‘Do your budget and be realistic’ in tough times – Shawn McAvinue:
Federated Farmers Southland hosted events in last week in Invercargill, Mataura and Tuatapere last week to give sheep and beef farmers tips on how to navigate tough times. Shawn McAvinue reports on the event in Invercargill.
Sheep and beef farmers are doing it tough due to an economic downturn but it has been worse, a southern farm consultant says.
Rural Solutions owner Graham Butcher, speaking at a Federated Farmers Tips For Tough Times event in Invercargill last week, said he had been a consultant in Otago and Southland for many years and had experienced economic downturns before, including the 1980s.
“I cut my consulting teeth on Roger Douglas and I don’t think this is anywhere near as bad as it was back in the day.”
Seeing the wood for the trees – Leo Argent :
The scale of beef and sheep land purchased for forestry is higher than first thought, according to a report on land-use change.
Commissioned two years ago by Beef + Lamb NZ to track the amount of land purchased for afforestation and taken out of pastoral farming, the report from consultancy firm Orme & Associates shows that 63,582ha was purchased by forestry interests in 2021. This compared with 37,950ha in 2020 and 7,000ha in 2017 – showing a significant upwards trend in conversion.
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says the report will be “alarming” for farmers, rural communities and wider New Zealanders already concerned about the conversion of food producing sheep and beef land into carbon farming.
“This takes the total to more than 200,000ha of sheep and beef farms bought over the last five years,” he says. . .
Future farmers step up to have their say – Bryan Gibson :
A hunting trip conversation between two friends has sparked an ambitious plan to bring a youthful perspective to the conversation on farming’s future.
Future Farmers NZ (FFNZ) are a group of young people who work in or around the food and fibre sector.
But they’re not just talking – they have laid out a manifesto built on the shared values of the diverse group.
Secretary Findal Proebst told the Farmers Weekly In Focus podcast that the manifesto centres on seven key themes: land-use design, forestry and carbon credits, knowledge and education, farm management, hauora: holistic wellness in agriculture, supply chains and innovation, and markets and finance. . .
Te Arawa and Sealord partnership transitions unproductive land to native forest :
Sealord is investing $10 million over the next ten years in a carbon offset programme that will see underutilised Te Arawa whenua around the wider Rotorua region developed into permanent forest.
The programme, developed by Te Arawa Fisheries and New Zealand Carbon Farming (NZCF), will help offset some of the carbon resulting from Sealord’s operations, maximise the potential of marginal land, create jobs and improve whānau outcomes, and help improve the local environment, including water quality in and around Te Arawa lakes.
Called Ara Rākau, Te Arawa Fisheries CEO Chris Karamea Insley says the initiative is a solid example of the opportunities the carbon economy offers Māori, while highlighting the role Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading companies can take in supporting the country’s climate commitments.
“The Emissions Trading Scheme represents a $16 billion economic opportunity for Māori – one which will be transformative for generations as poor quality land can be used to generate better economic, cultural, social and environmental outcomes – not just for Māori, but for entire communities. . .
Tia Nelson announced as the NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year 2023 :
Tai Nelson from Soljans Estate in Kumeu, Auckland has taken out the prestigious title of New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year 2023.
The National Final was held under beautiful blue skies at Paritua Vineyards in Hawke’s Bay and the winners announced at the Awards Dinner in Hastings.
Congratulations to Nick Putt from Craggy Range in Hawke’s Bay who came a very close second and to Nina Downer from Felton Road who placed third. Zac Howell from Indevin in Marlborough also impressed the judges with his skills and knowledge throughout the competition.
The Young Viticulturist of the Year is a very tough competition and the contestants were certainly put through their paces and were tested on trellising, irrigation, machinery, pest & disease management, wine knowledge and had a grilling interview. Prior to the competition itself they all submitted their report on their recommendations for establishing and managing a sustainable vineyard which would thrive long into the future. . .
New Zealand’s best ice-cream gelato named :
A boutique ice cream maker from Queenstown who moved to NZ to work as a hang gliding pilot – has taken out the country’s top ice cream accolade – with Patagonia Chocolates, Hazelnut Cremino named Formula Foods Supreme Champion Boutique at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2023.
Patagonia Chocolates, Hazelnut Cremino received two trophies – the Boutique Champion as well as the PACT Packaging Champion Standard Ice Cream Award. Chief Judge Jackie Matthews noted that the base of NZ-grown nuts which are hand roasted, “provided a delicate and truly authentic flavour, which combined with a superbly crafted and well-made ice cream is simply stunning, deserving of the Supreme Award.”
Patagonia Chocolates founder Alex Gimenez moved to Queenstown in 2002 and in 2005 the chocolate-loving Argentinean and his wife Lorena Giallonardo started their business. Despite the challenges of Covid-19 closures and ongoing staffing issues, the couple run four stores in the Southern Lakes, creating delicious flavours ad ice cream experiences. This year their entries were recognised with five Gold Medals and three Silver Medals as well as two Trophies. . .
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