Rural News July 7 2026

NEWS

AGRIBUSINESS

Record red meat returns help future-proof farms.

How NZ apple farmers clinched a ‘world-first’ trade deal.

PAGE 4

PAGE 10

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS Trailer designed for big payloads.

PAGE 17

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS JULY 7, 2026: ISSUE 854

www.ruralnews.co.nz

New US tariff looming?

US farmer groups was that NZ sheepmeat imports into the US aren’t causing any injury or price distortion. There are only 5 million sheep farmed in the US. “We’re counter seasonal and grass fed so we have a real point of difference,” he told Rural News.

Guy points out that the American population consumes a tiny amount – about 90 grams of sheepmeat per year on average – and consumption demand is growing.

“It’s clear to me our imported lamb will help lift a rising tide that ultimately floats all boats,” he says.

“If there’s an investigation process kicked off, I hope that sunlight will be the ultimate disinfectant.

“Any potential investigation should be focused on driving

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND red meat exports are booming but a pending decision in the White House, Washington DC could dent sheepmeat earnings.

The red meat sector is bracing for a decision from the US administration on whether investigations should be launched into so-called unfair trade practices, to reintroduce tariffs deemed illegal by the US Supreme Court.

Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy says the US is New Zealand’s most lucrative market for sheepmeat, fetching on average $21/kg over the last 12 months. NZ sold more than $600m worth of sheepmeat to the US last year.

Guy is ultimately worried about any potential tariff or quota causing displacement of exports away from the US and pushing prices down.

The EU buys about 70,000 tonnes per year at an average price of $20/ kg and the UK pays an average price of $15/kg.

China is a high-volume market buying 156,000 tonnes and paying on average $7/kg. China can take almost the whole of the carcass, so it’s still a very strategic market for processors.

consumption of lamb in the US market.

“We know there’s common ground around promoting a World Lamb Day and both countries are grappling with parasite drench resistance.”

Guy says, like everyone else, he doesn’t know when and if any investigation would start.

New Zealand is banking on the warm relations between Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Guy believes having a direct political contact will be important if indeed an investigation kicks off.

“There’s a lot of lobbying going on for and against in Washington right now. Only time will tell,” says Guy.

MAIN MARKETS Meat Industry Association chair, Nathan Guy is worried that a new US tariff on lamb exports could be coming.

Guy, who recently visited the US and met with Government officials and farmer groups, says there has been talk of a sheepmeat

investigation, but the final decision rests with President Donald Trump.

His message, along with Beef+Lamb chair Kate Acland, to

ACCORDING TO the Meat Industry Association, last year China took 156,000 metric tonnes of New Zealand lamb, valued at over $1.1 billion or $7.11/kg.

The EU bought just under 70,000MT valued around $1.4b or $19.92/kg.

Advantage Smart Stakka 1T Meal Hoppers

Advantage Smart Tukka Calf Meal Troughs

Features

Specs

Weather & Rodent Proof

The UK took 36,000MT, valued at $526m or about $14.50/kg.

The US imported 32,500MT, valued at $685m or $21/kg.

Total exports to these markets reached 370,000MT valued over $4.6b or on average $12.62/kg.

Large Range Of Sizes

Easy Handling

Strong & Robust

Safer Transporting

Linkable & Towable

Controlled Dispensing

Easy Cleaning

Reduce back braking work

Proven & Tested

Quick ROI

0800 668 534 | info@adplasnz.com advantageplastics.co.nz

This season - Make performance your advantage!

Engineered To Endure.

Tried, trusted & protected.

Season after season, BOSS® and TURBO® dual action pour-ons keep delivering effective parasite control, no matter what the weather. And now when you purchase a 5L pack of either product you‘ll receive a waterproof, breathable and ultra-quiet Huntech Wet Weather Jacket*.

AAH-BOTU-2026-030

Rain resistant for peace of mind when treating in variable conditions.

Formulated using Alleva’s DMI-Sorb® formulation system to prevent run-off as well as enhance active-ingredient delivery and absorption.

PROUDLY

NZ

OWNED

Alleva Animal Health Limited, 1/116a Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland. DMI-Sorb®, TURBO® and BOSS® are registered trademarks of Alleva Animal Health Ltd. TURBO Pour-on (A011722) and BOSS Pour-On (A010817) are registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997. See www.foodsafety.govt.nz for registration conditions. *Jacket may differ to image advertised. Available while stocks last.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

NEWS 3 ISSUE 854

www.ruralnews.co.nz

NEWS ���������������������������������������� 1-7 HOUND, EDNA �������������������������8 CONTACTS ��������������������������������8 OPINION ���������������������������������8-9 AGRIBUSINESS �����������������10-11 MANAGEMENT ���������������� 12-13 ANIMAL HEALTH �������������14-15 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS ������������������������16-18 RURAL TRADER ��������������������� 19

HEAD OFFICE Lower Ground Floor, 29 Northcroft Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone: 09-307 0399 Fax: 09-307 0122 POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740

Strong demand for wool needed to keep prices up SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

RISING STRONG wool prices are finally returning the sector to profitability.

However, it’s important these prices are underpinned by strong demand so they can be sustained, says Ross McIsaac, a sector executive at Wool Impact working on boosting the demand and value for New Zealand strong wool.

The strong wool price has been on the rise, doubling in the last 12 months, giving growers a long-overdue lift in prices.

The Fusca strong wool indicator reached $7.14/kg two weeks ago, up from $3.49/kg one year ago.

McIsaac says they are hearing from farmers that these price lifts are covering shearing costs and returning wool to profitability, but the rapid rise in prices means that some farmers

won’t have sold wool at these price levels yet.

“The strong wool price, and farmer sentiment toward wool, is in a better position than it has been for at least a decade,” he told Rural News.

“It’s important these prices are underpinned by strong demand so they can be sustained. That’s the work that’s happening across the industry now.”

Wool Impact is part of the Wool Alliance, a partnership with Campaign for Wool NZ, Wool Research organisation NZ and Beef + Lamb NZ, to build the case for one focused wool organisation to do the work needed to improve the profitability of wool long term.

Achieving this will require a collective effort across the industry and great progress has been made, says McIsaac.

“The important thing now is to keep building collaboration, transparency and investment across the sector,” he says.

KEEP IT GOING

Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Inkwise NZ Ltd CONTACTS Editorial: editor@ruralnews.co.nz Advertising material: beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz Rural News online: www.ruralnews.co.nz Subscriptions: subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz

STRONG WOOL price increases have been driven by a mix of supply reduction and increased demand.

However, Ross McIsaac sats they are focused on doing their bit to keep building demand.

“There has been good work happening on the demand side across the supply and value chains for our wool.

“Globally, brands are seeing opportunities for natural product collections, and the health and performance benefits of wool are being recognised.”

There is growth in core products like carpets, bedding and furniture through companies like Godfrey

• Ideal for Cattle Troughs • High Flow • Side/Bottom Mount • Detach to Clean • Compact/Robust

Hirst, Bremworth, Wools of NZ and Wisewool.

Wool acoustic products produced by companies Floc and Autex are driving growth for wool in the commercial interiors category.

There are novel products being commercialised and scaled by Keraplast, Lanaco, Wool Source and Woolchemy for personal care, filtration, biobased ingredients and hygiene products.

“What was on display with wool at Fieldays showcased why we’re confident the right things are happening now that will lead to returns for wool growers continuing to improve – we need to keep it going,” McIsaac says.

The strong wool price has doubled in the last 12 months, says Ross McIsaac (inset)

McIsaac was at Fieldays as part of the Wool Alliance. Wool Impact also partnered with MPI and ASB to showcase wool’s possibilities.

He says sentiment among farmers was positive, helped by strong prices across the agri sector, including wool.

“The conversations we were having about wool were broader than price alone; farmers are keen to know the range of innovative uses for their wool, changes that are happening in the industry to improve value-chain efficiencies and brand-

grower connectivity, and how things like certifications support brands in market.”

GREAT RELIEF ANZ AGRICULTURAL economist Matt Dilly says wool prices have nearly doubled the past year, to the great relief for the wool industry, gaining 90 cents in the past two months alone to reach $6.30/kg clean. It’s close to the highs previously seen in 2011 and 2016.

Tight wool supply is a main contributor, but demand has been strong too. Smaller flocks in New Zealand and Australia have tightened supply.

• Up to 50mm Inlet • Flows up to 600L/min • For Storage Tanks • Easy Access to Valve Seal

In the wider context, wool will cover its shearing costs in 2025/26 this year for the first time since 2018/19 for the typical North Island hill country farm, Dilly notes.

“Prices aren’t yet at the point where wool revenue will influence stocking rate decisions, especially with lamb and beef prices so strong,” he says.

Wool accounts for about 3% of sheep and beef revenue and hasn’t been above 10% since 2015-16.

• Inlets Upto 50mm • Avoids Starting & Stopping of Pump When Tank is Filling

0800 JOBE VALVES jobevalves.com

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

4 NEWS

Record returns help future-proof farms SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

RED MEAT farmers are using higher farmgate returns to make their farms more resilient, says Federated Farmers meat and wool industry group chair Richard Dawkins.

Although rising fuel and fertiliser prices are taking some shine off the record returns, farmer sentiment remains high, he adds.

Dawkins was commenting on a Beef+Lamb NZ report showing total on-farm inflation was flat for the second year in a row.

The on-farm inflation rate was -0.9% in the year to March 2026. This follows a 0.6% fall in 2024-25.

The overall result was driven by a fall in interest rates which

account for 18% of total farm expenditure and is the largest single expenditure category for sheep and beef farms.

Dawkins says that while the reported drop in on-farm inflation is most welcome, it doesn’t cover the post-Iran conflict period.

“The subsequent price rises in fertiliser and fuel are taking some shine off the record returns,” he told Rural News.

“However, the sentiment in the sheep and beef sector remains very high with farmers making hay while the sun shines.

“Investment in deferred maintenance, short term debt and new technologies means farmers will be more resilient should these costs continue to rise or schedule prices drop.”

The B+LNZ Sheep

and Beef On-farm Inflation report provides a detailed analysis of the changes in farm input prices and their impact on farm expenditure, offering valuable insights for farmers developing their budgets.

The findings come at a time when sheep and beef farmers are experiencing record returns and continuing strong international demand for New Zealand red meat.

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says there’s no doubt the red meat sector is in a stronger position than we’ve seen for some time.

“But while revenue has improved, we know that input prices are moving just as quickly.

The focus now is on building resilience for whatever comes next,” she says.

2.99% P.A. FINANCE

The annual report does not cover the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz closed on 28 February, leading to sharp increases in fertiliser and fuel prices.

In the year to March 2026, the report shows that when interest is excluded, underlying on-farm inflation rose 3.9%. This exceeded the Consumers Price Index (CPI) increase of 3.1% for the same period, meaning that most farm input prices are rising faster than general consumer prices.

The price of fertiliser, lime and seeds increased by 8.1%, the report shows. These products are the second largest farm expenditure category, accounting for around 15% of total expenditure.

There were also

Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins.

increases in rates (up 9.2% in the year to March), electricity (up 7.1%) and fuel (up 3.1%).

With interest rates forecast to rise later this year, Acland says that on-farm inflation is expected to increase in 2026-27.

“Farm input prices

are significantly above pre-2021 levels. Over the past five years, cumulative on-farm inflation has increased by 30%, compared with 25% for CPI. “However, the continuing strong international demand for the high-quality

meat and wool that New Zealand sheep and beef farmers produce means our farmers are well-placed to meet increasing input prices.

“They will need to remain vigilant to ensure they are maximising the value of all farm inputs.”

^

36 MONTHS | 10% DEPOSIT

ON THE FOLLOWING MODELS

MY26 RANGER DIESEL HD

MY26 RANGER XP 1000 HD

MY26 RANGER SP 570 HD

MY26 RANGER 500

SAVE 1,000 SAVE 1,000 SAVE 1,000 SAVE 1,000 $17,995 RRP INC GST $1,000 FREE $1,000 FREE $1,000 FREE $

$

*

$

*

$

*

*

NOW FROM

NOW FROM

ACCESSORIES

$23,995 RRP INC GST

NOW FROM

ACCESSORIES

$31,995 RRP INC GST

NOW FROM

ACCESSORIES

$35,995 RRP INC GST

WWW.POLARISNEWZEALAND.COM *Offer ends 30/9/26 or while stocks last. Offer is only available at participating Polaris Dealers. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes fleet clients.

Business Finance ^Finance offer only available at participating Polaris Dealers and on selected models as stated and is not valid with any other promotions. Finance is provided by Polaris Finance, a program operated by De Lage Landen Limited Company No 1355515 and available for business purposes only on a Hire Purchase Agreement. Credit approval, fees, terms and conditions apply. Finance is based on a 36 month term, for full promotion details and structure please contact your Polaris Sales Representative. Offer ends 30/9/26.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

NEWS 5

Arable sector faces wipeout unless profitability returns NIGEL MALTHUS

THE ARABLE industry needs profitability, so it doesn’t disappear, says newly elected Federated Farmers Arable Industry Group chair, Chris Dillon.

“You can currently see in Canterbury there’s arable farms leaving the industry to go to livestock or dairy. And if we can’t change what goes on in our industry, we risk losing its critical mass,” Dillon told Rural News.

A Southland arable and grazing farmer, Dillon is currently the Southland provincial president, a position he held from 2021 to 2024 and took up again in May when Jason Herrick resigned to stand

for New Zealand First at the general election.

Dillon says he will again stand down as provincial president to concentrate on his new role as national Arable Chair.

“It’s very important to advocate for the arable farmers of New Zealand.

I’ve been involved in this industry for a long time and it’s good to be giving back.”

Dillon says his priority is to return the sector to something that’s sustainable long-term.

He runs what he describes as a “fairly large scale” arable and grazing operation near Gore, with 600ha of arable crops and about 260ha in grazing.

Dillon says the big challenge for arable farming in Southland, as in the rest of the country, is profitability. He says there are cost increases in everything arable farmers do, and what they are receiving for the seeds and the grain they grow is not reflecting that.

“And the biggest challenge now is no one saw the fertiliser prices doubling. We knew they were going to go up a bit, but we didn’t know they were going to double.

“And in an industry like arable, you cannot simply stop using the stuff. Diesel and fertilisers

are just part of what we do.”

Tackling profitably could mean moving into different markets and improving efficiency, said Dillon.

With the livestock sectors currently doing well, that may mean arable farmers moving

EL NINO-TYPE SEASON THE OUTGOING Feds Arable Chair, Leeston farmer David Birkett, says Canterbury farmers were always thinking about drought, but even with irrigation, no system will keep up during an El Niño-type season.

“There’ll be choices to

be made between which crops are going to essentially be sacrifice crops and which ones will receive irrigation.”

Although many crops were already in the ground, he said farmers should now be considering more waterefficient crops for spring

Federated Farmers arable industry group chair, Chris Dillon.

planting, because once you’re into the season, it becomes around where is the best place to put water and also how you set the crop up.

Setting up for a high yield when you know a dry summer is coming is asking for problems, said Birkett.

into more livestock, or switching to more profitable crops – which may come at the expense of some of the feeds that go into other sectors.

Dillon points out that the arable sector exports a lot of vegetable seeds, but the grains grown

are almost entirely sold locally to the livestock sectors.

“So, we don’t contribute heaps to what is exported from the country, but we produce a heap towards what is exported from the other sectors.”

SUPPORTING FARMING RESEARCH INNOVATION IS at the heart of rural New Zealand. Our isolation means solutions are found at home. It is amazing what we can solve with a little number 8 wire and a good idea. New Zealanders are the ones who invented the electric fence, refrigerated shipping, and tranquilliser guns.

We are still at the forefront of technology with innovations in

genetics, digital soil mapping, drones, and more. Innovation often works to boost the productivity of our farmers and growers, while shrinking their environmental impact.

Innovations of today are not generally cobbled together with number 8 wire, but they do grow from good ideas. Just as PGG Wrightson helps to empower farmers and growers, PGG Wrightson also helps to

nurture these ideas. You can, too.

Helping farming innovation is as easy as purchasing products you need for your farm. PGG Wrightson’s Growing the Country® programme is supporting future innovation research through the purchase of qualifying animal health and nutrition products from participating suppliers: Seales Winslow, Sgt Dan

Stockfoods, Agritrade, Ecolab, Elanco, MSD, Zoetis, and PGG Wrightson Grain. From now until the end of August, PGG Wrightson is donating $1 for every tonne of qualifying stock food purchased or $500 spent on qualifying animal health products to the Growing the Country Innovation fund (capped to $25,000). This fund will go towards an innovation project

to deliver positive impact for our primary industry. Together, we are making a positive difference and growing the country.

• To find out more about the Growing the Country® Innovation programme, our participating suppliers and products, and how you can help fund future innovation research, visit store.pggwrightson.co.nz/ growing-the-countryinnovation. Full terms and conditions about the

PGG Wrightson’s specialist technical team is involved with numerous research projects, such as the research into reducing worm burden and drench use on farm using summer forage crops.

innovation programme are available at https:// store.pggwrightson.co.nz/

Dr ivi ng Fa rm ing In no va tio n Purchasing qualifying animal health and nutrition products from participating suppliers helps fund innovation research*

Purchasing this product helps fund innovation research* *Valid from 1 May 2026 – 31 August 2026. T&Cs apply.

LOOK OUT FOR THIS BADGE IN STORE

SUPPORTED BY OUR ANIMAL PRODUCTION SUPPLIERS *Valid from 1 November until 31 December 2025. Conditions apply, limited numbers available. See full Terms and Conditions at store.pggwrightson.co.nz/media/wysiwyg/animal-health-promotion-2025.pdf

*Promotion duration from 1 May until 31 August 2026. Conditions apply. For account holders and in-store purchases only.

See full Terms and Conditions at: store.pggwrightson.co.nz/media/wysiwyg/PGW_Terms_and_Conditions_Innovation_2026.pdf

media/wysiwyg/PGW_ Terms_and_Conditions_ Innovation_2026.pdf.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

6 NEWS

Prepare for an unpredictable weather spell PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

A WARNING to all those in the primary sector to prepare for an unpredictable El Niño weather pattern in the coming season.

It comes from Chris Brandolino, principal scientist - forecasting and media at Earth Sciences NZ, who says while history tells us that El Niño usually brings dry weather to eastern areas of both islands and Northland and wetter weather to western regions, there is no absolute guarantee that this will happen over the coming year.

He points out that in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, when there was major El Niño events, there was no fixed weather pattern.

Brandolino says on one occasion

there was a severe drought in a region, but some years later El Niño turned on a wet season.

“Each El Niño has its own personality and characteristics and forecasters like me can’t predict exactly what El Niño we will get. There will be subtleties with the present El Niño,” he told Rural News.

Brandolino says already there are some worrying signs related to El Niño occurring in the South Island, particularly around Mid Canterbury, but also in East Otago and around Dunedin. He says some places are in “metrological drought” and at the moment there is a significant soil moisture deficit in many places. He says if such places don’t get rain, the ground water will not be recharged, with significant implications for

farmers who irrigate their land or crops. The other point of note he says is the occurrence of some very high temperatures near Christchurch.

“This situation is really eye grabbing and of significant concern,” he says.

While there have been signs of drought in Northland and right down the East Coast of the North Island from Gisborne to the Wairarapa, and especially in Central Hawke’s Bay, recent rains will ease the situation and give those areas time to recover.

“As we approach spring, the indications are that in Canterbury it could be particularly windy and this could accentuate dryness. The other risks it poses are for fires, which we have seen already, and there is the possibility of damage to irrigation systems. So, when you combine the

Chris Brandolino, Earth Sciences NZ.

wind, the spikey temperatures and the elevated level of dryness already, it raises concern,” he says.

Despite it being winter, Brandolino says overall temperatures in NZ in June have been unusually warm, dictated it would seem by high sea temperatures, but he says he’d be surprised if these conditions continued throughout the winter and believes there may be some cooling in August and September.

He also points out that while there is a lot of talk about El Niño, that in itself only accounts for about 25% of the actual weather conditions. He notes that other factors including sea temperatures play a part in the weather we get. It should be noted that Australia is also experiencing El Niño and the warning has gone out to

Don’t leave your lambs’ health to chance.

farmers there that it may have different impacts in different states or regions, the same as NZ. “My message to farmers here is: number one, to have a plan. You are much better to have one and… not need it, than being in a situation where you need it and don’t have one. The plan must state what actions should be taken when paddocks start to get dry.

But above all, make a point of keeping up-to-date with the latest weather forecasts and the projections going forward,” he says.

Brandolino says knowing that El Niño can be fickle and unpredictable, it is vital that farmers and orchardists get the latest and best information possible so that they can make the right decisions at the right time for their property.

In fighting clostridial diseases, not all 5-in-1 vaccines deliver the same advanced protection!

See the trial that shows which 5-in-1 vaccine to invest in this season:

sheepvax.co.nz/get-more-with-multine

Are you a gambler or an investor?

sheepvax.co.nz/get-more-with-multine ACVM No’s: A934, A935, A11311 & A11766. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Ph: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz © 2024 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. NZ-MUL-240800003

KIGST_2396_FW_B

NZ’s leading clostridial vaccine range.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

NEWS 7

Green kiwifruit faces challenges PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

SIGNS FOR the 2026-27 kiwifruit crop look good, but there are still some challenges for growers – especially those who produce green kiwifruit.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI), which represents NZ growers, says a record 225 million trays have been picked – nine million more than last season.

“So, whilst we are selling for good prices in the market and there is good market demand, costs are always rising, including the increasing cost of finance for growers to buy new orchards as well as rising kiwifruit licences and actual land prices,” he told Rural News.

“Given this, we expect profitability to remain at current levels and not increase,” he says.

One of issues in this

“This is a blip and not a catastrophe and it happens from time to time.”

NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond says the trajectory for the sector is positive, but while volumes are up significantly, this does not necessarily equate to a big rise in grower returns.

Demand for kiwifruit is good in key markets such as Europe and North America but the returns per tray to growers is expected to remain about the same as it was last season.

The latest report by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) shows that total export returns for kiwifruit will rise by about 13% over the next four years, but signals that the days of dramatic increases in export returns are no longer there.

NZKGI is cautioning about the difference between selling for good prices and profitability for growers.

current year is the lower yields and smaller fruit size of green kiwifruit.

Bond says the harvesting of 58 million trays of green kiwifruit took longer than expected and the yield was 14% down on last season.

He says with smaller fruit, the number of trays available for sale is reduced and some fruit may not meet the required export standard.

Bond says small fruit can be caused by several factors, the most common being when growers push their vines to produce higher yields in previous years and sometimes the vines struggle to do this all the time.

“This is a blip and not a catastrophe and it happens from time to time. For green growers a lot depends on what Zespri will be able to sell

WEATHER WOES THE MUCH talked about El Nino weather pattern is also on the minds of kiwifruit growers but Colin Bond says there’s no need to be negative about this.

He says the big issue will be if there is enough cold weather to set up the fruit for bud break and then hope that the summer will be favourable.

“There are two perspectives on El Nino: If it’s dry weather, growers will need to irrigate to keep the plants strong and healthy, but on the flip side, a dry summer often means higher dry matter and really high-quality, tasty fruit,” he says.

that lower crop for and whether there might be an opportunity to sell that fruit at a high price, or sell it quickly and therefore not incur less

late season fruit loss,” he says.

Bond says there is still the potential for green growers to have good season.

NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond

NEW ELECTRIC UTV This Tough Side-by-Side 3 Seater uses latest Lithium Battery Technology to offer range busting performance - up to 100km per charge.

Silent, fast, very economic!

Large 10" LED Touch Screen for reversing camera, with Carplay

Full Info Screen speed, battery condition etc.

$25,850 +GST We offer full back up Service - Since 1934 • Range up to 100km per charge • Power cargo tray tipper • Electric Power Steering • 2/4 Wheel Drive with rear diff lock • Waterproof USB-C charging ports • 72v 150AH Lithium battery • Top speed 55km/hr • 3 Seater

• Charge time 5-6hrs • Power Winch • Luxury Seating • Cargo capacity 350kg • Front/Rear Disc Brakes • Gradient up to 35% • 5 year battery warranty • For off road use

• Reversing Camera • Seat Belts • Towing capacity 800kg • Full LED lights • Up to 20kw power • Large Mudgrip tyres • 2 year warranty • Towball Hitch

1 Homersham Place, Burnside, Christchurch Email: sales@irl.co.nz

Phone: 03 358 4000

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

8 OPINION EDITORIAL

EDNA

Wool’s back in the black CONFIDENCE IN the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.

The Fusca strong wool indicator reached $7.14/kg last week, up from $3.49/kg one year ago, breaking the $7 mark for the first time in almost a generation.

Wool prices have struggled for years due to weakening demand, dipping below $2 kg and making it hard for farmers to cover the costs of shearing and transport, especially as both continue to rise.

The good news is that there are signs that demand remains strong in the market.

Market analysis points to more wool being sold by private treaty, indicating buyers’ confidence to buy forward.

There is more wool being used domestically in increasingly diverse end uses, and there are reports that stock levels remain low in key export markets indicating strong demand.

However, to sustain prices at these levels, demand must remain strong. To achieve this will require a concerted effort by stakeholders.

For its part, the Government is helping the cause through investment in commercial projects and procurement policy preferencing wool products, and significant investments have been made in innovative wool projects that have the potential to increase demand.

There has been investment into various initiatives for wool by others in the sector too, including the major meat companies, WoolWorks and ASB investing in Wool Impact and supply chain companies like the wool brokers.

Wool Impact says the important thing now is to keep building collaboration, transparency and investment across the sector.

The Wool Alliance – a partnership between Wool Impact, Campaign for Wool NZ, Wool Research Organisation of NZ and Beef+Lamb NZ – is building the case for one focused wool organisation to do the work needed to improve the profitability of wool long term.

Achieving this will require a collective effort across the industry.

While great progress is being made, the journey to long-term profitability is just starting for the wool sector.

RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Phone 09-307 0399 PUBLISHER: Brian Hight .......................................... Ph 09 307 0399 GENERAL MANAGER: Adam Fricker ....................................... Ph 021-842 226 EDITOR: Sudesh Kissun ...................................... Ph 021-963 177 sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

“No concussions, no broken noses or cauliflower ears – where’s the sport in that?”

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound?

Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

THE HOUND Feeding frenzy

Not so united?

Turf war!

Labour pain

FEDERATED FARMERS seem clueless when it comes to organising special dinners, according to a mate of yours truly.

At their conference this year, the main options for the gala dinner were venison and Beef Wellington “and a blob of something green”.

Beef Wellington? This old mutt thought the name Wellington was an anathema for Feds people.

Interestingly, those attendees from the horticulture sector were left bemused at the menu; after all, at the Hort conference dinner, guests don’t just get a plate of vegetables and a wee sliver of meat. The Canine Crusader’s deep-cover cuisine critic reckons it’s time the Feds hired someone with some conference organisation experience - and maybe a new cook.

TALKING ABOUT Federated Farmers, although by some accounts they were not very federated or united at their recent conference, with Wayne Langford trying to squeeze in a fourth year as president, with some help from a friend in the organisation.

Your old mate understands his somewhat Trumpian move to stay on an extra year caused much disharmony and angst, with some hot words being traded, before common sense prevailed and vicepresident Colin Hurst eventually got the big job. In the end, it was Langford’s last rodeo – one minute on the stage in the limelight interviewing the Prime Minister, the next day, sent packing back to the farm.

YOUR OLD mate hears a good old fashioned turf war continues to brew between the old farmer advocacy groups and ‘upstart’ Groundswell. The ‘new’ kids on the block, Groundswell, took exception to comments from outgoing Feds president Wayne Langford in a publication they consider as a bit woke, blasting said tome in the process: “Farmers Weekly has never been a fan of Groundswell’s methods and goals, but… they made a few incorrect claims about us.” Groundswell says they never “besieged” the Feds or aimed to replace the establishment advocacy groups, “we just wanted them to do their jobs”. In the bad old days of HWEN and the Farming Tax, the establishment advocacy groups “were failing to stand up for their members and levy-payers”.

Groundswell says it brought the grassroots view to politicians and gave ag advocacy and much needed shake up.

LABOUR LEADER Chris Hipkins was clearly not among friends at the recent Primary Industries Summit in Auckland. Shades of Fieldays where the Hound hears Chippy and his cohorts were not warmly welcomed – farmers’ memories being a bit better than some, judging by the polls! By all accounts, Chippy gave a bland and uninspiring speech at the recent talkfest in the big smoke. It started badly for him when he was wrongly introduced by MC as the leader of the National Party! After his speech, which came just before lunch, your old mate hears industry leaders largely ignored him, all preferring to make a beeline for the buffet tables. It can’t be helping Chippy’s popularity that the leader of his potential coalition partner, Chloe Swarbrick, stands accused of sabotaging the export sector by narking to EU nations about emissions!

EDITOR-AT-LARGE: Peter Burke ........................... Ph 021 224 2184 peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

AUCKLAND SALES CONTACT: Stephen Pollard ......................... Ph 021 963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz

SOUTH ISLAND SALES CONTACT: Kaye Sutherland .......................Ph 021 221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz

REPORTERS:

WAIKATO & WELLINGTON SALES CONTACT: Lisa Wise .................................. Ph 027 369 9218 lisaw@ruralnews.co.nz

DIGITAL STRATEGIST: Jessica Marshall .............. Ph 021 0232 6446

Nigel Malthus ........................Ph 021-164 4258 Leo Argent MACHINERY EDITOR: Mark Daniel ..............................Ph 021 906 723 markd@ruralnews.co.nz PRODUCTION MANAGER: Becky Williams ......................Ph 021 100 4381 beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz

PRINTED BY INKWISE DISTRIBUTED BY REACHMEDIA

Paper used in this publication is from forests managed in line with the strictest environmental, social and economic requirements.

100% recyclable, the papers we use are from forests that will be around for generations to come.

Rural News is published by Rural News Group Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of staff, management or directors of Rural News Group Ltd.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

OPINION 9

New-Gen – it’s what we do THE YEAR was 2020, the month was January, and an article in this esteemed publication suggested “a new thought for the New Year – New Zealand ‘Generative Agriculture’… or New-Gen, for short”.

The explanation was that “New-Gen picks up on the interest in regenerative agriculture but repositions New Zealand as the leader in achievement…” In the article I made the point that you can’t RE-generate something unless it is DE-generated. New Zealand does not have the deserts, desertification or dust bowls that stimulated the regenerative agriculture (RA) thinking overseas.

When regenerative was born, it focused on soil health, building up organic matter (soil carbon sequestration), reducing

use of synthesised agrichemicals and being on a journey of constant improvement.

New Zealand’s agricultural history, based on science, informed by research, and honed by farmers, started in the late 1800s – and meets most of what is required to meet the RA goals.

The efficiency gains, the productivity increases, the market orientation, are a matter of record.

The export economy, and therefore every New Zealander, benefits.

Many New Zealand agricultural scientists did not embrace the concept of ‘regenerative agriculture’ because soils here already have high organic matter by world standards; what was being promoted would not have the same positive soil carbon

COMMENT

Jacqueline Rowarth sequestration benefits as in degraded soils. Further, New Zealand farmers are already focused on constant improvement – it’s part of their DNA. If improvement is ‘business as usual’, achieving and proving improvement above BAU can be difficult.

At the end of 2020, some of the American proponents of the regenerative approach published a paper in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. The

authors reported that by using animals and multispecies (animals as well as plants) pasture rotation on what had been ‘degraded cropping land’, reducing reliance on external inputs (herbicides, pesticides and fertiliser, for instance), as well as restoring and enhancing ecosystem services such as soil carbon (C) sequestration, they could meet the desired goals: they increased soil organic matter, thereby offsetting greenhouse gases, while producing animal protein for human consumption.

However, when comparing required land between the two systems for food production, the authors reported that multispecies pasture rotation required 2.5 times more land than conventional production to produce the same

amount of food.

That is a very big ‘However’.

United Nations projects the global population of 8.3 billion will increase to 10.3 billion by the mid-2080s before declining – and food insecurity is already increasing.

The paper’s authors asked whether society should ‘prioritize an inputintensive, conventional (for America) system that produces more food from a smaller yet degrading land base? Or, alternatively, should systems such as multispecies pasture rotation that produce less food on a larger, but more ecologically functional landscape be more highly prioritized?”

Answer, New Zealand already does what is needed. On 5-species

(plus any random plant) pastures, grazed rotationally by various animal classes, our soils have higher organic matter and lower greenhouse gases per unit of production than most countries can achieve.

We have good stock management and farmers interested in doing better – in testing fodder beet or wintering barns or ‘wearables’ and whatever might add benefits to their system. Subsuming what we already do into what is called something that does not meet global needs, doesn’t seem a good move.

Use of agrichemicals, including fertiliser, has decreased with advances in precision agriculture and new formulations of chemicals targeting specific weeds and pests.

New Zealand has

scientists focussing on all the important aspects.

And New Zealand has farmers who deserve to be acknowledged for their contribution to environment and economy.

New-Gen is for farmers wanting to continue doing the right thing for the environment while supporting food supply.

New Zealand researchers can show the way, using New Zealand farmers as the example.

New-Gen – it’s what we do.

• Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is a soil scientist with a PhD in nutrient cycling. She is a farmerelected director on the boards of Ravensdown and DairyNZ and a member of the Scientific Council of the World Farmers’ Organisation.

ADVERTORIAL

CONVISO SMART brings higher germination and greater flexibility.

Down in Woodlands is Horizon Flowers’ famous tulip farm managed by Roy Smak. The Smak family came over from Holland more than 30 years ago to help Horizon grow tulips in Southland’s ideal tulipgrowing climate and soil. When they’re not in tulips, some of the paddocks are leased and planted in sugar and fodder beet by local agricultural contractor and farmer, Erik Smak.

Erik’s contracting business covers a wide area from South Otago right down to the bottom of Southland. He not only grows the beet but runs his own big, self-propelled beet harvester to lift sugar beet for sale to farmers for winter feed.

We caught up with Erik on the Horizon Flowers farm to talk about his operation and the KWS CONVISO® SMART system.

Cleaner crops. No more gaps.

The benefits of the CONVISO SMART system to Erik are more than sugarbeet bred to be herbicide

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ERIK SMAK

tolerant. It’s the high germination rates that have impressed him, as Erik explains.

“With KWS, we’ve grown both sugarbeet and grazing fodderbeet and both have very high germination rates. It comes up nice and even - I don’t like seeing gaps - plus it’s very palatable to cows.”

As a contractor, you want to get the most out of the land you’re leasing: it’s all about yields and efficiency. Higher germination means every seed planted is going to grow. Flexibility on spray dates and crop stage spraying is also key in Southland as weather can get in the way.

“The spray system that KWS gave me, completely knocked out every weed and the crop is very, very clean and healthy because of that. Definitely give it a go. It’s an easy, simple system with good proven results. So, if you’re considering it, just go and do it,” vouches Erik.

Unleash the Power of Weed Control Ask your local agronomist about our system or visit kws.com/nz

Erik Smak, Grazier/Contractor - Woodlands, Southland

CONVISO® SMART represents the innovative fusion of SMART KWS Seeds with Bayer’s advanced CONVISO® ONE Herbicide.

CONVISO® is a registered trademark of Bayer.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

10 AGRIBUSINESS

How NZ apples plucked a ‘world-first’ trade deal SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

EIGHTEEN MONTHS ago, when negotiations for a free trade deal with India were announced, New Zealand apple growers expressed their

desire to be part of the deal.

But the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said “it was probably a no”, according to New Zealand Apples and Pears chief executive Danielle Adsett.

She was told that apples won’t be part of the deal because India has never done apples in any free trade deals before.

“Equally when we spoke to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in Delhi, it was

just a hard no,” Adsett told a gathering at the National Fieldays in Hamilton.

“I don’t take ‘no’ well and I thought there’ll be a way around this.

“So, what we did is we decided to build on the

New Zealand Apples and Pears chief executive Danielle Adsett with Indian High Commissioner Muanpuii Saiawi at the Fieldays.

Prepare their biology to win.

30

Zn Zinc

29

34

Cu

Se

Copper

Selenium

25

Mn Magnese

WHEN PERFORMANCE MATTERS: MULTIMIN. When your herd is approaching the big moments, prepare their biology to win. MULTIMIN® is a precision-timed, injectable trace element that helps align mineral availability with periods of increased biological demand – supporting metabolic function, immunity and productivity when it counts.

READY

New Zealand. So, we can provide apples into their market to complement their own domestic supply.

“And if we can help them prosper in their local communities, I think that will just go to show that this is more about the longer-term relationship between our apple growing nations than just what has happened as a result of the FTA.” When the Indian FTA was finalised late last year, New Zealand apples won a 50% reduction on tariff, down to 25%, for exports between from 1 April to 31 August.

The quota starts at 32,500MT in year one, growing to 45,000MT year six and onwards. Outside of these conditions, New Zealand growers can export at the current 50% tariff.

Adsett says getting apples on the table, that was cool.

“Those, late night and early morning calls, as we got through the nuts and bolts was great to be involved with and great to get there,” she says.

“I think more importantly we’re going to build the relationships that will see us prosper in this market into the future.

“And I think for us we see this as the start of the relationship, not the end.”

‘SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT’

Scott Barrett Rugby Icon & Farm Owner

That’s animal performance science.

PERFORMANCE

decades of cooperation that we’d already had in that market.”

New Zealand has been exporting apples to India since early 1990s and has been part of several World Bank projects with NZ experts helping Indian apple growers lift productivity.

And what the NZ experts left in their wake was a great reputation for helping Indian apple growers to prosper.

India, the fifth largest apple producing country in the world, has over 1 million apple growers, mainly in the northern states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian growers produce an average of six metric tonnes of apples per hectare, compared to NZ growers doing 120MT/ ha. The Indian climate is extremely high. The cool chain is difficult, and the rootstocks and the varieties are very old.

Adsett says over the 18 months they went to MFAT with a co-operation plan – if NZ apples are included in the FTA, then they would send experts to India for five years post-FTA at own cost to help Indian growers.

“So, we put that plan on the table and that also for us, it’s about having complementary supply.

“India grows apples in the alternate season to

ASK YOUR VET FOR

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. A011875. MULTIMIN® is a registered trademark of Virbac New Zealand Limited. Copyright © 2026 Virbac New Zealand Limited. All rights reserved.

Virbac New Zealand Limited, 26-30 Maui Street, Pukete, Hamilton 3200.

THE INDIAN FTA has come under fire from some NZ politicians, including New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

But Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay urges people not to “believe everything you hear blowing in the wind”.

McClay says there’s significant support throughout New Zealand for this free trade agreement because it is very high quality.

“And I know that Kiwis know that actually the relationship that we’ve formed with India, governmentto-government, people-to-people, culture-to-culture, sport-to-sport, is actually good for us on both sides.”

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

AGRIBUSINESS 11

Govt travelling in creep box on vehicle permitting MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WHILE THE Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers’ lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.

During their recent national conference, Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) discussed progress on reform of Vehicle Dimension and Mass (VDAM) legislation that regulates dimensions, weight limits and indeed, times when tractors and machinery can be moved.

The concerns of rural contractors and out of date VDAM regulations have been on the table

since 2016, but despite raising this issue with current Ministers almost two years ago, there has been no reform of any substance.

RCNZ’s concerns centre around the fact that tractors and machinery currently in use are a far cry from the machines of just a decade ago, having got larger and heavier, but developments in tyre technology and braking systems means they are safer, can stop quicker and have a lighter footprint, so don’t create any greater damage to roads and bridges.

They make a comparison with regulations in the Australian, US and key European markets, where the very same machines

are allowed to operate lawfully.

The current regulations mean that around 750 machines are currently struggling to obtain, or indeed cannot obtain a permit, meaning cultivation and harvesting is interrupted, with the likelihood that if travel is

undertaken without the correct permit, fines can exceed $10,000.

It seems regulatory authorities don’t realise that modern tractors and harvesters are called upon to carry out a wide range of tasks as the growing and harvesting seasons change. Indeed,

BULKY PERMITS RURAL CONTRACTORS NZ is also calling for modernisation of the permitting process to recognise the widespread use of smart devices throughout the agricultural sector.

Chief executive Andrew Olsen says currently permits can often be up to 20 pages, making them difficult to understand and interpret.

“Surely an electronically-issued permit, clearly laying out operating parameters and any restrictions, would make a great deal more sense for all parties involved and should be on the Government’s radar to boost productivity and innovation across the rural sector?”

a tractor equipped with a rear-mounted implement at the start of a job may be reconfigured for a further task, to use front and rear implements in combination.

Likewise, a selfpropelled forage harvester might be fitted with a 3-metre wide grass header in the spring, but switch to a 12-row maize header later in the season. In both scenarios, dynamic and axle loadings change dramatically in a way that is not recognised by the VDAM regulations.

Rural Contractors NZ chief executive Andrew Olsen says some members have faced fines for moving agricultural vehicles deemed too heavy for roads, under rules more than a decade old.

Rural Contractors NZ chief executive Andrew Olsen.

“Our members’ tractors and other machines have got heavier but the transport regulations are such that they can be overweight before they leave the showroom, let alone with implements on board,” says Olsen.

“Having the flexibility to permit these machines should be within the capability of the transport minister and NZTA. Rural contracting businesses want to comply and be lawful and I’m sure any farmers with big

machinery feel the same,” he says.

RCNZ says it is realistic about VDAM rule changes, knowing it won’t happen overnight, but urgent attention is certainly required to the permitting process. The organisation is calling for government officials to meet with a delegation from the sector to field test machines that can’t currently be permitted, and in the short term a permitting system that can work around the outof-date VDAM rules.

THE ALL-NEW GEN4 CFORCE RANGE INTELLIGENT. CONVENIENT. SEAMLESS TECHNOLOGY.

A S S E E N AT F I E L D AY S 2 0 2 6

More than a visual statement, Gen4 represents a clever balance between progressive styling and practical

14,990

$

off-road requirements, evident in its appearance,

TOURING

craftsmanship, technology and every detail.

• 647.1cc Four-stroke single-cylinder engine

EX GST

• Max power: 54HP at 7500rpm

LANDING SEPTEMBER

• Towing Capacity: 830kg

• Omnidrive CVT Transmission • 2 Year warranty

A S S E E N AT F I E L D AY S 2 0 2 6

A S S E E N AT F I E L D AY S 2 0 2 6

A S S E E N AT F I E L D AY S 2 0 2 6

EPS

L A N D I N G J U LY

9,990

$

EX GST

CFORCE C4

• 408.8cc Four-stroke single-cylinder engine

• Bosch EFI system • CVT Transmission • 12-inch steel wheels • Spiral spring oil shocks • Available in Cypress Green

A S S E E N AT F I E L D AY S 2 0 2 6

EPS

L A N D I N G J U LY

10,990

$

EX GST

CFORCE C4 EPS

• 408.8cc Four-stroke single-cylinder engine

• Bosch EFI system • CVT Transmission • Power Steering • Spiral spring oil shocks • Available in Gedanite Grey

L A N D I N G J U LY

11,990

$

EX GST

CFORCE C5 EPS

• 498.6cc Four-stroke single-cylinder engine

• Bosch EFI system • CVT Transmission • Power Steering • Spiral spring oil shocks • Available in Magma Red

21,590

$

EX GST

CFORCE 1000 EPS MV

• 963cc Four-stroke, liquid cooled, V-twin engine

• Bosch EFI system • Three power modes • Adjustable EPS • Available in Granite Ridge/Red or Twilight Blue

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

12 MANAGEMENT

Study identifies resilient pastures for Northland SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

A FIVE-YEAR study has found that the cost of reducing emissions without technology may be significant and unsustainable for Northland dairy farmers.

The study has also presented the region’s farmers options of trying pasture species other than perennial ryegrass as they grapple with changing climatic conditions.

The study was conducted by the Northland Dairy Development Trust (NDDT) on the Northland Agricultural

Research Farm (NARF), Dargaville. A field day was held last month to reveal the results.

Trust coordinator Kim Robinson told Rural News that the study set out to learn two things.

One was the cost of reducing emissions without technology.

“We have shown this cost is significant and unsustainable and as a result I think most farmers are waiting for either new cheap tech or significant pricing signals before they make large system changes,” says Robinson.

The study also looked at which pasture species other than perennial

ryegrass perform better in the Northland climate.

Robinson says many farmers are now interested in the tall fescue cultivars as a result of the trial.

“They also now understand the management and establishment must be different to ryegrass, which is critical to their success.

“The seed companies are also more open to selling these pastures.

“Farmers can have the confidence to try some of these options knowing how to get the best out of them,” she says.

The study which started in 2021-22 season

EFFECTIVE WEED CONTROL See us at Site S49-51

Northland Dairy Development Trust’s future dairy farm systems project has ended.

included three farm types: Baseline Farm – existing Italian ryegrass/ kikuyu pastures. Stocking rate three cows/ha and up to 190kg applied N/ha.

Alternative Pastures Farm – 75% of pastures in tall fescue and/or cocksfoot-based pastures, with legumes & herbs.

Stocking rate three cows/ ha and up to 190 kg applied N/ha.

Low Emissions Farm –

existing Italian ryegrass/ kikuyu pastures, targeting a 25-30% reduction in methane emissions and 50% reduction in nitrous oxide emissions (compared to the Baseline Farm). Stocking rate was 2.1 – 2.3 cows/ha, with no nitrogen fertiliser applied.

All farms used limited imported feed to fill feed deficits (up to 800kg/cow of mainly palm kernel expeller

World’s most powerful variable speed clipper is here!

handypiece Trailing model towed by a small vehicle Control of Californian thistles, Rushes, Scotch thistles, Ragwort, Dock and more

• Single height adjustment • Roller drive disengagement • Fold-up drawbar • Tank leveller adjustment • Double frame – great strength

Get your Repairs and Servicing done NOW! ■ Ideal for shearing sheep, alpacas, goats and cow tails.

■ Variable speed from 2600-3500 rpm.

■ Latest brushless motor technology means minimal heat build up ■ 1400gms means 100-200gms lighter than standard handpiece.

■ At 2800 rpm the 12-volt lithium battery will crutch 300-400 sheep or trim up to 400-500 cow’s tails.

■ We customise cables for lifestyle shearing.

HELP US TO HELP YOU FOR THE NEW SEASON View in action go to www.handypiece.co.nz

48 Bremners Road, Ashburton • W: www.rotowiper.com P: 03-308 4497 • M: 027-311 9471 • E: sales@rotowiper.com

Freephone

0800 474 327

email: dave@handypiece.co.nz

PKE). Trial measures captured pasture and milk production and composition, profit, labour input and management difficulty and environmental impact.

Results have varied over the five years. However, milk production was highest on the Baseline Farm in three of those seasons while the Alternative Pastures Farm had the highest milk production in the other two seasons.

Drier summers favoured the Baseline Farm which has a higher kikuyu presence in the pastures.

Milk production on the Low Emissions Farm where no nitrogen fertiliser was applied has been between 20% and 39% lower than the Baseline Farm.

The variation in milk production on the Low Emissions Farm appears to be related to variance in clover presence. Over the five seasons, clover content of the pasture on the Baseline Farm has averaged 9% while the Low Emissions Farm has averaged 24%.

Financial analysis of each farm (using actual milk prices) across the five years of the study shows that on average the Baseline and Alternative Pastures Farms have had relativity similar farm operating profit. The Low Emissions Farm operating profit has averaged $698/ha lower than the Baseline Farm, although it was not the least profitable farm in two of the five years. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

EMISSIONS PROFILE GREENHOUSE GAS emissions on the three farmlets were calculated using the Overseer model.

Emissions have been relatively similar between the Baseline and Alternative Pastures Farms, due to similar stocking rate, milk production, PKE and N inputs.

The Low Emissions Farm averaged 26% less methane and 46% less nitrous oxide for the five years of the trial.

The higher milk production on the Low Emissions Farm during the 2025/26 season led to lower reductions in methane and N2O compared to the previous four years.

The methane levels fluctuate somewhat in line with milk production and stocking rate, as methane is closely related to feed eaten.

Woolover Animal MANAGEMENT 13 HAVE YOU COVERED RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

Primary sector needs a pipeline of directors SOPHIE HENDERSON

GOOD GOVERNANCE is critical to the primary sector. Whether it is a rural business, a levypayer organisation or a research body, we need a pipeline of capable directors with a passion for, and knowledge of, the sector.

Many people start with local leadership roles, such as a school board or community trust, but opportunities must be available for them to gain experience at the next level of governance.

In 2024, I was given that opportunity when I was successful in my application for the twoyear position of associate director with Ovis Management Ltd (OML), which promotes the control of sheep measles.

I am due to complete my term in August, so applications are now open for the next associate director through to 2028.

My advice to those looking to make that step into industry governance is to apply, and if you are successful, seize the opportunity with both hands.

For me, the experience has been more than I could have ever imagined in terms of board observation and networking opportunities.

I have had the opportunity to observe best practice with OML. The board’s cohesion enables a lot to be discussed in a short space of time, from farm to market and everything in between.

There’s a great level of respect and due diligence that goes into delivering a programme such as Ovis and as associate director I’ve felt supported, observed a range of scenarios and been encouraged to contribute at every opportunity.

I think many people underestimate the importance of OML. As a farming partner in the Rangitikei, we were already following its advice, but I was not aware of the quiet success it has in education and preventing C. ovis from

Sophie Henderson

entering our markets.

Seeing the OML role advertised was exciting.

Alongside farming, I run my own brand development business.

I had completed rural leadership programmes, including Kellogg and To The Core, and was actively looking for an associate role that would provide real-world boardroom experience.

The advice I had been given was to focus on areas of interest and consider what skills you would bring to the table.

My initial interest was the on-farm connection with biosecurity along with my background in marketing and brand development.

As a farming partner with a young family, I had leaned into the administration and audit side of the business.

We had spent the previous couple of years working through various farm plans with a biosecurity component.

In terms of Ovis, we already had dog policies in place, including a monthly worming programme with our vet, records for Farm Assurance Programme purposes, and steps around visiting and neighbouring dogs.

We knew the guidelines around freezing meat and cooking offal, and monitored downgrades on kill sheets, but no more than any other farmer would. I had also spent time working for a meat processor, so I had a broad understanding of the supply chain.

The fact that OML was a subsidiary of the Meat Industry Association was also appealing because of the opportunity to build connections in the industry.

So, like all good decisions, I trusted my gut and applied for

the role. It has been a fascinating learning journey, not only in terms of gaining governance skills and experience, but also in building knowledge of, and a real passion for, this important work.

OML occupies a niche space, working through AsureQuality inspectors to monitor every carcase and ensure everything heading to our markets is of the highest quality.

The data is fed back to OML’s project manager, who works with farmers with high prevalence rates and educates them on best practice.

It is one of the only programmes in the world that links individual carcase downgrades

to a specific infection.

That information can be proactively discussed with the individual farmer and managed in a positive way, with the outcome being consistently low prevalence rates and higher education rates.

It is a fascinating programme and an example of the many important processes behind the curtain that are often overlooked when we champion food producers or successful in-market campaigns.

Without them, we would not reach the high level of quality that opens so many opportunities globally.

• Sophie Henderson is an associate director of Ovis Management Ltd.

Travel Memories Made Easy Up to 40 Domestic & International tours available

WOW Deluxe Wellington & the World of WearableArt, 5 star Hotel 22 Sep 2026 I 4 days I $2890 pp

Treasures of Sri Lanka Tea gardens, UNESCO sites, Yala National Park, Safaris 17 Oct 2026 I 16 days I $8745 pp

Southern Africa Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles, Sovereign Hill, Dandenong Ranges, Bendigo 25 Nov 2026 I 11 days I $6585 pp

Wool Working 24/7 If you can get to them, you can save them. A NZ$6.00 investment in a Woolover Cover can return you NZ$180!

The covered lamb will enjoy the warmth and also have increased growth rates over the first three weeks.

Enjoy the satisfaction of saving at risk lambs and be well rewarded in doing so.

Regular Calf Covers

Raising calves is not for the faint hearted. Ensuring the calf is warm and dry in a draft free environment, is the ideal situation.

QUESTION; What was the air temperature at 4:30am this 3 SIZES AVAILABLE morning in your calf rearing facility? If the air temperature was below +10C, the calf is now cold.

Drop that air temperature to +4C then calf is shivering and cold.

The 'shot of milk' at 7:30am on a cold calf is now being absorbed to regain body heat rather than being used to actually grow the calf.

THE ANSWER IS; By fitting a Woolover Calf Cover to those new born calves, the wool is now ensuring the calf is warm and able to absorb that milk into growth rather than trying to maintain body temperature.

All calf rearers should be ensuring their calves reach target weights earlier, be it your replacement heifers or your dairy / beef contract calves.

Simple really! Just use the Woolover Calf Covers to ensure this next crop of new borns reach their true genetic potential.

Woolover Ultra Calf Cover

As above with the Regular Calf Cover, wool providing the warmth plus total water shedding ability, to ensure those calves in the harshest climatic conditions, survive and grow to reach their true potential.

3 SIZES AVAILABLE

Woolover Finn Lamb / Kid Goat / Triplet Cover Especially designed for those kid goats, or finn lambs or triplet lambs, these covers will ensure and assist those smaller animals survive and reward the effort to cover them.

Wool Working 24/7

The Woolover Fit n Forget Beef Calf Cover Designed especially for those USA / Montana blizzards, the cover is designed to simply 'fall off the beef calf after 4 weeks' and simply biodegrade on the ground where ever it falls. No rodeo nor catching the calf to remove the cover. Perhaps you have a mob of dairy cows calving early on a paddock of swedes, less that ideal weather, simply fit the Woolover Fit n Forget Beef Calf Cover, knowing full well the calf should survive that hostile environment, and capture some additional growth rate.

0800 11 60 60 www.travelwiseholidays.co.nz Prices shown are share twin per person

FROM ALL LEADING STOCK AND STATION OUTLETS AND VET CLINICS

W

oolover

ANIMAL COVERS

CONTACT:

E: david@woolover.co.nz W: www.woolover.co.nz Ph: 03-354 4123 or 0274-341 606

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

14 ANIMAL HEALTH

Drenching light ewes at scanning Scanning is a great time to start identifying and managing groups of ewes based on feeding priorities. Wormwise's Mary Bowron discusses some of the possible reasons ewes lose condition in early winter - and it's not necessarily internal parasites.

A KINDER autumn across much of the country has left ewes, on average, in better condition, which is showing in improved scanning results in earlier-lambing areas.

However, there will still be ewes that have become light in early winter. These girls are at particular risk of poor lambing performance and poor survival. And it’s very difficult to get weight back on ewes in the last part of pregnancy, so management decisions about these light girls are an early winter job.

Will a drench at scanning help?

It might. But drenching alone is unlikely to be enough.

In a study on five

North Island hill country farms, light ewes that were drenched in early winter lost less weight than their skinny counterparts who were left undrenched.

However, both groups of light ewes continued to lose weight – highlighting the need to identify these girls and do something more for them, aside from just drenching.

Are parasites the main cause of skinny ewes?

When ewes are under pressure for feed, have another underlying disease or are not coping with being part of a large mob, they can come under pressure from parasites. The parasites might not be the primary problem.

Getting some postmortems done on light

ewes in your flock can be very helpful.

The extended facial eczema season has still wreaked havoc in parts of the country. These light ewes will continue to show up through winter – compromised liver function limits their ability to compete under winter feed conditions.

Drench cannot repair burnt liver!

Johne’s disease cases can spike if ewes have been under feed pressure earlier in the season.

Ewes with Johne’s disease can look just like they have worms and it’s really important not to lamb these girls – their progeny are likely to be born with Johne’s, and the ewes will be a big source of infection to other lambs.

The whole-farm worm cost of light ewes Light ewes frequently have higher faecal egg counts than their better conditioned mates and won’t be helping your pasture contamination situation. Especially if you kept extra lambs on in the autumn to take advantage of high prices!

What to do?

Once you’ve scanned, you know who’s who in your flock, and what their feed priorities are. With those priorities in mind, revisit the feed budget, particularly with the risk of El Niño ahead. Make sure younger multiplebearing ewes have plenty of feed, while fat single-bearing ewes can be used for clean-up duty. Skinny multiples, especially triplets, are

at greatest risk of poor lambing performance.

Not lambing the worst of these is a valid option.

Making a decision earlier rather than later puts you at a better position at set stocking.

For light ewes that you think are worth persevering with, reducing mob pressure and feeding them better to meet their increasing energy demands in the last month or pregnancy are key. Choosing safer lambing paddocks will also help. If you drench these ewes, make sure they are identified so you can observe which ones respond. Often these light ewes are repeat offenders, so identify these girls and consider culling them at weaning time if they make it that far.

Getting some postmortems done on light ewes in your flock can be very helpful.

How much of a resistance risk is winter ewe drenching?

Probably fairly minimal; environmental conditions are not favourable to high development rates from worms in ewes at this time. The risk is low if

only a proportion of the flock are drenched with a short acting product, and especially if drenched ewes are also fed better, allowing their immune systems to deal with any parasites left behind and limit shedding of resistant eggs.

TAKE CONTROL WITH BIONIC ® PLUS Save time and save money with Bionic® Plus - the 100 Day* controlled release combination anthelmintic with minerals capsule for sheep. Worm control with Bionic® Plus can reduce drench inputs1, aid in control of dags and associated flystrike2, and slow the development of resistance.

Farmers and veterinarians can be confident when they choose Bionic® Plus.

For more information, visit:

futureproducers.co.nz PROUDLY AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL PARTICIPATING VETERINARY CLINIC *With a range of 85 to 115 days worm control.

See product label for full claim details and directions for use.

ACVM Registration No. A011825. BIONIC® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license. © Copyright 2026 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. All rights reserved.

NZ-RUM-0032-2026. Ref: 1. Data on file. 2. See product labels for full claim details and directions for use.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

ANIMAL HEALTH 15

Why bull team movement is not a bad thing IZZY WILLISON

IN THE past, a bull could sit comfortably in a breeding team for several years with little change, but today, that’s no longer the case.

Bulls move in and out of teams more frequently than they used to, and that movement can sometimes raise questions about the strength of the overall team. In reality, movement reflects the faster pace of genetic progress and more precise selection tools shaping today’s herds.

The speed of genetic gain The rate of genetic progress in the New Zealand dairy sector has accelerated significantly over the past decade.

Tools such as genomic testing, improved data collection, and more sophisticated evaluation systems mean we can identify an animal’s genetic merit earlier and with greater accuracy than ever before.

Through LIC’s GeneMark Genomics service, more than two million animals have been genotyped. This enables farmers to make more informed breeding decisions by identifying superior genetics in their

herd at a younger age.

While some breeding values go up and some go down, the outcome is a more accurate prediction of an animal’s genetic potential.

More data means more clarity New Zealand has one of the most comprehensive dairy genomic databases in the world. Milk production, fertility, health and conformation traits, longevity, calving difficulty, and efficiency data flow in from herds nationwide every season, and when combined with genomic information, this creates an incredibly powerful picture of an animal’s true breeding worth.

With multiple genetic evaluations released each year, new data continually feeds into the New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL) model. This ongoing stream of information provides sharper insight into how bulls rank relative to their peers, and in a rapidly advancing genetic landscape, even a very good bull can quickly be surpassed by an even better one.

As more phenotypic and genomic data flow into NZAEL, rankings continue to

that genetic gain is accelerating, selection pressure is strong, the benchmark for excellence keeps rising, and farmers are receiving the best available genetics each season.

The New Zealand dairy sector operates in a competitive global

Izzy Willison, LIC.

shift, emphasising the importance of using a team of genomic bulls rather than relying on the traits of a single animal.

Equally important is the size and quality of the candidate pool. Genomic testing has greatly expanded the number of young bulls that can be accurately assessed each year, increasing competition among top sires for a place in the team. Twenty years ago, selection decisions were made with less information and a smaller pool of candidates. Now, the intensity of selection has increased, which means bull teams are more refined to reflect the very best genetics available.

Tools such as genomic testing, improved data collection.

Protecting farmer progress More frequent movement within bull teams reflects the industry’s focus on maximising herd improvement, shortening generation intervals, and accelerating efficiency gains.

If we left bulls in teams because they were ‘good enough’, genetic progress would slow, so by actively reviewing and updating teams as new data emerges, we ensure farmers are always accessing the strongest possible lineup.

Faster bull team turnover also reflects a high-performing, data driven breeding programme. It signals

RAPIDE 7 ULTIMATE N

MOE W DEL

market where efficiency, sustainability, and productivity matters more than ever. Rapid genetic advancement is one of the most powerful tools farmers have to meet those challenges.

When bulls move out of a team today, it’s rarely because they

weren’t good or the team is underperforming.

More often, it’s because something even better has emerged, backed by stronger data, higher reliability, and greater confidence for Kiwi dairy farmers.

• Izzy Willison is Head of Genetics, LIC

Heiniger capital equipment, is trusted

by New Zealand farmers, contractors and shearers to get the job done safely and efficiently.

Because we care about your safetywhile working.

TPW Xpress Woolpress With industry leading safety features, the #1 selling and most trusted woolpress helps to keep you and your workers safe in the shed. The TPW Xpress now comes with the new indicator with audible and visible alarms that let you know when you’re approaching the target weight.

equipme Watch our in action!

nt

Evo Shearing Plant The world’s leading shearers trust the #1 selling shearing plant in the world, winner of multiple WorkSafe awards. The Evo delivers industry leading safety features, impressive performance and superb reliability.

TPW Backease Hoist Wide pick-up with 3D contour suspension for ultimate ground tracking

Contact Frank Berkers - 027 497 9085 CAMBRIDGE | ŌTOROHANGA | ROTORUA | TAUPŌ

New rotor drive design with new and more knives

High volume package giving 4m3 more capacity

Industry professionals trust the versatile, compact and cost effective TPW Backease Hoist to safely lift loads of up to 600kg with extendable 1.2 - 1.8m boom. At only 78kg, it’s easy to install with no loss of load space and features hydraulic lift and pressure regulated downwards movement.

www.gaz.co.nz

Heiniger New Zealand | (03) 349 8282 | heiniger.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

16 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

All-electric Outlander makes Fieldays debut MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

LAST MONTH’S National Fieldays was an important event for

Canadian manufacturer Can-Am, as it unveiled its first electric ATV, the Outlander, adding extra option to the new Defender HD11 and

Defender MAX HD11 line-up.

Offered to customers for the first time in Asia-Pacific, the all-new electric Outlander ATV

has arrived with excellent timing, following the Government’s 2026 Budget commitment of $437 million over four years to accelerate the

development, adoption and availability of new technologies and tools that help reduce on-farm emissions.

Powered by BRP’s

More lambs survive with Ultravac.

Champion sheep shearer and Can-Am Ambassador Sir David Fagan with the 2026 Can-Am Outlander Electric.

®

The clostridial vaccine proven on-farm in New Zealand to reduce lamb losses.

Protect ewes and lambs against key clostridial diseases with a vaccine proven over decades in New Zealand farming systems. Ultravac® 5in1 has been trusted for over 45 years and is backed by local on-farm trial research. These trials showed vaccinating with Ultravac® 5in1 reduced lamb deaths by 23.6% from tailing to pre-lamb compared to unvaccinated lambs,¹ helping more lambs survive when it counts. Choose Ultravac®, the proven performer in the paddock.

ZOET26032_Ultravac_280x187_RN

Talk to your vet about Ultravac® or visit sheepsolutions.co.nz to learn more.

1. Bingham, C. M. & Hodge, A. (2022) Lamb mortality and clostridial disease. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 70 (1) 49-54.Zoetis New Zealand Limited Tel: 0800 963 847, www.zoetls.co.nz. ULTRAVAC Is a registered trade mark of Zoetls. ACVM No.A3585, A6926, A11606 and A11607.

in-house Rotax E-Power system, the Outlander Electric makes 47hp and 72Nm of torque, while offering up to 80km of range in optimal conditions (50km in ‘work’ mode), while also featuring regenerative braking technology, and recharges from 20% to 80% in just 50 minutes with a Level 2 charger.

Overnight charging from 0 to 100% takes around six hours to complete.

Outlander Electric offers a maximum speed of 60kph, delivered via Work, Normal and Sport modes to easily manage all types of tasks, while retaining the same, well proven chassis of the HD5 and HD7 models, offering identical cargo capacities (55kg front, 109kg rear) and the industry leading 830kg towing capacity.

Reduced noise and vibration deliver improved comfort and environmental impact, while whisper-quiet operation offers a major asset for breeders, allowing work near livestock without causing stress or disturbance.

Ease of operation is achieved with power steering, alongside a push-button reverse gear, removing the need to use the transmission selector, while a handlebarmounted speed limiter, delivers a minimum speed

of 6kph in low range.

More than 120 accessories include auxiliary lights, chainsaw holder, multiple cargo configurations and for colder areas, heated grips and seat.

Already released in some Northern Hemisphere markets, customers are reporting the ability to complete a full day’s work on a single charge, while also enthusing about the quiet operation, reliability, and capability.

Prominent New Zealand sheep farmer and Can-Am Ambassador Sir David Fagan said, “The 2026 Can-Am Outlander Electric is a gamechanger for agriculture, meaning from the crack of dawn the vehicle is fully charged to take on the day ahead, even on property like mine. Trust me, I’ve trialled the machine first-hand and it delivers on all aspects with all the premium features the brand is recognised for”.

A comprehensive warranty includes 5 years / 20,000km on the battery, a 3-year unlimited km powertrain & Rotax engine warranty and a 1-year warranty & unlimited km on the remainder of the vehicle.

Visit https://can-am.brp. com/off-road/nz/en/ global-product-review/ outlander-electric.html

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 17

New trailer designed for big payloads MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

FOUNDED IN 1988, Stewart Trailers is owned and managed by James and Mandy Stewart from their site in North-East Scotland.

At the country’s recent Highland Show, held over four days in Edinburgh, they showcased a new four-axle trailer, designed to carry a payload of thirty-five tonnes.

Called the Tetrad, the first model has a minimum tractor power requirement of 300hp and an empty weight of around 12 tonnes and was developed primarily for the Australian market.

The first of the new range is headed for a large dairy operation to of the country, which already operates 50m³ versions of the company’s trailers. The buyers hope that the move to 70m³ with silage sides will improve efficiency. It is equipped with front and rear steering axles and the customer specified mechanical suspension, although Stewarts confirm that Tetrad can also be delivered with air suspension.

The Scottish manufacturer has exported trailers to Australia since 2009, with units currently imported and distributed by the New South Wales-based Armour Group. Stewart expects a good uptake for the trailer in the eastern states of Australia where there are large areas of grass grown for silage.

The company also

distributes to New Zealand via its North Island agent TRC Tractors in Feilding and IKON Machinery based near Geraldine in the South Island. Exports to the Southern Hemisphere are said to account for a considerable proportion of the Scottish company’s turnover, with the range including several models designed specifically for Australia and New Zealand “The concept and design of a new trailer need a considerable amount of time and effort,” says Stewart’s designer Lukasz Sobaszkiewicz.

“The weight carried by the Tetrad requires a robust construction, meaning many of the heavy-duty parts needed are not readily available off the shelf, so we spent a lot of time researching sources of components.”

Legislation for road going trailers in Australia allows for larger models, so the company can build trailers up to 3m wide to give increased capacity and stability, says Mandy Stewart.

“We fit hydraulic jack legs, as not many of their tractors have pick-up hitches, alongside safety chain attachment points on the drawbar which are a legal requirement.

The majority of trailers we supply to Australia are also factory fitted with on-board weigh cell systems and automatic lubrication.”

Visit www.trctractors. co.nz or www. ikonmac.nz

Check out our websites www.ruralnews.co.nz www.dairynews.co.nz

The Tetrad is designed to carry a payload of thirty-five tonnes.

S ’ T E L GO .

S D R THI 1/3 1/3 1/3 3.9% P.A.

DEPOSIT

IN 12 MONTHS IN 24 MONTHS

INTEREST RATE

TALK TO YOUR SUZUKI DEALER TODAY OR VISIT SUZUKI.CO.NZ

T&Cs: Applies to new KingQuad models purchased from 1/5/26 to 31/7/26 at participating Suzuki dealers, or while stocks last. Finance offer is based on a 3.9% p.a. interest rate fixed over a 24-month loan term and on the following payments: an up-front deposit of one-third (1/3) of the RRP, the cost of any accessories fitted, and the fees set out below; a further payment of one-third (1/3) of the RRP to be paid on the 12-month loan anniversary; and a final payment of one-third (1/3) of the RRP to be paid on the 24-month loan anniversary. The 3.9% p.a. interest is fixed for the term of the loan.

A PPSR fee of $10.35, a monthly maintenance fee of $2, a UDC loan fee of $105 and a dealer origination fee of $200 applies. The loan is provided by UDC Finance Limited. UDC Finance Limited’s lending criteria, standard terms and conditions apply. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts or offers.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

18 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

SAM Machinery rolls out the future of spreading

FINALISTS FOR JOHN DEERE’S TECH AWARDS MARK DANIEL

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

KIWI BUILT to suit Kiwi conditions, the Fieldays reveal of its new 3-point linkage mounted e-Spreader will add another string to Hamilton-based SAM Machinery’s already extensive portfolio of fertiliser spreading tools.

Designed to be easy to use, future-proof and incorporating smart, intuitive technology, overall control is via SAM’s, ISOBUScompliant display in the tractor cabin.

At the heart of the machine, a hydraulicallydriven floor at the base of the hopper will allow users to apply all types of fertiliser from uniform prills right through to bulk materials such as lime. Offering 2-click

calibration of the twin integral load cells, integral technology ensures consistent application rates, irrespective of travel speed changes created by slopes, inclines or changing ground conditions.

The SAM control gateway unlocks speeds from the tractornetwork, while also offering basic section, headland and variable rate application control. The system also integrates seamlessly with third party guidance systems such as Greenstar, Topcon RTX and Trimble.

Looking at the machine in more detail, the e-Spreader’s 2300 litre (expandable) capacity means the ability to load up to 2000kg of superphosphate, 3300kg lime or 1750kg of urea

markd@ruralnews.co.nz

SAM Machinery’s new three-point linkage mounted e-Spreader.

in real terms. Being linkage-mounted with hydraulic drive removes the struggle for larger operators to fit a PTO shaft. The belt feed system at the base of the hopper positively deals with a wide range of materials, while also incorporating a divider to stop materials

slumping sideways when operating on sloping ground.

An electricallyactuated rear shutter adjusts flow to the stainless steel distribution, while also offering easy access for machine cleaning after application is completed. The machine

office@straightpaint.co.nz 0800 55 53 55 or 021 996 031

Servicing the Waikato Area COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL | NEW BUILDS | RENOVATIONS

www.straightpaint.co.nz

is Spreadmark-certified to achieve 24-metre spreading widths for urea and 12-metres for lime products.

Attention to detail in the design and manufacturing processes starts with a multi-stage preparation and painting process for durability and a long service life, while hydraulic fittings are moved away from product contact, lines run in sealed conduits and the main hydraulic valve block is located in a sealed protective cabinet.

Under-mounted spinner/distributor motors are complemented by lifetime sealed bearing assemblies, front docking mounts offer easy attachment and integral feet allow simple out of season storage. Expect to see first deliveries in 2027. www.sammachinery. co.nz

JOHN DEERE has announced the finalists for its 2026 Technician of the Year Awards, with 30 regional finalists being named in five award categories.

These include Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year, Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year, Service Apprentice of the Year and Parts Apprentice of the Year.

Judges say the competition across all categories this year is among the strongest seen since the inception of the program in 2021, with finalists representing a mix of emerging talent and experienced professionals from dealerships across Australia and New Zealand.

John Deere director of aftermarket and customer support, Steph Gersekowski, said the stories behind this year’s submissions were incredibly powerful, demonstrating the real-world impact technicians have on customers and the communities they serve.

“We saw examples of technicians going above and beyond to support customers, often in critical situations, where keeping equipment operating had a direct impact on a customer’s business,” Gersekowski said. “Those outcomes don’t happen by chance. They are the result of dealerships creating environments where people can develop their skills, embrace new technologies and build long-term careers.”

The regional finalists will now progress to the next stage of the competition, with winners to be announced at the John Deere Technician of the Years Awards gala event in Brisbane in September.

The New Zealand finalists for the Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year Award include James Doherty of Drummond & Etheridge, Rolleston and Thomas Fyfe, of Brandt, Rotorua.

James is a farm kid who grew up with John Deere tractors, started out completing work experience with his local dealership. Today, the 26-year-old is a field technician, known for his exceptional product knowledge and outstanding attitude, which sees customers frequently requesting James specifically to work on their machines.

Thomas Fyfe of Brandt, Rotorua, is originally from Pukekohe, who after more than 15 years as a parts manager, expanded his skills by taking on an adult apprenticeship. Today, as a qualified service technician, Tom is committed to making each customer’s experience as positive as possible by holding himself and his work to a high standard and takes pride in cultivating a positive environment.

RURAL NEWS // JULY 7, 2026

RURAL TRADER 19 tunnel houses

www.morrifield.com

| e info@morrifield.com

LASER FF95

DIESEL HEATER

BREAKING NEWS MARKETS & TRENDS COMPETITIONS MANAGEMENT STORIES MACHINERY REVIEWS AND MUCH MORE...

Grow vegetables all year round T Very affordable and easy to install T New Zealand designed and made T 40 years producing tunnel houses T Range of models sized from 2m - 10m T t/f 03 214 4262

LATEST STORIES ON www.ruralnews.co.nz

ü Huge 9.5kW output. ü Made in Japan since 1991. ü Energy Efficient - 92% certified

RURAL ONLINE

ü Safe, convenient and easy to use no mess, no fuss. ü DIY Install or we can arrange. ü No wood to cut, cart or store. ü N O indoor diesel odours.

READING THE PAPER ONLINE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER. GO TO WWW.RURALNEWSGROUP.CO.NZ

0800 379 247 www.avonheating.co.nz

EARMARKERS

BIRDSCARER

Free Range & Barn Eggs

DE HORNER HOOF TRIMMER

SUPPLIERS OF:

• Nest boxes - manual or automated • Feed & Drinking • Plastic egg trays QUALITY PRODUCTS MADE IN EUROPE OR BY PPP

❖

A trusted name in Poultry Industry for over 50 years ❖

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET • Robust construction • Auto shut gate • Total 20 jets • Lambs only 5 jets • Side jets for lice • Adjustable V panels • Davey Twin Impellor Pump • 6.5 or 9.0hp motors

SOUTH ISLAND

23 Mahinui St, Feilding

35 Wilkin St, Waimate

Ph 06-323 4181

Ph 0800 625 826

Single Dog Box – no steel work ........................ $670.00 Single Dog Box - with steel work ..................... $750.00 Wellside Dog Box ............................................. $1055.00 Flatdeck Dog Box ............................................. $1055.00 ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST BUT MAY INCUR FREIGHT

SHEEP JETTERS SINCE 1992

GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE QUICK TO SETUP – EASY TO USE – JOB DONE

PH 06-835 6863 • MOB 021-061 1800 JETTER VIDEO: www.craigcojetters.com

CONTROL FLYSTRIKE & LICE

NORTH ISLAND

FLY OR LICE PROBLEMS?

Quadbar introduces the new $

935

+GST & Freight

FLEXIBAR Flexibar includes all the safety and convenience features of the Quadbar with the added advantages of:

The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989

INCLUDES:

Quality construction and options • Get the contractors choice

• Jetter unit • Pump & Hose kit • Delivery to nearest main centre

• A flexible joint that allows the bar to flex rearwards in the event of contact with an overhead obstacle

Featuring...

7680

• Incredible chemical economy • Amazing ease 1500+ per hour • Unique self adjusting sides • Environmentally and user friendly • Automatically activated • Proven effective on lice as well as fly • Compatible with all dip chemicals • Accurate, effective application

$

+GST

SUPPLYING FARMERS SINCE 1962

07 573 8512 | dipping@electrodip.co.nz – www.electrodip.com

• The joint facilitates some sideways flexibility before locking and becoming more of a traditional crush protection device • In the event of a rearwards flip there is negligible movement from the flexible joint

Recommended

by Worksafe.

• The top section of the Flexibar can also be easily removed for transportation inside a vehicle.

For a Quadbar, call me, Stuart Davidson, owner of Quadbar NZ. Phone: 021-182 8115 Email: sales@quadbar.co.nz or for more info go to www.quadbar.co.nz

CULVERT PIPES www.mckeeplastics.co.nz 300mm x 6 metre ............................ $485.00 400mm x 6 metre ............................ $615.00 500mm x 6 metre ............................ $875.00 600mm x 6 metre .......................... $1170.00 800mm x 6 metre .......................... $1790.00 1000mm x 6 metre ........................ $3025.00 1200mm x 6 metre ........................ $4375.00

Made from polyethylene & recycled plastic •

•

Water Troughs

Culvert joiners FREE with pipes on request Water Transport

ALL PRICES INCLUDE G.S.T. | FREIGHT TO STORE INCLUDED* *PRICING SUBJECT TO CHANGE T’S & C’S MAY APPLY

NORTH ISLAND 23 Mahinui St, Feilding Ph 06-323 4181

SOUTH ISLAND 35 Wilkin St, Waimate Ph 0800 625 826

•

Lightweight, easy to install

Water Storage

O G S ’ T E L

!

S D R I H T Landpower 145 with Sigma 4 Loader: from only

149

$

,000*

+ GST

1/3 1/3 1/3 3% P.A. DEPOSIT

IN 12 MONTHS

IN 24 MONTHS

INTEREST RATE*

Split your Landini Landpower payment in 3!* Landini Landpower is a high-horsepower, versatile tractor series designed for open-field farming, offering rugged reliability, modern comfort, and multiple transmission options to suit demanding tasks. Strong torque output makes them ideal for heavy tillage, ploughing, transport, and PTO-intensive work.

Impressive Features: • • • •

Tier 3, 6-cylinder turbocharged FPT engine, 141hp 54x18 T-Tronic powershift transmission Electrohydraulic 4wd, PTO and diff lock engagement Fender mounted linkage controls

• High capacity 110 litre min CCLS hydraulic pump • Suspension seat with tilt and telescopic steering wheel • Quality European Sigma 4 loader

To find out more - talk to your local Landini dealer today! * From pricing applies to Landpower 145 model standard offering including Sigma 4 loader and does not include additional attachments. Limited edition paint job pictured, and may not be available from all dealers. This Landini Finance offer is based on a 3.00% p.a. interest rate fixed for the 24-month term of the loan. An up-front deposit of one-third (1/3) of the RRP (excel GST) plus a PPSR fee of $10.35 and a dealer establishment fee of $495 is required. Two further payments of 1/3 of the RRP (excl GST) are to be paid on the one-year loan anniversary and the two-year loan anniversary. This offer is available on Landini Landpower 145 & 165 models, purchased from 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026 (while stocks last) at the RRP. The GST component of the purchase price is repayable in month 3. Finance must be drawn down by 31 August 2026. The offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts or offers. Finance is provided by UDC Finance Ltd. Approvals are subject to responsible lending inquiries.

Find a NZ Dealer:

Landini Sales, Service and Support 20+ Locations New Zealand wide

Landini. Passion for innovation.

www.landininewzealand.co.nz