Smashing the grass ceiling – Vanessa Marshall :
Picture this: Breezes wafting through Waikato fields, wide open skies as far as the eye can see, picturesque green landscapes and a trailblazing young woman named Emma Poole standing in her gumboots at the foot of Mt Pirongia with her baby on her hip. She’s a farmer, but she’s not your average farmer. Along with being a vet and a working mum, she’s the first woman to be crowned the FMG Young Farmer of the Year in its 55-year history, and since the announcement she’s become an overnight spokesperson for the changing face of farming.
On the day House of Wellness visits, there’s been a power cut and Emma has made the most of one of her Young Farmer wins – a Honda generator she’s fired up so we can get on with our lights, camera, action photo shoot! A typical day on the farm is like an episode of Country Calendar meets The Good Life, so this small hiccup is all par for the course. Whether she’s heading off to the vet clinic or working on the family dairy farm, Emma’s up and about at the crack of dawn, tending to her young son Beau before diving headfirst into an assortment of tasks.
Emma thrives on activity, so whether she’s feeding calves, moving stock or brainstorming with her husband Chris (a finalist in last year’s competition), the variety of work is a source of constant stimulation. “I’m one of those people that needs things in front of me to keep moving, so farming really provides that,” she says. And baby Beau? He’s right there beside her in his mini Swanndri overalls and gummies, so it’s hardly surprising that his first word was “tractor”! . .
Farmers, Manawatū River Catchments Collective protecting waterways – Gwyn Jones :
In the heart of Manawatū, a remarkable movement is taking shape – one that exemplifies the power of collective action in safeguarding our environment. From the east to the west of the region, farmer-led catchment groups are forging ahead to protect and enhance the health of our waterways. This concerted effort, brought to life through the Manawatū River Catchments Collective (MRCC), is a testament to the dedication and vision of its chair, Shelley Dew Hopkins, and the many farmers who have joined this cause.
The MRCC emerged in late 2020, driven by a shared concern for the well-being of the Manawatū River and the increasing pressure on landowners to reduce sediment and nutrient flows into this vital water source. In response to these challenges, the MRCC united farmers and landowners under a common banner, setting a clear mission for itself: to balance profitable and sustainable farming practices with the preservation of a thriving, diverse ecosystem, all while fostering vibrant and interconnected communities.
Recognising the potential of collective strength, the MRCC quickly realised it could amplify its impact by establishing farmer-led catchment groups throughout the broader Manawatū catchment area. In a significant step forward, the MRCC secured funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the 2021/22 period. This support allowed the MRCC to facilitate workshops and establish farmer-led groups spanning the mid and upper reaches of the Manawatū River catchment. . . .
Big group sends shiver of anticipation through dairy lands – Point of Order :
The big dairy group Fonterra fired a cheering signal across the nation’s dairy lands, raising the 2023/24 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price range to $6.50 – $8.00 per kgMS, with a new midpoint of $7.25 per kgMS, up 50c.
Fonterra has been encouraged by an improved outlook to raise the price, and there could be more to come.
So what was a price which might barely have been break even for many farmers is heading in a more profitable direction.
Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says the improved outlook reflects both supply and demand dynamics. . .
Biodiversity credits to fund land use change ont he table following new research :
A market for biodiversity credits is one financing option that could be instrumental in helping New Zealand farmers fund land-use change to meet environmental targets, according to a new study.
The Options for Rural Investment project was carried out by Perrin Ag and GHA Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants as part of the Government’s Our Land and Water National Science Challenge.
The year-long study evaluated 17 different funding models to support land-use change and saw researchers run a series of workshops with farmers, industry leaders and experts to understand the obstacles to land-use change and financing solutions that could overcome them. Funding models assessed by the research team ranged from traditional debt financing and private investment to creating a market for biodiversity credits. . .
Tatua financial results for the year ended 31 July 2023 :
The Tatua Board of Directors and Executive met on 4 October 2023 to consider the financial results for the 2022/23 financial year and to finalise the milksolids payout to supplying shareholders.
Over the dairy season from June through to the end of May, we processed 14.85 million kilograms of milksolids supplied by our 101 shareholder farms. As a farmer owned co-operative, these milksolids are the basis for distributing earnings generated over the financial year, less any funds retained for reinvestment.
Wet conditions and lack of sunshine early in the season severely impacted supply, with milk received over the peak supply period 6.6% behind. Fortunately, those same wet conditions helped boost milk supply later in the season, to end 1.0% higher than the previous season overall. . .
Zespri’s northern hemisphere harvest to be the biggest yet :
Zespri’s kiwifruit harvest from the Northern Hemisphere is set to exceed previous sales volumes with the strong harvest supporting its efforts to deliver 12-month supply in key markets, maintain brand presence and shelf space and support New Zealand and offshore grower returns.
Zespri’s Executive Officer – Northern Hemisphere Supply Nick Kirton says the Northern Hemisphere sales programme has just commenced with Zespri expecting to sell around 29 million trays, or just over 100,000 tonnes of kiwifruit from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan. This compares to 24 million trays or 88,000 tonnes last season.
“This season’s harvest will be our biggest yet and we’re looking forward to providing consumers with more high-quality and great-tasting kiwifruit as we transition from New Zealand-grown fruit to our Northern Hemisphere-grown fruit,” Mr Kirton says. . . .
ANZCO Foods grills the competition at World Steak Challenge :
ANZCO Foods enjoyed a very strong showing at the 2023 World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam, winning six gold and two silver medals, placing it among the best beef producers in the world.
This is the latest in a line of successful World Steak Challenges for ANZCO Foods, with the company winning gold medals in each of the last three years.
ANZCO Foods Ocean Beef received gold awards for its ribeye, sirloin, and fillet. Stony River Black Angus won gold for its ribeye and sirloin as well as silver for its fillet. Greenstone Creek won gold for its ribeye and silver for its sirloin. . .
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