Whether you’re managing heat detection or marking treatment cows, FIL Animal Markers make identification simple with bright, long-lasting colours that stand out every time.
Turn to page 1
Walkover teat sprayer Page 17
Maui Milk’s new chief executive Edward Malcolm says the sheep milk industry is on the brink of an exciting new chapter. PAGE 5
$20,000
Whether you’re managing heat detection or marking treatment cows, FIL Animal Markers make identification simple with bright, long-lasting colours that stand out every time.
The CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS FARM SPEC doesn’t call in sick, talk back, or need smoko. Just power, space, and grunt when you need it.
Why
In the last 6 months, have you purchased something because you seen it advertised in a rural publication? Yes, more than once No Yes
What other ways do you nd out what’s happening in the agriculture sector? Tick as many as apply. Rural websites Daily newspapers Social media Television Radio
How do you prefer to read rural newspapers? Print copy I don’t o en read newspapers Online (on mobile device or computer)
SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
A $10 MILK price remains on the cards for this season despite recent softening of global dairy prices.
There has been a big rise on global milk production, putting downward pressure on prices, hovering at record levels for the past 18 months.
Westpac industry economist Paul Clark believes New Zealand dairy farmers “are well in the money” given a breakeven milk price of $8.45/kgMS and Fonterra recently confirming a payout of $10.16/kg – plus a dividend of 57c/share for last season.
“With a forecast milk payout of $10/kgMS and an updated breakeven milk price of $8.66/ kg from DairyNZ for the 2025/26 season, farmers should still sit relatively comfortably over the coming year,” says Clark.
Westpac is sticking to a $10/kgMS milk price for this season.
“Our forecast payout assumes that dairy prices will track below current levels by an average of 5% over the rest of the season.
“Much of that has to do with a big rise in global milk production, with the top five exporting regions running 2.4% ahead of a year ago.”
He says the increase in production reflects both the absence of disease, especially in the Northern Hemisphere; and farmers having been incentivised by higher milk.
prices to lift output levels. Milk production in 2024 was affected by avian flu in the US and bluetongue in Europe.
However, the fall in world prices recently has been partly offset by a more favourable exchange rate. By August, Fonterra had hedged 66% of its FX exposure for the
season at a better average rate than we had assumed. The recent fall in the New Zealand dollar should help further, says Clark.
Last week’s Global Dairy Trade auction saw the price index drop for the fourth straight event. The flagship whole milk powder price has dropped from US$4374/metric tonne in May to US$3696/MT last week. Butter prices also eased 3%.
NZX Rosalind Crickett Dairy Analyst says the latest GDT result met market expectations, as product supply remains in abundance amidst a backdrop of tepid demand.
As a result, the overall index printed a -1.6% decline, to slip below the US$4000/t mark, with anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and cheddar the only products seeing respective uplifts of 1.2% and 0.8%. The lower prices at GDT 389 proved to be a drawcard for North Asian buyers, upping their purchases by 31% on the last event to account for 52% of the total purchased volume, while buying activity from Southeast Asia/Oceania was more subdued on this occasion. On the whole, 7.5% more volume was sold.
Crickett says the global milk production picture remains strong for this time of year, with recent data out of key markets - NZ, the US, EU, and Argentina showing robust year-onyear growth in both tonnage and milksolids.
“This has naturally put downward pressure on milk powder pricing with WMP easing -2.3% and skim milk powder (SMP) -0.5% (in the last GDT auction).”
While the market had already factored in extra NZ volume on the platform as it follows the seasonal supply curve, strong milk production growth, and perceived lagging contracted sales from Fonterra have seen the co-op add an additional 16,500mt of whole milk powder (WMP) to its 12-month forecast of both GDT and Pulse.
Ample cream supplies globally are behind the decline in butter prices, she says.
NZ product is facing fiercer pricing competition against both EU and US product.
“While historically not a large exporter of butter, US exports are up 125% in the year-todate,” says Crickett.
JESSICA MARSHALL
CHANGES TO New Zealand’s postal service has left rural communities disappointed.
Last week, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced that the Government had approved changes to the Postal Deed of Understanding between the Crown and New Zealand Post (NZ Post).
MBIE says the changes, which were first proposed in 2024, aim to make sure New Zealanders have ongoing access to the mail service while providing flexibility for NZ Post to operate the mail service in a commercially sustainable way.
Under the changes to the deed, rural New Zealanders will see
their delivery frequency reduced to a minimum of three days per week while those with PO Boxes will see their minimum delivery frequency reduced to twice a week.
The current minimum of 880 total postal outlets will also be reduced to 500 before stepping down to 400 after four years.
The deed states that no rural retail outlets will be closed within the first year of the revised deed coming into effect and that NZ Post must engage with impacted rural communities impacted by any closures after that point.
James Hartley, MBIE general manager, communications, infrastructure and trade, says that NZ Post’s new minimum service obligations are reflective of how New Zealanders use the postal service.
“New Zealanders are
sending fewer letters than ever before,” he says.
Hartley says that currently, the average delivery point receives fewer than two letters each week compared to 7.5 in 2013 when the Deed was last reviewed.
“Despite being used less, NZ Post has been required to maintain a network designed for much higher volumes,” he adds.
However, Sandra Matthews, national president of Rural
Women New Zealand, says the cuts mark a step backwards for rural New Zealand.
“They will make life harder for rural people who already face longer travel times, reduced access to services and unreliable digital connectivity,” Matthews says.
She says that rural Kiwis rely heavily on postal services for things like medication, paying bills, receiving essential deliveries, and maintaining business
operations.
“For many, frequent, accessible postal services are a necessity,” she adds.
“These changes may reduce some costs to NZ Post, but they certainly won’t help increase productivity or maintain the viability of our regional communities.”
Matthews says that while her organisation acknowledges the commitment under the deed that no rural retail service points would close in the first year, the changes will still force
people to travel longer distances to access a postal outlet or shared mail hub, creating a significant barrier.
“This is a particular problem for older and more isolated rural residents, and makes doing business in rural areas even harder,”
she says.
“Digital connectivity issues are also far more prevalent in rural areas, where internet coverage and mobile reception can be patchy. This makes rural communities significantly more reliant on physical mail services.”
He
“The Deed of Understanding sets out the
decisions within those boundaries, based on a wide range of factors. Any operational changes will include appropriate engagement with our people and stakeholders in the first instance,” Walsh says.
“For now, there is nothing that Kiwis need to do differently and their mail delivery will continue as usual. NZ Post will proactively communicate future service changes to the public, to ensure that Kiwis know exactly what they can expect from their mail service.”
PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER
for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country’s overarching environmental goals.
In his annual report, Upton says that over the last year, he travelled widely in regional New Zealand listening to what farmers and rural communities had to say about his report on land use change, Going with the Grain.
“A common message I received was that our lurching, stop-start approach to policy development is not just a significant barrier to making progress on environmental
outcomes, but a real turn-off for many people who want to get on with improving things.
“The pervasive uncertainty hanging over the direction of policy means investing in solutions is seen as risky. With the policy landscape still up for grabs after a decade of sustained calls for action on water quality, biodiversity and climate, people are losing interest.
“Despite that, there is widespread agreement across rural New Zealand on the greatest environmental challenges we face: climate change, freshwater quality, biodiversity loss and the growing threat from pests
and weeds. There is also broad understanding about the long-term, interconnected nature of these challenges and the need for sustained, joined-up solutions.”
Upton says that solutions to these challenges will never be available within the three years term of a government and if every government feels compelled to start from scratch, even making a start is well-nigh impossible.
“This is why broad, cross-party consensus on our overarching environmental goals and wide support for our environmental management system is so important.
“Building an enduring consensus is no easy task – but there are at least three points that I hope all politicians should be able to agree on if we are to have any chance of at least maintaining, and hopefully improving, our environment.”
He says the first is an understanding that the economy is a subset of the environment, not vice versa.
“After years of raiding the environmental piggy bank for human progress, the environment is starting to send us invoices.
“The second issue on which politicians should be able to agree is the critical importance of high-
quality, spatial, multi-layered environmental information to decision-making. Without such information, we simply cannot run a modern economy. Investing in improving information and its accessibility is a core responsibility of central government – as crucial to our nation as investment in defence or law enforcement.
“A third point of consensus should be an understanding that while most environmental challenges are in the hard basket they don’t have to be in the too-hard basket provided we’re honest about the time frames and costs that tackling them will require.”
After some challenging years, I believe we’re on the edge of strong, renewed growth.
SHEEP MILK processor
Maui Milk is on track to record average ewe production of 500 litres by 2030, says outgoing chief executive Greg Hamill.
He says that in just a decade Maui Milk has taken average ewe production from 100150l to 400l.
“With consistent shareholder investment and top-tier imported genetics, we’re on track to reach 500 litres by 2030,” he says in his farewell message.
Hamill left Maui Milk this month after four years in the role. He’s been replaced by Malcolm Edward.
Hamill says his four years at Maui Milk have been immensely rewarding.
“Sheep milk is an extraordinary product, superior in many ways to cow or goat milk, and that passion is shared across our industry, from kitchen tables in rural NZ to boardrooms of global dairy companies and formula producers.
“Being involved from farm to kitchen table has been a privilege. Coming from a bovine genetics background, I’ve especially valued leading our genetics programme at Waikino Station.”
Maui’s Southern Cross breed has been developed through a focused genetics strategy, selecting for udder health, feet, and local performance.
Hamill believes it is the most efficient grass-fed sheep for New Zealand conditions.
“This progress is laying a strong foundation for our suppliers’ future.”
In March last year, an imbalance between supply and demand for New Zealand sheep dairy products forced its farmer suppliers in Waikato to stop milking. Four months later the company resumed taking milk.
Hamill says the last few years have tested everyone in non-bovine dairy.
“I want to thank
Maui’s shareholders for their unwavering support. Unlike some in the sector, we’ve operated without taxpayer or government funding, relying instead on strong private backing.
“That independence has allowed us to remain agile, competitive, and to secure major contracts globally, particularly in China.”
Hamill says he has full confidence in Maui Milk’s future and the company is in excellent hands with the new chief executive.
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him for the past four years, and I know he will lead Maui Sheep Milk with the same passion and commitment that has carried us this far.
“Maui Milk is wellpositioned for the future, and I’m proud to have been part of its journey. I look forward to watching its continued success, along with the broader rise of New Zealand’s sheep milk industry.”
Maui’s Southern Cross breed has been developed through a focused genetics strategy, selecting for udder health, feet, and local performance.
NEW MAUI Milk chief executive Malcolm Edward says it’s a privilege to step into the role.
Edward, a chartered accountant and dairy sheep farmer, will also head Southern Cross Dairy Sheep Technology.
He thanked his predecessor Greg Hamill for his leadership over the past four years.
“It’s has been great to work alongside him during that time as a supplier. And I share his confidence that Maui and the sheep milk industry
are on the brink of an exciting new chapter.
“I am a qualified CA (chartered accountant), with experience in commercial management of highvalue exports and dairy logistics.
Five years ago, my wife and I traded corporate life for the rolling green hills of the Waikato, where we now milk Southern Cross ewes with the help of great staff and our children.
We saw milking sheep as a good fit for our class of land, and we think it works well.
“Our current focus on Maui is on expanding our milk supply base, as demand now exceeds supply through new supply partners, and continuing to advance our genetics programme. Additionally, we aim to strengthen our production and sales partnerships through some exciting new product developments.
“I look forward to collaborating with our suppliers, shareholders, staff, and partners to build global recognition for NZ sheep milk as a grass-fed, nutritious, sustainable product.”
This is your Co-op, all of it. So you can trust that the time, energy and care that you put into producing your milk is met with a Co-op-wide commitment to providing the same level of care in making the most of every drop.
Your milk. Your long-term best interests. Your Co-op.
In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter’s School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
THE INSPIRATION for a partnership came about during a conversation on the sidelines of a school rugby game.
John Fegan, who was a Lincoln University alumnus and parent of St Peter’s School students, and Andy West, former Lincoln University Vice Chancellor, could see how a collaboration could revitalise the farm, and benefit the school, the university, and the dairy industry.
Ballance, DairyNZ, Fonterra, LIC, PGG Wrightson Seeds, Opus, and Westpac came on board to support the initiative as industry partners. Four of these companies (DairyNZ, Fonterra, PGG Wrightson Seeds, and Westpac) have continued to back Owl Farm over the entire intervening period and have been recently joined by Ravensdown.
The initial goals were to renovate the operation, showcase good farm practices underpinned by science, strengthen ties between the school and farm, and encourage young people to join the industry.
The role of demonstration manager was created to lead the on-farm team, action the recommendations of the committees guiding the farm’s direction and liaise with the industry and wider public. Doug Dibley was the first demonstration manager to take on the job.
“I was there right from the start – through the formation of the joint venture and bringing the various partners on board,” says Doug.
“The farm was an average size and in average condition – exactly the sort of property you’d typically
see in the industry. It was a great opportunity to demonstrate to local farmers how an average farm could be transformed. The farm always had a wellbred herd, but there were opportunities to optimise performance, especially through pasture and infrastructure improvement.
“The Management Committee included two or three local farmers with strong ties to the school and excellent business skills, plus an operational representative from each of the seven partners. Each partner brought valuable expertise—for example, Ballance had nutrient specialists, and PGG Wrightson Seeds provided agronomists who could significantly improve our farm systems from a crop and pasture perspective.
“My first year was all
about establishment –supporting the creation of those structures, transitioning the on-farm staff to the demonstration model, and adapting to what was essentially ‘farming in a fishbowl’.
“Once we had the farm more firmly established, we began developing the long-term strategy for creating a financially viable, sustainable, profitable, and productive operation with strong health and safety systems.
was outstanding – open to feedback, adaptable, and unflappable.
He was in the role for two years, laying the groundwork for bigger strategic changes that came later under Cook and Sheridan.
SHERIDAN is the current demonstration manager and came on board in 2019. She oversees the current operation which comprises 142ha milking 360 cows in a DairyNZ System 2, aiming to produce 400-440 kgMS/cow annually.
“Those first couple of years were also about engaging with the public and the school. We hosted open days. We also worked closely with the school’s agronomy students to give them practical, hands-on farm experience.
“One of our biggest early projects was building a constructed treatment wetland to help denitrify shallow groundwater before it reached the Waikato River.
“Partway through my time there, we brought on Tom Buckley as the farm manager. He stayed throughout
“The highlights for me were the open days, engaging with local farmers, working closely with partners, and developing a strategic view of farming systems. I was still relatively young, and the role gave me the opportunity to grow, develop new skills, and contribute to a significant change in direction for the farm and the school.”
Louise Cook was employed as the school’s next demonstration manager in 2017 with the goal of building on the foundations Doug and the team had put in place, and taking the farm on the next stage of its journey.
• Article: Owl Farm
UNLIKE A typical dairy farm Owl Farm also has a significant commitment to nurturing positive connections with, and educational opportunities for, school and tertiary students, farmers, and the Waikato community at large.
“Another highlight for me is fostering Owl Farm’s relationship with St Peter’s School students and our community,” says Jo Sheridan.
“When I joined Owl Farm in 2019 it had great infrastructure, a great manager, and a clear strategic direction captured within the Wagon Wheel KPIs,” says Jo. “From the start, one of the key areas I focused on was ensuring Owl Farm met community and industry expectations around what dairy farming in New Zealand should look like. Particularly our impact on water quality and nitrogen loss to the Waikato River. Another key focus was understanding the implications of climate change, how we adapt to that and our responsibilities around mitigating our greenhouse gas emissions.”
Owl Farm aims to achieve a downward trend in its key environmental indices, in particular greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen loss.
“A big highlight for me during my time here has been our ability to evolve, adapting our nitrogen use so it is more efficient,” says Jo. “There are enough science, technology and mitigation strategies available for dairy farmers to ensure that our nitrogen’s cycling more efficiently within our system and we have minimal loss to our wider environment.”
Over the last ten years Owl Farm’s modelled nitrogen loss figures have shown a significant improvement, dropping from 40 kg/ha/yr in 2014/15 to 24 kg/ha/yr last season.
In the area of animal wellbeing, in 2018 Owl Farm made a significant shift, introducing their “purposeful lives for calves” policy.
“We’ve almost tripled the number of students who are studying in the food and fibre sector. It’s been a real pleasure to have the farm gates open to the wider public and knowing that we are farming in a way that brings pride and joy to those who are involved in the farm business and those who come and experience it.”
Over 2000 people enter the farm gates every year, whether it is St Peter’s School students, farmers and rural professionals attending Focus Day events, or the public attending the annual Open Day. There are numerous other farm visitors – from primary school visits, through to industry organisations conducting research, international customers and cyclists looking across the boundary fence from the Te Awa Cycleway which borders the farm. “Owl Farm is a special and unique resource for New Zealand and its dairy farmers”, says Jo.
PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
MANY FARMERS around the country are taking advantage of the high dairy payout to get maximum production out of their cows.
James Allen of AgFirst says production overall is slightly ahead of last year, but the use of supplements is driving the high production. He says the Waikato is in good shape with the grass really starting to move and paddocks are being closed off for silage, while others are being sprayed out for the planting of maize. He says for farmers who are now in the phase of transitioning to an all-grass system, there is a problem.
“In the Waikato, while the grass is lush, the dry matter in it has tended to be quite low. It’s down to around 15% whereas we would expect it to be at least 20%. As a result of this, farmers are having to continue to feed out supplements,” he says.
Allen says while it is not unusual for what could be termed ‘waterery grass’ at this time of the year, it
seems that it is slightly worse than in the past. However, the good news is that prices for supplements are reasonable.
Elsewhere around the country, the season so far is reasonable. Allen says the colder weather has had an impact in many areas such as south Waikato, the Manawatu and the Wairarapa, but pasture growth is now picking up and production, fueled by supplements, is up. But he says he’s heard reports that Hawke’s Bay is drying out and that may be a potential problem.
Allen says the other issue that has surfaced this season is an increase in the number of calves getting sick. He says there is no definite reason for this and ponders whether the increase in the number of sick calves is due to an increase in calves being raised.
“The good season, reasonable supplement prices and production slightly up; it seems most people ae in pretty good spirits,” he says.
@rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
A NEW $50,000 scholarship fund designed to support and empower women in the New Zealand dairy industry through leadership development has been launched.
Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) has partnered with IDEXX to launch the IDEXX Scholarship Fund, which aims to break down systemic barriers and increase the representation of women in decision-making roles across the dairy industry.
This initiative will award scholarship/s up to a total of
$10,000 per year, over five years. The fund should create sustained impact by enabling women members of DWN to access leadership training, courses, conferences, and mentorship programs.
“DWN is thrilled to partner with IDEXX on this meaningful initiative,” says Jules Benton, DWN chief executive.
“We know that leadership capability among women is not lacking—it’s the opportunities and resources that often are. This fund helps bridge that gap.”
• High Flow
• Compact/Robust
The scholarships are intended to support a range of leadership development activities such as training, conferences, mentorships, and further education.
Recipients will also benefit from strengthened networks and support structures, positioning them for success in governance and management roles within the sector.
“At IDEXX, we’re passionate about supporting the people who shape the future of farming,” says Christopher Lambeth,
• New Pilot Flow Filter
• Side/Bottom Mount
• Detach to Clean
commercial leader, IDEXX LPD Australia & New Zealand.
“Partnering with Dairy Women’s Network to launch this scholarship fund is especially meaningful, it helps open doors for women in the dairy sector to step into leadership roles and make their mark. We’re excited to see the impact these scholarships will have on individuals, their businesses, and the wider industry.”
Applications are now open for the IDEXX Scholarship Fund and is exclusively for DWN members
• For Water Storage Tanks
• Adjustable levels from 50mm-2.5m
• Minimises pump operation
•Available in 20/25/32/50mm
• Stainless steel bracket and Shaft
• Fits plastic and concrete tanks
• Rugged and long lasting
WITH FONTERRA’S UHT plant at its Edendale site less than a year from completion, demand continues to grow for products the plant will produce, such as Anchor Whipping Cream.
The co-operative’s foodservice channel registered a $27-million increase in operating profit for FY25 as demand continued to grow for UHT cream, butter and individually quick frozen (IQF) mozzarella.
While China is the main destination for Fonterra’s foodservice products, demand is growing in Southeast Asia where restaurant chains and cafes are using more dairy in their dishes.
Jack Tan, the co-op’s acting director of Southeast Asia Foodservice, says the growth reflects a broader shift in how dairy is being embraced across the region.
“We’re seeing strong and sustained growth in demand for UHT cream across Southeast Asia. Anchor
Whipping Cream is becoming a staple in many local favourites, from beverages to baked goods.”
Across Southeast Asia, Fonterra’s dairy products are being infused into local favourites by adapting to regional tastes and food culture.
Fonterra’s Anchor Whipping Cream is being used in Portuguese egg tarts in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It’s also gaining popularity in local beverage applications across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam – where it’s even being added to Vietnamese coffee for a creamy twist.
The $150 million investment in the Edendale UHT plant is coming along well, with the first products expected to roll off the line in August 2026.
Andrew Johns, Fonterra’s general manager of lower South Island operations, says that the investment at Edendale is not just about meeting demand – it’s about building for the future.
“We’re really excited about this opportunity to build a new plant here in Southland and supply UHT cream for growing markets.”
The plant will initially create capacity to process upwards of 50 million litres of UHT cream annually, with the ability to grow beyond 100 million litres by 2030.
Nine months since construction began in January, the site is clearly visible from State Highway 1. The walls and concrete slabs for processing and packing are in place, and most of the roof is now on. Work on the product store is progressing well, and construction of the distribution warehouse is underway. External excavation is nearly complete, and foundations for the container yard are advancing steadily.
“We’re making sure we deliver a safe plant that can then produce highquality product that exceeds customer expectations.”
Currently, more than 50 people are working on the build, with that number expected to grow to around 150 in the coming months as activity
The Dairy Goat and Dairy Sheep industry is a high-value and fast-growing niche within the dairy scene. Some serious players have entered this industry, producing quality goat’s and sheep milk and taking high-end nutritional products to market. With many similarities at the farm end to traditonal dairying, opportunity exists for dairy service and supply businesses to develop new revenue streams.
To be in this special report contact your advertising representative now to promote your products and/or service to all NZ dairy farmers and sharemilkers.
Johns.
ANNE BOSWELL
WHEN I interview Rachel Cox, she is drivingon her way to her next meeting.
We are both running late; school drop off this Monday morning did not go to plan for either of us.
We laugh about juggling kids, household responsibilities and work, and it occurs to me that there are many reasons why women are excellent in leadership roles: they can retrieve information from the recesses of their mind at a moment’s notice, they can make split-second decisions, and they want the best for everyone.
While ‘women multitasking’ might be a humorous stereotype, it is often a truism, and essential in keeping the wheels rolling at home and at work.
In her role as Semex NZ key accounts and solutions manager, Rachel often holds the genetic future of a herd in the palm of her hand –a daunting responsibility.
“I work with Semex representatives in New Zealand to help ensure their key clients’ herds are heading in the right direction,” she says.
“Every farmer runs their operation so differently; I don’t have two clients that are the same. Because of this, I try to ascertain their wants and needs and take into account the factors that contribute to using a specific team of bulls. It’s about getting down to what will benefit the farmer in
making more profit and improving their business. I like to take a holistic approach to each of the accounts that I work with.”
And it’s not just the people aspect that Rachel likes, she loves data, too.
“I love looking at a herd’s reproductive data and seeing the improvement in its genetic gain each year,” she says.
Rachel’s love of genetics began as a child. She grew up in Carterton, where her father Charlie owned Tararua Ayrshires until she was two years old. He sold the farm and they moved onto a lifestyle block, where he grazed Selwyn Donald’s heifers.
“Dad worked for Semex for 30 years, so I grew up knowing all the bull AB codes and how to fill out forms, and went on farm visits in the school holidays,” she says. “That definitely got me interested in the genetic side of farming.”
Rachel showed calves at the local A&P Show throughout primary school and while she was at high school, her brother Bernie started lower order sharemilking at nearby Carterton.
“I did a fair bit of milking for him before school and at weekends,” she recalls.
Rachel attended Lincoln University and completed a Bachelor of Agriculture, throughout which she worked as a relief milker for Graham Stewart (Cresslands Holstein Friesians).
After university she worked as an animal
nutrition rep and a vet technician before going back to Cresslands fulltime, where she stayed for around six years.
Following working as a Semex Commission Agent, Rachel went fulltime with Semex in June 2020 as its Canterbury Area Manager, and more recently in 2023 as Key Accounts and Solutions Manager.
Rachel’s work takes her away from home a bit but luckily, she counts travel as one of her favourite things to do.
“I travel throughout New Zealand and sometimes, overseas,” she says. “I was sent to Canada in April 2024 to a global Semex conference, and we travelled around Canada visiting farms and the Semex head office.”
RACHEL COX keeps her interest in cattle genetics strong by breeding her own pedigree cows under her stud, Rokella, and Taonui Holsteins in conjunction with her brother, Bernie Cox.
“I own a Brown Swiss cow and her progeny, and I occasionally do flush work with her,” she says. “Also, Bernie and I own a handful of cows which are dotted throughout Canterbury with friends.
“We selectively pick bulls for these cows, and
we were proud to sell a heifer at the Canterbury Collection sale a couple of years ago.
“Bernie and I also own a Jersey cow and calf in Australia, in partnership with Robbie Wakelin, and we are hoping to bring back some of her progeny to New Zealand.”
Rachel says not being able to farm her own cows means it’s important to keep animal numbers at a sensible level.
“Otherwise, it puts pressure on the people who have them,” she says. “Not only that, but
Bernie and I have our own personal and financial commitments to take into consideration.” Rachel is well known for her support of HFNZ Black & White Youth, most recently attending the 2023 European Young Breeders’ School as chaperone for the five-strong Kiwi team of teenagers.
Rachel herself was Holstein Friesian NZ’s youth representative at the World Youth Holstein Conference in Argentina in 2016, so she is well versed in attending international events.
THE SELF righteous activists at Greenpeace are copying the self-righteous lefties behind the ‘free Palestine’ movement – not surprising given they are often the same people. Not content with peaceful protest, the pro-Palestine extremists are now targeting politicians’ homes and families, while the more outspoken of them are advocating targeting members of the NZ Government by “spitting in their food”. Greenpeace looked at these low-lifes and decided they’d follow suit, targeting farmers who have gone through the legal process to allow them to convert to dairying – installing moronic ‘Nitrate Emergency’ signs at the gate of farms like a dairy conversion in the Kaituna Valley – a new, and legitimate, dairy conversion in Canterbury. This self-righteousness comes of a belief on the Left that their cause is just, and “the front is everywhere”, but taking the low road is unlikely to win public sympathy.
THE NUTTERS of the green world, aided and abetted by the lamestream media, are rewriting the English language for the worse. They and their motely lot of professional weirdo protestors keep calling certain realities and problems of life ‘emergencies’.
A classic example is the so-called nitrate emergency in Canterbury. Are they really ‘emergencies’?
Yes, the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes, Cyclone Gabrielle and the Tasman floods were genuine emergencies. Sure, there may be a nitrate problem in Canterbury, but have these same protesters ever declared a sewage emergency when city wastewater treatment plants fail and pour raw sewage into waterways the sea, causing untold misery to thousands of people? The motely lot are quick to heap scorn and ridicule on rural people, but never their city or district councils. The only ‘emergency’ we seen to have in NZ is the mis-use of the word and its manipulation for dubious ideological political propaganda.
Head Office: Lower Ground Floor, 29 Northcroft St, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Phone 09-307 0399.
POLITICIANS AND Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.
After initiating a review that would have led to the closure of several rural police posts, Canterbury Police haves heeded the feedback from the rural community.
The restructure has been canned and Hill acknowledged that buy-in from the rural sector was a critical element of the proposal’s success.
His thinking is a far cry from what the ‘my way or the highway’ approach adopted by many politicians and bureaucrats when finalising policy that affects the rural sector.
VOTING IS underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
Shareholder meetings have ended, management have made their case and the ball is now in the farmers’ court.
Not all Fonterra farmers back the divestment, which will see Lactalis paying $4.22 billion for the co-op’s consumer and related businesses.
Expect some farmers to vote from their heart and oppose the sale – voting to keep these iconic brands in NZ hands.
But Fonterra is expecting a majority to say yes. The co-op requires 50.1% support from those who vote – a threshold they should easily achieve.
PUBLIC PRESSURE has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.
The review, initiated by Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill, was a genuine attempt to innovate how they service the needs of communities, including a 24-7 response in rural areas.
And kudos to Hill for correctly reading the mood among the rural community. He accepts that the reality is that the proposal was not acceptable to many of the communities affected, and their buy-in was a critical element in the proposal’s success.
Hill decided they could not proceed without that support. He has been praised by Federated Farmers and Rural Women New Zealand for listening to the genuine concerns of local people.
The decision also reflects the strength of rural community feedback and the importance of genuine engagement when decisions directly affect rural safety and wellbeing.
For many farmers, proposed closures of some rural police posts risked undermining the trust, accessibility, and sense of security that come from having a visible local police presence. Removing local stations would risk slower emergency response times, and weaken deterrence against rural crimes such as theft, illegal hunting and trespassing, noted RWNZ.
A lot of rural policing is about relationships that police build with their communities, and centralised hubs seemed out of place.
Federated Farmers helped lead the community response, organising public meetings in Culverden and Leeston, lodging formal submissions, and encouraging hundreds of residents to have their say.
Their message was clear – ‘don’t cut our cops’. Commander Hill heeded the message.
The Feds says it takes courage to propose bold changes, but it takes real leadership to listen when communities say, ‘this isn’t right for us’. And farmers appreciate that that Commander Hill heard the message loud and clear and acted on it.
Postal Address: PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Inkwise NZ Ltd Contacts: Editorial: sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
Advertising material: beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz Rural News on-line: www.ruralnews.co.nz
Subscriptions: subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz
Publisher: Brian Hight Ph 09-307 0399
General Manager: Adam Fricker Ph 021-842 226
Editor: Sudesh Kissun Ph 021-963 177
Machinery Editor: Mark Daniel Ph 021-906 723 markd@ruralnews.co.nz
Reporters: Peter Burke Ph 021-224 2184 peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
Subscriptions: Julie Beech Ph 021-190 3144
Production: Becky Williams Ph 021-100 4831
Digital Strategist: Jessica Marshall Ph 021 0232 6446
AUCKLAND SALES CONTACT: Stephen Pollard Ph 021-963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz
WAIKATO & WELLINGTON SALES CONTACT: Lisa Wise Ph 027-369 9218 lisaw@ruralnews.co.nz
SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland Ph 021-221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz
FONTERRA BOARD has certainly presented us, as shareholders, with a major issue to consider. I see this as probably the final step in the McBrideHurrell leadership to align Fonterra with both its ownership model and importantly its comparative market advantage.
To date we have seen a slimmed down, more efficient Fonterra and this divestment will return Fonterra to what it is truly good at, what its true advantage is and what will keep it relevant to its customers well into the future.
It is impossible to quantify the “distraction cost” of a poor returning consumer business. I believe boards and executives of the cooperative, over time, have done their best but the reality of a fast-changing sector and Fonterra without a sufficient war chest to compete, means divestment makes commercial sense.
I find it frustrating to read from uninformed commentators that Fonterra is exiting “value add”. That mistruth is what has motivated me to give an opinion. Today Fonterra has a “value add” ingredients and foodservice business. This area is where, I believe, Fonterra’s future lies. Branding, often referred to as fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), has changed dramatically over the years. Back in the day, the then New Zealand dairy industry made very good returns from the likes of Anchor in NZ and Soprole in Chile. Typically, where we made money was from strong “country only” brands. That world no longer exists. Brand ownership has largely been aggregated to a few large international players and supermarket “own brands” have appeared.
This has been largely driven by the scale, reach and market power of supermarkets. I always like to think of
DairyNZ has appointed Dr Jenny Jago to a newly created leadership team role – science partnerships & impact advisor – as part of a strategic refresh of the organisation’s science leadership.
Jago will play a key role in shaping DairyNZ’s science direction, supporting strategic partnerships, and ensuring research continues to deliver meaningful, on-the-ground impact for dairy farmers. She brings deep expertise in science, change leadership, and adoption, along with strong relationships across both national and international science communities.
“This new role reinforces our commitment to world-class science that delivers value to farmers,” said Campbell Parker, DairyNZ chief executive.
“Jenny’s appointment, alongside the recent addition of Dr David Burger as chief science and innovation officer, ensures we have strong leadership in place to navigate changes in the science system and foster impactful collaboration.” Jago will be responsible for driving cross-sector partnerships, seeking external investment opportunities, overseeing the DairyNZ Independent Science Panel, and championing initiatives that connect
“who holds the market power”. Clearly applied to supermarkets, it’s not the suppliers to them, particularly where they are small with little international reach.
Today Fonterra has a “value add” ingredients and food service business. This area is where, I believe, Fonterra’s future lies.
Contrast that with a more focused approach to adding value to ingredients by tailoring them to specific needs of customers, whether that is through Fonterra’s foodservice channel to the hospitality sector or specialist ingredients required by the large international food and confectionery companies.
We hear little of the jewel in
research with on-farm outcomes. The role also includes monitoring global extension and delivery trends to inform impactful research and development.
Her appointment follows the transition of Dr Bruce Thorrold, DairyNZ’s long-serving chief science advisor, who stepped down from the executive team at the end of August. Bruce will continue to support DairyNZ as a part-time strategic consultant.
“Bruce has made an enormous contribution to DairyNZ and the wider agricultural sector over many years,” said Parker.
“We are fortunate to continue drawing on his knowledge and expertise as he supports several key projects, including our Low N/Plantain and Resilient Dairy programmes, levy investment work, and key initiatives through NZ Animal Evaluation.
“These changes mark an exciting new chapter for DairyNZ’s science and innovation programme. With Jenny and David in complementary leadership roles, and Bruce continuing to contribute in a strategic capacity, we are well positioned to lead science that delivers real results for New Zealand dairy.”
Fonterra’s crown in this regard, which is the Fonterra Research and Development Centre at Palmerston North. That facility, 100% Fonterra owned, employs about 350 people, almost half are scientists.
To my knowledge this is the largest dedicated “milk” research centre in the world. That’s where the breakthrough technologies will come from, often developed in partnership with Fonterra’s specialty ingredients customers. Value-add ingredients, done well, makes serious returns.
Being way less capital intensive, the ingredients part of the business sits comfortably alongside the cooperative ownership structure. This is where Fonterra has true global reach
through its 13 global offices which service more than 100 countries.
I look forward to seeing a more focused Fonterra and the true value that it will
bring both to New Zealand and its farmer owners.
• Greg is chairman and independent director of Dairy Holdings, Fonterra’s largest milk supplier share-
holder. He is a dairy farmer from Ruawai, Northland and was a foundation director of Fonterra and retired from that board in 2011.
@rural_news
facebook.com/ruralnews
by real farmers and experts – practical ideas you can put to work now, with an eye on where the future’s heading.
ENTRIES ARE open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
The event celebrates excellence in 11 regions across New Zealand in the Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year categories.
Regional winners will then compete for the national title at the gala dinner in Rotorua on Saturday, 9 May 2026.
NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon says growth in sponsorship support this year is testament to the ongoing strength and success of the awards programme.
“It’s exciting to see the renewed vibrancy in sponsorship and the interest from a number of organisations to be part of the awards programme.
“We had record support at our National Gala Dinner last year which has launched us into a positive position.
“We are launching into our 37th year with vigour to drive and showcase best practice across the dairy sector.
“The awards are an essential vehicle to shine a light on the positive sustainability stories in the dairy sector, as well as showcasing pathway
opportunities for future generations into farm succession. The support from our sponsors and partners is critical to our ability to continue to achieve our goals.”
The prize package continues to heat up across all categories with LIC adding an impressive GeneMark Genomics prize this year for the national winner of the LIC Animal Wellbeing Recording and Productivity Award.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is joining the fold as the newest all-region sponsor for the Awards.
MPI will present the ‘Dairy Manager of the Year MPI Sustainable Farming - Environment Award’ at each of the 11 regional award ceremonies.
The Fonterra and ASB First Farm Award will be presented to three winners, who will receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% for three years, based on the bank’s lending criteria with terms and fees applying.
The First Farm Award provides financial and strategic support to help the best in the industry successfully launch into farm ownership.
The award is open to farmers who
have previously entered the Share Farmer of the Year category and are planning to buy their first farm within two years.
The Alumni of the Year Award is also up for grabs again, which is a collaboration between ASB and NZDIA to reward NZDIA alumni who have made significant contributions to the programme and the industry. The winner will also receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% for three years.
Entrants must be former NZDIA award participants who may have progressed to farm ownership or have more than 50% equity in a farm business.
These awards are another great reason to encourage young dairy farmers to enter the Awards in the Dairy Trainee, Dairy Manager and Share Farmer categories as the opportunities and the value as an alumni member continues to give back in the future.
Entries for these two awards open January 9, 2026.
Together with the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
is recognising leading farmers in the dairy sector, playing a key role to showcase excellence, identify role models and best practice, lifting the overall standard in the dairy sector.
Entries for the Dairy Industry Awards close December 6. Honda is giving away some great early bird prizes for people who enter before 27 October.
To find out more information about different award categories and prizes and to enter visit www. dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra and DairyNZ.
in the Hawkes
Our portfolio of powerful, proven products has helped farmers from one end of the country to the other create and maintain thriving businesses, and has earned us an excellent reputation as pasture protection and brushweed specialists.
Our extensive suite of herbicides provides farmers everything they need to win the war against weeds and brushweeds.
pasture and brushweed resources.
AGRI ADVISOR Perrin
Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Alyssa Brazendale will start in early 2026 as the newest consultant at the Rotorua-based firm of agribusiness advisors.
Brazendale will soon complete her Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, building on the valuable knowledge and passion that she gathered growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Halcombe, in Manawatu.
“Those early experiences on the farm really sparked an affinity with the rural community and sustainable farming practices that I’m sure will stay with me forever,” says Brazendale.
She is excited to work with farmers to help them achieve their goals, make confident decisions, and support both profitability and sustainability on their farms.
“During my studies, I developed a particular interest in feed and nutrient budgeting, so that’s something I’m keen to build on, developing the tools to help farmers tackle their issues in that area.”
Brazendale is also
watching new innovations in the tech space with interest.
“Virtual fencing is amazing in how that’s been developing. It’s largely in the dairy sector at the moment, but it will be interesting to see if it can be incorporated more in the sheep and beef industry, particularly if the technology can evolve to cope with the challenges of terrain and possible outages in remote areas.”
Outside of work, Brazendale is passionate about staying fit, from going to the gym and playing hockey to enjoying being outdoors for long walks or runs. “I love exploring new parts of New Zealand, and I enjoy travelling whenever I can to experience new places and cultures, so I’m looking forward to seeing farm operations in different regions and meeting new people.”
She found the rigorous selection process enlightening. “There was a lot around learning about myself and how my personality would fit in within their workplace, which was reassuring”, she says.
Lee Matheson, managing director of Perrin Ag, said of the new appointment: “Alyssa’s strong communication
THE ICONIC services building at National Fieldays’ Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a “a contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers,” says board chair Jenni Vernon.
She says structural assessments confirmed that the hub/services building is beyond practical repair.
While the board has committed significant funding to support this, the planning is already underway to secure additional funding for replacement, she says.
“For some, this may feel like the end of an era and [we’ve] reassured them that any parts of the building with particular significance can be salvaged and repurposed elsewhere on the property as appropriate,” she says.
The new building is part of a new plan to set up Mystery Creek for future growth and resilience.
“This new ‘master plan’ will reflect our commitment to progress and sustainability,” says says Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos.
and problem-solving skills, along with her passion for sustainable farming, make her a perfect fit for Perrin Ag.”
Perrin Ag, which is celebrating 25 years in business this year, has
been running its formal Empower programme since 20219, with graduates benefiting from the mentorship of highly regarded rural professionals, advising on a diverse range of farm
issues across all sectors of New Zealand’s primary industry.
“This programme continues to bring us talented graduates eager to make a positive impact,” says Lee.
FARM TECHNOLOGY is an exciting frontier, and it’s changing how we manage herds.
From collars to boluses, apps and dashboards, farmers are promised realtime insights on rumination, activity and heat detection. All of this is useful, but data alone doesn’t increase farm performance. We are now pairing this data with solid science to help farmers make more targeted mineral supplementation decisions.
Connecting the dots
Farmers can now monitor almost everything with various technologies. Wearables track eating minutes, rumination and movement. Boluses add temperature, water intake, and monitor rumen pH. On top of this, milk meters can now add fat and protein, total volume and conductivity per cow. While individual data can hint at cow health problems, we get a much fuller picture when we link these data sources together, giving us insights into group trends.
Let’s say milk fat is dropping. We might normally add fibre for a quick fix. However, if rumination and eating minutes are also decreasing, the issue may be around energy intake or mineral imbalance. By bringing together our cow sensor data and using it alongside our milk data, we can help identify the cause - not just the symptoms. This saves us time, head scratching, and wasted feed inputs. A
broader view helps us see if cows are hitting the milestones that matter: quick recovery post-calving, strong peak milk, and consistent cycling heading into mating. Tech can flag issues in real time, and nutrition often gives us the levers to correct them.
Where farmers can get led astray
Many farmers have invested in collars or boluses but have seen less increase than they had hoped, and the gap is often in the interpretation of complementing milk and other farm data. For instance, wearables may show improved rumination, but if milk production and composition are not tracked alongside this, the cow can quickly fall out of balance, costing cow/ farm performance.
I always advise farmers to seek independent advice on how well a certain technology may or may not fit their system, as relying on the neighbour’s opinion can be risky and lead to disappointment.
It’s like choosing a golf driver. Just because your mate can hit it long and straight doesn’t mean it will hit straight
in your hands. Is the tech simple and easy to use? Does it provide solutions for the most pressing issues on your farm? Try before you buy and choose a system that makes sense to you.
Minerals and metabolism still matter
As nice as it would be, no device can make up for a cow being short on minerals. The rumen and liver are the key engines driving performance, with both relying on the right balance of trace and macro minerals.
There is no one mineral to “see you right”. Trace elements like copper, selenium and zinc affect enzyme activity, immune strength and hormone function. Macro minerals like magnesium, calcium and sodium influence energy balance, muscle function and feed metabolism.
It’s a delicate balance, and when it’s off, the cows will alert you quickly –heat expression weakens, conception rates slip, fat-to-protein ratios drift. Wearables used correctly will help you spot these warning signs, and alongside good interpretation, will
help you balance your herd’s feed and mineral nutrition.
When cows are well supported nutritionally, technology is better at flagging the smaller issues, as the larger ones have already been solved.
Advice turns data into action
With so much technology on hand these days, it can feel like we’re slaves to notifications. What farmers really need are clear steps to take today, tomorrow, next week and next month. That’s where expert advice really pays off. A stream of numbers is only useful if you’re able to read it in the context of cow health, feed supply and the farm budget. With good advice, we can cut down on noise, focus our efforts, and build more profitable and resilient farm businesses.
A simple plan
Write down your five biggest pain points on farm, e.g. time, feed waste, weak heats, slow recovery or staff issues.
Map which tools speak to those problems. Avoid anything that adds data without solving a real issue. Connect nutrition and tech. Always review milk and farm data alongside rumination and activity when making decisions.
Get advice on setting alert thresholds that match your farm system. Review results monthly and reset. Keep what pays and discard what doesn’t.
• Chris Balemi is Agvance Nutrition founder and managing director.
LAMENESS TAKES a toll on cows and farm performance. A lame cow produces less milk, loses condition and takes longer to cycle. The good news? Catching it early and treating it promptly gives her the best shot at a quick, full recovery — and helps keep your herd’s productivity on track.
Despite this, lameness remains one of the hardest issues to get on top of.
More than 80% of lameness in New Zealand dairy cows is caused by claw horn lesions (white line and sole disease). These injuries are hard to spot early and slow to heal. The longer a cow stays lame, the greater the inflammation in the hoof, which can lead to permanent damage. This increases her risk of further lameness down
the track. A previous case is one of the biggest risk factors.
Around calving, changes in the hoof make cows more vulnerable to lameness. The fat pad thins, and the ligaments relax, leaving the corium (the soft tissue inside the hoof) more exposed to damage. This is known as the calving effect.
When combined with
other cow, management and environmental risk factors, it can significantly raise the risk of lameness. If left untreated, inflammation in the corium can lead to permanent changes in hoof structure, increasing the chance of ongoing or future issues.
Reducing lameness starts with understanding how often it’s happening,
■ Identify Early.
■ Lift it Early.
■ Trim it Effectively.
Spotting lame cows is just the first step – acting quickly is what makes the difference. Ideally, cows should be examined and treated within 48 hours of being identified, or within 24 hours if they’re severely lame. If the numbers feel overwhelming, bring in support. Your vet or hoof
and what’s causing it. Benchmarking your lameness levels against similar farms can help show whether there’s more going on than you realise.
Recording cases helps build that picture, so you can spot patterns and identify risk factors like cow condition, calving timing or track quality. With that
trimmer can help get things back on track, so you can stay focused on the rest of the herd.
Effective treatment starts with getting the hoof off the ground. Trimming helps identify the cause and relieve pressure. Use a wooden or rubber block, or a Cowslip, to take weight off the affected claw and help it heal, unless it’s not suitable in the situation.
Located in Korakonui some 20 km south of Te Awamutu, Chris and Jude Stacey, alongside their children Tom and Stella, farm this top performing 155 hectare dairy platform with 450 crossbred cows.
To ensure they have enough feed for the summer, the Staceys grow a range of crops, including fodderbeet which is a perfect supplementary feed late in summer and early autumn.
Like many farms, the main challenge with growing fodderbeet is the weed burden and gaining control of it. And this is where the CONVISO® SMART System impresses Chris.
Chris explains:
“I’ve been very impressed using the CONVISO SMART System. There’s no need for plant checks after the spray. It’s been very simple to use the two post-emerge sprays. The crop has been very clean, and has yielded very well, so I’m very happy with it.”
Catching lameness early and treating it promptly gives a cow the best shot at a quick, full recovery.
insight, it’s easier to move from reacting to problems to preventing them. That saves time and money, and most importantly, spares your cows unnecessary pain and disruption. It also helps you have better conversations with your
When it comes to weed control, Chris reckons the CONVISO SMART System performs well at the initial knockdown and the residual weed control.
“We’ve been able to control Amaranthus or Red Root, which in the past we’ve had issues with that weed in our crop. I’ve only had to spray it three times with this system and at a reduced cost.”
The herd also loves the beet and they find the grazing easy, getting the beet out of the ground with little effort and leaving very little behind –with 95% utilisation.
While this is just his first year using CONVISO SMART, Chris is pretty sure it’s already paying dividends.
“The system is fairly priced, with the seed and the chemistry. I think we’ve definitely saved money on our growing costs, and we’ve gained yield, so our cost per kg of dry matter grown, is lower.”
vet or hoof trimmer when you need a second opinion or extra support.
Simple recording tools, even just a notebook or spreadsheet, can make a big difference. Some use apps or a shed whiteboard to keep track. Staff training is just as
important. Making sure everyone knows how to spot early signs of lameness and respond quickly helps keep the whole herd in better shape, and lifts animal care across the board.
much production have I sold and how much crop inventory do I have on hand?’”
RECENTLY RELEASED in Australia and New Zealand by John Deere, a unique new software platform offers near real time profitability monitoring across crops and individual paddocks.
Harvest Profit is an all-in-one farm management software program designed to be integrated with the John Deere Operations Center, to provide valuable insights and analytics, resulting in improved farm profitability.
Harvest Profit includes tools such as grain inventories and financial reports to quickly show farmers how their businesses are performing day-today, allowing users to become as familiar with managing finances as they are with growing a crop.
John Deere manager of production system specialists, Max Cusack, said “Harvest Profit uses multiple scenarios, templates and intuitive integration with Operations Center to provide answers to questions such as ‘what’s my cost of production? What’s my profitability for each paddock? If I plant more of a certain crop, how does that impact my profitability and overheads? How
US farmers have had already had access to Harvest Profit for 10 years and rely on the data to analyse any financial decisions as diverse as equipment purchase, land acquisition or whether they need to apply another application of fertiliser.
Cusack said farmers in Australia and NZ are seeking efficiencies to improve financial outcomes, “so Harvest Profit, being portable and easy to use includes features such as total farm profit and loss (P&L); field by field and crop by crop P&L; grain contract management; machine data such as hours, usage and cost of farm equipment; scenarios analysis; and grain inventory management”.
“This strong integration makes it easy to add financials to the data you’re already collecting on the farm, and unlike other tools that focus on historical data, Harvest Profit enables farmers to analyse profitability so they can confidently create budgets for the coming season.”
For details of a full access 14-day free trial, visit www.harvestprofit.com.
AGCO and TAFE part ways
GEA SAYS that its latest walkover teat sprayer is helping farmers save time and boost udder health
Earlier this year, the global leader in milking technology, partnered with an agricultural start-up to introduce a revolutionary walkover teat sprayer to New Zealand farmers. Developed with the aim of reducing labour requirements and getting the most accurate teat spray coverage, this advanced artificial intelligence-driven system is a game changer for New Zealand farms, it says.
The partnership began at Fieldays 2023 when AgriAI founders Benedict Johnson and Chris Scherman presented their innovative concept for an AI-powered walkover teat spray system at the Innovation Hub. Recognising the potential of this technology, GEA’s product & technology and innovation teams established a formal partnership with
AgriAI, which led to the development of the iSPRAY-VISION system.
GEA says the initial prototype was trialled on the Johnson’s family farm in the Coromandel, serving as a practical test for the technology.
Once the partnership with GEA was established, and development was in progress, the first commercial trial unit was installed in March 2024. Two additional trial systems were deployed later that year. During this period, the walkover system underwent rigorous testing under various conditions before its official market release in January 2025.
The launch of the iSPRAY-VISION offers farmers a walkover teat sprayer solution that delivers reliable and effective results, it says.
“The AI camera tracks the actual body mass of the cow and her speed in real time, meaning the udder position can be accurately determined. This
allows the system to control the exact timing and duration of teat spray, ensuring consistent coverage while minimising wastage.
“As the system tracks the cow’s actual movement, behaviours such as pushing (‘truck & trailer’) and fast-moving cows all receive complete coverage no matter the situation.
“The walkover unit itself features four spray nozzles, designed to achieve complete teat spray coverage of both the front and back teats of moving cows. The low-profile ‘T’ design also allows the cows to comfortably walk over the unit, encouraging smooth cow flow. Additionally, the system washes the spray nozzles at regular intervals to avoid blockages.
“Now in use on farms across New Zealand, the iSPRAY-VISION is proving itself to be a worthwhile investment. It’s saving farmers valuable time during milking and reducing labour requirements. The precise teat spray application has also contributed to improved udder health,
“I can truly say:
The Astronaut A5 Next is the best colleague I’ve ever had”
“I can truly say:
The Astronaut A5 Next is the best colleague I’ve ever had”
Alessandra Cabrini, herdmanager
Alessandra Cabrini, herdmanager
“ The Astronaut A5 Next gives me more control, and the cows more comfort.”
“ The Astronaut A5 Next gives me more control, and the cows
When the Lely Astronaut A5 Next takes over the repetitive process of milking, you can allocate your expertise where it is needed most: managing herd health, farm management, and spending time with your family.
When the Lely Astronaut A5 Next takes over the repetitive process of milking, you can allocate your expertise where it is needed most: managing herd health, farm management, and spending time with your family.
Insights from the Lely Horizon app ensure the link between you and your animals by putting the right information at your fingertips. The new automatic milk filter eliminates the need to replace filters manually - making the process easy, convenient, and less labour-intensive. The Astronaut A5 Next also supports the use of Ear Tag ID for basic identification.
more comfort.”
Insights from the Lely Horizon app ensure the link between you and your animals by putting the right information at your fingertips.
The new automatic milk filter eliminates the need to replace filters manually - making the process easy, convenient, and less labourintensive. The Astronaut A5 Next also supports the use of Ear Tag ID for basic identification.
Stay ahead of your future
Stay ahead of your future
Visit our website to learn more about the Astronaut A5 Next.
Visit our website to learn more about the Astronaut A5 Next.
back and incorporating ideas, before releasing the commercial version that is currently available.
tern or weight loss, raising flags on the software interface to say that animal has an issue.
ALTHOUGH NOT a new concept, infield animal weighing seems to be gaining traction by delivering live animal data without the need to bring mobs back to the yard for analysis.
While many take the form of a cattle feeders, a recent release at the Irish Ploughing Event takes the form of a cattle drinker to entice animals into or onto the system.
Reap Interactive, founded by Kieran Supple, uses his BovinePlus weightrecording system to give farmers daily reports of the grade and fat score of their cattle, as well as their weight and average daily gain as the cattle use the built-in drinker.
Based at Boyle, County Roscommon, chief executive Supple said they’ve been testing the market with the concept for the past two years ago, reviewing feed-
To explain the technology, as the animal enters the unit, they stand on a platform that captures their weight, records water consumption and reads their ear tag. The system moves away from a typical herd average basis, rather looking at individual animals and unit economics. Interestingly, only two of the animal’s four legs need to be on the weighbridge when the weight is being recorded.
Supple explains: “The system allows users to learn about the individual animal, so is able to build what we call a behavioural analysis for that animal. After four days of use, we know exactly how that animal looks and behaves.”
As well as giving the accurate weight for the animal, it can also alert the farmer of impending health issues with an animal, driven by data that identifies a change in its daily behavioural pat-
Supple also explained that the drinker is the incentive for the cattle to regularly use the machine, often visiting multiple times each day, so delivering a regular stream of information.
“Measuring the quantity of water consumed is becoming increasingly important,” says Kieran. “A lot of research is being [done] in that area, with early signs showing the more you can get animals drinking, the better their metabolic systems become at converting food.”
Capable of working either indoors or outdoors, in the case of the former, it is simply plugged into the mains. When used in the paddock, it is powered by a solar panel and “connected” via an integral SIM card. Data is passed to the cloud, then automatically transferred to the app on a user’s mobile device. Visit www.reapinteractive.com
DEUTZ-FAHR HAS been awarded the prestigious silver medal at the upcoming Agritechnica 2025.
Deutz Fahr’s Tractor
Assisted Guidance System (TAGS) was described as a step forward in both on-road and field automation and safety. The judges made the award based on the system bringing advanced driver assistance technologies into the agricultural world, fully tailored to its unique working conditions.
quality images and are water-repellent, shockresistant, and built to withstand the demanding conditions of fieldwork.
Built around the concept of using the tractor as a sensor, the vehicle becomes a smart, connected hub that continuously gathers and shares data from the field.
Unlike typical automotive ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), which are tailored to smooth roads, uniform traffic, and fixed infrastructure, TAGS has been developed for agricultural use, both on-road transport and field operation.
It goes beyond standard sensors and software, by navigating narrow rural paths, varying terrain, or mixeduse field environments
Built around the concept of using the tractor as a sensor, the vehicle becomes a smart, connected hub that continuously gathers and shares data from the field. By integrating sensors, connectivity and intelligence directly into the machine, the tractor becomes a central node of the digital farming ecosystem, enabling more precise, efficient, and safer operations.
The system is based on agricultural-rated, digital high-resolution cameras with High Dynamic Range (HDR) capability, integrated into the tractor’s design. The cameras deliver fast, high-
Scalable, with the ability to support up to three mono cameras, the stereo camera units offer real-time 3D scene mapping, measuring actual depth, shape, and object movement, allowing the tractor to understand its surroundings. This is essential for safely and efficiently navigating challenging terrain, including uneven ground, unmarked paths, and crop-covered fields.
Consisting of two levels, the standard level offers lane keep assist with visual and acoustic alerts, human detection, being able to warn about people in the tractor’s danger zones, Crossroad Assist offering the operator a view of 190 degrees of the front panorama. Additionally, an overtake indicator gives alerts of vehicles approaching from behind.
The Advanced Level delivers off-road lane assist, identifying navigable terrain, even without lane markings, 3D obstacle detection, to recognise static and dynamic objects, adaptive cruise control (ACC) to maintain safe distance on road and field and traffic sign recognition, using AI-based classification with automatic alerts.
TAGS is the result of the Deutz-Fahr R&D department, with the support of Stereolabs (France) - a specialist in real-time spatial AI, and Politecnico di Milano, a leading engineering
MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
WITH THE increased arrival of technology in modern agricultural machinery, it invariably means more wiring and electronic control modules. This brings with it the risk of rodent damage when machines are in storage during the winter.
Back in the day, rat and mice control was the job of the farm cat, back up by traps and judicious use of baits. Over the years, rodents have developed a taste for electrical insulation, typically available in abundance when complex machines are in storage.
While Kiwis are credited with inventing the electric fence, Irish company Cheetah Electronics Ltd of Carlow has taken the idea on a tangent with their Rodent Shield, which consists of a low physical
barrier that can be placed on the ground around the machine to be protected, delivering a shock if rats and mice try to climb over.
Rats are naturally neophobic, so don’t like new things. They will investigate slowly - in this case the Rodent Shield - and once they receive a shock, it turns to both a psychological barrier as well as a physical barrier.
The moulded barriers, available in one metre lengths, feature an integral positive and negative strip, with individual panels simply joined together with bolts and butterfly nuts, held upright by plastic towers, which insulate the barriers from the floor.
Taking the form of an electric fence that works at ground level, the system is easily assembled and disassembled, allowing the machine to be quickly removed from the protected area.
Power comes from a standard charger unit, with the only
requirement being a reasonably flat floor, although an adjustable plastic extrusion is attached to the lower
edge to fill minor gaps, which might allow mice in particular, to “squeeze” into the protected area. One can only
assume that the farmyard cat will have to take care when in the area.
www.rodentshieldsystems.com
MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
ROLLOVERS OF quad
bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
It says there’s a pattern when feeding calves in the paddock, with many ‘near misses’ and injuries sustained, reinforcing the need to recognise that any rollover has the potential to result in serious injuries or indeed a fatality.
managers can download and print [see the Farm without Harm website] to be use in safety discussions with their teams.
This calf feeding alert discusses where best to feed calves, considering where they can be accessed safely, alongside the importance of reconsidering the access as necessary, so operators can drive in and out safely.
Where possible, staff should consider towing the feed trailer with a larger vehicle, such as a larger side-by-side vehicle, ute or even a small tractor.
1: Spread Pattern:
2: Robust Construction:
It is important to know the loaded weight of the trailer and never exceed the manufacturer’s maximum towing capacity.
A common cause of rollovers is that the ATV being used is not heavy enough to tow the loaded weight of the feed trailer, leading to a case of “the tail wagging the dog”.
With a thousand litres of milk weighing 1000kg, plus the weight of the trailer, it is apparent that the total is too great for a typical mid-range ATV.
Interestingly, a quick look at a range of manufacturers towing specifications, show that rated capacities appear to be around twice the kerb weight, so typically 600 to 800kg.
Other common causes of rollovers include sudden changes of direction by the driver, driving on uneven, slippery ground or steep gradients, inexperienced drivers, driver inattention or a distraction.
Safety Alerts are reallife documented incidents and key lessons which have been provided by farmers, condensed into one-page handouts that
However, if an ATV is the only vehicle available, it is important to know the loaded weight of the trailer and never exceed the manufacturer’s maximum towing capacity. Staff should also reduce the load if conditions or terrain changes, particularly in bad weather.
Farm owners and managers should also ensure that drivers are adequately trained and regularly updated for the task, knowing when to stop if conditions become unsafe.
In addition, they should always ensure that drivers always have a reliable way to call for help.
Further consideration might also centre around installing a crush protection device (CPD) or other rollover safety system to the ATV, or the availability of operating milk tanks fitted with integral baffles to reduce dynamic movement of the load.
Visit www.farmwithoutharm.org.nz
Smaller diameter rotors with different length spring tynes, ensures even and optimal spreading, without bunching. This leads to faster drying, while still maintaining the feed quality.
3: Adaptability:
The spread pattern can easily be adjusted depending on the feed quantity and moisture. The hydraulic steering allows the tedder to be angled, to spread the forage away from fence lines or water ways, and the hinged single rotor sections allows the tedder to adapt to the ground contours.
Round Tyne Arms, Five Coil Spring Tynes & Heavy-Duty Hinges ensures longevity when working in tough conditions. The Round Tyne Arms are securely bolted to the upper rotor plate as well as further reinforced by an additional ring under the tyne arms.
4: Three Year Warranty:
The SIP Spider range of Tedders come standard with a full Two-Year Warranty, plus an additional third year of warranty subject to regular dealer servicing, resulting in worry free operation.
The Hansen Ball Valve’s unsurpassed frosty friendly reputation is equalled only by its full flow capacity to deliver high volumes of water quickly. With a host of practical features, it’s the only NZ made Ball Valve with a 100% replacement warranty.
Male/Female or Female Thread Options
Smooth
Open/Close & Removable Handles
