Rural round-up

01/05/2024

Forestry conversions are putting land at risk, farmer says –  Sally Rae:

“We just hate to see our land for future generations put at such risk.”

Quintin Hazlett, a passionate sheep and beef farmer, is referring to Hukarere Station, New Zealand’s largest family-owned working organic sheep and cattle property and his home.

The West Otago tussock hill country was renowned for its landscape features and its history. The isolated area comprised a tight-knit community which relied on each other during adverse events and also for social connection as it was “too bloody far to go too far”, Mr Hazlett said.

Seeing Ernslaw One’s forestry development over the fence on the previously productive farmland of Warthill was “tragic” and he shared fellow neighbours’ concerns about the potential for wilding spread on to his property.

Ernslaw One said it was operating under the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry regulations and it would have an ongoing wilding management programme that included close management and monitoring of boundaries, regular engagement with neighbours and proactive remediation if wilding spread did occur. . . 

Fears over forestry development – Sally Rae :

A large-scale forestry development in the heart of West Otago hill country is causing ripples among the isolated community, which fears serious repercussions from the plantings of particularly Douglas fir including its spread to neighbouring properties. Business and rural editor Sally Rae reports.

A group of West Otago farmers — concerned about the ramifications of a neighbouring forestry development — are outraged a wilding tree risk assessment was completed by one of the forestry company’s employees, likening it to “marking your own test”.

They fear Ernslaw One’s conversion of Warthill, a 2500ha property in Wilden Runs Rd, could lead to a repeat of the “environmental disaster” seen in other parts of the country with wilding tree spread.

But the forestry company says it is not a conflict of interest and it is standard practice in the industry for staff to conduct the assessments. The employee who completed the assessment was a professional forester with 45 years’ experience and the company maintained the assessment was accurate, Ernslaw One said. . . 

Much on the line for Alliance – Neal Wallace :

The future of the Alliance Group as a co-operative depends on how shareholders respond to its capital raising programme, says chair Mark Wynne.

“If farmers want Alliance to remain a 100% farmer-owned co-operative, the only way that can happen is if shareholders contribute,” he said.

Alliance’s recent capital-raising announcement prompted some shareholders to question why Alliance on occasion pays more to third-party or volume suppliers than to its shareholders for their stock, with accusations that is not consistent with the co-operative spirit.

Wynn acknowledged that concern. . . 

Shepherding a sector back to health – Neal Wallace:

To those with an abundance of grey hair or receding hairlines, the current downturn in the sheep industry is not new.

The reasons for and the scale of the sudden decline in sheepmeat prices have been well traversed by Farmers Weekly and will not come as a surprise to some.

That is not to diminish the effect on individuals squeezed by low returns, rising input prices and debt servicing, but as our investigation this week reveals, it comes after several consecutive years of once-in-a-lifetime returns for lamb, driven by insatiable global demand for protein.

A market correction was expected after the heights reached following the outbreak of African swine fever in China and the changes in consumer behaviour during covid. . . 

Farm forestry options in a world of imponderables – Keith Woodford :

In early April I spoke to the New Zealand Farm Forestry Conference in Napier about farm forestry options as I saw them.  Most of the farmers I was talking to have had many years of experience in farm forestry, so I was certainly not going to tell them how to grow trees. Rather, I explored how to find a pathway through some of the challenging and at times imponderable issues that farm foresters currently face.

Many of my forestry presentations have focused on flaws in the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). This presentation was different. I simply took the rules as they are and looked at how farm foresters could best respond in their own interests, be they economic interests or broader issues coming from the heart.

My starting point was to briefly look at the journey New Zealand’s production forestry has taken in recent decades. I used three graphs published in November 2023 in a USDA GAIM Report, where GAIN stands for Global Agricultural Information Network. GAIN . . 

Cheers to many fewer grape harvest spills :

It’s been a good wine harvest in more ways than one this season in Marlborough.

Spillages from the picked grapes on the way from vineyards to wineries can see the road covered in grape juice which can make for slippery roads, and makes for sticky cars. It doesn’t help the amount of wine being made either.

Late last year a collaborative initiative between Wine Marlborough, wine growers, harvesters, harvest transport operators, infrastructure groups, Police and Transporting New Zealand led to the development of guidelines intended to help cut the number of grape spillages.

Harvest transport operators including Heagney Bros Ltd and Renwick Transport were key in providing their knowledge, experience and technical expertise. . . 

Prime development opportunity with astounding alpine views hits the market in picturesque Omarama high country :

Spanning approximately 30.857 hectares of rural-residential zoned land, 4345 Omarama-Otematata Road presents an unparalleled opportunity for discerning buyers, developers and investors.

“The rarity and scale of this property makes it uniquely appealing for those looking for large scale development opportunities. Its spectacular location also comes with a more cost-efficient resale value for purchasers” says Bayleys salesperson Jessica Frewen.

The groundwork has already been laid for prospective buyers to reap the rewards, with extensive efforts to secure resource consent for subdivision into fifteen lifestyle lots. . . 

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Rural round-up

22/05/2023

Rural counseling fund drops as demand peaks – Leah Tebbett:

A well-being programme designed to give farmers and rural people access to counselling sessions has been forced to pause due to insignificant funding – right when it’s needed most.

The RuralChange Fund (born out of the Will to Live Charitable Trust) is the brainchild of Canterbury woman Elle Perriam who was compelled to lead change after her partner, a young farmer, took his own life in 2017.

For five years Perriam has worked hard to create awareness and hold space for people to open up and learn about their own mental health.

However, with an 8-week waitlist to be assigned a counsellor in the public health system, Perriam decided to push all the money raised through the trust into a fund to connect people with help almost immediately. . .

NZIFF disappointed by lack of historical context in land use report :

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) expresses deep disappointment in the Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use causing woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment-related damage in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa; especially in regards to the absence of historical context, the Crown’s accountability and the geology of the area.

NZIF President, James Treadwell said “the Ministerial Inquiry has failed to acknowledge the Crown’s significant role in promoting the planting of protection forests, subsequently marketing and selling them as harvesting rights to international buyers. Furthermore, the inquiry neglected to recognise the post-cyclone Bola subsidies and support mechanisms provided by the Crown for planting initiatives”

James Treadwell believes the Ministerial Inquiry’s report findings is recommending measures which will stop the very activities which are vital for the region’s recovery. . .

Beef + Lamb organised Road who to discuss farmers’ concerns:

Beef + Lamb New Zealand has arranged a series of talks around the country so farmers can provide feedback on any concerns raised at the group’s recent annual meeting.

Nine remits were tabled at the March meeting, two were in relation to He Waka Eke Noa – the industry partnership working with government to shape how farmers will pay for their on-farm emissions.

Nearly 49 percent of those who voted, voted in favour of leaving the partnership, 44 percent were against leaving, while nearly 7 percent abstained.

But only about 22 percent of Beef + Lamb’s farmers engaged in the remit process. . .

Politicians weigh-in on DoC’s $300m maintenance backlog – David Williams :

Worries about possible privatisation if parks shed visitor assets like huts and tracks.

A year ago, the then Conservation Minister Kiri Allan, speaking from the Tongariro northern circuit, celebrated 30 years of Great Walks.

“The outdoors and nature are a core part of our identity as New Zealanders and the origins of these walks are testament to this.”

The incredible popularity of the 10 walks was underlined last month when the booking website crashed after 10,000 people tried to book the Milford Track. . . .

Lewis Road Creamery export butter wins prestigious US award:

The Sofi Awards are presented by the not-for-profit Specialty Food Association (SFA), the leading membership trade association in the $175 billion specialty food industry.

Lewis Road Creamery’s 10 Star Grass Fed butter was blind-tasted alongside other premium and specialty butters to take gold in the dairy category, which covered all domestic and imported butters available in the United States.

The grass-fed, traditionally churned butter is made from cream exclusively off Lewis Road’s parent Southern Pastures’ own farms, which meets stringent and independently-audited 10 Star Certified Values that cover grass-fed, free-range, animal welfare, environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation criteria.

The 10 Star butter is exported and sold in high-end grocery stores including Whole Foods, Erewhon, Bristol Farms, and Central Markets across the USA where it is usually the most expensive butter. Lewis Road’s 10 Star Export butter is also available in Aotearoa New Zealand supermarkets, where it’s sold at a discount to domestic shoppers to reflect and promote its home provenance. . .

Holy guacamole where have all the avocados gone? :

It’s a favourite toast topper for Kiwis, but you may have noticed Avocados have become scarce from supermarket shelves of late. So, what’s the inside scoop behind the shortage and when we can expect to see them back to plentiful supply?

Foodstuffs North Island’s Produce Merchandise Manager Brigit Corson reveals there’s a few things at play.

“The main reason we’re seeing less Avocados on supermarket shelves is because the Avocado season has run short,” she says.

Primor’s Head of Domestic Avocado Sales Regan Booth, who supply most of the Avocados for Foodstuffs North Island’s PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square supermarkets adds that New Zealand is currently sitting between two seasons. . . 

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Rural round-up

09/05/2023

We are in danger of being left behind – Clive Bibby :

Living here on the East Coast after the floods, trying to stay sane in an environment that could easily drive you mad, it is hard to focus our attention on a credible recovery plan, costing as it will billions of dollars, when those who control the purse strings appear to have already written us off.

I suppose that isn’t surprising given the sparsely populated region we inhabit and a cynical view of political responses that would suggest we just don’t represent enough votes.

However, there are very good reasons why money spent on our local recovery would be as good an investment as in any other place in the country.

I say that having spent the last two decades promoting ideas for restructuring that, up until now, have been ignored as either two expensive or incompatible with the privileged  minority groups that have had their head in the public trough for years – and because they have such a vested interest in our current underperforming economy, they see no reason to change a single thing. . . 

Bay left in limbo – Peter Burke :

Frustration and anger has reached boiling point among Hawke’s Bay horticulturists at the lack of action by the Government in dealing with the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery operation.

Horticulture NZ chair Barry O’Neil told Rural News that there are a lot of angry growers in Hawke’s Bay who feel abandoned by the Government.

“HortNZ is very disappointed. While the Government initially provided some funding to clean up devastation caused by the cyclone, it hasn’t followed up with a promised full recovery package.”

Growers whose orchards were either wiped out or badly damaged are being left in limbo not knowing what Government assistance may be available to help them get back on their feet, or whether they will simply have to walk off their land. . . 

Hastings post-cyclone recovery bill set to top $2 billion – Lauren Crimp :

The Cyclone Gabrielle recovery bill in Heretaunga/Hastings is estimated to top $2 billion, once farms and orchards in the wider region are taken into account.

The first draft of Hastings District Council’s cyclone recovery plan paints a picture of the staggering scale of the recovery.

Heretaunga/Hastings district was one of the hardest-hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, with floodwaters ravaging homes, roads, orchards and farms.

Each of the region’s councils submitted a “locality plan” to the Hawke’s Bay Regional Recovery Agency, to inform its regional recovery plan which is due next month. . . 

Labour needs to act faster for cyclone hit regions :

Cyclone-hit communities will be devastated at revelations that the Government’s decisions around land use have been further delayed, National’s Cyclone Recovery spokesperson Chris Penk says.

“The Government said they would have the information necessary to make a decision in April around whether residents in cyclone and flood hit communities could rebuild their homes.

“However, in media interviews over the past couple of days Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson said that time frame has now been pushed back until the end of May.

“This is totally unacceptable. It’s now more than ten weeks since the storms hit and all we’ve had from Labour is a statement on the blindingly obvious – some properties can stay and some can go, and some will need modification. . . 

Allliance expands Pure South into South East Asia :

Alliance Group is shifting eastward, introducing its Pure South Handpicked Lamb range to the Malaysian and Singaporean markets.

The move, the co-operative says, is being made with the aim of capturing greater value for its farmer-shareholders.

In Singapore, Alliance is seeking to target chefs in the premium food service sector with fine dining cuts while also providing a range into the mainstream consumer segment with a focus on specialty butchery.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia the lamb will be launched into two supermarket chains as well as a selection of premium fine dining outlets. . . 

Talented young farmers shine at FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional finals :

Competitors have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final for Season 55 is underway.

Seven FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalists, 14 FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year teams (28 competitors) and 21 AgriKidsNZ teams (63 competitors) will be heading to Timaru to battle it out for the top awards, this July.

It’s been an exciting start to the year as some of New Zealand’s most talented young farmers were showcased. The events brought together passionate and skilled young farmers from across the country, with each contestant demonstrating their understanding of the food and fibre sector and their commitment to the future of the industry.

The competition was fierce, with each young farmer putting their best foot forward in the hopes of securing a place in the Grand Final. Volunteer teams tested contestants’ knowledge and skill across a range of disciplines, including animal husbandry, crop management, innovation, and sustainability. Participants also had to compete in a range of practical challenges, including everything from fencing to tree planting, crutching to machinery management. . . 

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Rural round-up

05/05/2023

Westland Milk Products new investment blunts earlier criticism of Chinese takeover – Point of Order :

West Coasters will be celebrating the progress being made by one of its  biggest companies,Westland Milk Products, which has surged  back  into the black after  record sales. Now it is to invest $70m to expand its manufacturing of dairy protein lactoferrin.

Westland, which was  taken over by the Chinese giant  Yili, the world’s fifth biggest dairy company, in 2019 when it  was struggling to stay afloat plans to treble production of the protein at its Hokitika factory. In the process it will become one of the top producers in the world.

The investment is the second major outlay for Westland since Yili, rescued the business

Westland CEO Richard Wyeth said the new plant and expansion fitted its plan to concentrate on high-value consumer goods and specialised ingredients from its milk supply. . .

The Waka is sinking – Andy Loader:

I am sure most people would have heard the old saying regards “Nero fiddling while Rome Burnt”. Well this is in my opinion a classic case of the minister fiddling while the Coromandel Peninsula is rapidly dying. I believe his Waka (NZ Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi) is sinking.

The minister has announced that the Government will do all it can to re-open the road, yet Waka Kotahi (a large part of the minister’s portfolio of responsibilities) is telling us it will more than likely be after next Christmas before the road is opened and that a temporary access through this area is not an option.

This is just not true!!

One of New Zealand’s largest earthmoving contractors, which has completed many contracts both nationally and internationally, approached Waka Kotahi soon after the slip occurred, with a credible, viable and detailed proposal to put in a temporary access round the slip area and at the same time they would form a working platform to allow remedial works on the slip area to begin from that platform. . . 

Your next salad could be made using CRSPR and that’s a good thing – Juergen Eckhardt :

If I asked you to name some of your favorite natural treats, there’s a good chance you’d mention coffee, chocolate, or fruit. Now flip the script: think of a healthy veggie that you know you should eat more of, but the strong flavor deters you. Dark leafy greens may come to mind.

I’ve got bad news and good news about this little thought experiment, and these two disparate scenarios aren’t as different as they initially seem, thanks to a technological innovation that could revolutionize agriculture.

But first, the bad news: Some of our most beloved crops are currently under existential threat. Coffee, cacao, banana, and citrus fall into this unfortunate category. Arabica coffee, for example, is a notoriously finicky crop that requires a certain amount of rainfall and mild temperatures to grow. But weather volatility is forcing some farmers along the “Bean Belt” in equatorial regions to abandon coffee growing altogether.

Cacao, the tropical tree that produces the raw material of chocolate, suffers from narrow genetic diversity and is susceptible to fungal disease, which wipes out 20% to 30% of cocoa pods before they can be harvested. . .

Government needs to recognise and support SC more as a major contributor to NZ economy :

A new report has highlighted the significant importance of South Canterbury agriculture to New Zealand and makes a clear argument for more Government investment in the region.

The report, The contribution of primary sector exports from Timaru and South Canterbury to New Zealand, was commissioned from regional economist Benje Patterson by Economic Development Agency, Venture Timaru.

It shows that food and fibre exports from South Canterbury totalled $3.9 billion and, despite the region only having 1.2% of New Zealand’s population, accounted for approximately 7.3% of New Zealand’s total food and fibre exports.

Venture Timaru Chief Executive Nigel Davenport said that the research confirmed this region was contributing significantly to New Zealand’s export economy and this needs to be substantially better recognised and supported by central government than is currently the case. . . 

Agnition on a mission :

Ravensdown today has confirmed the establishment of a new commercialisation entity – Agnition.

A subsidiary of Ravensdown, Agnition’s mission is to ignite the industry with the innovations that farmers and growers need. It will build, grow and invest in world-leading Ag-IP and innovations, like EcoPond and ClearTech, and turn them into valued products and solutions that can be practically used on-farm to combat climate change, and engender enhanced productivity.

Garry Diack, Ravensdown CEO, said Agnition is a structural response to Ravensdown’s strategy – Smarter farming for a better New Zealand.

“Ravensdown has an impressive track-record of recognising, researching, and bringing to fruition technologies and services that enhance our shareholders’ abilities to interconnect precision-based performance with long-term sustainability. . . 

Alps to Ocean 5-day cycle tour – Blog the Globe:

. . . Day  2 Tekapo to Twizel – 55 km 

There are two suggested starting points for the Alps to Ocean ride.

Route one, starts at Mt Cook/ Aoraki where you ride south for a short distance, then helicopter across Lake Pukaki and continue onto Tekapo. The alternative is to start the ride in Tekapo.

Adventure South NZ, our guiding company, preferred the alternative option. So, on a blue-bird day, we started our Alps to Ocean bike ride. 

We left Tekapo destined for Twizel. The ride couldn’t have been more scenic. We rode along the hydro-canals, passing salmon farms before dropping down to the shores of Lake Pukaki. Beyond the still, reflective waters of the lake, we looked up to Aoraki /Mt Cook as the sun glistened on the peaks of New Zealand’s celebrated, highest mountain. After crossing the Pukaki Dam, the trail took us to the Pukaki Flats, accross the dry grasslands, characteristic of the Mackenzie landscape. Then, it was onto Twizel for the night.  . . 

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Rural round-up

24/04/2023

Frustration deepens as Hawke’s Bay growers await govt funding for cyclone recovery :

New modelling has shown it will cost Hawke’s Bay horticultural businesses $1.5 billion to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Consultant Gus Charteris has been working alongside growers and other recovery focused organisations to put together a framework to present to the government.

It shows the total cost at $1.5 billion dollars, but they were asking the government for $750 million.

It outlines three key areas where funding is needed: for the clean-up and recovery and removing silt; the second part is assistance to get vegetable crops planted soon so that businesses can generate cashflow and the third is help for re-establishing permanent orchards and vineyards that have been wiped out. . . 

Hemp processor ‘proof of concept’ for budding building materials industry – Regan Harris :

The founder of a Queensberry-based hemp processing company is hoping that the arrival of a ground-breaking new machine will help grow the nascent industry.

Tanya Simmonds, founder of HempCentral, said that the Ashford hemp processor was the first of its kind in New Zealand, and would serve as a “proof of concept” for others looking to get into hemp production.

“I feel that where we are here in Queensberry could be the centre of hemp.”

The processor is a purpose-built machine that chops and separates hemp into various parts that can then be used for making building materials. . .

Forest Owners say carbon-only forestry should be kept off productive land :

The Forest Owners Association would like to see production forestry and farming on productive land – rather than this land used for carbon-only forests.

It says this should be a priority for any incoming government.

The FOA has been approached for comment on carbon-only forests, following National Leader, Chris Luxon, promising this morning to tighten controls for overseas investment in carbon-only forest planting.

FOA President, Grant Dodson, says the Overseas Investment Office has always interpreted the Overseas Investment Act to prohibit investment in carbon-only forests. . . 

2023 Year of the Farmer initiative :

Have you nominated your rural champion yet?

Nominations are flooding the Otago Daily Times and Rural Life 2023 Year of the Farmer initiative, celebrating the South Island’s food-producing champions.

Individuals, rural communities and groups are being asked to nominate farmers and growers who make their communities a better place to live while sustainably contributing to the New Zealand economy.

In January this year, Otago Daily Times business and rural editor Sally Rae wrote an opinion piece suggesting the need for a celebration of New Zealand’s food producing champions. . . 

Fonterra taking further steps to decarbonise and lift efficiency :

Fonterra is continuing to progress its decarbonisation work with the announcement of another site transitioning from coal and the installation of a heat pump and solar thermal system.

The Co-operative will convert its coal boilers at its Hautapu site to wood pellets and install a heat pump at its Palmerston North milk processing site that supplies the local market. Both projects have recieved support from  the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Process Heat Contestable Fund.

Fonterra Chief Operating Officer Fraser Whineray says the Co-operative is commercially focused on reducing emissions. “

There are a number of solutions we’re using to decarbonise our operations and these two projects are a good example of different technologies available.” . .

March food price index reflects the consequences of stormy end to summer :

 The release today of the March Food Price Index shows yet another month of disruption to the country’s fresh produce industry off the back of a challenging summer. Fruit and vegetable prices in March were up 22.2 percent on March 2022.

Months of tropical conditions, rain, wind and cyclones has seen growers throughout the North Island struggle to put food on our tables, and while the dominant La Niña weather pattern that brought this weather is switching to an El Niño one, the horticulture industry warns that significant challenges remain.

President of United Fresh, Jerry Prendergast, says the supply and demand model of the fresh produce industry means price fluctuations are unavoidable.

“Growing fresh fruit and vegetables is a complex and high pressure undertaking with a lot of variables. Fruit and vegetables are exposed to the elements, that’s what gives our produce that delicious flavour and high nutrient level. But this also means we’re vulnerable to adverse weather,” he says. . .

 

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Rural round-up

15/04/2023

Forestry firms should honour their promises – Dame Anne Salmond :

New Zealand’s forestry standards are weak, but the industry is already bound by international standards it is breaching routinely in Tairāwhiti, writes Dame Anne Salmond

In the wake of the devastation caused by forestry slash in Tairāwhiti during Cyclone Gabrielle, it is obvious to almost everyone that the Government’s National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES – PF) are too permissive, and have to be rewritten.

While the forestry industry disagrees, this is disingenuous, because the major forestry companies have already signed up to a far more stringent set of standards, set by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) in Bonn.

According to the FSC (NZ) Standard, for instance, “Forest operations [should be] structured and managed so as to be sufficiently profitable, without generating financial profit at the expense of the forest resource, the ecosystem, or affected communities.” (FSC Standard NZ, 2023:5) . . 

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth: Why productivity growth is the key to future wellbeing – NZ Herald – Jacqueline Rowarth :

Only through productivity gains will New Zealand be able to pay for everything it wants, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth writes.

Productivity growth is the key to future wellbeing.

Dr Bryce Wilkinson, Senior Fellow with The New Zealand Initiative explained clearly last week that “Nothing really compares to productivity growth for making the good things in life more affordable”.

Only through productivity gains will New Zealand be able to pay for everything it wants – not just the higher incomes that individuals desire, but also all the things that we need: infrastructure, education, health, law and order, science, culture, social welfare. . . 

There’s no bread and butter without Kiwi food producers Prime Minister :

“Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has repeatedly told New Zealanders that he is focused on the “Bread and Butter issues”, but his Government continues to put pressure on the very people who make New Zealand’s bread and butter. He has chucked a number of unpopular policies on his so-called ‘policy bonfire’, but farmers and food producers are being left out in the cold with the deluge of unworkable and expensive regulations seeming to be fireproof,” Groundswell NZ co-founder Bryce McKenzie says.

“Groundswell New Zealand have launched a new campaign to remind Chippy which side his bread is buttered on or come election time he’ll be toast. Along with our supporters, we will be reminding the Prime Minister that without New Zealand’s food producers, there is no bread and butter.

“Arguably the biggest issue facing New Zealand this election year is the Cost-of-Living crisis; especially the cost of food. We are calling for the Prime Minister to do the pragmatic thing and deal with the problem at source by alleviating the significant burden his Government has heaped on the people producing food in New Zealand. Chris Hipkins must throw the Farming Tax (Agricultural Emissions Tax proposal and He Waka Eke Noa) on his ‘policy bonfire’, and halt the other unworkable regulations restricting New Zealand’s food producers from being able to deliver the ‘bread and butter’ to Kiwis.

“Farmers and food producers are passionate about our environment and want to see policies for protecting it that work with them rather than against. We are calling for all the separate and silo’d environmental policies to be replaced with one comprehensive piece of environmental legislation that is holistic, has an integrated framework, avoids perverse outcomes, and has a focus on empowering people and communities to achieve positive environmental outcomes. . . 

 

Tell me I am wrong – Gravedogder :

The productive base production land for sheep and beef is being planted in pine forest to claim Carbon Credits for the land holders, many based off shore as such land use will outperform the traditional livestock income.

In around thirty years the unpruned forest will be of no further value to the owners by way of income and it will be abandoned.

A lightning strike or a pyromaniac will set the whole shebang alight and burn she will, no fire breaks, no water storage for firefighting, and no access tracks.
Who will pay the eye watering account for the fruitless attempt to extinguish, you guess.

By that time thirty years hence where will the demented anti-carbon dioxide brigade be standing as all that sequestered Carbon is incinerated and CO2 released back into the atmosphere .
Will China have decommissioned all the coal fired power generators, err no they will still be building tham as fast as they bloody can. The same for India. . . 

Forest owners back more trees for Tairawhiti :

The Forest Owners Association has told the Ministerial Inquiry into land use in Tairāwhiti, that the region’s future has to include more trees for land stability. But it appreciates forest practices also have to improve with increasing land use risks from climate change.

The FOA has just released its submission to the Inquiry, saying it’s looking to solutions to the wood and silt damage to downstream areas from Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle earlier in the year.

FOA President, Grant Dodson, says technical assessments show that the two cyclones shifted 100 million tonnes of soil in the region, with half of that then getting into waterways.

“Foresters lost areas of healthy growing trees up to ten years old in landslides. We’d not experienced that before. Climate change has altered the rules.” . . 

Rockit ready to rock offshore :

Innovative Kiwi apple brand, Rockit will deliver its biggest season yet, with record export volumes expected in 2023 and a new global marketing campaign kicking off in April.

This is despite the impact of the February cyclone on orchards in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.

Rockit Global chief executive Mark O’Donnell said even before Cyclone Gabrielle, Rockit was looking at a difficult season due to record early season rainfall.

“The cyclone then threw up new concerns but, with a concerted effort by hundreds of workers from mid-February, we were able to get apples off the trees and packed ready for export to Rockit into the 2023 season strong. We are so pleased and relieved that all our employees and RSE workers made it safely through the cyclone, and we are supporting a number of colleagues whose homes were damaged or destroyed. . . 

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Rural round-up

03/04/2023

Minimum wage rise ‘could have unwelcome knock-on effect’ for horticulture and dairy –  Gerhard Uys :

April’s minimum wage increase may have an unwelcome knock-on effect in the dairy and horticulture sector, industry participants are warning.

Employment relations spokesperson at Federated Farmers Richard McIntyre said the minimum wage increase itself was not a big concern in his sector because most farmers paid more than that.

But he said a bigger problem would be the increase’s effect on the median wage.

Employers who bring in immigrant workers under an Accredited Employer Work Visa must pay at least the median wage – currently $29.66 an hour. . .

A slice of Te Kupe: hairy sheep and drone mustering – Leah Tebbutt :

Taranaki sheep farmer Murray Jackson is looking forward to retiring his woolshed in a couple of years.

He’s phasing his family farm out of wool production to rear hardy and hairy Australian White sheep.

With their coarse hair coat, Australian White sheep don’t need shearing, crutching, dagging, or flystrike prevention – which currently costs around $6000 a year, Jackson says.

The fresh lambs also tend to have a faster growth and survival rate. . .

Stock walks 45km to be sold after N Canterbury roads washed out – Annette Scott :

After being postponed in February because of a major weather event, the Lakes Station on-farm sheep sale was eventually held last week.

Located near Hawarden in North Canterbury, Lakes Station had 20,000 sheep in holding paddocks waiting to be weaned for the annual sale when the access road was washed out the day before.

“It couldn’t have been worse timing,” Hazlett Rural livestock agent Alby Orchard said.

“It has taken six weeks to get the road back to allow truck and trailer units to navigate the washout area of the road, and finally we have held the sale.” . .

Acland ‘optimistic’ as she assumes BLNZ chair :

Northern South Island farmer director Kate Acland has been elected chair of the Beef + Lamb New Zealand board.

Acland, who is BLNZ’s first female chair, was elected by the board at the conclusion of BLNZ’s annual meeting in New Plymouth.

Previous chair Andrew Morrison’s term as a BLNZ director concluded at the end of the meeting, following the election of Geoffrey Young as the new Southern South Island farmer director.

Acland said she’s humbled to be appointed chair. . .

https://twitter.com/andrew_hoggard/status/1641879089262002176

 

Small scale wood lot owners have their say in Tairāwhiti land use inquiry :

The outgoing President of the Farm Forestry Association says it has been vital for farm foresters to directly address the Ministerial Inquiry into forestry and other land use in Tairāwhiti.

Graham West has told the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association annual conference, now underway in Timaru, that the Inquiry Panel was keen to hear verbal submissions from him and particularly the Gisborne East Coast Branch of Farm Forestry Association.

“All the media attention since the cyclones hit the region has been on harvest residue and the role of the larger forest growers . But there are farmers in the region, and also small institutional investors, who will want their local forest interests represented as well,” Graham West said.

“These would range from wanting to be consulted about any regulations which might be introduced, through to compensation for managed retreat.” . . 

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Rural round-up

15/03/2023

Can we turn forest slash from waste and risk into a valuable resource? –  Peter Winsley:

Therefore the winds, piping to us in vain, as in revenge, have sucked up from the sea contagious fogs; which falling in the land have every pelting river made so proud that they have overborne their continents…

Shakespeare, A Midsummer-Night’s Dream

Cyclone Gabrielle has caused death and destruction, and amplified awareness of the need to manage forestry slash.  Slash is the branches, small logs and other woody material left after plantation forests are harvested, typically from low value hill country.  At best slash is waste.  At worst it can do enormous damage when washed downstream, clogging up rivers, harming pastoral farming and horticulture, damaging transport and other infrastructure, cluttering beaches, and impacting on kai moana.

Key events that have triggered downstream problems with slash include cyclones Bola (1988), Gita (2018), Hale (January 2023) and Gabrielle (February 2023).  Climate change is likely to make such storms more frequent and more damaging.

Pyrolysis biochar can convert the slash problem into environmental and economic opportunity.  The focus should be on biochar’s contribution to our climate change policy as well as productivity and wider environmental benefits.  . . 

Hopes to curb rabbit pest go viral – Jill Herron:

Renewed council efforts to control Otago’s most notorious pest are not equal to the task of keeping rabbit numbers down a review has found

A game of whack-a-mole being played against rabbits by Otago Regional Council has seen progress in some trouble spots but new populations emerging elsewhere.

Central Otago, traditionally the main problem area, is now being joined by coastal Otago as rabbits establish seaside strongholds in such places as the Catlins, Otago Peninsula and Waikouaiti.

The pests are a serious threat to biodiversity and the environment, plaguing the region with a costly and seemingly ineradicable problem. . .

Lou Lou the cow whisperer – Cosmo Kentishbarnes:

Cows are Laura Murdoch’s passion and she shares her everyday interactions with them on Facebook and Tiktok.

Some of her Cow Whisperer videos have racked up quite a few hits. One has had 40,000 views and thousands of likes.

“I try and showcase my fun and I like looking at them, so then I think surely someone else might too!”

Murdoch used to be an accountant. Ever since she was a teenager, though, she’d always dreamt of becoming a farmer. . . 

Passion and flexibility successful recipe for Central Plateau winners :

A passion for success, combined with a desire to get ahead and the ability to be flexible in an ever-changing dairy industry is a winning recipe for a Taupo couple.

Kevin and Nicole Oppert were announced the winners of the region’s Share Farmer of the Year category at the Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards annual awards dinner held at the Rydges Rotorua on Friday night. The other big winners were Mohammed (Jay) Arifin, who was named the 2023 Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year, and Jasmine Hall, the 2023 Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Due to entrants withdrawing from the Share Farmer category, Central Plateau Share Farmer entrant scores were benchmarked against the national average, with data collated from the 10 other regions.

This also means merit awards were awarded if the entrant achieved at the right level. . . 

Emma Poole crowned Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year :

A Pirongia dairy farmer has been crowned the Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

Emma Poole, 28, from Te Kawa West Young Farmers is a second-time Regional Final winner and will be heading to the Grand Final in Timaru in July. She takes the title off her husband, Chris Poole, who was the Season 54 Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year. Her brother, Tim Dangen took out last year’s Grand Final, making him the current FMG Young Farmer of the Year title holder.

“It’s safe to say we’re pretty competitive in our family,” laughs Poole, who says she has unfinished business going into this year’s Grand Final. She was an FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalist in 2019, so this is her second time going for gold.

Poole was announced as the winner of the Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year in Morrinsville on Saturday evening, after spending the weekend competing in a range of activities at the Morrinsville A&P Show. . . 

 

Support network a strength for Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Award winners :

The major winners in the 2023 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards, Cameron and Jessica Lea, say being surrounded by a strong mentor network has set them on the path for success.

The couple were announced winners of the region’s Share Farmer of the Year category at the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards annual awards dinner held at the Awakeri Events Centre on Saturday night. The other big winners were Chihiro Hanyuda who was named the 2023 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year, and Caleb Spence, the 2023 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Cameron (32) and Jessica (31) are 50/50 sharemilking over two farms – Colin and Maria Eggleton’s 120ha Opotiki 270-cow property, and Bern and Heather Mcdonals’ neighbouring 100ha, 300-cow property. They won $11,300 and three merit awards.

Entering the Awards previously gave the Leas an opportunity to assess where their business was heading and actively set goals. “It also provided a wonderful environment to network with other farmers and rural professionals.

Cameron grew up on a dairy farm and after a small stint farming after leaving high school, worked in Australia and New Zealand as an agricultural contractor. . . 

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Rural round-up

09/03/2023

A Clayton’s enquiry – that’s not what we asked for – Clive Bibby:

Readers will forgive me if I use this opportunity to express my concerns about the Government’s response to our particular problems here in Tairawhiti (East Coast) following Cyclone Gabrielle but I do so knowing that other regions like our neighbours in Hawkes Bay will have experienced similar unwarranted brush offs.

In my entire adult life, I have yet to see a cabinet minister stand in front of the citizens of New Zealand trying to defend the indefensible with such feigned indignation. Such was the performance of Stuart Nash, Minister for Forestry in PM Chris Hipkins’ Labour Government as the opening item on Thursdays’ TV One Network News. 

What made it worse was the fact that his Prime Minister stood right beside him – ostensibly to offer support if he stumbled in delivering the news that the government had changed its mind and was now agreeing to a limited enquiry into aspects of the Forestry industry in this country. . . 

Farmers hitting the wall on East Coast – Jo MOir :

Jim Galloway doubts it will ever be known how many animals died during Cyclone Gabrielle. As the adrenaline runs out, the Hawkes Bay Federated Farmers president told political editor Jo Moir farmers are starting to hit the wall.

Exactly how many animals died when Cyclone Gabrielle hit the East Coast will never be known but rough estimates on the rumour mill have it at about 40,000.

Jim Galloway farms in Raukawa, southwest of Hastings, and counts himself as one of the lucky ones having escaped any damage on his property.

Instead, he’s concentrating on making sure farmers in the region have all the support they need to clean up and start again. . . 

Wearable tech helping dairy farm management– Shawn McAvinue :

A Southland dairy farmer is bidding farewell to tail paint and bulls in one of his breeding programmes.

Shaun Goble 50:50 sharemilks 500 cows at Tisbury in Invercargill and lower-order sharemilks another 500 cows on a farm next door.

Allflex collars were put on the cows in the 50:50 operation this season.

Speaking at a DairyNZ field day on wearable technology for cows last week, he said the appeal of the collar technology was how it helped him manage two dairy farms. . . 

Forestry contractors chipping in to help with cyclone clean-up :

New Zealand’s forestry contractors are mucking in to help clean up post Cyclone Gabrielle while unable to get back to work as normal.

Some forestry contractors affected by Cyclone Gabrielle remain unable to get back to work, reliant on landowners to grant re-entry to the forests. While roading accessibility and safety remain key concerns, forestry contractors still have bills to pay and staff to retain until they know when they can go back to work or not.

Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO Prue Younger says contractors are adapting as best they can, redeploying machinery and manpower while they try to keep staff busy and income coming in. It will be important to understand if they are going to be supported by government, like other sectors so reliant on the land for employment are.

“We’re hearing stories of contractors getting stuck in and helping out in their communities, whether that’s volunteering or seeking alternative revenue through short-term clean up jobs,” she says. . . 

First Grand Finalists announced for FMG Young Farmer of the Year season 55 :

A Massey University veterinarian student has been crowned the Taranaki Manawatu FMG Young Farmer of the Year and is the first Grand Finalist to be announced for Season 55.

Mac Williams, 20, is a second-year veterinary student at Massey University and was announced as the winner of the Taranaki Manawatu FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening, after spending the day competing in a range of challenges at Riverbend Farms in Lepperton.

More than 100 spectators looked on as Contestants were put through their paces. The head-to-head challenges were a major highlight – working side-by-side, Contestants had just 30 minutes to build a beehive, cover a mini silage stack, fish for clams, and cut up a log. A classic sack race to the finish line was the last hurdle.

Williams found the head-to-head one of the hardest parts of the day. . . 

Vegetable shortages in UK could be ‘tip of iceberg’, says farming union – Tom Ambrose :

Shortages of some fresh fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers could be the “tip of the iceberg”, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has said.

Certain products are hard to come by in UK supermarkets due to poor weather reducing the harvest in Europe and north Africa, Brexit rules and lower supplies from UK and Dutch producers hit by the jump in energy bills to heat glasshouses.

The NFU’s deputy president, Tom Bradshaw, said a reliance on imports had left the UK particularly exposed to “shock weather events”.

He said the UK has now “hit a tipping point” and needs to “take command of the food we produce” amid “volatility around the world” caused by the war in Europe and the climate crisis. . . 

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Rural round-up

01/03/2023

Cyclone aftermath: Keeping tabs on mental wellbeing a top priority – Country Life :

As a Cessna arrives at the aerodrome near Bridge Pa in Hastings, Bel Gunson is there to welcome the load of aid. 

Gunson, of the Rural Support Trust, is in awe of the survival mode people are in.

She explains how those in the back country were ready with barbeques, gas bottles, and water.

But of course, now those water and gas supplies are low. And being virtually cut off by communications and by road, those farmers are relying on help from the skies. . . 

Forestry waste: Slashed – Government announces inquiry, how East Coast forestry lost its social licence – Andrea Fox :

The powerful forestry lobby was marshalling its forces well ahead of the Government’s announcement there would be a ministerial inquiry into destructive forestry debris – but for storm-battered East Coasters, the Beehive is very late to something they’ve known for years.

For them, plantation forestry has not just lost its social licence – its waste has become a lethal weapon that regularly blitzes their homes, land, livelihoods and infrastructure, then drains their pockets to pay for clean-ups.

The fact that forestry is a cornerstone of the Tairāwhiti-Gisborne economy becomes a tired old song when a child dies playing in logs on your beach, your community is cut off by a broken bridge, your property looks like a war zone and you have no power or phone for days.

While local forestry companies – several of them foreign-owned – argue the debris issue is “complex”, that they’re victims of poor decisions about planting on fragile soils, made and incentivised by governments decades ago, and climate change is the real culprit, recent photos and videos of carnage-by-wood are impossible to misinterpret. . . 

Tough infrastructure calls for rural NZ as it rebuilds – Annette Scott:

Rural communities will face some tough decisions on infrastructure in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, says Infrastructure New Zealand policy director Michelle McCormick.

And infrastructure that is fit for the future will not be affordable by the government alone.

“The big question being can we build back more resilience,” she said.

“We need to, and there will be hard decisions for communities.   . .

Farmer resilience will be tested – Hayden Dillon :

Perhaps Captain Bligh’s infamous line, “the beatings will continue until morale improves”, best summed up the mood of New Zealand’s weary agribusiness sector at Fieldays last year.

While there are good things happening for farmers, there are significant headwinds to navigate for New Zealand’s most critical sector heading into 2023. This includes well-publicised rising costs, market and regulatory uncertainties and the familiar ever more acute problem of labour shortages.

While I’d love to be more upbeat, the uncomfortable reality is that we face headwinds – some of which are self-inflicted and some external. But wherever they are coming from, there are strengthening undercurrents holding the sector back.

While there is an inordinate international focus on the Ukraine situation, the big story for New Zealand lies elsewhere. China is our story because China pays our bills. If we look at that country, it is still struggling with its own internal issues, from still strictly enforcing Covid restrictions through to confidence in its own economy. . .

Sheep meat recovery not easy – Hunter McGregor :

There was relief all round when China lifted its Covid restrictions and Hunter McGregor says as the economy slowly recovers, so should demand for New Zealand sheep and lamb.

After nearly three years of ever-increasing restrictive Covid zero rules and mounting costs throughout China, something had to give. And it did. It started in Guangzhou on December 5, 2022 and five days later had spread to Shanghai. These events have significantly impacted New Zealand lamb- and sheep-meat pricing.

I had never before seen the Shanghai locals so angry and frustrated over ever-changing Covid rules and the complexity of how these rules were applied. After the Shanghai two-month lockdown in April and May 2022, you could feel the frustration growing through the rest of the year.

By late November, several large Covid outbreaks occurred in many large cities. On December 5, Guangzhou was the first city to announce, to everyone’s surprise (and relief), they were removing all of the Covid restrictions. The rest of the country quickly followed, with Shanghai on December 10. Whatever the reasons behind the change in policy, it was a massive relief to many others, and me. . . 

Seeka announces results for the year ended 31 December 2022 :

New Zealand produce company Seeka has announced a net profit after tax of $6.5 million, following a difficult year due to Covid-19 and lower yields across the industry.

Michael Franks, Seeka’s Chief Executive explained, “Seeka and its supplying growers experienced a very difficult year last year, with extreme labour shortages, shipping disruptions, lower kiwifruit yields and poor fruit quality all impacting returns.”

The 2022 season saw an industry-wide reduction in Kiwifruit yields, combined with storage performance issues, both onshore and offshore, as a direct result of the pandemic. Franks said, “Despite the challenging season, Seeka achieved an increase in revenues to $348 million reflecting newly acquired business. However, packing operations peaked during the COVID wave resulting in significant labour shortages, higher labour costs and production pressure. This combined with lower yields from the orchards impacted margins contributing to a drop in EBITDA to $46 million and a net profit after tax of $6.5 million.”

Since the 2022 harvest, Seeka has reviewed its supply chain operations from orchard to loadout and is focussed on achieving excellence in fruit handling in 2023.  . . 

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Rural round-up

28/02/2023

Forestry industry expects major changes lie ahead in wake of inquiry :

There is “no magic wand” to sort the forestry slash problem but a robust science-based inquiry may help, an industry boss says.

Eastland Wood Council chief executive Philip Hope told Morning Report the forestry industry knows change is coming and it is willing to cooperate fully with the government’s newly announced inquiry into forestry slash and land use.

The inquiry was announced on the same day 64 households were evacuated in Tokomaru Bay because of fears a debris dam formed in a river above the town could fail.

But without flow meters on the river Civil Defence have people stationed above the dam watching it with more heavy rain due for the East Coast region. . .

One step at a time for fruit growers who face uncertain future – Sally Round :

You can’t drive down Swamp Road with your car windows open. The putrid smell from silt smothering the orchards here is nauseating and as you drive you’re hit by the greyness of it all.

Instead of lush green trees popping with apples ready to be picked, branches stick out from a sea of drying mud and drooping fences laced with onions look like bizarre art installations.

It’s odd seeing big hay bales sitting wonkily among the vines. They should be together, neatly stacked.

Every few hundred metres, you pass a soggy mash of household contents on the verge – people’s lives tipped out. . . 

Clen-up underway in cyclone damaged regions as the New Zealand wine industry looks towards harvest :

The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, and the extent of the damage to vineyards in flooded areas in the North Island, is still being assessed but clean-up is underway as winegrowers look towards this year’s harvest says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.

“Cyclone Gabrielle has occurred on the cusp of the busiest time of year for the industry, just as the 2023 vintage is about to begin, and it is a major blow for affected growers and wineries throughout Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. We have been working with our regional associations and government agencies to support and help them access the resources they need to ensure the future viability of their vineyards.”

As the varied extent of the damage in flooded regions becomes clearer, many winegrowers who have not been as extensively affected in these areas are moving on from the initial phase of response, and are beginning harvest.

“We have a large number of vineyards in both regions that have not been as significantly impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, and these winegrowers are beginning to harvest their crop, with many producers still feeling positive and looking forward to a high-quality vintage.” . . 

Sprightly cavalcader keeps coming back for more – Sally Rae :

“She’s an inspiration. How many 87-year-olds still can lift a saddle up, saddle up a horse and ride for a week?”

Janette Philp is referring to her mother, Alice Sinclair, who is heading off with her horse on her 30th consecutive Goldfields Cavalcade this weekend.

Legend might be an overused word these days, but it is the perfect description for the sprightly octogenarian, who does not see her achievements as anything special.

Whether it is harrowing the paddocks on her Taieri property or riding her horse, Mrs Sinclair just gets on with things, and the cavalcade has been a not-to-be missed event in her busy calendar. . . 

Wool impact and data company Fusca partner to develop strong wool price indicator :

Wool impact and data company, Fusca have partnered for the development of a strong wool price indicator.

Both organisations have recognised the need to develop a representative strong wool price indicator that provides a visible and consistent benchmark for the sector and allows them to monitor the impact of work being undertaken to drive demand and value.

Start-up Fusca has the technology to develop a commercial data platform that will provide farmers and the wool supply chain with more detailed and accurate pricing data based on the weekly wool auction and export data. Fusca’s Chief Executive and co-founder, Ryan Cosgrove, has first-hand experience in the wool sector and knows the importance of reliable and relevant data.

“We need to raise awareness of the value of wool as natural fibre, however, to increase demand and value for wool, we need to better understand what the drivers for value are and be able to monitor these. . .

Tommerup Dairy farm named in Farmer of the Year Awards :

Twenty Jersey Cows. That’s all it took for Kay and Dave Tommerup to take an enormous leap of faith and believe their farm in the Kerry Valley in Queensland’s Scenic Rim could stand alone as a place of extraordinary, independent produce and experiences.

It was a big leap. But fortunately, it paid off. 

They put their business faith, and their family’s future into 20 beautiful, brown-eyed Jersey cows that produce the richest milk. Milk where the cream floats to the top and sits there like a crown.

It’s milk from which Kay makes hand-rolled butter infused with red gum smoked salt that’s demanded by top chefs and spoken of in hushed tones of secrecy across countess commercial kitchens. . . 

 

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Rural round-up

22/02/2023

RST braces for cyclone’s mental health toll – Craig Page :

The long-term mental wellbeing of farmers will be the Rural Support Trust’s focus in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, says Hawke’s Bay co-ordinator Jonathan Bell.

“We believe that it’s going to be pretty big in the coming weeks and months, and ongoing as well. Our resources are going to be stretched,” Bell said.

The trust, which is helping co-ordinate the cyclone response, is initially ensuring people are safe and getting food and water supplies to them.

As roads become more accessible, Bell said, the trust will connect with farmers and offer more detailed support. . . 

Risk of E-Coli contamination at some kiwifruit farms after Cyclone Gabrielle :

A kiwifruit industry leader was left shattered after flying over kiwifruit orchards in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay and viewing properties damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.

New Zealand Kiwifruit growers chair Mark Mayston said he met growers in both regions and it is hard to grasp what they are going through.

About 70 hectares of Gisborne’s 381 hectares of kiwifruit vines were severely compromised, he said, and a lot of Hawkes Bay’s 212 hectares could be written off for this harvest season.

He didn’t want to limit options for growers, and said the industry would pick everything it can, but believed in many cases flood waters would have contaminated the fruit. . . 

Forestry’s uncertain future on the East Coast – Sharon Brettkelly :

In 1978, as a young journalist, Mike Smith went to cover the tree protest in the central North Island’s Pureora Forest, where activists climbed ancient tōtara to stop them being felled.

He reckons the battle on the East Coast over forestry slash is this generation’s Pureora Forest fight.

“The environment is fighting back against land production and cyclones are like climate change battles. We really need a Ukraine-type effort to save the East Coast,” he says.

Rotorua-based Smith, who still writes about forestry more than 40 years later, says it’s the government’s responsibility – more than the forestry companies’ – to do something about it. . . 

New Zealand Apples Pears Inc cyclone update statement :

The Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne apple industry is in an unprecedented position.

‘We have a significant number of orchards that have been largely unaffected by Cyclone Gabrielle. They continue to harvest early varieties of top-quality New Zealand apples, for export and the domestic market. Orchard crews are busy harvesting, and packhouses are in full swing.

‘However, we also have growers who have lost their entire orchards. These devastated growers need urgent financial assistance from the Government. These businesses need to be able to pay permanent and seasonal staff, and start on the clean-up. They need to take immediate steps in their orchards to save trees, where they can, to ensure the future viability of their orchard. Time is critical.

‘On behalf of the sector, we also want to thank emergency services, local and central government for the support we have been receiving. We also appreciate the support flowing in from around the country. . .

 

Fonterra’s COO Fraser Whineray to leave co-op :

Fonterra today announced its Chief Operating Officer, Fraser Whineray, intends to resign from Fonterra at the end of this financial year on 31 July.

Chief Executive Officer Miles Hurrell says Fraser joined Fonterra in 2020 and has made a significant contribution during his time with the business.

“Fraser has set the Co-op ambitious goals for decarbonisation and the management of water, and his enterprise leadership helped shape our new strategy and 2030 targets.

“He will leave our Operations business unit in great shape with a longer-term outlook and a sharp focus on efficiency. . . 

Pāmu announces half-year result :

Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Limited) produced a Net Operating Profit (NOP), (its preferred financial measure), of $15 million for the half-year to 31 December 2022 compared to a loss of $1 million in the comparable half-year. This is a pleasing result given Pāmu operated with four fewer farms than in the prior period.

Although NOP for the half year compares favourably to the prior year result, the Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $4 million compares unfavourably to $41 million from the prior half year. This was because the prior year’s livestock revaluation gains of $50 million decreased to a $1 million loss in the current year. This non-cash, fair value loss reflects the prevailing weaker market prices for livestock, principally sheep and dairy animals.

Pāmu CEO Mark Leslie said the result was a sign of the times.

As a food and fibre business, and state-owned enterprise, staying profitable while also playing a role in showing what is possible is a priority. . . 

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Rural round-up

21/02/2023

Feds: cyclone recovery should be prime focus for government :

The government’s immediate injection of $4 million to help farmers, growers, whenua Māori owners and rural communities mobilise and co-ordinate cyclone recovery efforts is pleasing, Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard says.

“Even more significant is acknowledgement that the breadth of Cyclone Gabrielle’s destruction is unprecedented and that this funding is only an initial response.

“The toll on roading and electricity networks will be extremely costly. Urban areas have been pummelled too. Federated Farmers will be advocating strongly to government that its prime focus, and additional resources to fix that infrastructure, should be top of their agenda.”

Feds acknowledges all those who continue to work tirelessly to help our communities through this event: the people in lines companies, emergency services, emergency management and roading contractors to name a few. . . 

Feed shortage looms for farmers after Cyclone Gabrielle :

It is feared some farmers have had their valuable winter feed crops completely wiped out by Cyclone Gabrielle, which will cause further headaches in the coming months.

Dairy farmers typically spend the warmer months preparing hay and silage as feed for winter and spring.

Last year about 1.2 million tonnes of maize silage was produced as supplementary feed for livestock, particularly on dairy farms – but entire crops have since been lost to the cyclone.

Federated Farmers’ president Andrew Hoggard said there would be feed challenges in the coming months after crops were flattened or destroyed and the group would co-ordinate donations and supplies when needed. . . 

Relief fund set up to support Hawkes Baby’s horticultural and agricultural sectors :

A relief fund for Hawke’s Bay’s horticultural and agricultural sectors has been started by local company TUMU Group, which has provided kick start funding of $100,000.

The group which includes TUMU Timbers, a major supplier of pallets and bins to these sectors, is encouraging other businesses to also contribute to the fund, following the wide-spread devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

TUMU Timbers General Manager James Truman said the hort and ag sectors are the backbone of the Hawke’s Bay economy and they would be hurting for a long time.

“Our local primary producers have a long road of recovery in front of them and we must support our local primary industry in their time of need,” said James. “We’re hopeful other businesses who have also been supported by this sector will also dig deep to help get it back on its feet.” . . 

Logs like bulldozers – why Coast feels betrayed – Dame Anne Salmond :

Several days ago, in one of the best live interviews I’ve ever heard, Kathryn Ryan talked to Bridget Parker in Tolaga Bay, just after Cyclone Gabrielle had ripped through her farm.

Parker was incandescent with indignation. Once again, logs and sediment had cascaded down the river and buried their beautiful farm. Her son was out on an old digger, lifting forestry logs out of the drains, carving a path through the sediment along their drive to the road, trying to avoid the power lines overhead.

She described the devastation as “f****ing carnage.” Huge logs and streams of sediment had rolled out of the pine plantations above, smashing buildings and fences, surging through kiwifruit vines and maize paddocks, over the dog kennels and up to the house: “This is what New Zealand doesn’t understand. Its one thing to get a cyclone and get water. Its another when the water comes with bloody pine trees attached to it.”

In a voice filled with pain, Parker asked why none of the authorities – Labour or National politicians, the army, Federated Farmers, Beef and Lamb, let alone the forestry companies – had come to their farm to see the damage caused by the logs, or assist with the clean up: “Is anyone coming to help? Why are we just left alone, every time this happens?” . . 

Cyclone Gabrielle triggered more destructive forestry slash, NZ must change how it grows trees on fragile land – Mark BLoomberg :

The severe impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on the North Island, and the five severe weather events experienced by the Thames-Coromandel region in just the first two months of 2023, are merely the latest examples of more frequent erosion-triggering rainfall events over the past decade.

Inevitably with the heavy rain, soil, rocks and woody material (also known as “slash”) from landslides have flowed down onto valleys and flood plains, damaging the environment and risking human safety.

Clear-fell harvesting of pine forests on steep erosion-prone land has been identified as a key source of this phenomenon.

So we need to ask why we harvest pine forests on such fragile land, and what needs to change to prevent erosion debris and slash being washed from harvested land. . .

In isolated Wairoa the meatworks steps up – Rebecca Macfie :

The major employer in devastated Wairoa sees its plant saved from flooding and with the town cut off by road, short of fuel and running low on water, it’s working with the district council and army to help prop up essential services.

Affco chief executive Nigel Stevens flew by chopper into Wairoa on Wednesday and Friday.

He told Newsroom late on Friday the flood waters had stopped 100 metres short of the company’s large meat plant, located on the north side of the Wairoa River. The plant, which employs 300 to 500 workers depending on the season, is intact but not operating. Although power was lost, it came back on quickly enough to preserve thousands of tonnes of processed meat held in the plant’s chillers.

Forty lamb carcasses that were immediately available were distributed to the community. . . 

 

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Rural round-up

18/02/2023

Farm emissions tax a bad idea for both climate and country – Jamie McFadden :

There are sound reasons why emissions taxing NZ food producers is not just a bad idea for farmers and food prices but also bad for the environment, the climate and our country.

Per unit of food produced, New Zealand is among the world’s most emissions efficient. If our food producers can remain at the top for emissions efficiency, the more food they produce, the better for reining in global warming while still feeding a growing human population. Instead of penalising the world’s most efficient food producers, surely for the good of global climate change, New Zealand producers should be encouraged to maintain, or even increase, their food production. This would let those who are less-emissions efficient, improve their practices or change land use, giving greater benefits to mitigate climate change.

New Zealand is a remarkable story. Our food producers are some of the least subsidised in the world operating from a pin-prick island nation thousands of kilometres from our markets. Yet we can still put our food on supermarket shelves across the globe as the most emissions-efficient food in the world. We should all be incredibly proud of this achievement (Jacinda and James, take note).

The Government’s analysis shows that emissions taxing out food producers could lead to a 20% reduction in sheep and beef and 6% drop in dairy production. Why would a government reduce the production of the world’s most emissions efficient produced food? We are told we must do this (tax our food producers) to achieve NZ’s climate change reduction targets. . . .

New Zealand’s 2023 kiwifruit harvest begins with very rough start :

  • Adverse weather a challenge for some growers
  • Lower volume of kiwifruit to be produced on previous year
  • New red variety first to be picked

New Zealand’s 2023 kiwifruit harvest has kicked off with the first crop picked this morning in Pukehina, outside Tauranga, and more kiwifruit to be picked around New Zealand over the coming months. This was grower Robert MacKenzie’s first harvest of red kiwifruit for his 0.84ha orchard under management by the Levi Hartley from Prospa. The picking crew was Pieters Horticulture Limited.

Zespri’s new RubyRed variety is picked first which is then followed by the Gold and Green varieties. The harvest traditionally peaks in mid-April and runs through until June. 2023 marks the second year that RubyRed will be sold as a commercial variety.

Adverse weather over recent months has meant that the 2023 season is forecast to be a lower volume year than last year’s 160 million trays exported to overseas markets. On average, each tray has around 30 pieces of kiwifruit.  . .

Cyclone Gabrielle rowers appeal for support after businesses, homes destroyed – Jimmy Ellingham:

Hawke’s Bay growers are pleading with the government for a recovery package after Cyclone Gabrielle turned vast swathes of fertile land into pulp.

One of New Zealand’s fruit bowls, the region’s orchards have been left devastated by the destruction of a storm that hit quickly and hit hard, potentially leaving a multi-million dollar hole in the industry.

Many have lost not just their businesses but also their homes.

Standing in front of a pile of trees that used to form part of his apple orchard, Jerf van Beek struggled to contain his emotions. . .

Cyclone Gabrielle – the $7 billion horticulture industry takes a hammering – Andrea Fox :

The soils of Hawke’s Bay’s highly valuable and diverse horticulture lands could take 50 to 100 years to fully recover from the silt and flood devastation inflicted on the region by Cyclone Gabrielle, it’s been suggested.

Paul Paynter, a fifth generation orchardist whose company Yummy Fruit is a major provider to the domestic market, said a soil scientist would say that is how long it will take for soils to be remediated after the damage caused by half a metre to one metre of silt that’s now piled on the blue chip growing land.

The devastation, which has left orchard trees and vines completely underwater and resulted in dozens of workers having to be evacuated from roofs, will affect domestic market food supplies, he said.

Unable to get to Hawke’s Bay because roads into the region are closed, Paynter told Newstalk ZB’s Jamie Mackay his company has 45ha completely underwater in the Esk Valley alone. . .

Comment from New Zealand Apple and Pears :

The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has been immense. We continue to focus on the wellbeing of our members, their families and staff as our number one priority.

The damage to the pipfruit sector varies in severity across Hawkes Bay and Tairawhiti. The New Zealand Apples and Pears team is assessing the full extent of the damage and whilst this will take some time, it is obvious that in some areas growers have lost absolutely everything – their orchards, their infrastructure and their homes. They have nothing left.

Other growing areas in the region have been less affected, and a number unaffected. These areas will continue to harvest and pack their fruit for export and local market over the coming weeks, with picking already underway for early maturing varieties.

Many RSE staff have been displaced after flood waters affected their accommodation. They are now settled into temporary accommodation and are being supported by local welfare teams and church groups and communities. RSE groups will move to permanent accommodation as infrastructure comes back online. . .

Forest owners want genetic technology approved :

The Forest Owners Organisation says New Zealand needs to concentrate on the safety of genetic technology on a case-by-case basis rather than persisting with blanket bans.

The FOA wants approval to introduce Douglas fir trees which can’t reproduce and so remove the risk of them giving rise to wilding trees.

It says the current New Zealand legislation blanket-ban on genetic technology is outmoded, inconsistent and out of step with much of the rest of the world.

It says New Zealand urgently needs to update its legislation to bring our management of the risks surrounding genetic technology, and the opportunities it provides, into the modern era. . .

 

Hi-Cane remains safe for people and the environment :

  • Hi-Cane phase out would create massive economic fallout
  • Spray is safe when used appropriately

This week NZKGI responded to the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report on the effects of their proposed hydrogen cyanamide ban, a spray used by kiwifruit growers commonly known as Hi-Cane.

Hi-Cane, used once per year on kiwifruit orchards, is a critical chemical for the success of the kiwifruit industry. It promotes uniform bud break of flowers ultimately maximizing the production of high quality kiwifruit. NZKGI opposes a ban on Hi-Cane and is of the view that any ban with any phase-out period is unnecessary and inappropriate. A ban would create uncertainty and stifle investment.

NZKGI CEO Colin Bond says the EPA’s proposed ban of Hi-Cane is unjustified. “Hi-Cane is a vital tool for kiwifruit growers and would result in significant losses for both the kiwifruit industry and the wider economy if it was banned. As New Zealand’s largest horticultural export, kiwifruit continues to play a vital role in regional economic development around the country and makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economic performance.” An independent economic report commissioned by NZKGI found that banning Hi-Cane in New Zealand would cost the economy $1.56 billion. . . 

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Lower standards for forestry than farming

17/02/2023

Friends who farm on hill country inland from Gisborne say Cyclone Gabrielle has done far more damage than Bola.

Closer to the coast the devastation isn’t due just to the weather, it’s been made much worse by forestry slash.

Dairy farmers who allow effluent to pond can be fined if it could enter a waterway yet forestry companies seem to get away with slash that not only enters waterways but causes damage to other people’s properties.

This isn’t the first time that the slash has made matters worse which begs the question: why are forestry companies held to lower standards than farming?

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Rural round-up

15/02/2023

Cyclone Gabrielle starts to rattle supply chains – Neal Wallace :

Meat processors have ceased operations at several North Island plants, and Fonterra is facing milk collection issues due to disruption from flooding and road damage.

Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said Cyclone Gabrielle and subsequent declarations of a state of civil emergency have meant the temporary closure of some meat processing plants due to staff not able to reach work and stock trucks being unable to access farms.

Fonterra reports severely limited tanker access to farms north of Whangārei and on the Coromandel Peninsula, and Farm Source has closed stores in Northland, Taranaki and Paeroa. 

Karapeeva said while there is little pressure on processing capacity at present, that could change once the cyclone passes and farmers need to quit stock. . .

Food Price Index: fruit and vegetable industry continues to battle market forces and tough weather conditions :

The release today of the monthly Food Price Index showing a 16 percent increase in the cost of fruit and vegetables around Aotearoa compared with January 2022 is unsurprising for the horticulture industry.

United Fresh President, Jerry Prendergast, says the raft of challenges facing the country’s growers mean consumers should be prepared for continued disruption to fresh produce pricing and availability.

“Cyclone conditions in the North Island are delivering more rain to growers already struggling with washed-out crops. Some of our Pukekohe growers were reporting losses of up to 30 percent from January’s adverse weather. Every flood event can equate to weeks of lost production as well as disruption to key logistics such as transport and seasonal work like kiwifruit thinning,” says Prendergast.

“Costs are at an all-time high for the whole industry as we face increases in the price of fuel, fertiliser, and labour. The wet weather systems have put more pressure on a supply chain that was already struggling,” he says. . . 

Statement from Vegetables New Zealand re Food Price Index for January 2023 :

‘The latest food price index increase comes as no surprise, given how vegetable supply has been affected repeatedly by atrocious weather over recent months.

‘Some vegetable growers in Pukekohe are reporting losses of up to 30 percent due to the weather event that happened in that area in late January. It is too soon to tell how Cyclone Gabrielle will affect vegetable supply, on a national level.

‘Fresh vegetables in season still offer good value when compared to some other popular supermarket choices.

‘Growers – just like all New Zealanders – are facing increasing costs. Repeated bad weather and poor growing conditions only compound the issue because they reduce supply and increase costs. . . 

Tolaga Bay farmer seething as forestry slash causes floodwaters to swamp house, land again – Sally Murphy :

There is widespread damage to farms across the North Island with those in parts of Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay particularly hard hit and forestry slash is one again a huge problem.

Tolaga Bay farmer Bridget Parker said forestry slash has caused a huge amount of damage to her farm yet again.

“It’s enormous; there is silt all over the road. It’s so thick you can’t walk through it; there are logs as far as the eye can see. There is so many logs all the fences are down; wherever you look it’s total carnage.”

Parker, whose farm has been destroyed by forestry slash during storms multiple times, said they can look at forecasts for rain, wind, drought and even tides but they could not predict what was going to happen when it came to the logs. . . .

https://twitter.com/andrew_hoggard/status/1625582996136034304

https://twitter.com/andrew_hoggard/status/1625319503730184192

Honey yields expected to see significant drop apiculture New Zealand :

Honey yields are predicted to be well down this season compared with the 10-year average of 19,000 tonnes.

Final figures are not produced until the end of June. But Apiculture New Zealand chief executive Karin Kos said everyone was talking about how much the yields were down and the season was nearing its end.

She said it was no surprise, given spring was wet and cold, summer has had too much rain, flowering had been poor, bees hadn’t been out foraging and when they had there had been little to feed off.

“If I look at the beekeepers I’ve been speaking to in Auckland, Waikato, East Cape, pretty much most of the North Island, they’re saying it’s one of the worst seasons in 10 years. . . 

 

 

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Rural round-up

14/02/2023

HWEN legislation unlikely before poll – Neal Wallace:

Speculation is mounting that the government will run out of time to pass the He Waka Eke Noa legislation before this year’s general election.

But interested parties disagree on whether any delay on HWEN laws would simply be a timing issue or if it could allow changes to the legislation.

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard said  the organisation’s own analysis and well-placed sources have told him the government will not have time to pass the empowering legislation before the election.

He said legislation still has to be drafted and with Parliament not resuming sitting until February 14, it will be March or April before any documents are ready to be put before Parliament. . . 

Herb added to cows’ grazing crops reduces farm nitrogen escaping into waterways – research – Jimmy Ellingham, :

It is a common and even unwelcome sight in lawns throughout New Zealand.

But the tall stalks and black heads of plantain could help clean up the country’s waterways, according to a dairy industry trial.

New research out of Massey University in Palmerston North has shown adding the leafy herb to cows’ grazing crops can reduce the amount of nitrogen escaping from dairy farms into waterways by 20 to 60 percent.

Glenn Judson, an animal nutritionist from crop and pasture company Agricom, said everybody would recognise the plant, even if they did not realise its powers. . . 

Deer milk boosts muscle mass, bone density study finds :

An 18-month-long ground breaking clinical trial investigating the health benefits of deer milk shows it improves muscle mass and bone density in older adults.

Government-owned farming company Pāmu, along with a South Island farming couple, milk 300 deer – 200 in Southland and 100 on the Central Plateau.

Pāmu has been pursuing deer milk as a viable dairy product for many years and deer business lead Hamish Glendinning said scientifically proving the nutritional benefits was vital when building market demand for New Zealand deer milk.

A new clinical trial was set up in conjunction with Massey University in June 2021. . . 

Entries open for the 2023 good employer awards :

New Zealand’s top food and fibre sector employers are being called on to enter the 2023 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director investment skills and performance Cheyne Gillooly says people are at the heart of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector businesses.

“These awards are a fantastic way to showcase innovative ways in managing staff and spreading excellence throughout the sector,” he says.

“We’re on the lookout for employers, both large and small, who go above and beyond by creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work environments for their people.” . . 

Government should promote New Zealand’s excellent mining industry :

The Government should promote New Zealand’s excellent mining industry, not scare off investors with anti-mining rhetoric, says Straterra CEO Josie Vidal.

Straterra spoke to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Select Committee at Parliament today in support of its submission on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill.

“We don’t support this Bill or its anti-mining tone. But if it proceeds, we want to keep the word promote in the purpose,” Vidal says.

“What’s in a word? A lot when it comes to the attractiveness of New Zealand to the investors we need for capital intense development, because we have a small population and not a lot of money. . . 

Rotorua to host international remote sensing forestry conference :

Rotorua and Whakarewarewa Forest will be the backdrop to a global forestry conference that is set to attract up to 500 remote sensing specialists to the city in just over 18 months’ time.

Scion has successfully secured a bid to host ForestSAT 2024, the most prestigious international conference on the application of remote sensing technologies for forest monitoring and modelling.

Previous conferences have been held in Germany, USA, Chile, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden and Scotland. For the first time the conference will be in Australasia over five days, starting 9 September 2024.

Scion’s general manager for Forests to Timber Products, Dr Henri Bailleres, says the event will be an incredible opportunity to showcase New Zealand and Scion. . . 

 

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Rural round-up

03/02/2023

IrrigationNZ says RMA reform must enable critical water infrastructure following flood disaster :

“The recent flooding in Auckland, Northland and the Bay of Plenty has caused chaos and has put people, homes and businesses at risk. It has also decimated huge crops of fruit and vegetables at a time when we are already paying significantly more than we were a year ago,” says Vanessa Winning, Chief Executive of Irrigation New Zealand.

“This disaster demonstrates the need for New Zealand to better mitigate the impacts of climate change – and water management is a significant part of this.

“Water capture and storage is a proven way to reduce the destructive effects of flooding by regulating the water flow and volume into vulnerable areas. Drawing on water from storage also supports food production. The more volatility in the climate, the more we need resilience in water infrastructure.

“The reform of New Zealand’s Resource Management Act (RMA) gives us an opportunity to prioritise water infrastructure as part of our climate change response. . . 

In defence of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser – Jacqueline Rowarth :

 Dr Jacqueline Rowarth takes a closer look at the debate surrounding the effect synthetic nitrogen fertiliser has on health.

Over half of the people reading background information supplied to them in a Greenpeace Horizon Poll released last week supported phasing out synthetic nitrogen.

The information stated that:

“Some scientific research shows that pollution from the increase in synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and the rise in dairy cow numbers has degraded the water quality of New Zealand rivers and lakes. Medical researchers also say that nitrate contamination of drinking water is linked to increased risk of bowel cancer and preterm birth.” . . 

Can the egg shortage be cracked? – Matthew Scott :

Online auctions for chickens have attracted double the usual number of clicks in recent weeks, amid a nationwide egg shortage.

Supermarket shelves have been empty and there are limits on how many cartons customers can buy.

And it could be months before the shortage eases.

It’s the end result of a few different things: a 10-year transition away from battery cages; the decision by the big supermarket chains to go completely cage-free; and supply chain issues borne of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. . . 

Vegetable price hikes likely after crops hit by floods Auckland growers say – Stephen Forbes :

Last summer it was drought. Now floods have ravaged crops in Pukekohe, and growers warn vegetable price hikes are the likely result.

Shon Fong said Friday’s deluge was the worst rain he had seen before. His family business, AH Gorn & Sons, had been based in the area since the 1950s.

“It was continuous for 24 hours and the ground just couldn’t take it,” Fong said.

His fields had lines gouged out of the soil by flood waters. Fong said onions, which had been harvested and left in the open to dry, were left strewn across the paddocks and an adjoining road. . . 

Time for stronger forestry regulations to control pollution – Gary Taylor :

 The cycle of environmental damage caused by plantation forestry operations must stop. It is time to rein in damaging planting and harvesting practices with a fundamental reset of the rules that govern the sector.

Increasing frequencies of severe storm events that mobilise massive quantities of slash and sediment, combined with higher public expectations of environmental performance, mean that large-scale clear-felling of exotic forests is no longer tenable or acceptable in many areas.  

Recent pictures from Tairāwhiti are shocking. The devastation inflicted on land and homes, and the swathes of marine life dead on log-strewn coastlines, are deeply distressing to see. It is a major environmental disaster and points to a serious failure of public policy. It requires more than the provision of ad hoc financial assistance to those affected, and for an environmental clean-up.  

Forestry Minister Stuart Nash appears to have accepted that an inquiry focused on land resilience on the East Coast is required. That decision was made after repeated calls from the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), and from the Gisborne District Council, Federated Farmers and thousands of locals via a petition. The forest industry itself even belatedly agreed. . . 

Sustainable worm farming business booming at Stony Creek, creating a perfect family lifestyle – Jennifer Nichols :

Rohan and Ellie Watson could not be prouder about having worms — millions of them.

Their farm has just taken on 18 extra truckloads of hermaphrodite invertebrates to keep up with demand from Bunnings, councils and community groups.

In 2014 Mr Watson, a carpenter, and his kindergarten teacher wife were working in outback Cloncurry when his uncle posed a question that would change the course of their lives.

“I was down on holidays and he came and said to me, ‘What are you doing when you finish out west?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know’ and he said, ‘Do you want to come and grow worms?’ Mr Watson said. . . 

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Rural round-up

27/01/2023

Feds’ request to Hipkins: slow down, prioritise :

Slow down the legislative programme, get it right and concentrate on those things that will help families and businesses prosper.

That’s the request from Federated Farmers to Chris Hipkins as he is sworn in as New Zealand’s 41 st prime minister today, and then gets to work on the policy “re-set” he has talked about.

“Farmers have many times in the last three years expressed concern about rushed, poorly-consulted-on legislation that has proved to be flawed and impractical,” Feds president Andrew Hoggard says.

“The proposed replacement legislation for the Resource Management Act has those same hallmarks. . . 

Primary sector leaders draw up Hipkins wish list – Neal Wallace :

Food and fibre sector leaders are mostly in the dark about what their industry can expect from newly elected Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

The Food and Fibre Leadership Group is seeking a meeting with the new prime minister, with most members saying they have not had dealings with him.

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard said Hipkins has not been part of the government ministerial group, headed by the prime minister, that regularly meets with food and fibre leaders.

He fears the change in prime minister could mean a loss of contacts within the leader’s office as staff are replaced. . . 

Te Anau station’s court victory sees SDC drop two cases – Neal Wallace,

The Southland District Council has withdrawn two pending prosecutions for the clearance of indigenous vegetation after losing a legal battle with a Te Anau station.

The council’s environmental planning manager, Marcus Roy, said following the Environment Court decision against the council and in favour of Te Anau Downs Station, two prosecutions relating to the clearance of indigenous vegetation have been dropped. 

The court decision in favour of Te Anau Downs followed a four-year legal battle in which the council sought an enforcement order to prevent any further indigenous vegetation clearance on the station, and to require significant remedial work for clearance dating back to 2001.

Late last year the court declined the council’s application for an enforcement order and required it to pay costs and compensation of $300,000. . . 

Food security at heart of our cost of living crisis – Dr Catherine Knight :

New Zealanders have been finding their supermarket shop a painful experience for some time now, but in December many reached their pain threshold as food prices increased by 10.6 percent compared with 2021. Fresh produce was a whopping 24 percent more expensive – at a time of the year when it is usually plentiful and cheap. Economists reassure us this is just a momentary blip in an otherwise smoothly running economic system – prices will ‘soften’, inflation will ‘moderate’ and ‘better times will come’. These reassurances are comforting and most of us are happy to be soothed by this narrative.

But what if empty supermarket shelves and high prices are symptomatic of something much bigger? A sign of a broken system, now starting to show the tell-tale fissures of climate disruption, ecological collapse, energy descent and increased resource scarcity.

The immediate causes of surging food prices are familiar to most of us: high shipping costs, supply chain disruption, a tight labour market, disrupted weather patterns, spiralling on-farm costs such as fertiliser and diesel.

But all these factors are more connected than we might think.  . . 

NZ’s fatally flawed climate strategy – Dame Anne Salmond :

 A recent article in the Guardian based on research into Verra, the world’s largest global carbon-offsetting scheme, reveals more than 90 percent of its tropical rainforest carbon credits are worthless, making no positive impact on climate change. 

In a subsequent article, the Guardian shows that the fossil fuel company Shell was heavily involved in setting up Verra and its rules. Like New Zealand, Shell has placed carbon offsetting at the heart of its climate change strategy, although the research indicates that many of the claims made about the efficacy of such schemes cannot be trusted.

The implications of this research for New Zealand’s carbon strategy are fundamental. At present, New Zealand relies heavily on carbon offsetting to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, through the purchase of international credits and through the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

On both scores, New Zealand’s strategy is fatally flawed. While the government proposes to make up shortfalls in meeting our NDC with the large-scale purchase of international credits, given the research into Verra and its ‘phantom credits’, it is highly likely that in future this kind of offsetting will be tightly controlled or excluded under international conventions. This would leave New Zealand unable to meet its carbon targets. . . 

Fonterra looking to expand its international recipe contest – Nona Pelletier :

Fonterra sees international competition as a way to bake in global demand for New Zealand butter.

The best use of New Zealand’s bright yellow, grass-fed butter was the secret of success at the cooperative’s confectionary and bakery recipe contest which saw 60 of Japan’s leading chefs create a range of award worthy buttery treats.

Among the winning entries at the Fonterra Grand Prix included a bread named, Moon of Grass Fed Butter, and a confectionery called, Fonterra Butter Sand.

The competition was held in 2019-2020 but the winners had to wait until recently to collect their prize, which included a tour of New Zealand, as well the commercialisation of their winning entries, aimed at promoting grass-fed butter and dairy products in Japan. . . 

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Rural round-up

24/01/2023

Out of pocket and patience with illegal hunting – Guy Williams:

Otago and Southland already have the highest rate of unlawful hunting in the country, and now landowners, police and legitimate hunters say poaching appears to be on the rise in the region.

Public Interest Journalism Fund reporter Guy Williams looks at what could be behind the trend and what is being done to combat it. 

Pursuing a poacher on a farm near Lindis Pass last year left hunting guide Chris McCarthy with a broken ankle and thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Mr McCarthy was guiding a client on Forest Range Station on April 5 when he spotted Otis Feehan-Price through binoculars. . . 

Mates out to create buzz over alcohol brewed from honey – Annette Scott :

Two Kiwis on a mission set out to show the world that all of NZ’s native honeys – and not just mānuka – can make premium products.

New Zealand’s diverse native flora treats beekeepers across the country to a range of native Aotearoa honeys: kāmahi, pōhutukawa, rewarewa, rātā… the list goes on. 

But a singular focus on mānuka, say Wilbur Morrison and Edward Eaton, means beekeepers with rich natural native plant diversity walk away from their unprofitable hives.

And because native honeys that aren’t mānuka are being forgotten, NZ apiculture is becoming less sustainable.  . . 

Feds call for government inquiry on Tairāwhiti. damage :

Einstein’s words that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is relevant to storm damage in Tairāwhiti.

And it’s why Federated Farmers is calling on the government to promptly establish an inquiry into the factors that contributed to flooding and smashed infrastructure from ex-tropical Cyclone Hale, with the aim of not making the same mistakes again.

Feds national board member and former Gisborne-Wairoa president Toby Williams says no-one can do anything about heavy rain – “more than 300mm of it on our farm, that’s a quarter of our annual rainfall in January so far and the month isn’t over”.

But in a letter to Emergency Management, Forestry and Associate Environment Ministers, Federated Farmers said residual woody material/slash left in situ after exotic forestry harvesting was a significant contributing factor to increased damage and would need to be part of the brief provided to the inquiry team. . . 

Forestry see merit in a review of Tairāwhiti resilience :

The forestry industry is in support of an independent review of the challenges faced by the East Coast following ex-tropical Cyclone Hale, believing it will be beneficial for the region in the future.

The weather event affected a significant part of the country earlier this month. However, like Cyclone Bola in 1988, it was once again the East Coast community who felt the brunt of the weather with roads and bridges damaged, and power taken out.

Speaking for the Eastland Wood Council, Chief Executive Philip Hope noted the combination of factors that makes Tairāwhiti so vulnerable.

“We are managing an area almost twice the size of Auckland with three percent of their population, whilst sitting on some of the worst eroding country in the world. It’s a big challenge for many including the Council, but we are committed to the Tairāwhiti community.” . . 

Developer eyes turning gravel into gold – Jill Herron :

As a local council moves to corral burgeoning growth within its town boundary, a private developer is again looking to take it into the hinterland

An application for a 543-lot subdivision 10km north of Cromwell will be publicly notified within the next few weeks by the Central Otago District Council.

The developer is roading and infrastructure company Fulton Hogan, which is looking to develop a quarry site, one of 30 the company owns in the South Island.

With shops, travellers’ accommodation, business and industrial zones and a pencilled-in school site, the proposal would form a satellite town if it did not already have urban neighbours on its southern boundary. . . 

M. Bovis confirmed properties continue to decrease :

The Mycoplasma bovis Programme, led in partnership with MPI, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand, continues to make good progress towards the eradication of the disease from New Zealand.

All properties in the high-risk area in Wakanui, which is under a Controlled Area Notice (CAN), have now been cleared of cattle. Testing will be underway shortly on the properties in the surrounding area. The CAN is on track to be lifted in mid-March.

The number of active confirmed properties has decreased this week with two properties now cleared of M. bovis and preparing return to farming without restrictions. There is one new farm infected with M. bovis which has well-established links to another already infected property.

“This brings the current number of Confirmed Properties to five (compared to 40 at the height of the outbreak), and we expect all of these farms to be cleared within the first half of 2023,” said M. bovis programme director Simon Andrew. . . 

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