everything is just right to create that sturdy foundation.

Bulk landscaping

Your yard would get a makeover turning a blank canvas into a masterpiece giving you an outdoor space you could relax in be proud of.

Arenas, foundations, farm work

We specialise in laying the perfect foundation for your all-weather arena. Don’t compromise on safety or drainage, get it built right from the ground up.

We handle all your rural and farm earthwork needs, from arena prep to farm tracks and essential drainage.

Site scrapes and yard clearing

Out with old in with the new by giving your yard a fresh new start. From demolition to tree removal, re-levelling and removal of concrete and asphalt.

Service installation

We take you from the stone age to the new age, working with local plumbers and electricians to get you the services that you require.

Driveway and path prep

The starting blocks to an exceptional driveway and or path entrance whether that be concrete, asphalt, bricks or gravel, whatever you need.

Drainage

Maintenance or new builds either way we’ll keep that brown heading on down.

Special Offer

Free on-site appraisal for Canterbury Farming readers. Just mention you read about bagrie excavation & Drainage in the December issue of Canterbury Farming.

For more information on what bagrie excavation & Drainage has to offer contact Scott Bagrie on 027 307 7308; email: bagries@gmail.com or view them on Facebook at bagrie excavation & Drainage.

bagrie excavation & Drainage owner/operator Scott bagrie is experienced in excavation, drainage, and foundation work for both rural and residential projects.

The right swimming pool or spa for you

With over 30 years of experience Pool Land is one of New Zealand’s leading providers of spas and swimming pools.

For the price of a family holiday, we can help turn your backyard into a resort that you can visit every day of the week for free.

The Canterbury company has over 30 years of experience in supplying and installing pools and spas, providing high quality results.

Based in Christchurch, with delivery options throughout New Zealand, Pool Land has a wide range of pools and spas which come in various sizes and model varieties, to suit your location and design requirements.

Pool Land provides flexible installation options, such as above-ground, in-ground or part in and part out of ground for the final pool configuration.

Pool Land manager Matt Lascelles says their high-quality Stern pools are Australian made, vinyl lined, steel walled swimming pools, which we have been supplying over the years to proud owners from Invercargill to Kaitaia.

“Our aim is to always provide our clients with high-quality products and services,” Matt says.

“Customer satisfaction is our priority, and we make sure our customers always receive the best customer service.

“We do this by working closely with our clients and understanding their needs and requirements. We believe that communication is key and ensure our clients are always kept in the loop throughout the entire process.

“We work around the clock to answer queries and with years of industry experi-

ence behind us, we only sell products we know and trust to be of the best quality and value to ensure you are always enjoying you pool and spa to maximum with the minimum amount of maintenance and hassle.”

Pool installation

Pool Land is able to provide a complete sales, installation, advice and maintenance service to Christchurch and Canterbury homes.

If you are not based in the Canterbury Pool Land can recommend a suitable installation contractor for your region.

Pool clean

Ask Pool Land’s friendly staff about arranging for your pool to be cleaned throughout

For the price of a family holiday, Pool Land can help turn your backyard into a resort that you can visit every day of the week for free.

the year in the Christchurch region. They can provide cleaning services on a regular basis (i.e. weekly, fortnightly or monthly) or as required.

As part of the pool clean service, we will test a sample of your pool water and complete a comprehensive water test on site.

The water test results can then be emailed through to you or we can action any dosing needed on site, saving you time and hassle.

Free water testing

Pool Land stocks a full range of Bioguard chemicals for both swimming and spa pools, and also offers a comprehensive free water testing service.

A monthly water test is recommended for all pools in order to keep the chemical balance correct and allow sanitisers to work at their best.

The results are fed into a computer program that prints out a report of which chemicals are needed to remedy any problems, and gives printed guidance about how to maintain the balance.

Why choose Pool Land?

• Experience and expertise

• Customised solutions

• High-quality materials

• Exceptional customer service

For more information give matt Lascelles a call on 03 365 6414 or visit the website www.poolland.co.nz

Be prepared for 3G network shutdown

As New Zealand prepares for the shutdown of its 3G network, Case IH and New Holland machinery customers are being urged to act now to avoid any disruptions from the move.

] Article supplied by CNH Telcos across New Zealand had announced plans to phase out 3G in favour of faster, more efficient 4G and 5G networks, with the final shutdown slated for the end of this year, December 31.

For farmers, it means machinery, equipment and systems that rely on 3G connectivity will no longer function after December 31 unless updated to 4G or 5G.

“For Case IH and New Holland customers, they need to check if their machines are running on a 3G device, which they can confirm with their local dealer. It applies to machinery that dates prior to 2023, as from 2023 onwards, the majority of our machines started coming with 4G modems,” CNH Head of Precision Technology Jeremy Duniam said.

“It’s important to look at this as soon as possible because once the 3G network shuts down and the 4G connectivity isn’t available within the machine’s modem, all the functionalities which are reliant on the connectivity will go dark.”

Duniam said customers should contact their local dealer to explore upgrade options, with Case IH and New Holland offering a range of heavily subsidised telematics device options to support the transition.

“These upgrades will ensure growers can continue running FieldOps without interruption, maintaining access to real-time data, remote monitoring, and precision farming tools that are critical to daily operations.

“For older machines with 3G connectivity, upgrading will provide more capabilities, more information and data, helping improve decision-making and the outcomes for farming operations through the FieldOps platform.”

Duniam said they’ve put a number of upgrade offers in place to support customers through this transition.

“Your local dealer can help identify the most suitable option based on your current setup and operational needs.

“There’s no doubt this is inconvenient for farmers, but it’s also an opportunity to reassess your current level of functionality and what it’s offering in terms of greater productivity and efficiency gains, and see if there’s a better option.”

He said the upgrade offer is available to customers until the end of December, supporting growers through the transition and helping ensure uninterrupted access to FieldOps as 3G services wind down.

Shutdown: Some farm machinery will be affected when New Zealand’s 3G network is shut down.

Building Smart in Rural Canterbury

Why local expertise makes all the difference

Supplied by David Reid Homes Canterbury

When you’re building on rural land in Canterbury, you’re creating a home that needs to work with the climate, the land, and your way of life. Each site has its own character, and getting it right takes local knowledge.

David Reid Homes Canterbury specialises in rural builds. With multiple award wins and decades of experience, Directors Carl Fordyce and Aaron Hooper lead a team that makes the process work.

Designed for Canterbury Conditions Rural Canterbury throws everything at a building: wind, sun, temperature extremes, and isolation from services. The team starts by getting to know the land itself.

“We spend time on every site before we start designing. Wind patterns, sun angles, views, access. These all shape how we position and orient the home.”

— Aaron Hooper, Director

The result is a home that sits naturally in its setting. Living areas maximise northern sun while managing summer heat. Outdoor spaces create sheltered zones even on exposed sites. Mudrooms handle the reality of rural life: boots, coats, dogs, and everything in between.

Sorting the Details

Rural builds require coordination across geotech engineers, surveyors, council consents, wastewater systems, and environmental overlays. The team manages these as standard practice.

“Every rural property has its own consenting considerations. We handle all of that, working with councils, ECAN, engineers, and surveyors so our clients don’t have to navigate it themselves.”

— Carl Fordyce, Director

Septic systems meet environmental standards while suiting the property. Stormwater management protects the home and land. Power and water connections are sorted early to avoid surprises.

Built to Last, Built for Living

Rural homes need to be solid and built for Canterbury’s conditions. Materials are selected for weather-tight construction, proper insulation, and finishes that age well. David Reid Homes Canterbury creates homes that balance rural practicality with contemporary design. Vaulted ceilings and large windows draw in light and the surrounding landscape.

Layouts are designed for real family living and entertaining. Awards are great, but the real measure is how well the homes work for the people in them.

A Partnership Approach Clients are guided through each stage with clear timelines and regular updates. The team anticipates challenges before they crop up and maintains quality throughout.

“Building in a rural area shouldn’t feel overwhelming,” says Aaron.

“Our job is to make it straightforward and deliver a home that exceeds expectations.”

Ready to start your rural build? Get in touch with Carl today on 021 0272 8839 or visit our website: davidreidhomes.co.nz

As experienced design and build specialists, we combine the latest building technologies with our award-winning expertise to create a home that reflects who you are and how you live, tailored to the conditions of rural Canterbury. The complete experience.

Wools of New Zealand signs agreement with leading Chinese manufacturer

Wools of New Zealand has signed a partnership agreement with a leading Chinese manufacturer as the company looks to grow demand in China and globally.

] by Kent Caddick

Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter said the signing ceremony with Anmao prior to the 36th Nanjing Wool Market conference was an important opportunity to strengthen customer relationships and promote the New Zealand wool brand.

Wools of New Zealand also renewed ties with two other companies, Saibosi and Yangxin Ruixin, in signing ceremonies before the conference.

“China is a very important trading partner and already purchases 40 to 50 per cent of New Zealand strong wool,” McWhirter said.

“That wool is used to manufacture carpets, rugs, bedding and many other products sold in China and internationally.

“Chinese manufacturers want to ensure they have a reliable source of high quality raw natural supply, and our customers want to work in partnership with a company that is owned by New Zealand sheep farmers.

“China has a significant manufacturing capability to produce products at scale.

Through working in partnership with Chinese manufacturers who supply some of the big retail brands in the US and Europe, we can access the rest of the world and promote the New Zealand wool brand.”

McWhirter said there is also a significant opportunity to grow sales of New Zealand wool products among the growing number of affluent Chinese consumers.

“China is a big market itself, with 1.4 billion people and incomes are rising steadily. We are working with a rug manufacturer to expand demand for wool rugs in the Chinese market.

“They are going into homes that have not traditionally had the product and connecting the natural wool product back to the New Zealand story and back to the farm. That is increasing demand.

“New Zealand strong wool is highly regarded internationally because it is whiter and brighter, of consistent high quality and has a finer micron than wools from other countries, providing more scope for use of colour and a luxurious, comfortable feel for flooring.”

Growth: Wools of New Zealand chief executive John mcWhirter says an agreement with Chinese manufacturers will help promote the New Zealand wool brand in the US and europe.

Understanding the causes and effects of Nitrate leaching

In this first column, I will focus on one of the most pressing issues affecting both productivity and the environment: nitrate leaching.

] by Dr Gordon rajendram

This problem has been developing for decades, yet many of the underlying mechanisms are still not well understood by the wider farming community. Before we can consider ways to reduce losses, we need to understand what is happening in the soil.

The starting point is soil chemistry. Soil particles carry a natural negative charge. Positively charged ions such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium are attracted to the soil surface and remain in the root zone where plants can access them.

Because nitrate is also negatively charged

and like charges repel, nitrate is not held by the soil in the same way, leading to leaching if not used by the plants. Once nitrogen in the soil is converted into nitrate, it can move through the soil profile whenever water is present, and once past the root zone, it’s pretty well gone. Rainfall and irrigation drive this movement downward, eventually carrying ni-

trate into groundwater or surface water.

This process is particularly problematic in pastoral systems because of the way nitrogen is deposited in urine patches. When livestock urinate, the concentration of nitrogen in that small area is far higher than plants can use.

Because the volume of urine creates a

significant water load, the nitrate begins its downward movement almost immediately.

The scale of loss varies with soil type, rainfall, stocking rate and management. This is not a question of poor farming practice. It is simply the reality of how nitrogen behaves in our soils. Nitrate that is lost from the root zone cannot contribute to pasture growth; it represents a wasted nutrient, lost productivity and increased input costs. At the same time, nitrate accumulation in waterways poses well-known environmental risks.

There are practical ways to reduce these losses, but we need a clear grounding in the science before exploring them. In the next column, I will discuss some solutions, so farmers can start to learn about what will work best on their land.

Canterbury Farming introduces Dr Gordon rajendram, a Hamilton-based soil scientist and independent fertiliser consultant with over 40 years’ experience helping farmers get the most from their land. Gordon spent 22 years at Agresearch’s ruakura research Centre, where he developed field-calibrated soil tests for nitrogen and sulphur and conducted a lot of leaching studies. He’s passionate about using solid science to help farmers understand their soils, boost farm efficiency and protect the environment.

Reduce your NPK fertiliser cost by 50%

IT IS understood that growing almost anything increases your soil acidity or lowers the soil’s pH. While Aglime easily corrects acidification the final target pH level for optimum nutrient availability is and always has been a moving target.

WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL PH AND WHY?

Your soil’s pH is one of the key drivers in making nutrients available to the plant. With a pH that is too low (< 5.5) trace minerals such as Aluminum become available which can heavily diminish growth or even kill crops. While the general consensus is that a pH of 5.5-5.8 is ‘good enough’, the science just doesn’t back this up.

The absolute building blocks for growth such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Sulphur and Magnesium, are not even close to their peak availability at a pH of 5.5 as shown in the table below.

As you can see a pH at 5.5 seems inefficient and illogical. However, a pH between 6 and 6.5 increases availability exponentially and even starts peaking across many nutrients.

“One aspect that has baffled us for years, is the apparent disconnect between fertiliser application and the availability or efficiency of the very nutrient being applied due to soil acidity.“

Almost every element of a fertiliser is represented in the nutrient availability table. When you are spending good money on fertiliser, you should be concerned if your advisors aren’t ensuring that the nutrient you are applying is at, or near, maximum availability. If they are not, you need to ask yourself why not? Maybe they have a vested interest in selling more fertiliser? One of the fastest ways to neutralise soil acidity and increase pH is to apply lime. Liming is relatively cheap, especially when you consider that a shift in pH could potentially double the efficiency of a fertiliser in both the short and long term. The fertiliser efficiency table indicates this point and goes some way to show how a capital investment in lime may affect your overall and ongoing annual fertiliser spend.

vanRoestel, J. (2014, March). The Value of Maintaining a Good soil pH.

NOT ALL LIME IS CREATED EQUAL

As a rule of thumb 1 tonne/ha of high quality Aglime will raise the pH by 0.1 pH unit. Therefore a 6 tonne/ha application is required to increase the pH from 5.7 to 6.3.

To maintain the optimum pH of 6.2-6.5, maintenance applications of at least 500kg per annum will be required.

The above rates are based on high quality Aglime – that means a lime equivalency or ‘as delivered’ Calcium Carbonate content of 90% or greater.

The particle size should meet New Zealand Aglime standards of 50% passing 0.5mm and no more than 10% passing 2mm to allow good even spreading and consistent

long term release into the soil. Consider solubility and ensure you are dealing with a limestone resource that has been proven to lift pH as expected. Talk to a few neighbours, they will know the history.

Keep in mind that many lime companies can create specific lime and fertiliser/mineral blends prior to dispatch to make your annual applications even more cost effective.

SOIL PH TESTING

It is vital that you have a comprehensive soil test done prior to any fertiliser application to show what other trace minerals are present. Talk to your specialist lime company today.

New app ups FAR’s info game

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) has expanded its range of information delivery tools to include a phone app that searches FAR research results to answer questions on everything from crop nutrition to cereal disease management.

] Article supplied by FAr

FAR Communication Manager Anna Heslop said the new app is a further development of the website search tool Ask FARAI which was released in August last year.

“Ask FARAI is an AI assistant developed to improve grower access to information on the FAR website,” Heslop said.

“When you Ask FARAI a question, you’ll get a summary of all information on that subject from the FAR website (and only the FAR website) along with a list of links to the relevant FAR information sheets and booklets.

“The FAR website has always been a goldmine of information, but until the introduction of Ask FARAI the sheer quantity of publications made finding answers to specific questions very time consuming.

“No matter how we tweaked search functions or tags, website searches were still bringing up lists of 50 or more relevant documents rather than seasonally relevant information for a specific crop and problem.

“Ask FARAI, both the online version and the new app, solves that problem. Simply ask a question and the tool reviews all publications on the FAR website before delivering

Heslop said that rather than creating the newly released app from scratch, the AskFARAI development team at Custom-D found a quicker and cheaper solution...building it on What’s App.

“It’s a neat trick taking advantage of a tool that many growers are already using every day.

Questions answered: Ask FArAI is an AI assistant developed to improve grower access to information on the FAr website.

“Users simply add the Ask FARAI phone number [+64 27 277 2536] to their phone contacts, and from there, to their What’s App contacts... typing their questions into What’s App, just as they would any other message or text.”

She said FAR is constantly seeking the most efficient ways to get information to arable farmers and that the new app is part of an updated digital extension strategy which also includes videos, webinars and virtual events.

a succinct summary, with links to the original documents, in a matter of seconds. It’s a game changer.”

“But, don’t worry, we’re still flat out organising field days and writing research updates and other publications as well. We just want to be sure that when it comes to delivering information, we’re using every method available to us.”

Reforms risk undermining pig farmers

New Zealand’s pig farmers are warning that proposed changes to the resource management system could undermine the future of local pork production.

] Article supplied by NZPork Hannah Ritchie, Environment and Planning Manager for NZPork, said the suite of reforms, ranging from freshwater management to rules around highly productive land and infrastructure, pose risks to the viability of pig farming and long-term access to locally grown food.

“Pig farming is a small but efficient part of New Zealand’s food system,” Ritchie said.

“It plays a vital role in supplying locally grown protein, yet it’s increasingly being squeezed out by urban expansion, land use conflict and regulatory complexity.

“These reforms place a strong emphasis on enabling housing growth, but they do not sufficiently protect the rural land base or long-term value of domestic food production like pig farming.

“New Zealand’s food security depends on policies that explicitly recognise and support the importance of growing food locally.

“We’re concerned that the current proposals could increase land use conflicts and gradually squeeze out farming, especially in areas already facing urban and lifestyle block expansion.”

She said more than 60 per cent of pork consumed in New Zealand is imported, often

to lower standards, highlighting the need for policy settings that support the viability of local pig farming.

“If the viability of the domestic pork sector is further compromised, consumers will become even more dependent on imported pork, much of it produced to lower animal welfare and environmental standards than are allowed in New Zealand.

“If we continue down a path where domestic food production is de-prioritised, we risk undermining the resilience and sustainability of our primary industries.

“Planning decisions must give weight to the importance of retaining and enabling local food systems – not just for today, but for future generations”.

Ritchie said while the Government has recognised the importance of protecting vegetable production under the proposed reforms, this principle should also apply to other lowimpact food production systems, such as pig farming.

“We understand the need for housing and infrastructure development. But this must be carefully balanced with the need to protect productive rural land and ensure New Zealanders continue to have access to locally farmed food.”

Conflict: NZ Pork says current proposals to change the resource management system could increase land use conflicts and gradually squeeze out farming, especially in areas already facing urban and lifestyle block expansion.

Cautionary tones remain

Wood fibre prices nationally and internationally have remained largely unchanged over the last month. Despite the most recent reports of poor economic performance in China, daily usage of our wonderful Radiata pine logs has been consistent.

] with Allan Laurie mNZIF

] Laurie Forestry Ltd

All of this tells me we are in a nice balance where wood usage in China is now in a more stable furniture and mouldings space. This compares to high price volatility over previous five years where the construction sector dominated with the China Government providing plenty of incentives to keep building apartments.

In that previous world, fortunes were made at about the same rate shirts were being stripped off backs. The consequences of that were harvesting contractors and transport companies in NZ were in a constant status of either over or under resourced

Whilst export log prices netted back to New Zealand remain slightly below preferred levels at present, they are both stable and predictable. This combined with a good demand profile across our domestic sawmills, means everyone goes to work each day not having to worry if they will still be doing that in a weeks-time.

The major wind-storm events in Nelson and Southland/South Otago are now seeing a production ramp up to recover fibre before deterioration. As at mid-November the biggest challenge facing us all appears to be finding Logging trucks or rather Logging truck drivers.

At time of writing I know of nine trucks in 3 companies sitting in yards for the want of a driver. One of the issues stated is finding competent and sober Class 5 drivers.

There have been many stories good numbers of applicants for driving positions but some struggling to speak through a drug infused haze or walk a straight line to the in-

terview, let alone drive a 50+ tonne Logging truck.

The New Zealand public can be comforted by the fact the forest industry takes safety and sobriety in the work place extremely seriously. We have a Log Transport Safety Council and a New Zealand Forest Industry Safety Council full of great people doing great work to the extent we now see an industry wide safety culture par excellence.

Across the China Eastern seaboard, daily Radiata pine log sales have been in a 5560,000 m3 band, slightly down on October levels. Radiata pine inventory levels are sitting at 2.7 million m3 up 150,000 since midOctober.

Cautionary economic tones remain the order of the day in China. The handbags at dawn spat over US/China tariffs seems to be abating with the illustrious (not) President Trump seeming coming to the realisation he is driving rampant inflation in to the US own economy.

This is the direct consequence of US consumers ultimately paying the tariffs, something most predicted many months ago. Clearly, Donald is not a good listener.

CFR settlements (the cost of logs landed at a China port in US$/m3) have remained flat in a US$115-118 per m3 band for most sellers. This can be cargo mix dependent with higher percentages of long logs in the mix attracting a higher price.

There has been an attempt by some New Zealand exporters to push prices higher. But the market fundamentals remain weak with buyers telling them to go away. The pressure certainly needs to come off with the margin between China domestic prices and NZ logs in negative territory at current CFR levels.

All of this means prices for logs delivered to New Zealand ports have remain largely unchanged in November. What might have been an increase due to a lower New Zealand dollar value against the Greenback early November was offset by slightly higher shipping costs. Indications are we could see increases in prices in December/January if the current slide in the Kiwi continues and shipping costs are starting to fall.

India fundamentals have remained unchanged. Demand is good, prices are stable and unsold inventory in bond is minimal. Current and planned vessel arrivals appear to be at or about current sales levels.

Unlike China, India is experiencing a strong economic performance. We are seeing a very slight increase in demand for logs and the mood is generally positive.

There is an air of anticipation the Free Trade Agreement is just around the corner. This will be very good news for the New Zealand Log export sector.

As always, please remember the thoroughly important message, it remains, as always, fundamentally important, the only way forward for climate, country and the planet, is to get out there and plant more trees”.

FarmTRX launches in New Zealand

A new player has entered the precision agriculture space this harvest, with Vantage NZ officially launching FarmTRX, an after-market yield monitoring system designed to give farmers modern capability without requiring a new combine or a major investment.

] Advertorial supplied by Vantage NZ

As machinery prices continue to rise, and many growers opt to extend the life of their existing fleet, FarmTRX arrives at a time when practical, affordable technology is exactly what the sector is asking for.

FarmTRX is a fully retro-fit system, meaning it can be installed on most combine harvesters, regardless of age, brand, or spec level. That alone makes it stand out in a category historically dominated by highpriced, factory-fitted packages.

Instead of needing a brand-new machine to get yield mapping, farmers now have a cost-effective bolt-on solution that delivers the same fundamental insights: where a paddock is performing well, where it isn’t, and what the underlying variability might mean for future decisions.

Vantage NZ spent last season trialling a demo system with a local customer, putting the technology through a real New Zealand harvest.

The results, the team says, were impressive for a system at this price point. Installation was straightforward, calibration was simple, and the data quality was consistent from the first run to the last.

For many operators, that ease of use is crucial. Harvest windows are tight, conditions are unpredictable, and no one has

FarmTrX brings modern yield mapping to the machinery farmers already own.

time for complex tech when the header needs to roll.

“What struck us immediately was how uncomplicated it was,” Vantage notes.

“FarmTRX did exactly what it said it would do. It delivered good data without requiring a huge amount of setup or specialist knowledge.”

The system records yield and moisture across the paddock and automatically generates maps that can be viewed and used for planning, proof of placement, or discussions with agronomists.

AFFORDABLE RETROFIT YIELD MONITOR

These insights, traditionally only available to farmers with high-end gear, can now be accessed by smaller-scale operators, contractors, and mixed fleets that previously couldn’t justify the investment.

It also fits a broader trend emerging across New Zealand. As the cost of upgrading machinery continues to climb, farmers are increasingly turning to after-market technology that boosts capability without the financial commitment of a new machine.

Retro-fit and modular precision ag solutions are growing rapidly in popularity, and

FarmTRX enters the market at exactly the right time to meet that demand.

For contractors, the appeal is just as strong. A simple, universal, affordable yield mapping system creates new opportunities to add value for clients while keeping downtime minimal.

For farmers, it means better information to guide inputs, rotations and long-term planning—without touching the core machinery budget.

Vantage NZ will offer installation, support, and service throughout the country, and expects strong interest from growers wanting a practical, accessible step into yield mapping this season.

FarmTRX may not be the flashiest new tech on the market, but that’s precisely its strength. It’s designed to be simple, affordable and user-friendly, all the things farmers consistently say they want more of.

And in an environment where every hectare counts, and every machinery decision is scrutinised, FarmTRX offers a way to get more from the equipment already sitting in the shed.

As the 2026 harvest gets underway, FarmTRX is set to become a compelling new option for New Zealand farmers looking to make data-driven decisions without the data-driven price tag.

Install on any age or model combine Instant in-cab display of live yield data on your iOS/Android device

Simple upload to the cloud directly from your phone - no SD cards

Automatic yield maps generated immediately after upload First Season of Automated Yield Mapping included

Priced from $6950 + GST (limited quantites available, normally $7950)

Complete kit with everything you need for self-installation

Pressure on global fertiliser demand

Global fertiliser markets are entering a new phase of contraction, as rising prices begin to weigh on demand according to new research from agribusiness specialist Rabobank.

] Article supplied by Rabobank

In its recently released Semi-annual Fertiliser Outlook, the bank’s RaboResearch division says affordability of agricultural fertiliser globally is clearly beginning to decline.

The outlook report said with agricultural commodity prices having largely remained stable since the start of the year, this decline in affordability is primarily due to an increase in global fertiliser prices.

Between April 2025 and the end of September 2025, fertiliser prices increased by approximately 15 per cent, RaboResearch said. Phosphates saw an increase of almost 19 per cent in the period.

While some regions of the world continue to show resilience when it comes to fertiliser demand, the broader trend points to weakening demand in 2025, and a more pronounced downturn in 2026.

RaboResearch analyst Paul Joules said with the “12-month moving average of the affordability index moving deeper into negative territory”, this confirms the start of a new downcycle in the global fertiliser market.

“This phase closely resembles the previous contraction, suggesting the market is entering a prolonged period of reduced consumption,” Joules said.

Urea consumption is forecast to decline in 2026, following a sharp price increase that has already triggered demand contraction, particularly in Brazil where farmers are

shifting to ammonium sulphate.

Phosphate prices remain high, leading to an expected four per cent drop in global consumption in 2025, with further declines anticipated in 2026. Chinese exports have fallen, while shipments from Morocco and Saudi Arabia have increased. However, overall trade volumes remain subdued.

Potash demand, which rebounded in 2024 due to lower prices, is likely to slow again in 2025 as prices rise. Brazil’s plans for record

imports may partially offset declines elsewhere, but, if elevated prices persist, global demand is expected to fall in 2026.

Joules said New Zealand farmers continue to face persistent inflation in prices of farm inputs, including fertilisers.

“However, looking forward, signs of cooling global demand alongside projected New Zealand dollar strength over the next 12-months, could help to ease prices,” he said.

Supply and demand: Urea demand is projected to decline in 2026 as high prices drive farmers, especially in brazil, toward cheaper ammonium sulphate, with bulk carriers now increasingly loaded with the alternative fertiliser.

On the rise: raboresearch analyst Paul Joules says New Zealand farmers continue to face persistent inflation in prices of farm inputs, including fertilisers.

It took Kiwis to think of it

New Zealand farmers had a bit of an issue. Insects were, and are, a serious threat to crops and productivity.

]Advertorial supplied by UPL NZ Ltd Crop protection chemistry was great. But how do you get the spray to stay where you wanted and avoid waste? Step up Elliot Chemicals (now UPL NZ).

Approved in 1996, Du-Wett SuperSpreader helps insecticides (and other crop protection products) achieve optimum coverage.

Insects by their nature are “all over the place”, Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, UPL NZ Ltd Adjuvant Lead, says.

“There’s not one part of the leaf that isn’t vulnerable to damage. Using Du-Wett with spray gets insecticides to all the places it’s needed – including leaves’ undersides. Many other adjuvants don’t get into all the nooks and crannies.

“At the same time using Du-Wett allows spraying at lower water rates which saves fuel and labour.”

How Du-Wett works is genius.

By reducing the surface tension, one spray droplet containing Du-Wett can provide up to 20 times the spread of the insecticide active compared to an insecticide applied without an adjuvant, and at least 6-8 times compared to a conventional, non-ionic adjuvant.

Pieter says traditionally the school of thought was that using more water would improve spray coverage.

“That’s not how it works. In reality, it’s wasting an important resource without getting any ROI.

“Water’s high surface tension doesn’t give the spread or coverage needed for optimal performance.”

Particularly with helicopter and drone application where low water volume is important, Du-Wett really comes into its own.

“With Du-Wett you cover a greater area faster, with a much-reduced water volume and still get better protection for the crop, without the risk of stomatal penetration.

Pieter says in addition, thanks to its composition, Du-Wett has a capillary action which transfers insecticides to the leaves’ undersides. Otherwise, insecticides will just drip off the tip of the foliage.

“That spray is lost, and the crop is exposed to damage.”

He says around 20% reduction in spray drift can also be achieved which potentially extends the spraying application window and delivers certainty of targeting.

Du-Wett is compatible with a whole range of commonly used insecticides including Sparta®, Exirel® and Aphidex®

He acknowledges that everyone is still cost-conscious right now but says Du-Wett will easily pay for itself.

“You get the most out of every drop of the spray. We get a lot of positive feedback on that.”

Pieter says it’s recommended that DuWett be used at 200 mL/ha for most insecticides, except for Attack® (then use at 300 mL/ha) and chlorpyrifos (recommended use 250 mL/ha).

Water volumes are 50-250 L/ha for ground applications and 50-100 L/ha for aerial applications. Optimum spreading and wetting from Du-Wett will occur between pH 5 and pH 9.

For more information on getting the most out of insecticides with Du-Wett talk to your local technical advisor or contact Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, UPL NZ Adjuvant Lead, at 021 392 740.

Du-Wett Super-Spreader helps insecticides (and other crop protection products) achieve optimum coverage.

] with ross Hector ] Aqualinc

Source water risk management

Source Water Risk Management Areas (SWRMAs) are becoming an increasingly important part of New Zealand’s drinking water safety framework, and for rural communities in particular, they can have real and lasting impacts on how land is used.

These areas are mapped around drinking water sources, whether bores, springs, rivers or lakes, and are designed to identify and manage activities that could contaminate those supplies. They are needed because protecting source water is the first and most critical barrier to ensuring safe drinking water.

SWRMAs give councils and large water suppliers serving more than 500 people a clear and consistent way to manage risks from land use, spills, microbial contamination and persistent pollutants.

Current regulations require these larger suppliers to identify SWRMA zones and manage risks within them to ensure water supply safety. Smaller drinking water suppliers are not currently required to define SWRMAs, but they still need to manage risks to protect their source water.

While the purpose of SWRMAs is straightforward, their practical implications can be significant, especially when a mapped area extends onto private rural land.

For landowners, an SWRMA can introduce limits on the types of activities that can occur within certain distances of a well or waterway used for drinking water. This might include restrictions on effluent disposal, chemical storage, certain farming practices or earthworks. If a water supply is new, or changes

in a way that alters its capture area, for example an increased rate of take or a deeper bore, then the SWRMA may also need to change. When that happens, the water supplier must approach any newly affected landowners. This is because defining a protection area across private property often requires landowner permission and may impose constraints on future land use.

Aqualinc has been involved with several projects where councils have had to negotiate with rural landowners to define SWRMAs and manage activities within them. These conversations can be challenging for all involved if expectations are not clear from the outset.

From a water supplier’s perspective, getting SWRMAs defined robustly is essential for meeting regulatory expectations and protecting public health.

Suppliers need confidence that the mapped areas accurately reflect how water and contaminants moves through soil, groundwater and surface catchments, and that activities within those areas are properly identified and managed.

But from a landowner’s perspective, the accuracy of the technical assessment is just as important. An overly conservative or technically flawed assessment of the SWRMA’s required size and shape can unnecessarily restrict land use, reduce flexibility for farming operations or affect development plans. This is why councils, and their consultants,

must ensure that the science behind SWRMA delineation, travel time estimates and catchment mapping, is robust and defensible.

In some cases, detailed groundwater modelling rather than default methodologies may be required to reach a robust conclusion.

As rural communities continue to grow and urban areas expand onto land that was previously farmed, requiring new drinking water sources to be established, SWRMAs will remain a key part of ensuring safe and reliable supplies. But with that comes a responsibili-

ty to balance protection of source water with fairness to landowners whose properties fall within these areas. For those living and working on rural land, it is worth being aware of proposed water supply developments nearby, especially where new bores are planned close to property boundaries.

Early engagement, sound technical work and clear communication can help avoid issues later and ensure that both safe drinking water and productive rural land use can continue side by side.

SYSTEMS REMOTE MANAGEMENT PRECISION VRI

IRRIGATE WITH CONFIDENCE.

IRRIGATION

BY LINDSAY

Positive displacement solids handling pumps & effluent screening / separation equipment from Germany

Accurately control flow-rate to dose screened effluent into irrigation mainlines.

local dairy pumps

Vaughan’s pump will handle raw effluent with ease, even that containing problem solids like rope, twine, or eartags.

These American made extreme duty pumps are commonly used for heavy industrial, or municipal wastewater pumping.

On farm they are great for:

• Raw effluent

• Saucer pump-out

• Saucer/pit mixing

• Flows up to 2,000m3/hr

Separate solid from liquid & produce high quality dry bedding materials from raw dairy cow effluent for barn operations. The RotoSieve rotating drum screen from Sweden is designed to effectively separate

The

Jim Vaughan invented the first chopper pump in 1960 after working on

in his repair shop.

Passion for supporting NZ farming

Irrisource is the New Zealand dealership for the premier Chinese pivot brand, Irritech.

] Advertorial supplied by ] Irrisource Ltd

While being quite a new company, the directors of Irrisource have over 40 years of combined experience in all areas of irrigation, such as irrigation design, pumping installation and maintenance, pivot design, build and maintenance, solid set irrigation, hard and soft hose irrigation and other types of spray irrigation, as well as a broad knowledge of pipes, parts and components across the irrigation board.

The initiative behind Irrisource is the directors’ passion for supporting New Zealand farming. Irrisource was created to source and provide quality irrigation options that are more affordable.

Irrisource is primarily involved in the supply of Irritech pivot irrigators for new and replacement installations, for the re-piping of existing pivots (this involves replacing the pipes and joints with new, either standard or poly-lined pipes and joints) and the supply of Irritech pipes, parts and components.

Irrisource can also provide pivot power cables, PVC mainline and spray irrigation options for pivot corners. Irrisource can put it all into a comprehensive irrigation design and are flexible with the installation of projects depending on the client’s needs, expertise, budget and timeframes.

In order to ensure the quality, consistency and availability of the products Irrisource has chosen to endorse, we went to the factory in China and met with the owners. The scale of the operation and warehouses was impressive, the place was clean, tidy and well organised, the quality control was ongoing with daily checks on standard products and the product performance testing was being carried out on numerous products.

Overall, the two things that impressed us the most were the attention to detail and the innovation, some of which we could see had already been implemented and others in trial stages. This gave us a great deal

of confidence that they would continue to grow, innovate and improve in the years ahead.

Irritech export their pivots to many countries around the world including the USA and Australia. They pride themselves in using quality products, such as genuine UMC and Komet products (they are registered agents for these products in China). They use honeywell microswitches (USA) and Schneider contactors in their tower boxes.

Under standard conditions the pipes and steel parts have a 10-year warranty, there is a 5-year warranty on the sprinklers, 3 years on the UMC motors and gearboxes and 2 years on everything else.

Irrisource is primarily involved in the supply of Irritech pivot irrigators for new and replacement installations, for the re-piping of existing pivots and the supply of Irritech pipes, parts and components.

Irrisource is the New Zealand dealership for the premier Chinese pivot brand, Irritech.

Experts in liquid waste management

On the farm, waste is part of the job but leaving it to build up can slow you down and damage your land.

] Advertorial by ] Robson Environmental Services

Robson Environmental Services is the company farmers call for effluent pumping, spreading, and disposal right across Canterbury.

Robson Environmental, which is based in Rakaia and Hornby, is a family business, started by Murray Robson in 1975, and now run by his sons Justin and Keiran. When you deal with them, you’re talking straight to the owners.

Keiran Robson said for more than 50 years we’ve been out there in Canterbury, tackling waste jobs of every size and shape.

“Septic tanks, effluent ponds, grease traps, sumps, spill clean-ups, we’ve seen, and emptied, it all. No site is too remote, no job too messy, and we don’t stop until it’s done right.

“What sets us apart is simple: the right gear, decades of know-how, and a crew that doesn’t muck around. We work to Environment Canterbury standards on every job, because looking after the land and the community matters just as much as getting the job done,” Justin said.

“We’ve got the trucks, tractors, tools, and know-how to deal with big volumes, tricky sites, and tough conditions, keeping paddocks productive and systems running smoothly.”

The work has diversified over the years with Hydro Excavation and Jetting trucks being added to the fleet along with four tractor tankers used for servicing dairy operations.

From one-off callouts to ongoing maintenance programmes, Robson Environmental Services has it covered.

Farm effluent removal and spreading

Managing effluent is a big part of running a farm, and it needs to be handled properly.

Robsons take care of the pumping, removal, and spreading so nutrients go back into the soil where they belong, helping you

grow healthy pasture for your stock. Their heavy-duty tankers are built for the job, and every service is carried out with proof of placement for your ECan records, so it’s safe for your farm and the land around it.

Also, over time, ponds and effluent systems build up with sludge that slows everything down and creates costly problems. From desludging effluent ponds to cleaning out sumps and holding tanks, they’ll get your system back to full capacity.

Septic tank cleaning

Tanks don’t stay clean on their own. Over time, solids, sludge, and waste build up,

From desludging effluent ponds to cleaning out sumps and holding tanks, robson environmental Services will get your system back to full capacity.

cutting capacity and risking damage to your system.

Robsons handle tank cleaning with the right equipment and know-how to clear it out fast and properly.

Environmental compliance

Keeping on top of environmental rules can be a headache, but it’s not something you can afford to ignore.

Robsons take the stress out of compliance by making sure your waste systems, records, and processes line up with industry standards and spreading records via the Tabula tracking system.

Fonterra payments up $3.8 billion

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has released its FY25 annual results which show the Co-op generated $26 billion in revenue and delivered $16.2 billion in total cash returns to shareholders.

] by Kent Caddick

The results show Fonterra has delivered strong performance in FY25, with Total Group reported operating profit increasing to $1.7 billion, up from $1.5 billion the year prior.

The final Farmgate Milk Price for the 2024/25 season was $10.16 per kgMS, equating to $15.3 billion in milk payments to New Zealand farmers, up $3.8 billion on last year.

The Co-op also announced a FY25 full year dividend of 57 cents fully imputed, and at the upper end of its dividend policy, equating to $916 million of cash to shareholders and unit holders. This is comprised of a 22 cent interim dividend and 35 cent final dividend.

CEO Miles Hurrell said FY25 has been one of the Co-op’s strongest years yet in terms of shareholder returns.

“We continue to see good demand from global customers for our high-quality products made from New Zealand farmers’ milk and this is driving returns through both the Farmgate Milk Price and dividends,” Hurrell said.

“Our vision is to be the source of the world’s most valued dairy. Our strategy is designed to grow end-to-end value for farmers by focusing on being a B2B dairy nutrition provider, working closely with customers through our high-performing Ingredients and Foodservice channels.

“During the year, we’ve taken important steps towards this goal, including running a robust divestment process for global Consumer and associated businesses. This resulted in an agreement to sell the businesses to Lactalis for $4.22 billion, subject to approvals.

Increase: Fonterra has revised its forecast milk collections for the

“We’re also positioning the Co-op to deliver further value through our Foodservice and Ingredients businesses, including continuing to invest in new manufacturing capability to meet growing customer demand for our highvalue products.

“We have a pipeline of potential growth investments we’re assessing, with plans to invest up to $1 billion over the next three to four years in projects to generate further value and drive operational cost efficiencies,” Hurrell said.

The Co-op has revised its forecast milk collections for the 2025/26 season from

1,490 million kgMS to 1,525 million kgMS.

“Favourable weather conditions experienced during the previous season are forecast to continue through spring, supporting pasture growth,” Hurrell said.

The 2025/26 forecast Farmgate Milk Price is $10.00 per kgMS with a range of $9.00 – $11.00 per kgMS.

“Global Dairy Trade prices continue to be robust, as does demand from customers for our products sold off GDT. However, the risk of potential volatility in commodity prices and exchange rates from geopolitical dynamics remains.”

‘Favourable weather conditions are forecast to continue through spring, supporting pasture growth

Miles Hurrell Fonterra CEO

Electrical problems or maintenance?

Use our unrivalled industrial electrical service for:

• Dairy sheds and irrigation

• Power reticulation

• Effluent control

• Dryers, conveyors and generators

• Switchboards and central supplies

Nairn Electrical, proudly

] with Peter burton

Keys to unlocking rich summer pasture production

As some would claim, summer pasture performance is not just down to when and how much it rains.

Grasses go to seed over summer; it’s simply their reproductive time which is determined by soil temperature and sunlight hours.

No amount of topping or close grazing will change that process, and the addition of synthetic nitrogen makes little if any difference to total feed grown.

The first key to unlocking and influencing summer pasture performance is the ability to grow clover.

The condition that favours clover is higher plant available calcium levels as clover contains around three times the calcium of grasses.

A mature clover plant often contains around 2% calcium while grasses seldom contain more than 0.7%.

That’s important because rapidly growing animals require extra calcium for bone growth. Experienced lamb fattening operators know that clover dense pastures provide superior animal growth rates.

Soil temperatures above 20℃ are ideal for strong clover performance provided extra calcium is made available. High quality ag.lime can lift availability quite quickly given enough moisture.

Functional Fertiliser provides CalciZest, a product containing high quality lime mixed

with soft carbons inoculated with a wide range of soil friendly fungi and bacteria which ensures even more rapid plant uptake.

Clover is more digestible than grasses between now and autumn which means animals can eat more kilograms of dry matter in their naturally allotted grazing time.

The upside is higher milk production and an increase in weight for fully fed animals. As clover nearly always contains more soluble sugars as measured by brix, grazing is even with uniform regrowth.

There’s a school of thought that calcium is also important for body temperature regulation resulting in animals requiring less shade during the hottest time of the day.

The dung of animals grazing clover rich pasture is pastier and breaks down rapidly providing essential nutrient for rapidly growing plants.

Clover being a legume fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere. and the air we breathe contains 78%. There is no shortage; it’s the ability to make it available for plant growth that is unique to legumes, a process yet to be replicated.

Prior to the use of synthetic nitrogen there is data from MAF research units showing

pastures growing sustainably more than 18 tonne of drymatter annually, and yet production from top quality permanent pastures seldom exceeds 13 tonne today.

Work undertaken at Ruakura Research Station showed a marked decline in the amount of nitrogen fixed by clover when synthetic N was applied.

Fixing nitrogen naturally is highly efficient and research in the Bay of Plenty shows minimal leaching losses of nitrogen to ground water where nitrogen is provided solely by clover over the growing season.

To provide further support and historical context for the pursuit of legume abundance, the term “in clover” is synonymous with comfortable, moneyed, and prosperous.

A further and oft debated key to summer growth is grazing intervals. After many years of practical experience, we advocate a genuine 30-day grazing interval over summer.

This means a single grazing each month prior to the arrival of autumn rain, typically arriving in the first week in March.

For more information call Peter on 027 495 0041.

Unlocked: Clover-rich summer pasture.

Preparing for the next weather event

New Zealand’s wild weather is unpredictable, but one thing is certain, there will be more of it.

] by Campbell Parker

] DairyNZ Chief Executive

Over the past decade farmers have faced flooding, drought, damaging winds, snow, and cyclones.

The destructive wind in Southland in October is just the latest example. It led to a state of emergency with around 50,000 people without power at the height of the storm, and more than 500 dairy farms without immediate power generation.

The next weather event is not if but when.

That’s why it’s so important to prepare now because how well you prepare will help determine how quick you recover.

Having a farm business continuity plan is essential. We have a handy guide on the DairyNZ website which walks through the steps on preparedness, what to do, and who to contact during a severe weather event.

Having operating procedures in place is the first step, so everyone knows in the event of an emergency where to meet, who needs to be accounted for, and where to get help. Make sure staff are trained, are aware of emergency procedures, and have a contact list ready.

Having a reliable back-up power source is critical – whether that’s a generator on-farm or a community-based generator. Checking they are working on a regular basis and available to use is important.

Make sure you have reliable mobile and internet connections. Consider using a service like Starlink if traditional networks go down.

Emergency packs should be ready to go, with food and water regularly checked so you have enough resources to last for a few days.

Farmers are busy and this can seem to be another costly item to add to the to-do list. The effects of not being prepared can be devastating from managing the impacts of lost

power and keeping animals healthy. That affects your business and your livelihood, and it can take a huge physical and mental toll.

Being prepared means you can recover quickly and get back to business as usual as quick as possible. It means having peace of mind, and it means you can help your neighbours and communities.

A Southland farmer recently shared with us how being prepared helped her during October’s severe weather.

She had generators for each shed, staff trained in generator use and had plans in place for any disruption to milking.

AGRI-SHELL

For her that meant that no milk was dumped and no change in staff hours and rosters. It might sound simple, but it can make a significant difference.

DairyNZ is here for you now and in an emergency. We are working to strengthen our farm systems so we can future-proof the way we farm.

There are some wonderful tools and resources to help you get ready and our regional teams are on the ground to help review plans and share knowledge.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

‘being prepared means you can recover quickly and get back to business as usual as quick as possible. It means having peace of mind, and it means you can help your neighbours and communities.

Campbell Parker DairyNZ Chief Executive

Crushed Mussel Shell For Raceways

A strong outlook for sheep and beef

We are experiencing a true Canterbury spring, with strong Nor Westers interspersed with regular cold snaps, whilst workloads on farms throughout the region are cranking up with tailing and tractor work getting underway.

] by Nicky Hyslop

] Director B+LNZ

A reminder to farmers establishing next winter’s forage crops, please consider factors such as shelter, proximity to waterways and critical source areas, the provision of standoff areas and headlands.

Winter grazing practices have improved enormously in recent years, but we want to continue to demonstrate that we do our best to protect our natural resources and animal welfare over the winter months, and this starts at crop establishment.

Anecdotally, lambing appears to have gone well and there appears to be a lot of lambs running around, so hopefully we will see some good tailing tallies.

Farmers are expected to be rewarded for their hard work this season as according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s recently released New Season Outlook, both product

prices and demand remain strong, supported by international market conditions. This is despite tariffs and volatility.

Average farm profit before tax for sheep and beef farmers in Marlborough-Canterbury is expected to rise 22 percent to $145,400 per farm, with finishing breeding farms averaging $161,500.

B+LNZ’s New Season Outlook comes just weeks after the organisation released its June 30 Stock Number Survey.

While it showed a 2.3 percent decline in ewe numbers in the Northern South Island region to 2.733 million head, the total number of hoggets on farm was up 14.7 percent, leading to an overall increase in total sheep numbers by 3.8 percent to 5.445 million head.

This is likely due to farmers rebuilding stock numbers after last year’s drought and taking advantage of strong product prices.

Total beef cattle numbers increased 9.5 percent across the region to 807,000 head, with breeding cow and heifer numbers up 4.6 percent to 227,000 head.

Across the country, the number of breeding ewes continues to decline, down 1.9 percent, and the lamb crop is forecast to be 0.6 percent lower this season – that’s nearly 120,000 head fewer, on top of a 1.5 million reduction in lambs last year which is worrying. This will only exacerbate already tight supply.

Our sheep and beef industry continues to lose land to forestry, and this is creating ongoing concerns about our sector’s longerterm viability.

We cannot double exports if our best farmland has been planted in pine trees for entry into the ETS. While the Government has introduced some restrictions on whole-farm conversions, we’re not sure these will be enough to slow the rate of productive sheep and beef land being lost.

Behind the farm gate, drench resistance is a real threat to productivity and profitabili-

ty, particularly in intensive lamb finishing operations.

I encourage all sheep and beef farmers to get along to a B+LNZ Wormwise workshop to learn how to take a farm system approach to parasite management.

Keep an eye on the events page on b+LNZ’s website for workshop locations and dates.

Good value but headwinds looming

New Zealand red meat prices are at record levels and are forecast to remain strong throughout the coming year. That’s according to the New Season Outlook for 2025–2026 from Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

] by Kent Caddick

B+LNZ board chair Kate Acland said the outlook is positive, with tight global supply keeping demand high.

“Even with tariffs being imposed by the United States, New Zealand is still benefiting from robust international demand, particularly from the US, Europe and the UK,” Acland said.

“Consumers in those markets are paying more for beef and lamb, despite high inflation, which is helping hold prices up.

“Farmers have reason to be optimistic, but also every reason to keep planning carefully, benchmarking performance, and reinvesting in areas that will carry their businesses forward.”

Despite lower export volumes, earnings for New Zealand’s core red meat exports are expected to rise by $1.4 billion, to $10.5 billion, for the 2024–2025 season (year ending September).

Export returns for the coming 2025–26 season are forecast to hold steady, easing by only half a percent compared to 2024–2025. This reflects both the strength of global demand and the limited supply of sheep and beef product available worldwide.

“Lower forecast sheep exports by Australia in late 2025 are expected to further support sheepmeat prices,” Acland said.

“Strong US red meat demand is more than enough to absorb beef from both New Zealand and Australia, and Brazilian beef supply is also expected to remain tight.”

The New Season Outlook shows that high global prices are flowing through to farm gate returns, with profitability much improved over the past year.

Price surge: Despite lower export volumes, earnings for New Zealand’s core red meat exports are expected to rise by $1.4 billion, to $10.5 billion, for the 2024–2025 season.

The 2023–2024 season was one of the toughest since the Global Financial Crisis, with average farm profit before tax dropping to $18,914 and 40 percent of farms running at a loss.

In 2024–2025, profitability rebounded to $138,600 and in the coming season 2025–2026, average farm profit before tax is expected to increase further to $166,500.

Lower interest costs, strong livestock prices, better seasonal conditions and more fertiliser applied in 2024–2025 are contributing to improved farmer confidence and reinvestment.

Sheep and beef farmers are forecast to generate $7.2 billion of value on farm this coming season, spending around $15.5 million every day on goods and services in our local communities.

Prices across all wool types, except lambs’ wool, are projected to increase for the 2025–2026 season, nearing the cost of shearing for most farmers.

Fine, medium and strong wool are each forecast to rise 2–3 per cent. This is driven by solid demand from China and India, fewer sheep, and the multi-year trend of self-shedding sheep reducing supply.

However, despite the positives, Acland said there are also many global headwinds and significant risks to navigate.

“The 15 per cent tariff now applying to all New Zealand exports heading into the US could strip nearly $500 million from red meat sector earnings in a season.

“The US lamb industry is also continuing to push strongly for higher tariffs on New Zealand imports, while Chinese authorities are

‘

Tariffs, currency swings, and ongoing land-use change to forestry could all chip away at the gains.

undertaking a safeguard investigation into beef imports.”

Acland said other risks include a stronger forecast for the NZ dollar, which could eat into export values, and the continued loss of productive farmland to carbon forestry.

“Tariffs, currency swings, and ongoing land-use change to forestry could all chip away at the gains.

“If afforestation trends continue, even with the proposed legislative changes, by 2050 the country could forgo nearly $36 billion in red meat exports, weakening New Zealand’s economic resilience, export earnings and workforce participation.”

Information for this article was supplied by beef + Lamb New Zealand. To read the full report go to: beeflambnz.com

Kate Acland B+LNZ board chair

Driving change in quad bike safety

The Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety, according to a new report.

] by Kent Caddick

Findings from the industry-led programme, instigated by Rabobank and run by Safer Farms, show that more than 130 farm businesses installed CPDs through the scheme, which reduced costs by up to 75 per cent.

Safer Farms chair Lindy Nelson said the initiative has sparked a wider call to action among farmers.

“There was a very high uptake, particularly from smaller farm businesses,” Nelson said.

“Importantly, CPD retailers Trax Equipment and Quadbar, who partnered with us, have both seen an increase in inquiries and sales since the campaign. It’s clear farmers want safer quad bikes, but cost has long been a barrier. Safer Rides helped remove that barrier.

“Safer Farms’ Farm Without Harm strategy and initiatives like Safer Rides shows the sector is mobilising to design harm out of farming and build safer farms.”

Sixteen people lost their lives in agricultural accidents in New Zealand during 2024 and many of those incidents involved ATVs or quad bikes. From January to August 2025, another seven fatalities have been notified to WorkSafe.

Launched in June 2024, Safer Rides proved so popular it was oversubscribed within 36 hours, with the initial 110 $400 vouchers quickly snapped up.

Safer Farms then secured further fund-

ing to extend the scheme, with retailer discounts taking the cost of installation down by as much as three-quarters.

According to the report, 56 per cent of applicants were sheep and beef farmers, and 35 per cent from dairy. Overall 84 per cent did not already have a CPD fitted.

Nelson said many farmers referenced close calls and accidents as the reason they acted.

“Applicants wanted to protect themselves, their families and staff. A number referenced specific incidents and near-misses that brought urgency to the decision.”

Canterbury arable farmer David Clark used Safer Rides to get a CPD fitted to one of his farm’s two quad bikes and is now getting one fitted to the second at full cost.

“I have rolled a quad bike before and it was the roll bars on it that stopped the quad coming down on top of me, so I do think they are very important,” Clark said.

“We find they do not impact at all on the serviceability of the bike. I’m very grateful to the sponsors and Safer Farms for helping to set up the initiative.”

Safer Farms is now exploring a second phase of Safer Rides.

“Phase one focused on lowering the cost of CPDs to achieve immediate change in farm safety,” Nelson said.

“Phase two will look more broadly at informing, educating and incentivising safer quad bike use, as well as ATV and side-byside vehicles.”

Safer: Canterbury arable farmer David Clark used Safer rides to get a crush protection device fitted to his quad bike.

Power Farming to sponsor NZDIA

The NZ Dairy Industry Awards says it’s thrilled to announce Power Farming has joined the awards programme as a national sponsor.

] by Kent Caddick

Entries for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) close on December 5.

NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon said Power Farming, a leading farm machinery specialist, is an iconic company well known by New Zealand dairy farmers, so it is a great fit to bring Power Farming into the NZDIA National Sponsor family.

“The awards programme and its success is reliant on sponsorship partnerships, so it’s great to secure another high-profile national sponsor,” Congdon said.

“Power Farming is a well-known brand across New Zealand that our award entrants and alumni know and respect, so we are thrilled to sign them as a national sponsor, which is a significant commitment.”

The highlight of this new partnership is an incredible prize for the National Share Farmer of the Year runner-up, who will win the use of the Kioti HX 130-140hp tractor for a whole year, thanks to Power Farming.

“It’s a fantastic prize to add to our substantial prize package that is shared across our National Share Farmer category. Who wouldn’t be excited about winning a Kioti HX tractor for a year, I know I would be.”

Power Farming Chief Executive Tom Ruddenklau said at Power Farming, they’re passionate about supporting the people who keep New Zealand growing.

“The National Dairy Awards shine a light on the next generation of farming excellence, and we’re honoured to play a part in celebrating their success stories and helping them build a stronger future for farming.”

NZDIA Trust chair Paulette Johns said Power Farming is a respected New Zealand brand the awards programme is proud to welcome on as a national sponsor.

“Power Farming has a strong history of working alongside New Zealand dairy farmers and we are excited they have added their industry knowledge and passion to our awards programme,” Johns said.

“The addition of a new national sponsor is

positive news for the New Zealand dairy sector overall as it strengthens the awards programme which is working to encourage and develop our next generation of farmers.

“The commitment and support we receive from our national sponsors allows us to continue our work to encourage and showcase best practice in dairy businesses and to light up the pathways available to people working in the sector.”

Powering up: A top prize for the National Share Farmer of the Year runner-up in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, with new national sponsor Power Farming donating the use of a Kioti HX 130-140hp tractor for a whole year to the recipient.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ, The Country and The Herald.

Entries for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards close on December 5. For more information and entries go to dairyindustryawards.co.nz

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