Fielday s is back , and so are our le gendar y pie s . Drop by the Ballance site to tr y one of the new f lavours and chat abou t how our late st innovations can help optimise your nu trient s .
Ballance. Make it count.
D-Day looms for Alliance
and sector
DECISION day is looming for the Alliance Group
Co-operative – and it is also shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the meat industry, with predictions that plant closures are inevitable.
Alliance is expected in the next month to provide shareholders with options to recapitalise its business. It is believed it has secured the $200 million required, possibly from an equity investor.
Alliance chair Mark Wynne said he wants to speak with shareholders before talking to Farmers Weekly.
Meat processors in general are having to grapple with the effects of surplus processing capacity, which has bitten hard this season despite the closure last year of the Smithfield works.
Instead of working to capacity as is usual in May, such has been the livestock shortage that meat companies have waged a procurement war, shutting plants and laying off chains earlier than usual.
Meat industry and sector leaders spoken to all expect there will be plant closures.
AFFCO chief executive Nigel Stevens said excess capacity is an issue in both islands and becoming progressively worse.
“We have signalled our willing-
ness to be part of any potential industry discussion regarding capacity rationalisation, subject to any applicable competition considerations.”
Silver Fern Farms (SFF) chief executive Dan Boulton said the sector needs to address the capacity imbalance.
“A last-man-standing approach will erode significant value for our farmers and the sector,” he said.
“There will be strategic rightsizing and it will be painful and not easy,” said Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) chair Kate Acland.
“The general consensus is plants are going to have to close,” said Southland Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Dean Rabbidge.
“It’s inevitable, it’s going to happen unfortunately,”
Longtime Alliance shareholder
Jeff Grant said he fears that unless Alliance secures a strategic partner that will enable managed plant rationalisation, the co-operative will be split up. This, he said would be brutal.
“There will be eagles in the air looking for pickings on the ground.”
Daryl Carran, the national secretary of the NZ Meat Workers Union, fears some of his members face a bleak future, with the inevitable closure of a plant or plants.
“There has to be further rationalisation,” he said.
Carran said ewe numbers fell 6.2
Continued page 5
Fleece flies at Feilding High
Shearer Mac Foreman and wool handler Anna Harre are all focus during Feilding High School’s shearing competition last week. The school’s top shearers and wool handlers battled it out in an event aimed at allowing students to develop skills and try their hand at performing under pressure. Shearing and wool handling were once an integral part of the school, but the competition ceased in 1961, according to the trophy’s engraving, until it was reintroduced in 2020.
SECTORFOCUS
Pāmu’s board issued a ‘please explain’ letter by government.
NEWS 5
Producing prime beef on a picture-perfect farm has won Rob and Mandy Pye the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award for Northland.
SHEEP & BEEF 22-30
Farm machinery expected to be in hot demand at Fieldays.
NEWS 6
Delays turn world’s largest agrichem companies against NZ.
NEWS 7
Photo: Monique Taylor
Neal Wallace NEWS Production
We l co m e to t h i s ye a r ’s R u ra l I n s i g h t s f ro m B ay l eys , t h e n at i o n ’s n u m b e r o n e b ra n d i n r u ra l re a l e st ate
It is difficult to recall a period in recent times when every sector of farming is experiencing improving return prices and confidence than now
After a tough few years when farm input costs soared, interest rates shifted higher, and against subdued farmgate prices, farmers and horticulturalists are breathing a sigh of relief as a rebound in profitability arrives and optimism overtakes the gloom
Challenges remain, not the least the unpredictability of Trumps tariff policies, but at least returns are moving in the right direction with some consistency, particularly for dairy, pastoral, and kiwifruit. Signs are also there for a steady recovery in the wider grower sectors, over the coming year
The rise in confidence across the sectors is already showing up in more activity in the rural real estate markets and I’m proud of our team’s efforts to deliver top results for our vendors.
Many dairy farm sales are drawing multiple offers and most are unconditional. That’s a massive shift from just over a year ago when farm enquiry was at a low and it was a challenge to have multiple interest parties, let alone offers.
Not surprisingly, changing landuse is back on the table based on the strength emerging in the dairy market Dairy conversions won’t be restricted to
Canterbury alone, though the province is expected to lead the numbers this coming season.
The silver lining to the challenging conditions has been the shift in farmer thinking towards consistently maximising production off pasture, rather than relying heavily on brought in feed supplements to boost production and chase incremental returns from an intermittent higher dairy payout. Dairy farm owners and their families are highly aware of the need to comply with regional and national requirements to protect the environment. The days of building a budget based on simply boosting milk production from supplements and nitrogen fertiliser are over
Changes to the rules for converting hill country to forestry which come into effect later this year have also provided clarity for the pastoral sector
With planting restricted to steeper country (Land-use class 7-8) from November this year, sheep and beef farmers will be able to buy without the spectre of forestry interests influencing the market and recent transactions have already begun to reflect that change
Kiwifruit growers have also made a great start to their 2025 harvest and early returns from our key export markets
reinforce the strength New Zealand brands have in global markets.
Our viticulture sector is steadily recovering from a reset in consumption habits and a big harvest year in 2024, particularly for Sauvignon Blanc wines. The investment in positioning NZ wines in the key global markets will help underpin a recovery in returns for wine growers
Our Bayleys rural team is excited about the year ahead and the opportunity to help bring more buyers and sellers together
Access to capital to invest in the primary sector remains a hot topic of conversation for many families A greater willingness to support capital available to the sector seems to be developing among the traditional banking sector
We are mindful of the challenge many farming families face with moving farms or orchards on to the next generation. At Bayleys we are working on a series of initiatives to provide better, more modern solutions for the primary sector to help with family succession.
Until then, we’ll keep doing what we do best – showing up at the farm gate, having real conversations, and helping you take the next step with confidence
1,3
Get in touch
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Managing Editor bryan.gibson@agrihq.co.nz
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ISSN 2463-6002 (Print) ISSN 2463-6010 (Online)
News in brief
Miraka’s milk price
Miraka has announced an opening 20252026 season milk price forecast of $8.85$10.85/kg MS with a midpoint of $9.85/kg MS.
The Taupō-based dairy company said the forecast reflects confidence in strong global dairy demand and reinforces Miraka’s focus on delivering transparent, reliable value to its suppliers.
Salmon profit down
NZ King Salmon has halved its FY2026 profit guidance because of a decision to restrict fish harvesting volumes over the next four months.
It is doing so to rebuild biomass after subdued feeding and reduced growth due to warmer water. The company said its previous earnings guidance in March was $15-$24 million and the new numbers are $6-$12m.
Kiwis recognised
Two New Zealand alt-protein trailblazers have been included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list.
Mrinali Kumar, co-founder and CEO of EatKinda, and Emily McIsaac, co-founder and COO of Daisy Lab, were recognised in the Arts and Industry, Manufacturing & Energy categories, respectively. The Forbes list recognises 300 changemakers in 10 categories who are transforming their industries.
Sharemilker fined
A Waikato sharemilker has been fined $40,000 and sentenced to 140 hours community work for discharging dairy effluent into a tributary of the Puniu River, near Te Awamutu.
Daniel Warren Lund appeared in the Hamilton District Court on five charges under the Resource Management Act as a result of a prosecution undertaken by Waikato Regional Council. Lund manages a family farm at Pokuru near Te Awamutu.
I S K O F
P r o t e c t i n g y o u r n o s e i s c r u c i a l f o r b r a i n h e a l t h b e c a u s e i t s e r v e s a s t h e
m a i n e n t r y p o i n t f o r
p a t h o g e n s , w h i c h c a n d i r e c t l y r e a c h t h e b r a i n T
Brown fires a shot across Pāmu’s bow
Neal Wallace NEWS Agribusiness
PĀMU’s board has been issued a “please explain” letter by its shareholder, the government, seeking answers on how it intends to strengthen its finances and focus on its core roles.
State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown has written to the board expressing disappointment and concern at the stateowned farming company’s “failure to make progress in improving its performance”.
He cited as examples of underperformance and measures needing to be addressed, improving the five-year average of a 2.6% return on shareholder’s funds, and its failure to meet its cost of equity for at least a decade.
There is zero ambiguity.
He said the government expects Pāmu’s business planning documents to “deliver a bold and challenging turnaround plan to improve value and return to the Crown, in addition to focusing on efficiently managing the existing land footprint”.
Continued from page 1
million in the past decade, which equates to 9 million fewer lambs for processing. That is equivalent to two and a half times the annual capacity of Lorneville, which employs up to 3000 workers.
Remaining a 100%-farmer owned co-operative was taken off the table last year when Alliance ceased taking contributions from animals processed to increase share levels.
Brown instructed the board to cease investing in and to dispose of any “non-land assets, business units and ventures that do not generate a return equal to or greater than the cost of equity”.
Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie welcomed the letter, saying it provides clarity.
He said Pāmu is focused on its core roles of achieving farming excellence, and 18 months ago disestablished Pāmu Foods, a branded product business.
He said he considers investment in its animal genetics business Focus Genetics and information system FarmIQ as core.
Leslie said the board is in the final stages of completing its business plan and statement of corporate intent, which has 2030 targets of group net operating profit of more than $100 million and total shareholder return of 9.3%.
It is forecasting a net operating profit in the range of $43-$51m for this financial year, double the fiveyear average, and a net operating profit of greater than $50m for full-year 2026.
The financial result for the next two years is expected to be substantially better than last year.
For the 2024 year Landcorp Farming Limited, which is the legal name of Pāmu, reported a $20m net operating profit but a $26m net loss after tax due to a 2.8% drop in revenue to $282m.
It has fallen short of
The Alliance Group board has acknowledged the poor timing for the capital raise, which coincided with low livestock prices.
Grant believes Alliance will adopt a hybrid ownership structure, similar to that of SFF.
Shareholder sentiment has softened since the start of the season, which he attributes to better livestock prices.
“At the start of the season they were pretty grumpy.”
Rabbidge said while loyal
performance targets, with the two measures of total shareholder return and the return on equity both negative for the past two years.
“There is zero ambiguity,” said National Party Northland MP Grant McCallum, commenting on the tone of the letter.
It is a timely reminder, he said, because like any business Pāmu needs to provide its shareholder, the taxpayer, with a commercial return on its investment.
He believes the company is trying to do too much instead of focusing on its core business.
Leslie said progress is being made and it has set efficiency benchmark targets such as for the 6-week in-calf rates for its dairy
shareholders want Alliance to remain a co-operative, younger farmers do not want the added expense of buying shares.
He said plant closures are a consequence of farm sales for forestry, and an “I told you so” moment in light of government policies that favour the planting of trees.
Alliance shareholder and former BLNZ chair Andrew Morrison urged shareholders to be involved in deliberating whatever
herd, lambing percentages, stock losses and costs of production.
Further progress is expected from integrating dairy and livestock farms and expanding forestry and horticulture operations.
“We will increase dairy beef rearing capacity, reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by over 22% compared to a full year 2021 baseline, control costs, and leverage investment in strategically important subsidiaries FarmIQ and Focus Genetics.”
In 2024 Pāmu owned 84 farms, covering 148,776 hectares, and leased a further 28, covering 207,272 ha. Assets in 2024 were valued at
options the Alliance board presents.
“I encourage shareholders to listen to what the board is proposing and to understand the options.”
Acland said the key to sustaining the meat industry, which employs 100,000 people and will earn $10.7 billion from exports this year, is improving the profitability of livestock farming.
“We do not talk enough about the importance the red meat
$2.2 billion and revenue earned was $282m.
The annual report shows there were 184 employees earning $100,000 or more a year.
sector plays in the economy.” Boulton declined to comment on Alliance’s capital raise process. He said lower stock volumes are leading to under-utilised processing capacity and procurement tension, which increases operating costs and leads to lower margins.
Sustained farm profitability would improve the meat sector’s viability, he said.
MORE: See page 42
FOCUS: Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie says Pāmu is focused on its core roles of achieving farming excellence.
Grant McCallum MP
All systems are go for Fieldays farm gear sales
Gerald Piddock MARKETS Agribusiness
FARM machinery dealers are expecting a bumper Fieldays after a tough 18 months when farmers battled high interest rates and onfarm costs.
High commodity prices across the sector and renewed farmer confidence have made Tractor and Machinery Association president
It feels like the time is ready for people to start buying new equipment.
Jaiden Drought Tractor and Machinery Association
Jaiden Drought excited about the four-day event that gets underway on June 11.
“We’re quietly confident of a big show – the biggest we have had in a few years,” he said.
The 20% tax incentive announced at the Budget is also a shot in the arm and Drought said it will definitely generate inquiries from farmers.
“That, combined with lower interest rates, it feels like the time is ready for people to start buying new equipment.”
Machinery dealers had also witnessed confidence bounce back in interactions at regional field days across the country over the past few months.
“Farmer confidence is up, farmer incomes are up, interest rates are coming down, on-farm inflation is coming down, and
now we have got the investment bonus.
“It’s almost a perfect storm for people to go out and buy farm machinery.”
Motor Trade Association sector manager for dealers and specialist services Larry Fallowfield said utes are selling well and he anticipates further increases this year.
“As a comparison, in 2024 for new vehicle registration in the commercial sector, utes made up six of the top 10 models or 65.8% of the total sales, while the year to date (until the end of May) in the top10, utes made up seven of the top selling commercials to be sitting at 70% of the total sales volume.”
WeatherWatch’s Philip Duncan said the event is shaping up to be a milder and wetter one than in previous years.
“Overnight lows look to be around 8 to 12degC and daytime highs around 16 or 15.”
Wednesday is looking at being the wettest day with a 70% chance of rain and some heavy falls possible, he said. There are also possible showers
for Thursday, Friday and Saturday along with dry spells.
The annual event at Mystery Creek runs from June 11-14 and has over 1200 exhibitors ranging from innovative agricultural technology to farm equipment and rural lifestyle exhibits.
PC1 will materially alter Waikato farming
Gerald Piddock NEWS Regulation
BIG changes are on the way for how Waikato farmers farm their land after the Environment Court released its interim decision on Plan Change 1.
The decision on the Waikato Regional Council’s plan to improve water quality in the Waikato and Waipā rivers was released on May 28 by Chief Environmental Court Judge David Kirkpatrick. Around 2000-2400 dairy farmers, 2000 drystock farmers, 70-80 arable farmers and up to 200 horticulture farmers are impacted by PC1, according to the decision. Waikato Federated Farmers president Phil Sherwood called it the most significant change to Waikato’s farming rules in more
than a generation.
“This plan change will have a huge impact on farming families and businesses. It will cover everything from fencing requirements right through to farm environmental plan standards.”
Work on Waikato PC1 started in 2012 and it was formally notified in 2016. A decisions version of the proposed plan change, which considered 1100 individual submissions, was notified in April 2020 and subsequently appealed by a number of parties.
It is these appeals the Environment Court has made its interim decision on.
It will see many low-intensity dairy and drystock farms classified as a “permitted activity”, meaning no resource consent will be needed.
However, other farming activities will be classified as a “controlled activity”, meaning a resource consent will be needed, but cannot be declined.
AgFirst chief executive James Allen said the decision holds few surprises, given the contents and direction of the decisions version of PC1.
It will mean changes for how farmers operate, he said.
“There will be change, but I think it will be incremental change rather than a wholesale change overnight.”
Pukeatua farmer Graeme Gleeson, who was part of the leadership team for advocacy group Farmers for Positive Change when PC1 was first notified, said the decision is very different to the original version of PC1 in 2016.
It also has to be put into context
of the national framework with both Labour-led and now National-led governments bringing in new rules around freshwater.
This plan change will have a huge impact on farming families and businesses.
Phil Sherwood Federated Farmers
“The judges are wanting better clarity and certainty on issues so there’s no misinterpretation. The other big factor that’s coming through quite powerfully is the need for practicality.”
That is positive for farmers, he said.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s
senior manager for environmental policy, Paul le Miere, said it will have a significant impact on farmers.
“Most farmers will need a [Farm Environment Plan] and some will need a resource consent. Depending on the farm operation, farmers will need to change practices or adopt new mitigations to reduce diffuse charges of nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and E coli.”
For sheep and beef farmers, the stock exclusion rules will mean significant costs.
There are also positives and while the process is not over yet, the decision is a significant step forward in getting it finished, he said.
The Waikato Regional Council has 40 days to respond to the decision, giving it until July 25.
HOPEFUL: Renewed farmer confidence and high commodity prices across the board have farm machinery dealers hopeful of a bumper Fieldays.
Red tape drives agrichem firms out of NZ
Richard Rennie NEWS Regulations
AN OFFICIAL
Information Act
request by Farmers Weekly has shown how the world’s largest agrichemical companies are walking away from the New Zealand market on grounds of regulatory cost, time and complexity.
Animal and Plant Health NZ (APHNZ) has long cited delays in approval processes through the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as a major bottleneck for NZ farmers and growers to acquire the latest in crop protection technology.
A 2023 Sapere report highlighted how delays in getting product approval had blown out to be almost three times longer than a decade earlier. In 2021-23, eight applications for new products took 1048 days, compared to 14 taking 200 days in 2014.
Farmers Weekly’s OIA request confirms the depth of APHNZ concerns.
It reveals responses from agrichem companies to a letter from EPA CEO Dr Allan Freeth in January to all companies. He sought information on
the number and nature of any innovative, soft or biological products they may wish to introduce to NZ.
Syngenta, the global leader in agrichemicals with annual revenue of US$32 billion in 2023, was forthright in its response to Freeth’s letter.
Australia-NZ managing director David van Ryswyk said that “because of significant delays within the current
regulatory structure, NZ is no longer a priority country for the introduction of new Syngenta products”.
The delays mean Syngenta has deliberately avoided NZ registrations for several crop chemistries, including actives to control grass grub, fall armyworm, crown rot, fusarium and nematodes.
Despite investing globally in “softer” and biological products
Dairy markets looking for direction
Hugh Stringleman
MARKETS Dairy
THE Global Dairy Trade auction platform began the 2026 New Zealand dairy season with a some up, some down handful of prices and a strong indicator from the European market.
The GDT index fell 1.6%, dragged down by whole milk powder prices, down 3.7%, and skim milk powder, down 1.1%.
Buttermilk powder was the biggest loser at minus 6.1%,
followed by cheddar down 4.2%.
On the plus side, very high butter prices were unchanged, mozzarella rose 2.3% and anhydrous milk fat rose 1.4% to narrow the gap with butter.
Butter stocks globally are constrained and that is keeping prices very high, around US$7800/ tonne, NZX dairy analyst Rosalind Crickett said.
As European producers enter their peak milk month, recent industry figures show year-on-year declines for Belgium, down 3.9%; Germany, down 2.3%; and Spain, down 2%.
“Drier than normal conditions in northwestern Europe and the United Kingdom, along with bluetongue virus, are the reasons behind the lower milk volumes, which will continue to put upward pressure on European Union product prices,” Crickett said.
“There are also still two GDT trading events before Trump’s tariffs come into effect for nonChinese imports – following the 90-day pause – which serves as an opportunity for traders to get orders in the books before any perceivable disruption to global trade.”
that would be ideal for NZ conditions, he said, while current challenges exist, NZ will not be viewed as a viable market for introduction of these biological products.
Bayer, the world’s secondlargest agrichemical company, said NZ’s small market size and unique farming system mean it is a challenging one to justify research and development in.
Its commercial manager, Chris Miln, noted that despite this NZ had previously been one of the first countries in the world for product registration.
He cited the 2019 approval of a cereal fungicide that was the first in the world and took only 17 months.
But current delays and uncertainty in NZ have stymied further release of innovative products.
The company provided a comprehensive redacted list of products that in several cases offer a new mode of action to help farmers and growers better manage resistance. But further development work is simply not possible under current regulations.
Australian company Nufarm said it had applications for new products submitted for plant growth regulation, fungal treatment and insecticide that was
approved overseas and should be eligible here.
However, there has been no indication which pathway they would be assessed under, and two have been in the queue since 2023.
The dramatic slowdown in approval was also noted. New products regularly assessed in two years have taken four.
Several other agrichemical companies echoed the concerns of the big players, with similar issues over delays stretching beyond three years, and reluctance to participate in the NZ market only increasing.
A recent regulatory review made 16 recommendations to streamline the approvals process, all of which were recently accepted by the Cabinet. They include easing applications for products already approved in other countries, and allowing temporary use of some new products if proven safe elsewhere.
But APHNZ CEO Dr Liz Shackleton said the targets to reduce the product queue look unlikely to deliver the rapid changes needed.
“Industry keenly await the more ambitious target signalled by the Minister for Environment and hope it’s not too little too late,” she said.
NO DOUBT: Claims by APHNZ CEO Dr Liz Shackleton that global agrichemical companies are abandoning NZ have been confirmed by an OIA request made by Farmers Weekly.
STRETCHY: Mozzarella rose 2.3% in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction.
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Southland pair target Asian skincare
Gerhard Uys TECHNOLOGY Food and fibre
TWO Southlanders are preparing to launch a skincare range made from ingredients derived from New Zealand milk and wool.
Wrights Bush sheep farmer Megan Seator and Invercargill-based South Korean expat Alice Lee have cofounded the brand, Romene.
Seator said the dire state of the sheep industry prompted her to explore new and innovative products, which landed her researching opportunities in hi-tech cosmetics and what international consumers, particularly in key export markets, are demanding.
She discovered booming interest in skincare across Asia, especially in South Korea, China and Japan.
“A lot of it has been created by South Korea and what’s called the K-beauty industry,” she said.
K-beauty blends entertainment with functionality, offering products featuring distinctive ingredients like snail mucin, in formats such as ampoules, essences, sticks and jellies.
The K-beauty industry has grown rapidly, driven by innovation and a playful, trend-forward aesthetic, she said.
In contrast, New Zealand skincare is rooted in simplicity and nature, Seator said.
“I’m particularly excited about what we’re doing with New Zealand milk.
“We’re working on a hydrolyzed lactoferrin peptide complex extracted from New Zealand milk.
“There’s a great story there, especially for China. It’s such a unique ingredient to be incorporated into skincare products and they regard our milk products as being world class.”
Romene is also including woolderived keratin in its products, partnering with Christchurch company Keraplast, which developed the technology.
“Their wool-derived keratin has been successfully used in haircare products, but now we’re working to bring it into skincare.
“It’s a great way to tell the New Zealand farming story in a new way.”
Lee, who has a background in finance, brings insight into K-beauty and Asian consumer behaviour.
The two met a decade ago while Lee was working for Habitat for Humanity Invercargill, where Seator was on the board.
The idea for Romene was sparked over morning tea.
“East and north Asians are passionate about skincare and prefer perfecting their skin over covering it up with heavy makeup,” Lee said.
I’m particularly excited about what we’re doing with New Zealand milk.
Megan Seator Romene
Lee said New Zealand is known for its natural image, which holds strong appeal in Asia, but local skincare offerings are often seen as basic.
“Tourists often purchase lanolin creams, which dominate much of the travel retail skincare market in New Zealand.”
There’s a clear gap and growing demand for more hi-tech skincare that pairs the international credibility of New Zealand’s primary sector with modern innovation, Lee said.
Romene plans to first target the travel retail market before expanding exports.
Seator said young farmers need to look beyond traditional markets and products and find new ways to add value to their supply chain by embracing technology.
The brand is still in the design phase of its first formulations, with a soft launch planned for the New Zealand Gift Fair in August.
Rural Riders hit Invercargill velodrome
Gerhard Uys PEOPLE Sports
RURAL Riders Southland have been running track sessions at the Invercargill velodrome for the Velodrome Winter Series.
The group had its first ever ride when a group of farmers hit a mountain bike track in Sandy Point in December.
Dairy farmer Steve Blyth said
INDOORS: Dairy farmer Steve Blythe says rather than stay indoors when there is inclement weather, bikers should join the Southland Rural Riders at the Invercargill velodrome.
Photo: Gerhard Uys
he got into mountain biking with Southland Rural Riders last year, but realised rides can be limited to daylight and be weather dependent.
Blyth is club chaplain for G-Force Cycling Club, a club that not only teaches newbies the ropes of riding in the velodrome but also coaches racing.
“When it’s raining we come inside and still get the buzz of biking,” Blyth said. He said riding the velodrome
track is a physical and mental workout.
“We’re used to going around berms on a mountain bike, but here you’re riding a fixedgear bike with no brakes, going around banks, and going anywhere between 30km/h and 60km/h.
“You have to have confidence that you can ride round [banks] without falling off.
“Track cycling uses different muscles than riding a mountain bike, you’re constantly pedalling and control your speed with your legs, rather than with brakes or freewheeling,” Blyth said.
The Southland riders are keen for more farmers and their families to try track cycling, and to attend a Carnival Night on Friday June 13.
Blythe said anyone signing up will have the opportunity to be trained by accredited coaches from G-Force.
The event is sponsored by Ballance, Rabobank, Rural Support Trust, FIL/GEA, G-Force and Noel McIntyre Drainage.
GLOW UP: The founders of Romene, Alice Lee, left, and Megan Seator, will launch their hi-tech cosmetics derived from New Zealand milk and wool at the New Zealand Gift Fair in August.
Photo: Gerhard Uys
Dairy row boils over as Thais renege on deal
ADISPUTE brewing between New Zealand and Thailand has blown wide open as the Thais back out of their dairy sector obligations under a free trade agreement signed 20 years ago.
On January 1 Thailand’s remaining tariffs on dairy were due to fall to zero, but since last year they have been signalling they want to back away from the original agreement terms.
NZ trade officials have been working frantically behind the scenes over the past year to try to bring them back onto the same page.
But last week Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) CEO Kimberly Crewther confirmed to Farmers Weekly that the Thais are instead doubling down on efforts to renege on the deal, going as far as to impose quota-like limitations on NZ dairy imports.
“Thailand has introduced new measures with limited transparency to limit imports of skim milk powder (SMP). The Thai Milk Board has introduced a process
to approve import permits and is actively using this process to limit volumes,” she said.
The first approval round in January approved only one-third of the requested 93,000 tonnes of imported product, she said.
“There was the promise of a further approval round in March, but this has been delayed, and there are now reports that officials are requesting importers to reduce their requested volumes to fit within a 75,000t limit for all import channels.”
It is deeply disappointing they have chosen this route.
She said there are similarities between this dispute and that boiling over with Canadian dairy industry.
“It is similar in the sense these commitments these countries signed up to are under an FTA.
“NZ agreed originally in this FTA to a very long-term phaseout of dairy tariffs and it is deeply
disappointing they have chosen this route,” Crewther said.
She said rather than this being a World Trade Organisation issue, it was an issue to be dealt with under the formal terms of the FTA agreement itself. These will now have to be invoked to pull Thailand back to the agreement’s terms.
“We have been working hard to raise concerns with our Thai counterparts, but it has been falling on deaf ears, which drives us to a formal dispute process.”
NZ processors were also disappointed at the lack of official confirmation about the departure from agreement terms.
Thailand is southeast Asia’s largest dairy producer, based on ingredients imported from NZ, the largest dairy exporter to Thailand. NZ’s dairy trade with Thailand was valued at about $450 million in 2024, with the bulk of this as concentrated milk product.
Crewther noted the Thais’ actions are self-limiting, given that NZ products are part of the Thai processing and value chain for its own large dairy exporting sector.
Thailand’s own milk and whey powder production stands at only 15,000t a year, with much
BACKING OUT: DCANZ CEO Kimberly Crewther says the Thais are trying to back out of an agreement where they had enjoyed a long phaseout period before protections were removed.
of the country’s 600,000 dairy cows contributing to fresh milk production.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade said the government is concerned by reports of restrictions on NZ imports to Thailand.
They said the government is making its expectations clear to
Thai ministers and officials that the Thais uphold their obligations under the NZ-Thailand Closer Economic Partnership agreement. A trade insider expressed exasperation at the outcome, coming 20 years after signing the agreement and citing it as a clear breach of Thailand’s international commitments.
Photo: Pexels
Richard Rennie MARKETS Dairy
Kimberly Crewther DCANZ
Veteran and new recruit take trial honours
AFTER 40 years in the game, sheep dog triallist Leo Jecentho has nailed a cracker season finishing with a record achievement.
Competing with Jake, Jecentho – from the Karioi Sheep Dog Trial Club in Waikato – took out both the 2025 South Island short head
and yard championship and the 2025 New Zealand short head and yard championship at the national championships hosted at Lochiel Station in North Canterbury. At the 2025 North Island Championships Jecentho and Jake finished runner-up in the long head championship and fifth in the short head and yard while the duo also finished fourth in both the South Island and the NZ long head championships.
To cap it off, Jecentho has been
named in the 2025 NZ team with Jake for the Trans-Tasman test series and the prestigious Wayleggo Cup later in the year.
The international competition will be a first for Jake, but a second NZ team run for Jecentho.
“The amazing achievement bit is, it’s all with the one dog. People have won as much before but with different dogs for the different categories,” he said.
While Jecentho has been dog trialling for 40 years “this would have to be the best year ever”, he said.
At just three years old and bred by Jecentho, Jake is relatively new to the game.
“He’s one of six dogs by his father Smoke that I have here; he’s a special one, he’s young. I love the sport, and the people and the places you get to see. I have no plans to finish here; we will have a lot more time together yet.”
While special, “he’s not treated any different to the other dogs”.
Seasoned campaigner Mark Copland from the Methven club has been named NZ team captain after also clocking up an impressive season with his dogs Don and Guy, topping it off with a second place in the NZ long head
championship with Don and fourth in the short head and yard with Guy.
With a string of national and international awards to his name, representing NZ for the 10th time “might be a bit of luck”, Copland said.
“There’s no secrets or special tricks, it’s what happens on the day.”
Completing the four-strong NZ team is the experienced combination of Lloyd Smith and Code from the Waihemo club in Otago, who finished in the top six in both the South Island and the NZ short head and yard 2025 championships.
First time national representative and the youngest
are Ben Millar and King from the Glenroy club in Canterbury.
Millar is the son of well-known dog trialist Stuart Millar, who finished third with Laddie behind Ben in the 2025 NZ short head and yard championship.
The result was reversed in the 2025 South Island championship with father Stuart finishing third and son Ben fourth.
Three hundred competitors from the 157 clubs across NZ took part in the championships run over four courses, across five days. “It was top level competition with top skills, everything has got to be just right, the venue was perfect, and the weather was too,” host club Canterbury Centre chair Matt Black said.
TOP NOTCH: Leo Jecentho and Jake nailed a cracker championship season. Photos: Gavin Martin Photography
Annette Scott NEWS Skills
LONG LINE: Ben Millar with King, and his father Stuart Millar and Laddie placed second and third respectively in the 2025 NZ short head and yard championship.
Thomas getting grass-fed on Taipei menus
Richard Rennie in Taiwan MARKETS
Sheep and beef
THANKS to a long relationship with New Zealand’s Silver Fern Farms, grass-fed beef has established a niche in Taiwan’s biggest city, battling it out with the world beef grain-fed heavyweights, Australia and the United States.
That relationship has had Thomas Tseng to thank in Taiwan, as founder of Taipei retail butcher chain Thomas Meats.
He has established three retail outlets around greater Taipei as well as a thriving wholesalecommercial business and a growing online ordering service for his butchery’s wide range of meat types.
“Our relationship with New Zealand goes back to when Silver Fern was PPCS, and more recently we have taken on Alliance and Affco meat products,” he said.
Selling under his own label, he said he has built a strong following with Taipei shoppers thanks to a solid traceability system that allows his customers to scan a QR code to determine source, down to the processing plant of origin.
Rather than being a dimly lit, premium value exclusive
MEETING
the MARKET
butchery of the sort often found in large shopping centres, he avoids classing his outlet as “high end”. He puts more emphasis on close customer relationships and consistent, quality meat cuts easily cooked, he said. Meantime his company has
also built solid social and environmental credit with those customers.
The company’s “green factory” operation has chopped electricity spend by 60%, and uses heat recycling for water heating. Tree planting has been prolific by staff, who also receive generous medical coverage and holidays in the tight labour market.
The company’s sense of family is also real. Tseng’s daughter
Erica is chief brand officer.
“We are finding demand for higher priced loin type cuts is not so great at present, while secondary cuts like chuck, eye roll, oyster blade and shanks are proving very popular. The New Zealand cube roll is particularly popular; it comes as a shape well suited for portion control.”
Paraguay is their main source of grass-fed beef ahead of New Zealand, and as a country has recently knocked Australia from its claim of being Taiwan’s second largest beef supplier after the US. New Zealand sits as the fourth largest exporter to the island nation.
Erica said the preference for grass-fed beef product tends to come from a younger generation, particularly heading into summer when body consciousness becomes more top of mind for that demographic.
“Overall, our sales would be about 50:50 grass-fed to grain-fed beef, and we suspect it will always exist. Many do like the fattier taste of grain-fed and probably always will.”
She sees the upside for coming years in the ability to grow total beef consumption in Taiwan. With one eye on nearby Korea, where beef consumption at 14kg a head a year has almost doubled in a decade, she sees no reason why
Taiwan cannot double its current 7kg of beef per head a year.
“We can only grow about 10% of the beef we need here, so there will always be a place for quality imported product.”
However, she and her father noted the tight supplies of grassfed beef out of both NZ and Paraguay at present, providing some constraint.
“And there is the real risk that because of that prices are running the risk of getting too high,” she said.
Overall, our sales would be about 50:50 grass-fed to grain-fed beef, and we suspect it will always exist.
Erica Tseng
Thomas Meats, Taipei
She also challenged whether NZ would be capable of matching the Australians with a grain-finished beef option.
In terms of being sustainably sourced, she said Thomas has tried retailing Australian sourced “carbon neutral” beef, at a markedly higher price.
“But the reality was that people were not prepared to pay. They liked to concept but not the price.”
SPLIT: Thomas Meats founder Thomas Tseng and his daughter Erica see the split between grass-fed and feedlot beef in their outlets at about 50:50.
Protein pull strong from Taiwan’s golden oldies
Richard Rennie in Taiwan MARKETS Dairy
FONTERRA’S head of its Taiwanese ingredients business has given a shout-out to the co-op’s farmers back in New Zealand, urging them to keep up the good work generating the milk protein that is meeting strong demand there.
Gordon Lee, chair of Fonterra Ingredients Taiwan, told Farmers Weekly the wealthy, high value market is not constrained by demand limits as its aging population seek out protein rich supplements and products to help them age more healthily.
“Fonterra is very aware we are close to a constraint point in terms of whey protein availability. But we have founded joint ventures in supply for protein in Europe and the United States. It [protein] is certainly the biggest growth opportunity for use here in terms of both volume and value.”
Fonterra’s ingredients for formulations are sold by a variety of companies in Taiwan’s sophisticated food and beverage
sector and typically command a premium of 10-15% above competitors’ ingredients. Market share is as high as 70% in whole milk powder, anhydrous milk fat and skim milk powder.
“Our aim is to achieve 1% incremental growth in net profit, whether it is through an increase in volume or an increase in value; both are possible right now.”
Taiwan, like Japan and South Korea, is moving rapidly towards becoming a “super aged” society this year, one where 20% or more of the population is over 65.
With the lowest birthrate in the world, it is also experiencing a population decline, with its current 23.4 million people expected to drop to 23 million by 2030, and 15 million by 2070.
Abbott Nutrition’s enriched liquid product Ensure, originally aimed as a supplement for postoperative patients, is an example of a product now moving to be a daily, easy-to-drink supplement for aging consumers.
While healthy agers are driving a large proportion of protein demand to fend off the effects of muscle wastage and loss of bone density, the younger demographic are also buoying demand.
MEETING the MARKET
“After covid we have had a big lift in younger people wanting to be fit and look good. We have two local gym chains that are publicly listed, with growing revenue.
“The ready-to-drink and readyto-mix sports nutrition categories are big areas for this market,” said Sera Chang, GM Fonterra Ingredients Taiwan.
The government has also invested in building awareness of physical activity’s value, including vouchers for sports events and improvements in infrastructure.
Lee is also optimistic about growth potential in the whole milk concentrate sector to supply a liquid milk sector with limited local supply capacity.
Fresh milk is concentrated at Fonterra’s Morrinsville plant, frozen in Te Rapa and shipped, to be reconstituted and sold under a customer company’s brand name.
The opportunity has bloomed this year with the final dairy products tariff coming off the concentrate under the decade-old free trade agreement NZ enjoys with Taiwan.
“The opportunity also extends to providing liquid milk to 7- Elevens, FamilyMart convenience stores who also make coffees and teas to go.”
Latest estimates have 7-Elevens alone making 200 million cups of coffee a year in Taiwan as the country’s caffeine appetite grows.
Taiwan was also the birthplace of the milky “bubble tea” drink that Mainland Chinese took to with a vengeance.
“We see a gap of at least 100,000 tonnes of liquid milk there as an opportunity to supply.”
Retail giant Costco also looms large on the liquid milk landscape.
Lee said estimates are it retails 40,000 tonnes of liquid milk across various brands, and Taipei has the chain’s highest grossing store in the world.
“Going forward, the biggest challenge we have, alongside maintaining our No 1 position as ingredients supplier, is how to capitalise on all the material growth opportunities we have here.”
• Rennie visited Taiwan as part of the Farmers Weekly Meeting the Market project, with funding from the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono.
MATURE: The NZ dairy industry has enjoyed over half a century of engagement in Taiwan, and Fonterra ingredients chair Gordon Lee and GM Sera Chang say plenty of upside still remains in the market.
1 ye a r f re e
i t h Ha l te r.
3 w i n n e rs f ro m 2 0 24 s h a re w h at c h a n g e d .
Last year, Halter gave away a full year of its virtual fencing and farm operating system to three standout farms - completely free. One North Island dairy, one South Island dairy, and one beef farm anywhere in the country A year on, we checked in with the Sherlocks, the Wainwrights and the Te Brakes to hear - straight from the paddock - what 1 year with Halter unlocked
Fiona & Jon Sherlock
Otorohaea Farm, Waikato
450 cattle (Beef)
What made you enter the competition?
“We’re fifth-generation hill country farmers, but times have been tough. We’d put so much into the farm - financially, emotionally It’s hard country to farm. When I got the call that we’d won, I actually cried. It gave us breathing room. It felt like someone had finally seen the potential in us, and our land.”
How has Halter changed how you farm?
“We’ve doubled our winter stocking rate That’s massive Our pasture quality’s improved, the animals are moving easier, and we’re not chasing them up and down hills anymore I’m using Halter on my phone every day to do my break changes It’s brought a bit of spark back - like, it’s exciting to farm again ”
What’s the long-term impact for you?
“We’ve just gone through succession planning with the kids And now, they’re excited
They see the potential again. There’s pride in what we’re doing. Our kids have watched us battle, but now they’re watching us thrive It’s also been good for the environment - we’re grazing more efficiently, reducing pressure on sensitive areas, and just being smarter with our land. We’re not smashing it with the same pressure We can give parts of the farm a break, and that’s going to pay off long term It’s not just about production anymore We want to pass on land that’s thriving - not just surviving. Halter’s helping us do that.”
Bronya & Shane Wainwright Canterbury 580 cows (Dairy)
What surprised you most about Halter?
“We didn’t really realise how much time we spent moving cows until Halter took that off our plate Suddenly we had hours back in the day It’s just all the savings. We’re saving 1 to 1.5 kgs of dry matter per cow per day That’s huge when you scale it across the herd. We also used to waste 20–30% of our beet. Now the cows graze it clean, right to the pegs. Honestly ? We didn’t think it would work with fodder beet, but when it did that was the first sign.” What changes has it enabled on your farm?
“We dropped a labour unit within the first month. That’s huge - when you think about wages, bikes, accommodation. The savings are real We’re running three herds now without the chaos. You don’t have to rush. You can farm properly I watch my cows walk to me while I stand in the shed. That’ll never get old.”
What’s been the biggest shift for your family?
“We went on our first proper family holiday in 10 years. We actually left the farm. That’s what it’s given us - time, trust in the system, and headspace Bronya has the app on her phone now too She’s part of the day-to-day in a way that works for us ”
Lizzy & Cameron Te Brake Arohena, Waikato 440 cows (Dairy)
What kind of farm were you running before Halter?
“We always thought there was more we could do - more precision, more performance We’d heard great things but we weren’t sure it’d make that much difference But by day three, we could already see it changing the way we farm.”
What results have you seen this season?
“Our milk production is up 35,000 kgMS And that’s in a pretty tough year for the Waikato The only thing we changed was how we grazed Same cows Same system Just smarter grazing Mating’s also been a standout - we hit a 94% 3-week submission rate, the best we’ve ever had The cows are in better condition, and we’re on top of their cycles earlier”
What does Halter change outside the farm gate?
“We’ve got three young kids And now we get mornings together We used to be up chasing cows at 4:45am Now we have a coffee, sort the kids’ lunches, and the cows are already at the shed I didn’t realise how much that would mean - to just be more present ”
Fiona & Jon Sherlock Otorohaea Farm, Waikato
Bronya & Shane Wainwright Canterbury
Lizzy & Cameron Te Brake Arohena, Waikato
Vegetable growers welcome RMA reforms
Neal Wallace NEWS Horticulture
VEGETABLE growers are optimistic that government reforms to the Resource Management Act will make regulations less cumbersome and will make vegetable growing a permitted activity.
John Murphy, the chair of Vegetables NZ, said growers, including in key growing areas such as Horowhenua and North Waikato, have been weighed down by ongoing litigation over the interpretation of regulations, which creates uncertainty.
“Yesterday [Thursday May 29] was a very clear signal from the government that supplies of fresh, healthy vegetables need to be a priority and when we are using good practices that look after the environment, we should be backed.”
The government is seeking submissions on proposed changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM), the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater that guide how councils develop and implement plans and rules.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environ-
ment Minister Andrew Hoggard said the changes will restore balance in how freshwater is managed and ensure the interests of all users are acknowledged. Proposed changes will give councils more flexibility, simplify nitrogen fertiliser regulations, make it easier for practices like crop rotation, allow commercial vegetable growers to source water and remove roadblocks for water storage.
We want practical rules that lead to good environmental and economic outcomes and the production of healthy food.
John Murphy Vegetables NZ
The government also proposes extensive changes to wetland regulations by excluding unintentionally created “induced” wetlands and permitting farming activities that are unlikely to have an adverse effect on wetlands such as irrigation and on-farm water storage.
While still to see the final detail, Murphy welcomed the prospect of more regional flexibility and rules that simplify crop rotation and water storage. “We want practical rules that
lead to good environmental and economic outcomes and the production of healthy food.
“We’re a lot closer to achieving that.”
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott said proposed changes to freshwater rules would provide for crop rotation and signal a future without resource consents for commercial vegetable growing.
“This will give growers confidence for the future,” she said.
Reducing the consenting burden for water storage and managed aquifer recharge will also be welcomed by growers and help meet the industry’s target of doubling export value.
Similarly, changes to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land will help balance the ability to grow food with the need for housing.
“With the proposed introduction of “special agricultural areas”, we seek that the government recognises that productive land is only productive if policy enables growers to grow on it.”
Kate Trufitt, the chief executive of Potatoes New Zealand, welcomed steps to streamline resource consent and to make vegetable growing a permitted activity.
“We’re pleased to see recognition
Seoul visit underlines trust in NZ velvet
Annette Scott MARKETS Deer
WHILE market conditions remain challenging, New Zealand velvet continues to be trusted, respected and in demand, Deer Industry NZ chief executive Rhys Griffiths says.
Wrapping up a visit to Seoul after meeting with both long-standing industry partners and some exciting new players in the Korean health and wellness space, Griffiths said there’s growing interest in tailored formats, better storytelling, and deeper partnerships, particularly where quality and provenance are non-negotiable.
They’re highlighting benefits that include anti-fatigue, immune support and anti-inflammatory properties.
“Our challenge is to keep delivering a consistent, premium product that Korean consumers, and increasingly, Chinese consumers via Korean brands, can count on.
“The value chain is strong and with continued investment and alignment, the future looks promising.”
LG Household and Health Care continues to push into the China market through cross-border e-commerce, led by their Vital Garden and Re:Tune brands.
Deer velvet is positioned as the hero ingredient across a range of products.
“They’re highlighting benefits that include
anti-fatigue, immune support and antiinflammatory properties and are keen to position velvet as more potent than plantbased options like red ginseng.
“They’re promoting easy-to-consume pouch and ampoule formats, and while they do have a kids’ line, the focus is squarely on adult wellness for now.”
Importantly, Griffiths said, they have chosen NZ velvet over Russian for reputation in quality, traceability and trust, “a decision that speaks volumes about the value of our on-farm standards”.
Loyal partners like Hanpure, who have just completed a factory expansion and are planning their next phase of growth, value the NZ-China-Korea triangle as a strategic supply chain and see continued opportunity to lift value at every step, from farm to finished product.
Despite market headwinds, Korea Ginseng Corporation remains committed to NZ deer velvet.
“Their flagship Cheon Nok product proudly promotes the use of NZ Super A Traditional-grade antler and they’re looking to sharpen the positioning of velvet in consumers’ minds and still play a strong role distributing Comvita in Korea.”
Yuhan Care continues to push its New Origin range, blending whole NZ deer velvet with red ginseng, “another good example of how our product is used to enhance wider functional food lines”.
Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, a major player in Korea’s medical-grade product space, is using NZ deer antler in its new soft gel product for prostate health, backed by patents and peer-reviewed science.
“They see further opportunity in areas like anti-fatigue and child growth, which may present new product formats in time.”
that vegetable production is essential for New Zealand’s health, economy and long-term resilience.”
She was also pleased with the intention to adopt a more integrated approach to managing highly productive land, to recognise productivity also relies on water access, climate, labour and proximity to market.
“When those factors are lost due to poor planning or unworkable regulations, our ability to grow food is compromised.”
Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst said the previous government’s freshwater rules were so unworkable that in some cases converting a whole catchment to native forest would not achieve the required quality standards.
He welcomed the intention of having a more balanced approach to Te Mana o Te Wai, which he said prioritised the health and wellbeing of water ahead of human health and social, cultural and economic wellbeing.
HOPEFUL: Vegetables NZ chair John Murphy said the intent of proposed government changes to the RMA appears to be positive.
Rhys Griffiths Deer Industry NZ
Bull averages rise $5000 for Angus studs
Hugh Stringleman MARKETS Livestock
THE beef bull market is bubbling as major stud sales achieve average prices up to $5000 ahead of this time last year.
Kayjay Angus, Masterton, made a top price of $46,000 for Kayjay Mountain Man U737 paid by Turihaua Angus, Gisborne.
Purchases were also made by Ratanui Angus at $44,000 and Oregon Angus at $21,000.
Kayjay had a record-breaking sale average of $16,320 for the full clearance of 42 sold, about $5000 more than last year.
Dandaloo Angus, Masterton, made $36,000 for Lot 9, Dandaloo Iceman 3008, paid by Ratanui Angus, and from a full clearance of 34 bulls made the very fine average of $12,700, which was also $5000 up on last year.
PARAMOUNT:
Kayjay Mountain Man U737 made a top price of $46,000 for the Kjestrup family, Masterton.
Photo: Supplied
Oregon Angus, Masterton, had a top price of $40,000 paid by Albert Hill Angus, Tinui, and sold another to Kenhardt Angus for $20,000 and one for $15,500 to Glengyle Angus.
The Oregon full clearance was 41 bulls and its average was $12,280.
Black Ridge Angus, Taumarunui, sold 32 from 33, averaged $10,421 and had a top of $30,000 for Black Ridge U67 sold to Hillcroft Angus, Ohinewai.
Puke-Nui Angus, Taumarunui, had a full clearance of 24 and averaged $12,437 with a top price of $21,500 paid twice by commercial farmers and a transfer to Mangaotea Farm for $15,500.
Shian Angus, Taumarunui, sold all 39 bulls offered for a good average of $11,038 and a top of $18,000 paid by Ron Frew Family Partnership.
Stoneburn Hereford and Angus, Palmerston, had a full clearance of 16 Hereford, averaging $9812, with a top of
$15,000 paid by David Greer, Ranfurly, and by James Lindsay of Stoneburn station.
The 24 Angus bulls all sold with an average of $8250 and a top of $14,000 paid by E Stringer of Ranfurly.
Hallmark Angus, Tutira, had a full clearance of 59 bulls and averaged $12,915, with two $20,000 bulls sold to Kiwikawa Angus, Hastings.
Otapawa Herefords, Tiraumea, had a full clearance of 40 bulls, averaging $10,600, with a top of $16,000 by a commercial bidder.
The Robbie family transferred one at $15,500 to Ashby Stud, Levin and one at $15,000 to Rolling Heights Herefords.
Rock-End Herefords, Aria, sold all 26 bulls in the catalogue with an average price of $9692 and a top price of $17,000 paid by Matapouri Herefords for Lot 4.
Hauroko Valley Combined sale in Southland featured a top price of $19,500 for Pikoburn Angus (15 out of 16), and $20,000 for Pourakino Downs Herefords (13 from 15) and $10,500 for Waiau Herefords (12 from 14).
Pikoburn had an average price of $8740, Pourakino $9461 and Waiau $6062.
SORTED: The top price for Ngakouka Herefords, Dannevirke, was $17,000 for Lot 11, paid by Lakeview Station, Levin.
Hingaia Angus, Te Awamutu, sold 27 out of 31 and averaged $8462. Top price was $16,000 for Lot 7.
Ngakouka Herefords, Dannevirke, sold 14 of 19 bulls, averaging $9680, with a top price of $17,000 for Lot 11, bought by Lakeview Station, Levin.
Cleardale Angus, Rakaia Gorge, sold 20 from 29, averaged $6145 and sold one at $12,500 to Castle Ridge Station.
Kayjay Angus had a recordbreaking sale average of $16,320 for the full clearance of 42 sold.
Okawa Poll Hereford, Ashburton, sold 47 out of 52, averaged $8003 and received $18,000 for a bull transferred to Merrylea Herefords.
Glenbrae Herefords, Porangahau, had a full clearance of 22, averaged $7600 and had a top price of $18,000 paid by Pounui Herefords.
Wainuka South Devons, Southland offered four bulls and sold three for an average of $6666 and a top price of $10,000 paid by Loch Lomond South Devons.
Kairuru Umaga sets a cracking pace
Hugh Stringleman MARKETS Livestock
KAIRURU Polled Herefords at Reporoa has topped the winter bull selling season so far with $69,000 paid by a commercial farmer for two-year-old Kairuru Umaga.
It is one of the highest prices made in New Zealand for a Hereford bull, vendor Kevin McDonald said.
“Umaga has perfect figures, probably the best set for any Hereford bull this season.
Twelve breeding values and all indexes are in the top 10% for Herefords in NZ this year.
Umaga semen has been retained by Kairuru for their own use and he has a LIC contract.
The McDonald family at Kairuru also sold six bulls for transfer to other Hereford studs, including one yearling.
There were 23 two-year-olds, sold for an average price of $13,717, the highest average so far this season, and four yearlings averaging $6259. It was a complete clearance of 27 bulls.
“He has a lovely temperament and a beautiful dark coat.”
He was by an Australian sire called Robert Redford out of a Kairuru two-year-old heifer.
“It was a wonderful outcome and we want to thank everyone involved, purchasers, under-bidders, bidders, stock agents, catering,” McDonald said.
PERFECTION: Kairuru Umaga, sold by the McDonald family at Reporoa, made $69,000 with a perfect set of figures and great temperament.
Photo: Andrea Mansfield
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Birthday honours rain down on rural champions
NEW Zealand’s rural sector was to the fore in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
Professor Emeritus Joe Mayhew was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the veterinary profession, especially equine medicine
Gisborne-based Mayhew is a world authority in his field of equine neurology and large animal medicine. After stints in the United Kingdom, Mayhew returned to New Zealand in 2006 as Professor of Equine Studies at Massey University, enabling the Veterinary School to become a world leader by ensuring compliance for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical association.
New Zealand-farmed venison global ambassador Graham Brown was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to the venison industry. He worked for the NZ Game Industry Board’s Cervena programme for more than 30 years as a chef and international food education and product developer, travelling the world promoting premium NZ-farmed venison. Former national president of Rural Women NZ Gill Naylor received an ONZM for services to rural communities, particularly women. Naylor was president from 2020 to 2024. She dealt
with government ministers and agencies on a range of issues impacting rural women and communities to ensure access to social, health, welfare and education services.
Former New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation received an ONZM for services to the agricultural industry and governance. He was chief executive from 2016 until last year. As chief executive, he oversaw the society’s annual organisation of the National Fieldays event at Mystery Creek, the biggest agricultural event in Australasia.
Neil Walker, of Hawera, was named an ONZM for services
to primary industries and the community.
Walker, who began his career on a dairy farm in South Taranaki, has held various roles promoting the development of the dairy and apiculture industries. He facilitated 300 projects through the Foundation for Research Science and Technology and is serving his ninth term on the Taranaki Regional Council.
Dr Richard Wild received an ONZM for services to animal welfare and the veterinary sector.
Since relocating from Australia in 1993, Wild has had substantial impact in improving animal welfare across New Zealand, starting at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as a circuit veterinarian.
Award-winning Southland dairy farmer Lloyd McCallum was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the dairy industry and the environment.
McCallum was one of the original Southland sheep and arable farmers to convert his property to dairy production in 1990. He has won several farming
Ideas that Grow is a Rural Leaders podcast in association with
awards, including Westpac NZMP Dairy Farmer of the Year in 2002 and Balance Farm Environment Award for best dairy farm in 1997.
A commitment to the growth and success of the South Canterbury region saw Gary Rooney receive a MNZM for services to business and philanthropy.
From a single bulldozer in 1976, he has built the Rooney Group, now employing more than 300 people across multiple divisions, including earthmoving, pipe and cable laying, transportation and farming. His work in irrigation scheme construction across the region includes the Rangitata South scheme irrigating 13,000 hectares on the South Canterbury plains.
Charles Ross was awarded a MNZM for services to the Canterbury community. A former chair of the Ashburton Farm Forestry Association, chair of Lagmhor-Westerfield Federated Farmers and chair of the Lauriston Farm Improvement Club, he was presented with the Mayor’s Award for Public Service by the Ashburton District Council in 2023.
Norm Williamson received a MNZM for services to agriculture. He is a leader within the Amuri Basin farming community and one of the first to convert a sheep and cropping farm to large herd dairying, providing leadership for local dairy farmers in promoting the development of irrigation schemes.
Blenheim’s Kevin Loe received a King’s Service Medal for services to the community and agriculture. He has been at the forefront of the community as a member of many local organisations, including the Flaxbourne Settlers Association and the Flaxbourne Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He was instrumental in setting up the impactful Taimate Water Scheme in the 1970s, bringing reticulated water supply to nearly 2000ha of land.
The husband and wife team of John and Lily Coleman each received a King’s Service Medal for their services to the community and sport. The Kaikohe-based dairy and beef farmers have contributed 59 years of voluntary service to the Kaikohe community in various capacities.
FIELDAYS: Former New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation received an ONZM for services to the agricultural industry and governance.
RURAL WOMEN: Former national president of Rural Women NZ, Gill Naylor advocated with government ministers and agencies on a range of issues impacting rural women and communities.
Staff reporter
New online tool in fall armyworm fight
Annette Scott TECHNOLOGY Pests
A NEW one-stop shop fall armyworm information website has been launched to help farmers better manage the pest.
The website, fallarmyworm.nz, developed by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) in conjunction with HortPlus, follows a similar format to FAR’s Aphid Chat, which provides information for the management of aphids in cereals.
Maize and sweetcorn growers now only need to visit one site for the latest information and tips on how to manage fall armyworm (FAW).
Spreading around the world, FAW is a voracious feeder during its larval-caterpillar stage, especially as generations build up, while adult moths can travel hundreds of kilometres on the wind.
FAR biosecurity officer Ash Mills said economic thresholds for FAW vary depending on the crop, end use and growth stage.
He said identification of FAW is challenging in certain environments and life stages and it can be easy to get confused with other pests such as cosmopolitan armyworm.
“The website assists with identification as well as providing information on FAW’s lifecycle and crop damage, economic thresholds and managing chemical resistance.”
Funding for the website comes from a three-year Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures project, led by FAR and supported by Vegetables NZ.
Damehood for FAR’s Stewart
Annette Scott PEOPLE Dairy
ARABLE industry leader and Foundation for Arable Research chief executive
Dr Alison Stewart has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The damehood recognises Stewart’s pre-eminent contribution, commitment and dedication over her 40-year career in research and plant science and the arable sector.
In response to the appointment Stewart, who also holds the title of Emeritus Distinguished Professor, said she is “absolutely thrilled”.
“It seems redundant to say it, but it really is a great honour, and it’s an honour you don’t normally see going to plant scientists and I just love it that it’s plant science in the bright lights.
“I’m pleased to share this with the plant science community and the arable sector, both huge but often unrecognised contributors to NZ’s agriculture and horticulture industries.”
Stewart grew up in Glasgow where her love of plants started in her childhood. She earned her PhD in plant pathology from Stirling University in 1983 before her move to NZ in 1984, when she started her 40-year plant industry career lecturing in biological sciences at the University of Auckland.
In 1998 she moved south to Lincoln
HONOUR: Dame Alison Stewart says she is pleased to share her damehood honour with the plant science community and the arable sector.
University, where she made history as the first female professor, going on to be the founding director of the Bio-Protection Research Centre.
“I’ve been involved with plant science and plant pathology for my whole working career, with the shift to arable coming about when I joined FAR in 2018,” Stewart said.
Over the past seven years she has been instrumental in promoting the arable sector, educating the government and the public on the importance and value of plant production systems in NZ.
“Working in the arable industry has been an absolute pleasure and privilege.
“The sector is an exemplar of a sustainable and resilient farming system, and we should be really proud of it.
“This honour is also about recognising arable growers in NZ.”
Throughout her career she has been a strong mentor of young scientists and future agricultural leaders, encouraging innovative and ambitious thinking to address NZ’s agricultural challenges.
Other career honours and achievements include: Bayer – NZ innovators award (2012); AgResearch technology transfer award (2002); Agricom significant achievement award for research excellence (2001); Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology, Lincoln University (2011); Fellow of the NZ Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Science (2006); Fellow of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society (2011); Lincoln University excellence in research award (1997) and MAFBNZ biosecurity award for excellence in 2008.
In 2009 she was appointed a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in recognition of services to biology.
Stewart steps down from her role with FAR at the end of June with plans to fill her semi-retirement with science advisory and agricultural consultancy work and agency board directorships.
THE FIRST EVER ORAL LICE TREATMENT FOR SHEEP.
From the Editor
Planets align for a bumper Fieldays
Craig Page Deputy editor
IT’S that time of year again, when farm chores go on the back burner for a few days and all roads lead to Mystery Creek in Hamilton for the New Zealand National Fieldays.
The event has been a staple on the rural calender for 57 years and its success, like much of the country’s, hinges on having a prosperous agricultural sector.
The past couple of years have been tough. First there was covid and then an economic downtown that saw commodity prices drop and the squeeze go on farm budgets.
But, without wanting to jinx it, this year feels a little different.
There is positivity in the air and a spring in the step of many farmers on the back of a sector rebound. Milk prices continue to rise while sheep and beef farmers are now consistently fetching top dollars for their stock. That, coupled with interest rates
being on a downward trend, has added to the buzz.
There is optimism that the purse strings of the 100,000 plus people attending the four-day event will be a little looser than they have been in recent years. That’s great news for the 1200 exhibitors attending, peddling everything from agricultural technology and farm equipment to shiny new threads.
Tractor and Machinery Association president Jaiden Drought is struggling to contain his excitement about the week ahead.
“We’re quietly confident of a big show –the biggest we have had in a few years,” he told Farmers Weekly.
High commodity prices across the sector have boosted confidence, and last month’s Budget has also played its part. A 20% tax incentive for new business purchases makes it the ideal time for farmers to freshen up their outdated machinery.
Drought says signs of a resurgence in rural spending have been evident in recent months at regional field days around the country.
“Farmer confidence is up, farmer incomes are up, interest rates are coming down, onfarm inflation is coming down, and now we have got the investment bonus.
“It’s almost a perfect storm for people to go out and buy farm machinery.”
Organisers are also quietly confident
LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULT
This week’s poll question (see page 5):
Do you think Pāmu should remain in public ownership?
Letters of the week
Governments should get out of farming
Dave Stanton Geraldine
WHERE the sheep leave, the jobs soon follow.
Forty years ago our government was subsidising the development of sheep farmland from native trees and scrub, today we are subsidising people to plant it back in trees again.
Sheep numbers have decreased by over 25% in the last 10 years, under the Labour/ Greens carbon madness which allows 100% carbon credit offsetting of all carbon polluters. This amounts to 15 years of subsidises for planting pine trees on once productive sheep farms and less exports.
Largely foreign companies will collect the carbon credit subsidies for 15 years, offset their emissions, then abandon the worthless pine forests, which will be left a decaying mess.
Think how much worse it would be had methane taxes bankrupted 20% of sheep and beef farmers also.
Governments should back off, get out of farming, sell Pāmu and let farmers farm as they know best how – and take away the 100% carbon offsetting or soon the only food we will be producing will be bark chips, pine burgers, pine steaks and radiata stir fry.
about the success of this year’s event.
Feedback from previous events has shown that during the tough times, those attending are more interested in a day out from the farm, rather than spending.
That started to change last year, when more people were actively looking for a good deal.
This year, Fieldays welcomes new chief executive, Richard Lindroos, who takes up the role after a lengthy career in event management. He replaces Peter Nation, who had been at the helm since 2016, and was recognised for his efforts in the King’s Birthday Honours.
There is optimism that the purse strings of the 100,000 plus people attending the four-day event will be a little looser.
Lindroos has been involved in running major events including the America’s Cup when it was held in Auckland, FIFA events, Supercars at Pukekohe and the Auckland Marathon. He says the scale, size and challenge of Fieldays attracted him to the role and he saw it as a responsibility to showcase agribusiness, both to New Zealand and the world.
The scene is set for Mystery Creek to take centre stage this week.
JUST under 40% of voters thought we have a good understanding of consumer needs. Many thought our food and fibre sector seems resistant to change. “I think we take the easy road to sell products and are somewhat resistant to change. Looking at our product from a customer’s eyes and understanding what they want is the courageous conversation we need to have, with our customers and actual consumers,” one said.
One voter thought we needed to get more farmers into export markets to understand first-hand how their food is sold. “Too few farmers get to wander the supermarket aisles and engage with shoppers in those countries we export to.”
One person who voted yes thought that while we do understand consumer sentiment we are still unable to market our story well enough. “We need to show our low carbon footprint for red meat, instead of just talk about it. Beef + Lamb or MPI need to step up here. Fonterra has led the way but red meat hasn’t.”
Pine cone with some whipped cream, anyone?
Follow the money
Owen Springford Manapouri
SHEEP farming is in crisis for one reason, and one reason only: lack of profitability. Is there any point trying to save an unprofitable business?
The right track
Rick Gunson
Hawke’s Bay
GROUNDSWELL can take heart from the fact that if they are receiving criticism from Andrew Luddington, that they are on the right track.
I, for one, will be hanging a “Leave the Paris Accord” banner in my front paddock.
Best letter WINS a quality
hiking knife
Send your letter to the Editor at Farmers Weekly P.0. Box 529, Feilding or email us at farmers.weekly@agrihq.co.nz
Last week’s question: Do you think we have a good understanding of what our customers and consumers want from NZ food products?
Yes No
Innovation is uncomfortable
Eating the elephant
Bunt is a professor of agricultural innovation at the University of Otago. He has a background in pharmaceutical sciences and extensive research experience
THE chief executive officer of Food HQ, Victoria Hatton, opened the Agriculture at Otago Symposium in late-May with a stark question: if New Zealand suddenly disappeared, would the global markets that are so important to us even notice?
This provocation kicked off two days of diverse topics, ranging from the latest technology
to regenerative agriculture, biosecurity and applying science to on-farm practice.
Five key themes came out of the conference.
Right out the gate, presenters encouraged food and fibre people to be curious and welcome discussion with other perspectives – particularly when they don’t agree with us!
This might include trying to see the value proposition in alternative proteins produced in labs or extracted from edible insects – even if they could be possible replacements for the commodity ingredients we supply.
A Nestlé or other global buyer will certainly be looking at that proposition, and we should to.
Looking back on our systems from this (albeit uncomfortable) perspective, is critical if we are to keep innovating with the market in mind and maintain these critical customers.
The second theme is one we talk about a lot, but bears repeating: diversity. Panellists reiterated that diversity is about people, as much as it is about farm systems.
In our Beyond the Status Quo session, we were challenged on whether the sector is doing enough to be inclusive of diversity in our people in the sector. Who have we been excluding? What opportunities have we been missing out on?
CHANGE: It was highlighted at the Agriculture at Otago Symposium that catchment groups are a new engine of sector behavioural change and real-world problem-solving. Getting farmers into the design phase of projects is achieving good outcomes, says Craig Bunt.
Let’s get comfortable with being uncomfortable and seeing things through a different lens.
Diversity dovetailed into discussion of theme three –collective action. It was quickly highlighted that catchment groups are a new engine of sector behavioural change and real-world problem solving.
Getting farmers into the design phase of projects is achieving good outcomes. But this collective working together delivers more than just successful projects –it strengthens the sector with benefits like financial resilience, and even mental health resilience too.
Community-orientated mental health first aid courses help us recognise signs of our at-risk peers, and what we should do to help.
The conference celebrated initiatives such as surfing or biking for farmers, which get young
rural men and women into social activity beyond the pub.
These social relationships create safer places to share and develop new ideas.
Biosecurity experts Helen Beattie and Kim Kelly led discussion of theme four – maintaining our biosecurity edge. They highlighted that our borders aren’t as protected as we might like to think and, though our good practices should be celebrated, we must acknowledge our risky practices and start addressing them.
The practices that are challenging for animal welfare tend to be ones that are risky for disease outbreaks. We have had recent lessons in responding to outbreaks from our global community and from our own New Zealand examples.
Maintaining our awareness of these risks and keeping up our resolve to mitigate them, is key to our financial and people
resilience. Yes, the risk presented by biosecurity incursions is great. But so are the rewards of getting it right in a world of increased outbreaks that compromise food safety from our competitors. Our final key theme saw us turn back to the land, discussing how land use change is being used to respond to emissions and climate challenges. An eloquent summary from Otago’s Sebastian Gehricke about the intention versus the current reality of the Emissions Trading Scheme highlighted the need to address the pricing to correctly incentivise reduced emissions and influence sustainable land use for the real benefit for NZ and its rural communities.
There is a growing understanding that the solution to our global climate concerns is greater than NZ planting exotic forests. We can make much better use of our supposed low production land, like using native forests to hold our fragile land together while we harvest profitable products such as kanuka honey and kanuka oil. All while saving room for farming ruminants in a regenerative way.
The conclusion of this hui of innovative minds was clear: there is a lot of possibility in our farming future. Building successful, ethical and sustainable agricultural businesses is not without its challenges, but with financial incentives from the major banks in NZ now coming online, that future looks bright.
Trade has to inform defence deals in Asia
Alternative view
Alan Emerson
Semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath.emerson@gmail.com
THE big news of the past few weeks is our current trade surplus is $1.4 billion, the highest it’s been since 1960. That’s remarkable and tells me the vital importance of agriculture to our economy.
As 1960 was 65 years ago, our achievement is amazing.
That was followed by the KPMG report that told me the sector was worried first about biosecurity, followed by high quality trade agreements with new trading partners.
I agree that we’ll always be vulnerable to biosecurity incurs-
ions but I rate the minister responsible, Andrew Hoggard and the Ministry for Primary Industries biosecurity team, and I can’t sing the praises of Trade Minister Todd McClay and his team loud enough. What worries me on the trade front is the current dialogue concerning China. Last weeks emotive outburst from the United States warning us of an “imminent threat from China” came across as Cold War-era sabre rattling and was totally rejected by China.
I first heard those stories from previous prime minister Robert Muldoon in the 1970s. I rejected them then and continue to do so.
What further concerned me was the news that New Zealand was signing a defence agreement with the Philippines. Why? The Philippines is a strong ally of the US. It is currently in a dispute with China over the South China Sea. Why are we involved?
We hear the commentary about the US being a “traditional ally” but that’s in the past and not remotely relevant today.
I was more than a little surprised to read a briefing from Defence in October last year claiming that “NZ is in strategic alignment with the US”.
It was released under the Official Information Act, otherwise we would have been blissfully ignorant of the “alignment”.
I don’t want a strategic alignment with anyone. In addition, the US today is totally different from what it was last war or even last year.
US talk about annexing Greenland, taking back the Panama Canal and making Canada the 51st state suggests to me that China would actually be a more benign partner for us.
In addition, a recent article in the prestigious Atlantic Daily said that traditional US alliances “are now in danger”.
We hear about the US being a ‘traditional ally’ but that’s not remotely relevant today.
Australian academic Hugh White tells us AUKUS will fail as “US primacy in the West Pacific is unsustainable”. The government has talked about aligning with AUKUS, the Australian, United Kingdom and US agreement largely aimed at countering China.
The Trump tariff war that has included New Zealand has turned the traditional world on its head and is totally irrational.
According to the internationally recognised Daily Telegraph, the US has “already lost the trade war with China”.
The US’s traditional allies in Europe have been told to take a hike with the US increasingly aligned with Russia against Ukraine as evidenced by the recent United Nations vote.
You also couldn’t describe the US economy as healthy. Its debt to GDP ratio is currently at 124%.
It must also roll over 33% of that $36 trillion debt in the next 12 months.
Of further interest is that China holds US$859.4 billion of that debt.
Locally the US is withdrawing its aid to the Pacific. The Biden administration promised $800 million for 10 years, which the Trump administration has withdrawn.
China has pledged US$500 million to the World Health Organisation making it the top state donor. The US has withdrawn from the WHO as it has from the Paris Accord.
Finally, when Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met Chinese Premier Xi Jinping late last year he was told that “China is an opportunity partner rather than a challenge or threat”.
So my position is that signing any type of military agreement with an opponent of China is insane. That the Philippines is a strong ally of the US makes it more so.
Our future is in Asia and that
includes China and India. Asia NZ Foundation chief executive Suzannah Jessep tells us Asia is critical to NZ’s future.
Half the world’s population is in Asia. By 2030 it will have 3.2 billion consumers. We’ve many trade agreements with Asian countries and are working on more.
Nigel Stirling wrote an excellent article on the South American based Mercosur trade bloc and our possible future there.
We have other options as well but my position is that the government needs to take trade into account when considering defence agreements. That we need to make decisions based on our own needs and priorities and that means an independent foreign policy, not one governed by the past.
If we are to keep pursuing quality trade agreements as the KPMG report says the sector wants, then we need far more open discussions on defence agreements and foreign policy positions.
Finally, the government has no mandate for its current stupidity. Our trade with the Philippines is but a billion dollars, less than 5% of our trade with China.
More of your favourite opinion pieces now online farmersweekly.co.nz/opinion
Craig Bunt
In this series, the team pass the pen to four different food and farming New Zealanders.
Sector Focus Sheep & Beef
Chasing the perfect blackface ram
MOLLY Alton didn’t grow up on a farm, but she quickly found her happy place marrying her interest in the natural world with farm production systems.
She and her partner, Ben Dawson, live on a farm in Patoka and Alton spends her days helping farmers achieve sustainability outcomes on their farms in her role as a Farm Sustainability Consultant with Ballance.
“We live on a farm that Ben’s parents lease and manage it as a dairy run-off, drystock and beef finishing unit,” Alton said.
The couple jumped at the opportunity to lease 220 hectares of their own just up the road, taking over on March 1, 2023, just weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the farming district
The hill country sheep and beef block allowed them to start their own farming business and expand their sheep stud, which has been a passion of Dawson’s since he was a child.
Their stud, Waihau Terminal Sires, comprises majority stabilised Suftex, with influence from Beltex genetics. They have also introduced Dorper rams for their hogget mating, chasing an easier lambing type. They put 400 stud ewes to the ram, along with 160 ewe hoggets and sell 110-120 rams annually. They also run 300 commercial ewes.
If you treat worms like you do your animals, to manage them and help combat resistance, we can ensure we have happy, healthy stock.
Molly Alton Patoka
Working for Ballance, Alton is part of the Farm Sustainability team, which acts as a mini consulting business within the wider Ballance sales team.
Alton said that, these days, every part of a farming business has an environmental aspect to it. The key is that farm plans acknowledge all the good work already being
done, which is as important as making a plan for what might be done in the future.
While she didn’t grow up on a farm, Alton had extended family who were farming. She studied a Bachelor of Science, majoring in ecology and geography, at Auckland University.
Having met Dawson, Alton moved to the farm in Hawke’s Bay after graduating and discovered an even greater love for rural life. A career that combines primary production with environmental science was the perfect mix for her. She has also discovered a love of sheep breeding. Dawson grew up on a dairy farm, but sheep remained an interest of his. He was introduced to breeding by his uncle, who had a Suffolk stud in Canterbury, and has had his own flock since the age of nine.
The chance to manage the lease block for his parents meant he was able to grow his stud numbers, and their own lease block enabled them to scale up again. The stud is something they’re enjoying doing together.
The couple formed their own farming company in January 2023 and increased stud numbers when
they took over the lease in March 2023.
The cyclone threw a spanner in the works, as there were no stock-proof paddocks left, and the ram was about to go out. Single sire mating means keeping stock contained is vital but they were not deterred and, with the support of the farm owners, managed a successful mating.
In the sheep stud, their goal is to produce a blackface ram with the
perfect composition – structurally sound, good feet, longevity, survival and growth on and off mum – “everything you want from a terminal lamb to get it to the works as soon as possible at a heavy weight”.
“Genetics are something you can control and farmers make an active choice to go with a breeder that suits their farming system.
Continued page 25
Rebecca Greaves ON FARM Sheep and beef
RURAL LIFE: Molly Alton has embraced rural life on the farm in Patoka.
CREATING GOODNESS TOGETHER
It’s time to reconnect and find out what we can create, together.
Join Silver Fern Farms at our Plate to Pasture Farmer Conference
Creating goodness isn’t just about delicious red meat. It’s about building value from our produce, caring for our people and communities. It’s about looking after our wider environment and sharing nutritious red meat with consumers around the globe Creating goodness is exactly what the world needs us to do, and we do it together, every day
At this year ’ s Silver Fern Farms Plate to Pasture Farmer Conference, we ’ re celebrating Creating Goodness Together
We’re hosting a lineup of industry leaders and expert speakers, plus the Boning Competition National Finals, and of course the Plate to Pasture Supplier Awards.
We’re inviting everyone who creates goodness with us - farm owners, managers, stock hands and shepherds; wise old hands and keen young guns.
Join us. Our conference is free to attend for all suppliers, shareholders and teams.
Black Hawk backs Growing Future Farmers
In an increasingly urbanised world, supporting young farmers to foster their passion for farming is crucial.
Growing Future Farmers (GFF) is an immersive NZQA-accredited two-year programme for school leavers to kickstart their farming careers
Each young farmer is placed with a knowledgeable and passionate farmer where they learn first-hand what it takes to run a working farm. They also participate in regular, hands-on group training sessions to learn key skills such as shearing and pup training.
Premium dog food brand Black Hawk has partnered with Growing Future Farmers to support participants throughout the programme as they forge and continue to develop one of their most important working relationships
Empowering young farmers - and their dogs
The great value of raising and training multiple dogs early in a farmer’s career is why GFF students are allocated a pup at the beginning of the programme
“The best farm dogs have a noticeable bond and trust their owner,” says Black Hawk Northern Farm Manager Ross Osborne.
With the guidance of skilled trainers, puppy training days provide young farmers with valuable knowledge on effectively working with their pups
Each training day presents new challenges and opportunities for the students and their pups to build trust.
GFF student Gavin says the key to success is practicing between training days
“You’ve got to put in the work with the dog outside of the days to get the result otherwise it’s in one ear and out the other.”
The importance of nutrition
Black Hawk is a staunch supporter of the GFF programme and is proud to play a crucial role in fueling every pup’s growth and development. Every student receives a bag of Black Hawk food and other essential items to get them started, plus additional food during their programme
“At Black Hawk, we’re proud to support Growing Future Farmers We hope our contribution helps
“You’ve got to put in the work with the dog outside of the days to get the result otherwise it’s in one ear and out the other.”
- Gavin
farming students and ensures their pups are getting the best start through great nutrition. It’s great to see the pups thrive on Black Hawk,” says Ross
As part of their dedication to supporting the farmers of the future and fostering a thriving rural community, Black Hawk also visits regularly to discuss feeding guidelines and monitors the pups’ progress through regular weigh-ins and their transition to adult food.
Given that many of the students are experiencing farm-dog ownership for the first time, Black Hawk also passes on fundamental advice on responsible dog ownership such as worming, flea control and appropriate bedding
Fuel your dog’s performance with Black Hawk
Working dogs are the elite athletes of the canine world and require exceptional nutrition to fuel their performance
Black Hawk’s Working Dog formula provides an optimal blend of protein, fats and carbohydrates to promote sustained energy release, strong lean muscles as well as healthy joints and coats
The protein is derived from high-quality lamb and beef, rich in zinc and vitamin B12 which may help dog’s heart health and boost vitality. Black Hawk Working Dog also contains supplementary L-Carnitine to maintain lean muscles.
Choose Black Hawk and know you’re supporting future farmers
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Growing Future Farmers King Country students
Picture-perfect farm rewards eco effort
THE production of prime beef on a pictureperfect farm won Rob and Mandy Pye the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award for Northland.
Mangere Falls Farm is also a repeat regional winner of the Silver Fern Farms Plate to Pasture Suppliers Awards.
The very picturesque farm is an historic place for tangata whenua and early European settlers in the Kokopu district on volcanic country west of Whangārei.
Two decades ago, Mangere River consistently ranked the lowest for water quality in 30 rivers monitored by Northland Regional Council (NRC).
It rises in the Pukenui Forest and the western hills of Whangārei and flows west, away from the nearby Whangārei Harbour and the eastern coast, draining the Matarau, Gumtown and Kokopu districts before discharging into the Wairua River and eventually into the Kaipara Harbour.
The NRC described it as a low-lying, sluggish tributary to the Wairua that flows through a mostly intensive agricultural catchment with a score of dairy farms, plus many orchards and lifestyle blocks.
The priority remedial action was upgrading of farm dairy effluent systems.
It now has the highest number of improving water quality trends, after concentrated efforts by riparian farms and NRC land management officers.
NRC spokesperson Simon Webb said the area is among the hotspots for sedimentary run-off due to its complex geology, some steep slopes, high-intensity rain events and lack of tree cover.
“Fortunately, we see
AUCTION: Molly Alton and her partner, Ben Dawson, with rams in the sale ring at their on-farm auction in November 2024
Continued from page 22
We’re trying to build a really genuine client base.”
They also have a strong focus on producing a low-input sheep, one that is naturally resilient against worms, meaning they are light on things like drenching and dipping.
The growing issue of drench resistance across the country sparked another interest for Alton, who was keen to understand how parasites were impacting their flock. After attending a Wormwise workshop she decided to upskill and learn how to do her own faecal egg counts using technology from FECPAK.
She now does faecal egg counts so they can understand the worm burden on their own farm, and also carries out testing for local farmers who may be facing drench
resistance issues, or want to understand the efficacy of their drenches.
“I was inspired by the Wormwise workshop. This is a huge risk for any livestock farmer and for me it’s about taking it into our own hands and understanding what we can do to influence this problem.
Essentially, we established that we are farming worms, but if you treat worms like you do your animals, to manage them and help combat resistance, we can ensure we have happy, healthy stock.”
In her free time, Alton is secretary for the Patoka Dog Trial Club and can often be found near the water.
“I grew up in Gisborne and I’m a beach girl at heart. I try to get in the water as often as possible. Swimming is my preferred mode of exercise.”
Northland Regional Council Water Quality Enhancement Award.
Mandy told a recent field day on the farm about her family’s Northland farming history that has been based on Mangere Falls Farm since 1988, now leased to her and Rob, both formerly teachers.
The cattle finishing business unit is 325 hectare effective, with 260ha in the home block and 65ha support block at Maungakaramea.
The stocking peak of 500 cattle is managed to 700kg/ha LW over winter, or approximately 1.2 head/ ha, and 1130kg/ha in spring and summer.
Annual production is around 700 head and 700kg/ha CW at the targets of 650-700kg LW and over 320kg CW.
They buy in at 18 months, slaughter before 24 months and rear around 50 dairy-cross beef calves annually.
environmental resilience in the bounce-back readings for Mangere water quality,” he said.
It is now among the “most improved” rather than the worst polluted areas, although regular sedimentary loss remains high, in common with much of the Kaipara catchment.
Mangere Falls Farm has 5km of river boundary and has not been a working dairy farm during the Pyes’ tenure.
Over the past decade the Pyes have fenced 5km of water’s edge to prevent cattle access and boundary jumping, installed 6km of drains and tributary fencing, and planted 22,000 native trees and shrubs in gullies prone to flooding.
Stocking numbers of steers and bulls are carefully tailored to environmental conditions, with the judges praising the exceptional condition and temperament of the animals.
Judges noted that strategic grazing and runoff management reduces sediment and nutrient leaching, safeguarding freshwater quality on their own land as well as contributing to the wider catchment’s environmental health.
This year Mangere Falls Farm also won along the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, the Norwood Farming Efficiency Award and the
Mobs of 20 to 25 are grazed within units of eight paddocks each approximately 1.5ha and shifted every two days.
Some of the exotic crosses, like Belgian Blues, Charolais and South Devons, achieve a 60% carcase yield.
Mangere Falls Farm exemplifies the future of farming – where environmental care, efficiency, and business success go hand in hand.
Judges Ballance Farm Environment Awards
at 260kg/ha with selenium prills and little to no nitrogen.
The Ballance award judges praised Rob and Mandy’s resilience and adaptability, noting they are continuously improving their systems to meet environmental and business goals.
“Mangere Falls Farm exemplifies the future of farming – where environmental care, efficiency and business success go hand in hand,” they said.
The environmental emphasis currently is on more native plantings with assistance from Kaipara Moana Remediation, bringing back native birds and water testing as the river leaves the farm.
The pasture is ryegrass and clover with some kikuyu managed by autumn mulching followed by direct drilling of permanent ryegrass.
Bi-annual soil testing leads to annual dressing of sulphur super
In 2022 a Farming with Native Biodiversity plan was written to cover five years of environmental enhancement.
It is reviewed annually to compare the achievements to the goals.
Hugh Stringleman ON FARM Awards
HARMONY: Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards supreme winners Mandy and Rob Pye, at Kokopu, near Whangārei.
Photos: Hugh Stringleman
PARADISE: Mangere Falls Farms has 5km of river boundary now fenced with mature native trees.
HANDSOME: Rising two-year-old Charolais steers showed exceptional condition and temperament, the judges said.
Sheep farming, but make it a lot simpler
DUST lifts behind the ewes as they move out of the yards, freshly vaccinated and ready for lambing. Ben Luscombe watches them go, quietly satisfied — there’s no crutching to be done.
It’s a scene that would make many sheep farmers look twice. No docking, no crutching, and barely any dagging. But it’s all part of the system Ben and Steph Luscombe run on their King Country farm, made possible by a big decision Ben’s parents made 15 years ago: switching from Coopworths to self-shedding Wiltshires.
“My parents were realising some things were getting a bit harder at their stage of life and wanted more spare time and to enjoy farming for a bit longer,” Ben said.
“The beauty of running Wiltshires is you can make them work around your way of farming and your timing of when you want events to happen. The weather does not hog-tie you, and you can be flexible when you wean.
“Some people wean and shear at the same time, but I can just focus on feeding.”
He enjoys the simplicity of their system, the reduced need for staff, and the “streamlined” farming approach.
Transitioning to the fullshedding Wiltshires took around six years. They made good progress in the first few years, and once the flock was reduced to a couple of hundred woolly sheep, they no longer needed shearers, as they were able to manage it themselves.
For the past few years, Ben has been selling genetics. Up to 300 ewe lambs have been going to the Wiltshire sale in Te Kuiti each year. He has also been selecting the top 3% of ram lambs from his elite ewe flock to sell as well.
“I buy in good rams to use over the best of the ewes,” he said.
“I’m selecting for early finishing lambs, that are sound with good feet and are full shedding early.”
He starts lambing on August 1, and his first cut comes off midNovember. By New Year, 20% of the lamb crop is sold to the works, and then he does another good draft in January.
“Usually we’re averaging 19kg of carcase weight, all on old permanent pasture, which is made possible by achieving a good lamb weaning weight target of over 30kg,” Ben said.
The lambing percentage to the ram is over 140%, with 100% in the 200 mated hoggets.
Some people wean and shear at the same time, but I can just focus on feeding.
Ben Luscombe King Country
He’s thought about mating more hoggets, but he’s wary of it dragging down the performance of the two-tooths – a call that’s paid off, with 170% recorded at scanning.
But it’s not just about growth rates; the breed has brought big animal health benefits too, especially when it comes to flystrike.
“The ewes don’t need dipping till the end of February. It’s one less thing to worry about coming into that busy spring time.”
The lambs aren’t dipped at weaning either, and they aren’t docked.
“Some don’t like the look of the lambs with tails, but farming isn’t a fashion statement. I prefer to do what’s best for me and the animals, rather than pay someone to remove tails.”
Ben said that not docking means you can’t completely avoid dagging, as some lambs will grow a
bit of wool and have long tails, but it’s still a lot less work than if he were docking.
Ben and Steph both attended Massey University after school and met when Ben was working for Mike and Cath Cranstone at Riverton Ezicalve Herefords near Whanganui.
Ben had studied a Diploma in Agriculture and started as a shepherd, working his way to a block manager. Steph grew up on a grazing block in Matapu in South Taranaki and studied a Bachelor of AgriScience. When they met, she was an assistant manager for Farmlands in Palmerston North.
After six years gleaning as much as possible from the Cranstones, Ben was keen to do something for himself and talked to his parents about coming home. The move was paused when lockdown struck, but fortunately the Cranstones were able to keep him on till the country opened up again.
Back home in Otangiwai, 45km from Taumarunui, Ben and Steph spent the first 12 months leasing
380 hectares from Ben’s parents, Roger and Glenda Luscombe, who continued to operate 220ha.
Next, they purchased the block and leased an additional 40ha.
Ben’s dad passed away in 2022, but his mum is still managing the other block over the hill from Ben and Steph.
Steph secured a full-time role managing Farmlands Taumaranui after they relocated, making it more crucial to have a straightforward system on the farm.
“It’s just me on the farm as Steph doesn’t have much time to be on it too – another good reason Wiltshires are so good,” Ben said.
“She’s busy with her fulltime job and the big section needed cleaning up at home, and she’s been painting and refurbishing another house on the farm.”
Steph is also on the committee for their local Cosmopolitan Club at Matiere and they were both heavily involved in New Zealand Young Farmers before they aged out.
Looking to the future, Ben plans to offset the reduced profitability from the Wiltshire sale, as demand has dropped with more farmers adopting Wiltshires.
To make up for this, he intends to grow out surplus lambs and increase hogget lambing by feeding them better. He anticipates a shortage of sheep in the near future.
On the whole, the shift to Wiltshires has brought more than just a lighter workload – it’s given Ben and Steph the flexibility to run the farm on their own terms, with fewer hours in the yards and more time to think ahead.
“It’s just a simpler, more flexible way to farm,” Ben said. With a system that fits both their lifestyle and their goals, they’re focused on refining what they’ve built and making the most of the opportunities ahead. The days are still full, but they’re less frantic. And as the dust settles behind the ewes heading back to pasture, it feels like they’re exactly where they’re meant to be.
Spend months on a US teaching ranch
Gerhard Uys NEWS Education
ANGUSNZ and Colorado State University have launched a joint scholarship and paid internship.
The internship comes as part of a celebration of 25 years of international exchange between Lincoln University and Colorado State University (CSU).
AngusNZ general manager Jane Allen said because of the new partnership with CSU, two Lincoln University students will get to extend their international exchange by including up to four months on CSU’s Beef Improvement Centre ranch in South Wyoming.
Through immersion in ranch life, the students will gain handson experience with all aspects of the university’s Angus stud cattle ranch, Allen said.
This includes understanding how the ranch activities relate to university research, while also providing the opportunity to build lifelong connections within the cattle industry both in the US and in New Zealand.
SCHOLAR: AngusNZ general manager Jane Allen (from left), scholarship recipient Jacob Anderson and board member Andrew Law. Anderson is one of the first to receive the new scholarship.
AngusNZ will fund the students’ travel costs and insurance for the duration of their time in the US, she said.
Students’ accommodation and living expenses will be covered by CSU while on the ranch.
The total value of the programme is up to NZ$20,000 per student.
“This is a great news story for our up and comers in the ag sector and demonstrates the
confidence and commitment AngusNZ has in the future of the sector.
“While everyone is riding high with the strong beef prices currently, the members of AngusNZ are leading the way and investing in strengthening the relationships with global leaders in Angus cattle research and the future farmers of New Zealand to reap rewards for seasons to come,” Allen said.
FLOCK: A glimpse of the Luscombe’s self-shedding Wiltshire flock grazing on the farm, part of a streamlined system that reduces the need for crutching and shearing.
Samantha Tennent PEOPLE Sheep and beef EFFICIENCY: Ben Luscombe is focused on maintaining the efficiency and simplicity of his Wiltshire-based farming system, which has allowed for less hands-on management and more time to enjoy farming.
Photo: Supplied
New crop of old farming families honoured
Annette Scott PEOPLE Land
MULTI-generational farming families were recognised at the 19th annual New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards, again hosted by the small rural Otago town of Lawrence.
Farming families gathered from across NZ to commemorate those who had gone before them, share stories, and celebrate each other’s dedication, perseverance and success over 100-plus years of farming.
A further 22 families were honoured at the 2025 event, including three families that received sesquicentennial awards acknowledging more than 150 years ownership by the same family.
More than 200 people attended the awards celebration at which families were presented their plaques by Minister for the South Island James Meager.
“It is a real honour to acknowledge the families’ hard work and perseverance,” chair Edward Fitzgerald said.
“Many of our pioneering families contributed greatly to their regions, town and communities, often reshaping at a significant level and for many, the efforts of their ancestors have been underappreciated or completely unacknowledged.
“Farming, whether agricultural, viticultural or horticultural, has been the backbone and prosperity of our country and continues to be so today.
“Through wars, depressions, pandemics, droughts and floods, financial crisis and government polices these families have survived and built an amazing legacy.”
Fitzgerald said the purpose of the New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards is to capture and preserve the family history
Research gives deeper facial eczema insights
Staff reporter NEWS Disease
A SIGNIFICANT breakthrough in understanding facial eczema as been made by scientists, paving the way for a clearer understanding of the disease’s causes, and helping with more effective control strategies.
Until recently, it was thought that the toxin responsible for FE sporidesmin was made by the fungus Pseudopithomyces chartarum (formerly Pithomyces chartarum).
However, researchers from AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) and LIC have shown that few Pse chartarum strains appear capable of making sporidesmin, and a new species, Pseudopithomyces toxicarius, is the primary sporidesmin producer.
By identifying the specific species responsible for FE, researchers have made a crucial advance to inform where the fungus has now spread and how it can be better managed.
It will improve how FE risk is assessed, as the current spore counting methods may have included non-toxic spores, leading to inaccurate risk assessments.
BLNZ principal scientist in animal health research Dr Cara Brosnahan said the research is an essential leap forward, giving scientists the knowledge required to tackle the problem head-on.
that might otherwise be lost through the generations.
Families submit narratives of their farm history, together with copies of related photographs and supporting documents, which are then archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, ensuring all records are kept in perpetuity.
At the awards dinner families formally receive a bronze plaque and certificate to display on their property.
Applications are now open for 2025 with families that have owned or had tenure and farmed their land since 1925 or earlier encouraged to apply.
CELEBRATION: Sara Elmes, Jane, Richard, Lucy, John, kneeling, and Peter Evans prepare to plant an oak tree at Alpine Farm, in South Canterbury, to celebrate 150 years farm ownership by the same family.
STRONGER SUPPORT
At Beef + Lamb New Zealand, we’ve ramped up our efforts to help you boost productivity and profitability on your farm. Our Extension team is bringing you more practical, farmer-focused events that support real changes with real impacts on your bottom line.
We’ve also introduced:
• Focus Groups – Small-group learning sessions that help farmers connect, share ideas, and grow their businesses. These are proven to work, thanks to insights from the Red Meat Profit Partnership
• Hub Farms – A new nationwide initiative that follows the change journey of a single farm over 2–3 years. These farms provide platforms for learning, discussion, and inspiration.
• Innovation Groups – Coming to your region soon, small group sessions with farmers connecting to push boundaries and solve challenges. Everything we’re doing is by farmers, for farmers. Your local Farmer Council and Kāhui (Māori Agribusiness Advisory Group) have helped shape these initiatives to reflect the unique opportunities and challenges in your region.
Join
Long-overdue reform of freshwater rules a relief for farmers
Federated Farmers has thrown its support behind the Government’s sweeping review of New Zealand’s freshwater rules.
“This is a long-overdue step toward practical, balanced and workable environmental policy,” Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst says.
“We’re pleased to see all options are on the table and that consultation will be open until 27 July.
“The previous Government’s freshwater rules were completely unworkable for farmers. In some cases, even if you converted a whole catchment to native forest, you still wouldn’t have achieved the bottom lines.”
On May 29, the Government opened public consultation on options to reform New Zealand’s freshwater national direction.
The reforms are aimed at resetting the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), including how the concept of Te Mana o te Wai is applied.
Federated Farmers has long been critical of how this concept was previously implemented, saying it made decision-making difficult for councils and created massive uncertainty for farmers.
“That concept, as pursued by the previous Government, has been unworkable and highly problematic,” Hurst says.
The organisation is also pleased to see attention being given to the need for locally led solutions that reflect the unique characteristics of individual catchments.
“One-size-fits-all approaches simply don’t work across our country’s diverse landscapes and farming systems,” Hurst says.
One-size-fits-all approaches simply don’t work across our country’s diverse landscapes and farming systems.
Colin Hurst
Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson
Federated Farmers has long advocated for catchment-based solutions supported by practical and tailored farm plans.
These plans help farmers understand the specific environmental challenges on their land and take meaningful action to address them.
“Farmers are conscious of doing the right thing for the environment once they know what the problem is, and what actions they can take on farm to resolve those problems.
“Farm plans are key to getting farmer buy-in and maintaining farming’s social licence,” Hurst says.
Water storage is another major area where the review signals progress.
“We’re very supportive of measures to make it easier to build off-stream water storage,” Hurst says.
“Water storage will be an essential part of solving over-allocation issues that exist in some catchments and groundwater zones across the country.”
He says the proposal for a national standard to build off-stream water storage has merit.
“The standard can be carefully crafted to ensure environmental protections are in place, like right location, and earthworks controls.
“But at the same time, it enables farmers to get on and build the storage necessary for stock drinking water and crop irrigation.”
Hurst says water storage is fundamental to New Zealand’s future economic growth.
“This will be one part of the water storage necessary if we’re to double
our exports by value within the next 10 years.”
On wetlands, Federated Farmers says getting some consistency and sense into the definition of a wetland is a welcome addition to the reform package.
“The idea that a wetland includes a wet area caused by a burst pipe is an example of how unworkable the current regulations are,” Hurst says.
“Taking another look at farming activities that can occur near or within a wetland, where there is no adverse effect on the wetland, is also a welcome provision.”
Federated Farmers’ view is the best way to protect wetlands is through farm plans, as wetlands will be
mapped within farm plans as areas needing to be protected.
“Removing the requirements for regional councils to map wetlands will save ratepayers money and put the responsibility on landowners to identify and protect those special areas on their properties.”
As the consultation process begins, Federated Farmers will be engaging closely with members and carefully reviewing the proposed changes before providing formal feedback.
“We’ll be reading through the detail of this announcement and going back to the Government with our position, on behalf of our members, in the next few weeks,” Hurst says.
E
REBOOT: Federated Farmers’ Colin Hurst welcomes the Government’s review of freshwater rules as a step toward workable environmental policy.
Save our sheep billboards hit Wellington
Federated Farmers have taken the fight for the future of New Zealand sheep farming to the streets of Wellington with bold digital billboards visible directly from Ministers’ Beehive offices.
The message to politicians is clear and concise: sheep are not the problem – stop planting productive farmland in pine trees for carbon credits.
“We wanted this campaign to be bold and directly in politicians’ faces. That’s the only way we’re going to get their attention,” Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams says.
“Sheep farming is in crisis. We need the Government to urgently wake up to the impact poor policy is having on our farming families and rural communities.
“Each year we’re losing tens of thousands of hectares of productive farmland.
“Where sheep and lambs once grazed there’s now nothing but pine trees as far as the eye can see.”
Between 2017 and 2024, more than 260,000 hectares of productive sheep farming land were plastered in pine trees – never to return to pasture.
We wanted this campaign to be bold and directly in politicians’ faces.
Toby Williams Federated Farmers meat & wool chair
In just one generation New Zealand has lost over two-thirds of our national flock, reducing from over 70 million sheep in 1982 to fewer than 25 million sheep today.
“Our national flock is declining by almost a million sheep every year and the number one driver is
carbon forestry,” Williams says.
“Farms are being converted to forestry because Government policy is screwing the scrum and making it more profitable to plant pine trees than to farm sheep.
“The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is effectively subsidising pine trees to offset fossil fuel emissions, and that’s pushing farming families off the land and destroying rural communities.”
New Zealand is the only country in the world that allows 100% carbon offsetting through forestry, with other countries recognising the risk and putting restrictions in place.
Federated Farmers is now calling on the Government to urgently review the ETS and fix the rules to either limit or stop the offsetting of fossil fuel emissions with forestry.
MORE: You can sign the petition at www.saveoursheep.nz
Federated Farmers launches KiwiSaver petition
Federated Farmers has launched a nationwide petition calling on the Government to urgently change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder.
“Accessing your KiwiSaver to buy your first farm, flock, herd or home has been an incredibly hot topic for farmers,” Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says.
“On the campaign trail of the 2023 election, Todd McClay stood up in front of young farmers in Morrinsville and made a promise that he would make it happen.
“I’m sure he had the best of intentions, but unfortunately farmers have been bitterly disappointed by the lack of action from the Government on the issue to date.
“That’s why Federated Farmers has launched this petition: to hold the Government accountable
and send a clear message that it’s time to follow through on their promise.”
The petition’s launch has been timed to coincide with the National Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and
TIME TO DELIVER: Richard McIntyre says the Government promised young farmers KiwiSaver changes – and now it’s time to follow through.
politicians will gather at Mystery Creek.
“Politicians are always out in force at Fieldays, rubbing shoulders with farmers, and we really wanted to make sure KiwiSaver issues were a topic of conversation,” McIntyre says.
L E A S I N G L
“Allowing young farmers to access their KiwiSaver to buy their first herd, home, farm or flock is the number one thing the Government could do to help our next generation of farmers.
“It would shave years of hard work and saving off their progression through the industry, and really turbocharge their farming careers.
“Why is the Government okay with that money being managed by stockbrokers and invested in Fortune 500 companies, but not by a farmer buying a herd to go sharemilking?”
McIntyre says he can’t see any reason the Government wouldn’t throw their full support behind making this policy change happen.
“A lot of young urban people enter KiwiSaver because it’s a good way to build a deposit for their first house. They’re saving for a home early on –not for their retirement.
“We’re asking for young farmers
Why is the Government okay with that money being managed by stockbrokers and invested in Fortune 500 companies, but not by a farmer buying a herd to go sharemilking?
Richard McIntyre Federated Farmers dairy chair
to have the same opportunity – a one-off withdrawal early in their careers to help them get ahead by purchasing their first home, farm, herd, or flock.”
MORE: New Zealanders are encouraged to sign the petition online at www. kiwisaverforkiwifarmers.co.nz or at Federated Farmers’ Fieldays site D70.
I SEE EWE: Federated Farmers’ digital billboards are positioned carefully to stare at Ministers in their Beehive offices.
Plan Change 1: Devil will be in the detail
After a 12-year process, the Environment Court has finally released an interim decision on Waikato’s Plan Change 1 (PC1), but Federated Farmers are raising concerns.
“These new rules will have a significant impact on farmers in the Waikato and Waipā river catchments,” Waikato Federated Farmers president Phil Sherwood says.
“Farmers have engaged constructively in the process for over a decade now, but the plan has been stuck in an endless cycle of hearings, appeals and Environment Court processes.
“When it comes to farming rules, Waikato farmers are looking for some certainty, but we also need to know rules will be practical, affordable and fair.”
Work on Waikato Plan Change 1 started in 2012 and was formally notified in 2016.
The Court last week released a 376-page interim decision giving those involved some time to respond, with yet another hearing likely in September.
“It’s been an incredibly long and expensive process for farmers. We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs, and countless volunteer hours,” Sherwood says.
“Federated Farmers are proud to have been there every step of the way fighting for our members and making a strong case for rules that will be workable and affordable.
“This plan change will have a huge impact on farming families and businesses. It will cover everything from fencing requirements right through to farm environmental plan standards.”
Sherwood says the plan change represents the most significant change to the Waikato’s farming rules in more than a generation.
“Under these rules, almost all farmers are going to need a farm environment plan and some will now require a resource consent to continue farming.
“This is largely in line with where national regulation has been heading for a while now and some farmers will already have a farm plan of some description in place.
“Our team are now working through the detail to understand
KEEP OUT: There may be some particularly challenging aspects of the stock exclusion rules, Waikato Federated Farmers president Phil Sherwood says.
what additional requirements, if any, might be put in place for Waikato farmers over and above existing requirements.”
Sherwood says some things seem to be landing in a better place compared to where they started in 2016 with earlier versions of PC1 –but there will still be challenges for local farmers.
For example, many low-intensity dairy and drystock farms are likely to be a ‘permitted activity’ under the rules. This means no resource consent will be needed.
Most other farming activities will be classified as ‘controlled activities’, meaning a resource consent will be needed, but cannot be declined.
“It will depend on the risk level of that individual farm and the catchment where the farm is located,” Sherwood says.
He also warns there may be some particularly challenging aspects of the stock exclusion rules – and that these have been a persistent issue throughout the PC1 process.
“All stock will need to be excluded from all waterbodies on land with slopes of up to 10° as soon as practicable, within five years of the rules coming into force. If this can’t be met, then a farmer could apply for resource consent.
Federated Farmers are proud to have been there every step of the way fighting for our members and making a strong case for rules that will be workable and affordable.
Phil Sherwood Federated Farmers Waikato president
“Farmers are also going to need to identify all unfenced streams on land with slopes between 10° and 15° in their farm plan, and put in place a plan to fence them within a further five years.
“Having an interim decision is a significant milestone, but our team now needs time to read the decision and get our heads around what it might mean behind the farm gate for our members.”
Federated Farmers will continue to update its members as more information becomes available and once the final decision is released later this year.
Waikato Regional Council has until 25 July to respond to the directions of the Court.
CHANGES: Federated Farmers say Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1 will have a significant impact on farmers in the Waikato and Waipā river catchments.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Waikato president’s baptism of fire
Just two weeks into his role as Federated Farmers Waikato president, new farming rules 12 years in the making have fallen in Matamata dairy farmer Phil Sherwood’s lap.
“It’s like being thrown in the deep end, but it’s not like we didn’t know these Waikato Plan Change 1 (PC1) interim decisions were coming,” he says.
“Federated Farmers have been very proactive on PC1 from the get-go, working extremely hard to try to ensure the rules are practical and fitfor-purpose for Waikato farmers.
“I’m going to be spending some time getting my head around what this interim decision actually means in practice, before our team goes back with our feedback later this month.”
A third-generation Waikato dairy farmer on his mother’s side, Sherwood has experienced a baptism of fire before.
In 1990, his mum bought out his sharemilker father’s interest in the property after the couple split.
Like many farm kids, Sherwood grew up in the milking shed, having to make the familiar – but legitimate
– excuses for sometimes arriving late to intermediate and high school classes.
“Women in sole charge of a farm at that time, let alone a solo mum, were few and far between.
“Mum certainly drove some of the thought processes I have now. I have massive respect for all the amazing women in our industry, because I know how tough it can be.”
In 2002, Sherwood was 17 and had just left school when his mother died.
“I’m the youngest of three siblings but the others weren’t keen on dairy farming, so I set aside ambitions
That early experience showed me the value of Federated Farmers’ advocacy and how the organisation can bring farmers together to find a pathway through challenges.
Phil Sherwood
Federated Farmers Waikato president
industr y sur vey exploring challenges, oppor tunities, and how the contr act milking model can be str engthened fo r t h e f u t u r e
to train as a builder and took over running the family farm.
“It was a pretty steep learning curve,” he admits.
In 2013 he expanded to take on an additional property, and now runs about 500 cows.
Federated Farmers first came onto his radar as a kid, when farmers arrived at their home asking his mum to sign a petition against a new flood control rate.
Sherwood’s mum refused, reasoning that water from the upper catchment flooded farms like hers, so everyone should share in the costs.
She initially took flak for her stance, but Federated Farmers got involved in finding a solution that would work for all.
“That early experience really showed me the value of Federated Farmers’ advocacy and how the organisation can bring farmers together to find a pathway through challenges.”
Sherwood says he was encouraged to step up into a leadership role by former Waikato dairy chair Matthew Zonderop and former president Keith Holmes.
“Keith has led a resurgence in the province and I want to step that up with a platform of practicality and collaboration with stakeholders and takeholders,” Sherwood says.
By ‘takeholders’, he means the likes of Fish & Game and Forest & Bird, organisations with their own motivations, but no stake in farming and food production.
“We talk with them in the Environment Court and I’ll look to find common ground wherever possible.
“Those guys want access, and they want us to do a good job, but they’re not really putting the mahi on the line for outcomes that ensure farming is still viable now, and into the future.”
As a farmer, Sherwood also feels a connection with iwi in terms of a shared ethos of looking after the land.
“I think there are bridges to be built between us.”
While difficult conversations with councils on PC1 are still ahead so that farmers aren’t buried in red tape, Sherwood feels the bigger unitary (joint district and regional) councils being pushed for in places like Southland aren’t right for Waikato.
He says Waikato’s district councils have economic challenges in terms of their size, but they’re good at drawing together and serving town and rural interests.
“Perhaps there’s a case for amalgamation of smaller councils.
“There are massive overheads that need to be addressed, and economies of scale could help, but you’ve got to balance that with
preserving the local voice in district affairs. It’s tricky.”
Another of Sherwood’s ambitions is to show young people in Hamilton and other urban centres that there are interesting and rewarding careers in farming
“Back in the day they had that exposure, because everyone had an uncle or another relative out on a farm – but that’s not the case now.
“We need more young people coming into the agricultural sector and that’s going to be something I work on as president.”
MORE:
Any farmers keen to meet Phil can drop by the Waikato Federated Farmers stand at National Fieldays this week, located in the Rural Advocacy Hub at site D70, in the Gallagher Building.
REPRESENTATION: Phil Sherwood says council amalgamations might realise cost savings but that has to be balanced with preserving the local voice in district affairs.
ADVOCATE: Federated Farmers have been proactive on PC1, working hard to try to ensure the rules are practical, Phil Sherwood says.
Ormondville 326 Donghi Road 1,076.6078 ha
Mananui Station is a 1,077ha breeding and semi-finishing block in the Ormondville district, 15 minutes from Dannevirke Established in 1895 and held in the same family since, this is its first time on the market The property spans two main blocks - Mananui (700ha) and Awaroa (350ha), linked by a central laneway Mananui winters approx 9su/ha, running 250 Angus cows plus replacements and 4,000 Romney ewes plus replacements, and approximately 110ha of three-year-old pines are ETS registered Assets include three homes, two woolsheds with covered yards, sheep and cattle yards, airstrip, fertiliser bin, haybarns, great fencing, and well-formed tracks Fertiliser history, pasture quality, and stock performance reflect 130 years of dedicated stewardship bayleys co nz/2853979
(unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 3 Jul 2025 15 Havelock Road, Havelock North View by appointment
Wynne-Lewis 027 488 9719
Tihoi 741 Hingarae
Machinery
The spending shackles are finally off
Santa turned up early this year in the form of the finance minister.
While there was some criticism about the country of origin of her dress, I’m less interested in the fashion conversation. Nicola Willis could have turned up in a big red sleigh wearing a Santa suit for all I care, the actual Budget message is big news for those in need of a new tractor or piece of farm machinery.
So what’s it all about?
Now bear in mind, I am a magpie who is addicted to shiny things (like tractors), so taking financial advice from such a person is widely frowned upon by financial institutions and advisors alike.
One of the most important takeaways to be aware of is that in the year an asset is acquired, 20% can be claimed upfront and normal depreciation can be claimed on the balance.
Now because we are not all accountants, let’s put some numbers together as an example. If you buy an asset on the first
day of the tax year, (for instance 1 June) costing $100,000 (which normally has a 10% depreciation rate), this investment bonus gives an immediate deduction of $20,000, and a depreciation deduction of $8000 (being 10% of $80,000). This gives total deductions in year one of $28,000, a significant bump compared with $10,000 under previous rules, and a far cry from the $5000 that was introduced as an instant tax write off during covid times.
Now, there is a little sting in the tail for machinery dealerships.
NERVES: While the investment boost is great news for new tractor sales, dealers are anxious as to what it will mean for second hand machinery.
If we look across the Tasman, it was open slather with 100% write off during post covid stimulation. In some ways what our government has done is a more measured approach than Scott Morrison. The Australian industry was so falsely inflated, I mean it was jacked up to the gills and it got buyers out of their “normal replacement policy”. It saw them purchase large sprayers, combines and tractors much sooner than they usually would. This was fantastic for manufacturers and machinery dealerships at the time, although with instances like this worldwide causing a surge in demand, it was closely followed by crippling supply chain issues. If we now look at the washup of that, farmers have new shiny machines and dealerships have yards full of second-hand equipment. Depending what camp you sit in may dictate your outlook
as to whether this was actually a success or not.
Given the high price of machinery, which is a serious investment, with the new scheme you get to take the larger depreciation amount off in the first year.
There was also a bit of skulduggery where machines were undervalued at trade-in time and having now been sold for the “correct” amount, this is attracting some capital gains tax attention.
Back here, I’m convinced this is positive news and, in some ways, can be used in a similar vein to income equalisation.
Given the high price of machinery, which is a serious investment, with the new scheme you get to take the larger depreciation amount off in the first year.
Current on farm income due to commodity prices is also inflated and as such, so is your taxable income. If commodity prices drop, you still have the upgraded piece of equipment, you’ve managed to offset some of your taxable income but you have a newer, more reliable machine to keep up with daily tasks on cheap finance. Plus mechanically it’s all still in warranty so there are no surprise repair bills to impact cash flow. The net result is that less of your hard-earned money is going to the tax man and more towards a shiny new tractor. What a time to be alive people.
Jaiden Drought MARKETS Machinery
The missing piece — why wall insulation is the key to a warmer
New Zealanders have come a long way in making their homes warmer, drier, and healthier. Since the introduction of the Healthy Homes Standards, many landlords and homeowners have upgraded their ceiling and underfloor insulation. But there’s one major area still being overlooked— the walls.
Without insulated walls, homes continue to lose heat, making them harder to keep warm and increasing power costs. Fortunately, there’s an easy and effective way to retrofit insulation into existing walls— without the mess or disruption of traditional methods.
The Forgotten Layer of Insulation
Many people assume wall insulation is too difficult or requires pulling down walls—but that’s not the case. Insulmax® provides a CodeMark-certified wall insulation system, approved by all councils in New Zealand, making
it possible to insulate walls quickly, safely, and effectively.
By using a dry, water-repellent mineral fibre, Insulmax® ensures homes stay warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and drier year-round.
The installation process is seamless: small holes are drilled, the insulation is injected into the wall cavities, and high-resolution thermal imaging cameras confirm complete coverage—eliminating gaps and ensuring a high-quality installation every time.
Case Study: Anne’s farm cottage—filling the gaps for a warmer home
Anne, a farmer from North Canterbury, had already installed underfloor and ceiling insulation in her farm cottage, but the house was still freezing in winter.
“You could feel the wind whistling through the cupboards—it was like having a permanent draught inside the house,” she recalls.
Realising the walls were the missing piece, she contacted the Christchurch Insulmax® team.
“The team was efficient and professional. They
home
explained everything clearly, and the job was done incredibly quickly—in just one day. A week later, they returned to patch and colour-match the exterior, and you wouldn’t even know they’d been there.”
After one winter with insulated walls, the difference was clear.
“Now the room actually holds heat. The heat pump doesn’t need to run as long, and it’s so much more comfortable.”
The Final Step for a Fully Insulated Home
Thousands of New Zealand homes are still missing this crucial insulation upgrade. With Insulmax®, homeowners and landlords can complete their insulation without the hassle of renovations.
If you want a home that truly stays warm in winter and cool in summer, Insulmax® can help— without tearing down walls. Contact your local Insulmax® team for a free home assessment and see how easy it is to complete your home’s insulation today.
Visit www.insulmax.co.nz for more information
An Exciting Opportunity General Manager – Livestock
These are exciting times in farming and we are recruiting to fill a critical vacancy within our business. The opportunity arises as a result of restructuring, with the incumbent moving toward retirement after many years building our success and that of our clients, within the industry.
This is your opportunity to advance your career within NZ Farmers Livestock, leading our livestock agency teams across NZ, working with farmers for farmers.
The role works through our regional management, and with each team, to achieve leading client outcomes, develop the staff involved and continue the development of this successful business. NZ Farmers Livestock operates in a wide range of saleyards, on farms throughout NZ, and on leading digital platforms. The agency sector is the core of our business but supported by livestock financing and ancillary divisions.
The role reports to the CEO but will be part of a senior team interacting with NZFL governance and an important part of the succession plan within the business.
NZ Farmers Livestock offers:
• Competitive remuneration package, including vehicle and performance incentive structure
• Supportive team environment
• Near term start
• Waikato or Taranaki based
• Health Insurance
• Life/Terminal Illness Insurance
Key skills and attributes:
• Energy and vitality
• Good experience of NZ livestock farming and ideally trading
• Commercial and sales expertise
• Superior relationship building and communication skills
• Ability to work in an autonomous manner
• High levels of drive and self-motivation
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and close Tuesday 24th June 2025. Applications to: steve.morrison@nzfll.co.nz
Deadline July 7
Andrea Mansfield 027 602 4925 • livestock@agrihq.co.nz
SALE TALK
A grizzly-looking man—well-built, with guns hanging from his waist—walks into a tavern.
He heads straight to the bartender, orders three shots, and downs them one after the other. He scans the room, and the people shift uncomfortably. The tension is thick. Then, without a word, he walks out, and the atmosphere gradually returns to normal. Just as things begin to settle, the doors burst open. The man storms back in, guns drawn, and shouts, “My horse is missing! I’m going to order three more shots—and if it’s not back where I left it before I finish, I’ll do what I did in Texas.”
Now, the tension is palpable. The bartender, hands trembling, begins pouring the drinks as slowly as he can, throwing anxiou looks around the room.
The man finishes his second drink when someone rushes in and whispers something to him. He grunts in satisfaction and stands up.
As he’s about to leave, the bartender calls out hesitantly, “No disrespect, sir... but what exactly did you do in Texas?”
The man pauses, glowers around the room and growls, “I walked home.”
TUESDAY
GRAMPIANS BULL SALE
Jono
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Capital Stock Ewe and Lamb Sale
Waipaoa Station, 1497 Armstrong Road
Whatatutu, Gisborne
Wed 18th June – commencing 11am
• 1400 2th Ewes (Rom Ram)
• 2800 MA Ewes (Rom Ram)
• 1800 MA Ewes (Terminal ram)
• 3500 ewe lambs, 37-44kg, GAP
• 550 male lambs, 44-48kg, GAP
180% historically, 20/3 ram, 2 cycles.
Scanning results published prior to sale.
Will be drafted to suit all intending purchasers.
1.5% rebate to purchasing agents.
Light lunch and refreshments available.
Allow 1 hour from Gisborne.
Further enquiries Ross Mitchell 027 404 8965
FOR SALE 70 R2–6YR Velvet Hinds SIF Forest Rd Farm stags STOCK REQUIRED Male & Ewe Lambs 32–38kg GAP store lambs GAP SIL MA ewes
Friesian Bull Calves 200-220kg
R2YR Angus & Ang x Steers 350–500kg
R2YR Beef & Fries Bulls 420–560kg
info@dyerlivestock co nz www dyerlivestock co nz Ross Dyer 0274 333 381
Growing hole in lamb kill raises alarm
Recent graphs present a data set with very real consequences –not least risking the loss of international customers who can’t rely on a consistent supply of NZ lamb.
Alex Coddington MARKETS
Sheep and beef
THE launch of Federated Farmers’ Save Our Sheep campaign has coincided with the publication of some distressing data from recent months.
Beef + Lamb NZ’s flock and herd projections relative to the seasonto-date kill suggested early on that meat companies would have their work cut out for them finding lambs through winter.
However, the results of different trading patterns and the push to hold lambs to higher weights have exacerbated the supply gap. The recent kill graphs now present a confronting data set with very real consequences.
The sobering reality is that consistent price lifts are doing little to draw out lambs that simply aren’t there – lambs that support jobs, communities and families across the supply chain.
National processing statistics are available up to May 10, but the supply hole was already becoming apparent by mid-April, far beyond the usual seasonal lull.
April was full of short weeks this year, following a strong offload in the six weeks prior, during which an additional 265,000 lambs were processed above the five-year average.
The issue of the deficit was
expected but intensified with the lack of backlogs to support the follow-up.
Finished lamb supply in April fell 11% below the five-year average and 14% below last year’s levels, resulting in 186,000 fewer lambs processed than usual.
In the North Island, 16% fewer lambs were processed in April compared to the five-year average, a gap equating to 116,700 head.
In the most recently available data from the first two weeks of May, the gap widened to show 154,600 head fewer lambs processed in the North Island compared to the five-year average, and 39,300 head fewer in the South, in just those two weeks.
The growing deficit in lamb kill data this season, especially in the North Island, tells a clear story of the reality we face after years of loss of sentiment.
The anticipated deficit has been amplified by various seasonal factors and the rumours of inflated spring prices, but the risk of our supply-capacity problem remains.
The sheer height of our export returns has been the saving grace this season. Demand is high from our traditional markets, but these high prices are already starting to meet resistance from global consumers.
The risk we now face as an industry is failing to meet our volume commitments, potentially
losing international customers who can’t rely on a consistent supply of New Zealand lamb as well as our ability to consume New Zealand lamb in our homes.
It has been clear from global trade flows of red meat that the rest of the world is holding value in food security, as evidenced by the incredible export stats out of Brazil and Australia, coinciding with unwavering global demand that has supported record prices for beef and lamb.
Further plant closures seem no longer a question of if, but when. The irreversible damages to supply through conversion of farms to forestry and restrictions to breeder profitability through legislation is not an exclusive problem for industry stakeholders.
The growing deficit continues to directly affect our domestic markets. The height at which the local market has to compete just to put meat on shelves is already
Proudly sponsored by
DROPPING: Finished lamb supply in April fell 11% below the five-year average and 14% below last year’s levels, resulting in 186,000 fewer lambs processed than usual.
garnering consumer resistance and encouraging an uptick in Australian imports of beef and lamb.
From 2010 to 2018 our Australian lamb imports in April were never more than 89 tonnes,
compared to the past five years when volumes have been in the range of 90-200t. These numbers translate to serious damage to our domestic appetite for New Zealand lamb while also manifesting as a food affordability issue that is spiralling out of control.
The SOS call to save our sheep from extinction is backed by data that shows New Zealand’s sheep flock is at a crisis point relative to the processing capacity we maintain.
The backbone of our country’s export revenue and the sustainability of the sheep industry are deteriorating before our eyes, and it all comes down to supply, supply, supply.
Sam Whitelock
Cattle Sheep Deer
Weekly saleyard results
These weekly saleyard results are collated by the AgriHQ LivestockEye team. Cattle weights and prices are averages and sheep prices are ranges. For more detailed results and analysis subscribe to your selection of LivestockEye reports. Scan the QR code or visit www.agrihq.co.nz/livestock-reports
5-6-year
3-4-year
4-tooth
Feilding | May 30 | 1855 cattle, 10,401 sheep
or $/hd Mixed-age traditional cows, empty, 560kg 3.33 R3 traditional steers, 565kg 4.24 R2 traditional steers,
Expect June to be full of lows and highs
WINTER kicked off with a cold blast bringing flooding last week and then a big temperature drop that is still with us as we start this new week –although it is fading.
Our weather patten in the New Zealand/ Tasman Sea region has changed significantly in recent weeks, from a steady stream of high pressure that linked itself together from late January until April, to now still seeing some big high pressure zones. Between them we are now seeing sizeable low pressure zones.
The strong anticyclones mean the lows following them are slow moving, and can grow into large systems. If the high is a slowmoving truck, then the low is the car behind it unable to pass.
This pattern brings variety – and I’ve said before that is usually a positive thing for our economy and farmers and growers as it brings a nice mixture of all sorts of weather.
In our recent June (ClimateWatch) monthly video outlook I covered
how big these highs still are – and that they will bring breaks from the rain and wind, and bring variety in temperatures.
A high pressure zone that stretches sideways like a rugby ball lying on the ground brings “sideways weather”. By that I mean it creates a lot of westerlies and easterlies, which don’t move temperatures as much nationally as a “tall” high pressure zone that looks like a rugby ball about to be kicked.
Fieldays looks less likely to be frosty or foggy but it may be wet.
This brings “up and down” (north and south) weather, which can see a wintry southerly dredged up as the high moves in (recent days) and when it departs it brings mild winds from the sub-tropics (mid this week).
When you see a high pressure zone centred near Tasmania that is tall (shaped north to south) like a rugby ball about to be kicked, this is what dredges up our coldest airflows – and we’ve just had a taste of that.
By Wednesday this week high pressure will be centred east of New Zealand and this will drag down subtropical northerlies ahead of the next large low pressure zone exiting Australia.
In fact, this next low has finally brought rain relief into Victoria and some parts of South Australia –and it starts to affect NZ’s weather by midweek, bringing more rain and northerlies.
For Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Waikato it means this year looks less likely to be frosty, or foggy, with overnight lows hovering around the 10degC mark, give or take a couple degrees.
But it may be wet – so this year is a boots, jacket and umbrella set-up. Hopefully some good dry spells in the mix too – but check our hourly forecasts at RuralWeather.co.nz for more. We also have a Fog Forecaster if flying.
Looking further into June and we’re not done with the big high pressure zones either. Much of next week looks dominated by high pressure in the NZ area – and being more of a “rugby ball on its side” set up, it may not bring wild temperature changes like the last one just did.
WATCH: This map shows the rainfall accumulation over seven days starting from 6am Sunday June 8 through to 6am Sunday June 15.
Philip Duncan NEWS Weather
