Rural round-up

A $20 million magic wand – Sharon Brettkelly :

Just outside of Rotorua is a sheep farm that looks like any other. Until you climb the stairs of a big shed and peer inside a small room that is a surgery, where the sheep are operated on.

Look closely at the sheep in the pens and you might see that they have small scars on their heads.

They are the pioneers of research that is set to change – and save – the lives of hundreds of Kiwis and potentially millions of people around the world who have the brain-swelling condition hydrocephalus.

The diagnostic device at the centre of this research is a tiny implant in the brain and a wireless wand that is held over the head. It’s been successfully tested on the sheep and is about to take the momentous next step to human trials, first on adults and then children. . . 

Agriculture a hot topic for conversation – Sally Rae :

Tarras woman Emily Walker has teamed up with Otago Daily Times Rural Life 2023 Year of the Farmer winner Myfanwy Alexander to launch a podcast called Ag in Conversation, digging into hot topics in the world of agriculture. She talks to business and rural editor Sally Rae about how she landed in the rural sector.

When Emily Walker first moved to Tarras, she thought she lived in the city.

It has become something of a standing joke; having previously lived at remote Forest Creek, at the top of the Rangitata Gorge in Mid Canterbury, it seemed Tarras was quite the metropolis, she laughed.

Originally a city girl from Christchurch, Mrs Walker is a civil structural engineer who met her farmer husband Matt while she was studying at the University of Canterbury and he was at Lincoln University. . . 

Fresh out this morning pic.twitter.com/UbzHm9doyl

— Anieka Templer (@AniekaNick) March 5, 2024

Where does Synlait’s future lie? – Keith Woodford

For much of the last 20 years, Synlait was an entrepreneurial player in the New Zealand dairy industry, with a strong focus on growth. For a long time, Synlait seemed to be doing everything right.

Alas, after remarkable growth through to 2019, the wheels have progressively fallen off over the last four years. Synlait now faces an existential threat. Where did things go wrong and where does the path now lie?

Synlait’s fundamental problem is that for the second year running it is operating at a loss. Synlait’s recent stock exchange guidance is that it expects to report a loss of between $17 million and $21 million for the first half of the 2023/24 year.

Go forward a little further, and unless there is a big unexpected turnaround in the next few months, Synlait will have made a loss in three out of the last four years. . . 

Firsr time competitor earns a spot at FMG Young Famrer of the Year grand final :

A Pleasant Point Young Farmer is one step closer to winning one of New Zealand’s most prestigious farming awards after being crowned the Season 56 Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

Gareth McKerchar was announced as the Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening, following two days of fierce competition in Kurow. Now, he gears up to take on six other regional finalists in the ultimate showdown at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, being held in Hamilton in July.

The weekend’s event was one of seven Regional Finals happening across Aotearoa between February and April. Details of what challenges would be thrown at them at the Aorangi event were kept under wraps from the 20 determined contestants. . . 

Positive forecast for Zespri growers :

Zespri has released its final forecast for the 2023/24 season with record per tray returns forecast for Green, Organic Green, SunGold and RubyRed Kiwifruit.

The February forecast has Green at a record $9.44 per tray, significantly up from last season’s final Orchard Gate Return (OGR) of $5.78 per tray.

Forecast SunGold Kiwifruit returns are also at a record level of $12.62 per tray, well above last season’s final OGR of $9.97, while Organic SunGold Kiwifruit is at $14.21. . . 

On the left non-transgenic, drought tolerant maize hybrid.

On the right GM TELA maize.

Both under moderate drought and severe fall armyworm and stem borer infestation.

GM maize had a 6x higher yield.

The most potent instrument to transform the world is education. pic.twitter.com/rXeJkAGGBN

— Simon Maechling (@simonmaechling) March 3, 2024

Finalists of Ahuwhenua Trophy announced :

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the two finalists for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy at Parliament yesterday.

“I am pleased to see such a high calibre of Māori dairy farms featured as finalists this year,” Mr Potaka says.

The finalists for 2024 are:

• Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani
• Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board . . 

Rural round-up

Costs tax and inflation all impacting – Peter Burke :

“Absolutely breathtaking” is how well known economist Cameron Bagrie describes the current rural inflation rate of around 15%.

Bagrie says this compares with general inflation of just over 7% and business inflation sitting at around 10%. He says the tell-tale indicator of what’s happening to the country is the tax take.

Bagrie points out that in the last three months the tax numbers have “massively undershot” government expectations, which is borne out on payments of provisional and terminal tax. He says this is showing a flaw in the ideology that you can pump more costs onto the rural sector and there will be no collateral damage. “But there is collateral damage and the real story here is about costs,” Bagrie explains.

“What we are seeing now is that ideologies are being checked by economic reality. The economic reality is a big wake-up call for the Government because if firms are not making money, they don’t pay tax and the Government doesn’t have enough money to redistribute.” . . .

Strengthening resilience in young adults entering the rural sector –

Research into the impacts of the inaugural rollout of the WellMates programme at Massey University has shown promising results and outlined ways to strengthen its delivery, the university says.

WellMates, a mental health and resilience programme developed by Lincoln University, is being run for a second year at Massey after researchers found it significantly benefitted participants.

The programme is designed to promote mental health and wellbeing to first year agricultural students, many of whom fall within the young adult category.

While recent studies have shown farmers are prone to experiencing burnout, young people aged 17-24 are particularly vulnerable within this community. . .

The last NZ company weaving our wool – Sharon Brettkelly :

The cloth on every machine at Inter-Weave’s factory in Auckland has a different story to tell about the mill’s diverse business. 

On one machine, cloth is being dyed in the colours of Air New Zealand for its economy seats, on another is upholstery for Queensland Rail. The cloth on a machine opposite is for a US wholesaler. A jacquard loom is working on blankets with special Māori designs for a small Tauranga firm.

The country’s only commercial wool weaver is busy making all-wool upholstery, throws and fabric for safety-wear for a range of customers – including local farmers, whose spun wool is made into blankets which they then sell themselves. But there’s room for more.

The mill has had to be diverse to survive, the managing director and part-owner Tracy March says. . . 

It feels great planting out areas like this on farm. So obviously no good for grazing, bad for environment to have stock near this. But on the flip side awesome for biodiversity, water quality and general pride in what we’re doing on farm. pic.twitter.com/BhJkbLFP4P

— Adam Thompson (@ktuluadam) August 21, 2023

Clock ticking on containing conifers: ‘It’s a battleground and anyone’s guess’ – Jill Herron :

Government cash for wilding pine clearance is dwindling and despair is setting in as the trees continue to spread

As money for the fight against wilding pines gets tighter, those at the frontline fear Central Otago’s No 1 weed is gaining the upper hand.

“The funding heyday is past. It’s a battleground at the moment and it’s anyone’s guess which way it’s going to go,” says Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group project manager Pete Oswald.

On private and public land where grazing-stock numbers have fallen, wild conifers are taking off, sometimes alongside woody natives. . . 

There’s more to India than just a deal – Richard Rennie :

New Zealand trade czars and exporters have generally been chuffed lately at getting a package of free trade deals over the line. 

The European Union free trade agreement opens some doors that had appeared permanently shut, while the United Kingdom FTA shores up an eroded historical relationship with a country that was once our No 1 trade partner.

But long-time trade negotiators have cautioned that future FTAs like these are likely to be increasingly fewer and further apart, as the world aligns more with geopolitical values than it does with rules-based trade opportunities.

It could be almost instinctive, then, for NZ’s primary sector to look at India through the same lens of opportunity – as a ripe trade fruit to pick in a diminishing harvest.  . . 

No southland.
We don't need anymore snow on the Takis. pic.twitter.com/La0otGmc3v

— Edwin Mabonga 🧢 (@Edwinmab1) August 21, 2023

Australian consultant helping Afghanistan farmers grow alternative crops to opium poppies – Matt Brann :

Afghanistan has long been the world’s largest producer of opium poppies, and, according to the United Nations, the income made by Afghan farmers last year from opium sales was $2.2 billion.

But the Afghanistan government, the Taliban, has now banned its cultivation and is working to eradicate all poppy production. 

Helping Afghan farmers to find alternative crops that are viable and legal is Australian agricultural consultant Andrew Philip from Darwin. 

He’s been working on various projects in Afghanistan for the past 10 years, and his latest project is centred around poppies funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. . . .

Rural round-up

The woes of wool: ‘Find someone who’s making money, I’ll shake their hand’ – Sharon Brettkelly

Backcountry farmer Dan Steele got messages from all over the world after he took to Facebook inviting people to come and pick up his wool for free.

It was a tongue-in-cheek exercise to highlight a serious matter: the woes of wool.

Steele’s post about how much money he is losing on his wool was even translated into Chinese. 

“I couldn’t believe it,” says Steele from his Blue Duck Station on the Whanganui River, a working farm and tourist operation.  . . 

Keeping the heart of Catchment groups – Richard Kyte :

No one can be in any doubt. Catchment groups are a success.

When we reflect on the past five years, and the rate at which catchment groups have sprung up, not only in Southland but across Aotearoa, it’s a real testament to rural communities and farmers taking responsibility for leading catchment improvements.

These people are working together in their communities to affect change, particularly around water quality as well as carbon and biodiversity.

And I believe they are a direct catalyst for the significant upswing in the rate of change during the past five years. . . 

Road show spreads word of Nudies – Shawn McAvinue :

A crew from a Wairarapa hill country sheep and beef farm were in Canterbury last month, as part of a national run to showcase their ram breeds including Nudies. Wairere principal Derek Daniell speaks to Shawn McAvinue about the motivation behind breeding a sheep which grows hair rather than wool.

A monument of giant golden hand shears welcomes visitors to Masterton with the greeting “Home of the Golden Shears”, a nod to the world’s premier shearing and woolhandling championship.

Ironically, the largest town in the Wairarapa was also home to the inaugural auction of purebred Nudies ram lambs in March this year, a sheep breed which grows hair rather than wool.

Wairarapa hill country sheep and beef farm Wairere visited hair sheep breeders in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 2019, searching for hair sheep genetics from large flocks, run outdoors year round with minimal shepherding. . .

Stoked to get an Alcove heifer calf from a member of our "Louis" family today. The foundation Louis was purchased as an incalf heifer from the Silverdale herd in 1995 & she was our first step into the Holstein breed. Great to see cow families live on for generations. pic.twitter.com/2r6Ds0koFl

— 🚜🐄 🧢Bruce🧢 🐄🚜 (@fairleigh_ag) August 8, 2023

A ray of hope for farmers – Peter Burke :

The financial viability of farmers having solar panels on their land, as well as stock, is the subject of a significant two year research study being undertaken by Massey University.

Professor Paul Kenyon is co-leading the project and says there has been a lot of hype about the value of installing solar panels on farms to generate electricity for the national grid, providing a new income stream.

But he says much of the data that is being put around is based on overseas research, where climatic conditions are quite different to those in NZ.

“A lot of that information suggests that pasture grown under the panels will be the same or better than in the actual paddocks,” Kenyon told Rural News. . . 

E Tipu IFAMA 2023: Farmers delivering the future – The COuntry :

The recent E Tipu IFAMA 2023 World Conference in Christchurch featured a range of speakers on a range of topics as the industry grapples with change as it looks to the future.

The central theme for this year was “Transforming the global food and fibre system”.

It included sub-themes such as Farmers First – farmers delivering on bold ambition; Fibre First – forward-thinking developments in fibre; Food First – innovations in food production, distribution, and consumption; and Future First – where the world is heading so we can get ahead of the curve.

E Tipu: The Boma Agri Summit was formed in Christchurch in 2019. . . 

Back British family farms! 🇬🇧 🚜 #farminguk

📸 Nicola Jane Hewitt pic.twitter.com/yWWaQFFLIz

— FarmingUK (@FarmingUK) August 8, 2023

Shepherd careers in focus – Shawn McAvinue :

Reporter Shawn McAvinue questions shepherds at a Womolife course, teaching the skills of crutching, wool handling, penning and pressing of strong wool, on Jeff Farm in Kaiwera, between Clinton and Mataura, last week.1. Why did you choose a career as a shepherd?

2. What song do you put on a playlist to work to in a shearing shed? 

Archie Tayler

18, of Temuka.

1. I come from a cropping background and was brought up with tractors and heavy machinery but it was never my thing, and we had a few sheep at home and I love working with them and then an opportunity for a cadetship came up at Jeff Farm and I thought, bugger it, I’ll make a change and I’ve been loving every minute of it. It’s the best decision I’ve made in a while, it’s all going pretty smoothly. The shearing course has been awesome, too. I couldn’t use a handpiece before I came to Jeff Farm and now I’m getting my head around crutching and belly crutching.

2. Definitely country music. It would have to be songs by Morgan Wallen. . . 

Rural round-up

Levy on fertiliser ruled out by farmers in the battle on climate change but that doesn’t mean rejection by government – Point of Order :

The government has looked at imposing a  tax  on  nitrogen fertiliser, used  heavily in NZ agriculture,   but yesterday Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor conceded he had  not  convinced  farming leaders  to go ahead with it.

ACT”s  Mark Cameron claimed credit in Parliament  for “killing” the  plan. Both Federated Farmers and DairyNZ have told ministers they oppose the idea.

Clearly O’Connor is in something  of  a  bind, for he has committed  the government to pricing  agriculture emissions – but he knows  how unpopular  this would make him, particularly in election year  when he will be  fighting to hold on to his largely rural electorate.

 So what will the answer be? That’s far from clear. . .

Labour must rule out fertliser tax:

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor must categorically rule out his punitive fertiliser tax and tell the farming sector that he is not thinking of any other silly ideas that will increase the price of food and put farmers out of business, National’s Agriculture and Trade spokesman Todd McClay says.

“Mr O’Connor has said that he has worked on a fertiliser tax which would see some South Island farmers paying the Labour government as much $17,000 more in tax each year.

“This week he has failed to clarify his position and said that while industry leaders had told him that a new tax would harm the productivity of Kiwi farmers, he refused to rule it out.

“Farmers have been hit extremely hard over the last 6 years by expensive rules and regulations imposed by the Labour Government. Farm inflation is at an all-time high and is only matched by significant increases in the cost of food. . . 

The Scientific argument for keeping meat on our menus – Liam Rātana :

With new diets cropping up seemingly every week touting different nutritional benefits and health-boosting effects, how do we know what’s actually good for us? Two scientists who have studied the bioavailability of nutrients found in meat explain why red meat can be a very important part of a balanced diet.

In a world where climate change, food security and health concerns dominate headlines, the efficacy and role of different proteins and adequate nutrients in our diets is a hot – and often contentious – topic. The global population is predicted to hit 10 billion people by 2060, credible forecasts expect crop demands to grow by more than 100% from 2000 to 2050, and overall food demand is also set to grow by 70% over the same period. However it happens, it’s clear that our food systems will need significant reinforcement if they’re to continue to sustain us into the future.

Professor Warren McNabb and Dr Nick Smith are two scientists with considerable form in this field, having contributed to a recently published paper examining meat with a bioavailability perspective – and for its current role in feeding the world. In that paper the two senior staff at Massey University’s groundbreaking Sustainable Nutrition Initiative hosted by the Riddet Institute came to the conclusion that meat currently plays a vital role in ensuring there is sufficient nutrition to meet the world’s needs. This research aligns with the recently published FAO report, which looks at how animal source food contributes to a healthy diet. We looked a little deeper at what’s going on here. . . 

Beautiful afternoon in the south, out for a walk with my daughter. pic.twitter.com/VYyOJOB6Oi

— Blocka 🧢 (@blairdrysdale77) June 5, 2023

Landmark legal challenge to mega irrigation scheme in Canterbury – Andrea Vance :

From above, it looks like a patchwork quilt of green. A large sweep of irrigated farmland that borders Canterbury’s Hakatere/Ashburton River.

This lush grass isn’t a happy, natural accident, but the result of a sophisticated network of pipes and ponds that delivers pressurised water from the vast, braided Rangitata River nearby to more than 200 farms across 30,000 hectares.

The water travels through centre pivot irrigators; hulking metal spans that decorate a circular watering pattern in the once-dry paddocks across the region.

Irrigation season ends as winter approaches. And the attention of the farmers who own shares in Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Ltd (ALIL) will turn to a high-stakes legal battle over . . 

Mānuka the buzz that a word makes – Sharon Brettkelly :

For years, New Zealand honey producers have been fighting for better protection of the word ‘mānuka’. But this week, they suffered another setback, with the Intellectual Property Office rejecting its trademark bid.

The Australians are calling it a common sense outcome, New Zealanders say it’s a huge blow in the battle to protect taonga species – and all native flora and fauna are now at risk.

Kiwi honey producers have lost the latest round in the fight over mānuka honey, after a bid to trademark it was rejected by the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand this week.

The office called it “a trans-Tasman tussle of extraordinary proportions”, and said in its ruling that it was “one of the most complex and long-running proceedings” it has handled. . . 

Young Otago sheep and beef farmers named 2023 national ambassadors for sustainable farming and growing :

Steven and Kellie Nichol of Auldamor in Otago have been announced as the 2023 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington this evening.

Managed by Grant Bezett, Auldamor is primarily a sheep breeding and finishing operation, with additional cattle grazing, and carbon and production forestry.

Steven and Kellie are constantly evolving their farming business though diversification and adapting production systems, all while considering environmental impact. Their 1,498ha property is located at Clarks Junction, Otago. The Nichol family has been farming in the area since 1871, meaning they have a strong connection to the land and consider improvements and guardianship a priority.

In 2007, the Nichols leased 976ha from Steven’s parents and purchased it outright in 2010. In 2019, the farming operation was extended with an additional 522ha neighbouring lease block. During their tenure, Steven and Kellie have continually strived to improve, develop, expand and adapt the farming business. . . 

Looking very pleased with themselves. As they should be.@Bombora_ 22.5 pic.twitter.com/fA0q5kpxMx

— Daily Sheep (@dailysheep1) June 4, 2023

The Dutch farmers’ revolt is far from over – John Lee Shaw :

Last week, the European Commission gave the Dutch government the go-ahead to start buying out farms in order to meet the EU’s climate targets.

Under the European Green Deal of 2020, the EU plans to be climate neutral by 2050. As part of this, under the European Climate Law of 2021, the EU wants to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by a minimum of 55 per cent by 2030.

This has exerted a considerable amount of pressure on the Dutch government in particular. In turn, the government is now exerting pressure on farmers. That’s because Dutch farms have been blamed for the Netherlands’ high levels of greenhouse-gas emissions, especially nitrogen emissions, caused by fertilisers and cattle excrement. And so in 2022, the Dutch government put forward a set of agricultural reforms in order to meet the EU’s targets.

These proposals have sparked uproar among farmers. Many of the reforms would require cattle farmers to greatly reduce their livestock or to stop farming completely. The Dutch government’s own forecasts have estimated that approximately 3,000 farms might have to close. . .

 

Rural round-up

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. . . 

Finally got to the last house today just as the council were giving the employees house a white sticker ✅✅✅✅✅ Two vans are missing, hopefully not stolen. Had a community BBQ and picked up some food for #sparecow He has apples and water too. It’s his house now. pic.twitter.com/nDenhVjoPO

— 🇳🇿Lesley 🍎🍇🍷☕️ (@Lesleyattalk) February 19, 2023

Home Block orchard #gabrielle pic.twitter.com/KsUdIFGoDr

— 🇳🇿Lesley 🍎🍇🍷☕️ (@Lesleyattalk) February 18, 2023

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. . .

Everyday I find more trees down, it's gonna take a long time to sort it out. Found another 2 today, 7 days after the storm pic.twitter.com/UbBMWT7DOR

— Clare Shortt🧢🤠🐄 (@ShorttClare) February 21, 2023

 

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. . . 

Rural round-up

Foot and Mouth for NZ is worse than Covid – what is Labour doing? – Cactus Kate:

Why are New Zealand media not reporting on the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Bali?

While there are a lot of Australians there presently, there will be during school holidays more than a few New Zealanders, if not now.

The Aussies are worried enough to be pumping out the articles in media.  Google right now there is a healthy sense of panic brewing.

The team of $55m? Silent apart from this.  Should New Zealand be hit again with it the result would be an apocalypse the likes the country has never seen. . . 

The above post was published four days ago. The next one was published yesterday:

Campaign to rise FMD awareness for travellers :

Biosecurity New Zealand is stepping up its work at the border with a campaign to ensure travellers do their part to protect farmers from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), says deputy director general Stuart Anderson.

Foot-and-mouth disease is in many countries, including Malaysia, China and most recently Indonesia. It’s a good time to remind people arriving in New Zealand how important it is that they follow our strict biosecurity rules to protect against FMD.

“From next week, arriving passengers will notice more information about FMD in the in-flight airline announcements and in arrival halls. We will also provide people with a check sheet of dos and don’ts with regard to FMD, and further promote FMD awareness on social media.

“Our border staff will also step-up searches of baggage for passengers who have travelled from Indonesia, including focussing inspections of footwear and disinfecting them at the airport if required.” . . .

Hands off farm carbon capture NP – Neal Wallace:

The National Party is reserving judgment on He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) but has taken issue with a Climate Change Commission proposal to change the rules of on-farm sequestration.

Barbara Kuriger, the party’s agriculture spokesperson, said she is disappointed the commission is recommending the removal of carbon sequestration by farm vegetation from HWEN, instead proposing to combine it with biodiversity and other environmental outcomes in a whole new system.

“If farmers are going to be charged for their on-farm emissions they should also be rewarded for on-farm sequestration either through He Waka Eke Noa or the Emissions Trading Scheme,” she said.

“The commission should not overcomplicate things. Its first priority must be emissions.” . . 

First lamb of new season at Greenhill born today. Only 1300+ to go 👍 pic.twitter.com/wpYYsFoL0Y

— Jake Smith (@GreenhillStud) July 6, 2022

Getting the EU trade deal across the line – Sharon Brettkelly:

Before New Zealand’s free trade agreement with the European Union comes into force, it’ll have to be translated into the 23 different languages of the region. 

But considering what it took to get it over the line – and the fact many in the EU don’t even want it – the translation of the document is just one of the many complicated aspects of the deal. 

“We are worth nothing to them,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade deputy secretary Vangelis Vitalis told a room of several hundred farmers and other primary industry leaders this week. 

He said he shared their frustration of “where we had to land with Europe on beef and dairy”.  . . 

Desperate Banks Peninsular farmers enduring months of no rainfall – Kim Moodie:

A Banks Peninsula farmer says he has had no reprieve from drought conditions in the region and locals say they have not seen the region’s paddocks so parched in years.

NIWA’s latest climate summary shows the nationwide average temperature last month was 9.9C, making it the eighth-warmest June since records began back in 1909.

The report said rainfall levels were below normal, or well below normal, for the time of year for many western and inland parts of New Zealand.

Soil moisture levels in the eastern-most parts of Otago and Canterbury were significantly abnormal for this time of year at the end of June. . . 

Boosting rural connectivity aims to deliver sustainable benefits to Kiwi farmers:

New funding will help boost internet connectivity for remote rural communities.

The Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund is co-investing $149,500 to help WISPA Network Limited (WNL) tackle the commercial roll-out of a collaborative delivery model for a nationwide, rural-focused LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network).

“Patchy network connection remains a significant barrier to many farmers looking to adopt agricultural technology solutions,” says Steve Penno, MPI’s director of investment programmes.

“Improving connectivity in remote rural areas of New Zealand would help lift productivity and equip farmers and growers with tools to improve sustainability. . . .

This picture should be put in airports. pic.twitter.com/rLYc2FZCF0

— Ag feeds you (I'm back) (@NoleftT) July 7, 2022

 

Kind face No. 1 provider of premium wool cushion inners in NZ :

In 2020, when most operations for business establishments halted due to COVID-19, Chris Larcombe saw an opportunity amidst the pandemic. With the lack of supplies for face masks, Chris and his team designed and put together triple-layered, reusable face masks. And Kind Face was born.

Their customers love their products because they focus on natural materials and sustainable practices.

No home is complete without cushions on the couch, and they have been a part of every home for centuries.

In a world filled with synthetic fibres and foams, Kind Face offers natural wool pearl cushion inner. It is a handmade cushion inner made from wool. It is a non-allergenic product, offers better moisture management, and is guaranteed 100% to add a little softness and comfort to your home. . . 

 

Rural round-up

Forestry Amendment Bill fails to achieve fairness :

New rules fall short of delivering a level playing field when overseas investors buy our farmland for forestry, Federated Farmers says.

It’s a “step in the right direction” to scrap the much-criticised special forestry test, Feds Gisborne-Wairoa President Toby Williams said. Instead, overseas investors purchasing farmed land for conversion to forestry would be required to meet the Overseas Investment Office ‘general benefit to New Zealand test’.

“But it will continue to be an uneven land-use playing field because investors buying farmland to continue to raise crops and livestock run up against the much more stringent Farm Land Benefit test.”

Speaking to the Finance & Expenditure Select Committee on the Overseas Investment (Forestry) Amendment Bill this morning, Toby said the general benefit test that would apply to farmland to forestry conversions “provides a slightly higher hurdle but it is nothing like as onerous as the farmland test. . . 

Farmers can reduce emissions and reach the 2030 targets – Kelly Forster:

Those who criticise He Waka Eke Noa for relying on ‘unproven technofixes’ ignore New Zealand’s very strong history of agricultural innovation, argues Kelly Forster

Opinion: On a stud sheep farm in Southland, Leon and Wendy Black are breeding low-methane-emitting rams, which Leon says gives farmers a viable option for reducing their methane emissions.

As Leon says, we now have the tools to measure methane production, and through tweaking the genetics the right way, we can reduce emissions in small incremental steps, improving every generation.

Over three breeding generations this could reduce a farm’s methane emissions between 5 percent and 10 percent. . . 

I'm guessing that this red sky and the fact it's scarily warm means something not so good is brewing @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/FEV1FxTEa0

— Anieka Templer (@AniekaNick) June 26, 2022

Otago property native carbon groundbreaker – Sally Rae:

An Otago station is one of the first properties to receive Native CarbonCrop Units through Nelson-founded climate tech startup CarbonCrop.

CarbonCrop, which was established in 2020, yesterday launched Native CarbonCrop Units (CCUs) to enable landowners with native reforestation to access revenue, outside the Emissions Trading Scheme.

The company worked with 15 landowners throughout the country in a pre-launch pilot and more than 5000 CCUs were certified for 631ha of native regeneration, worth about $260,000 at current prices, a statement from the company said.

More than $140,000 of those credits have been sold via the Carbonz platform to companies including Christchurch Airport, Heilala Vanilla and Les Mills. . . 

Counting our farming emissions – Sharon Brettkelly:

There are plenty of farmers out there doing everything they can to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The Detail takes a trip to a dairy farm in south Waikato to find out how one farming couple is doing it.

“It’s a beast,” says Tokoroa dairy farmer George Moss.  

He’s not talking about one of his cows – he’s talking about the job of understanding, counting and cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the farm he runs with his wife, Sharon. 

New Zealand will be the first country in the world to price emissions at the farmgate, if the agriculture sector’s plan – He Waka Eke Noa – is agreed to by the government.  . . 

2022 kiwifruit harvest complete :

The 2022 harvest of New Zealand’s largest horticultural produce, kiwifruit, is now largely complete with almost all 2,800 growers’ orchards from Kerikeri in the north to Motueka in the south picked for consumers. The 2022 season was expected to have a record-breaking crop of at least 190 million trays of kiwifruit, overtaking last year’s record of over 177 million trays. On average, each tray has around 30 pieces of kiwifruit. However, revisions in the forecast indicate that this year’s volume will be below 2021. Current thought to the reduction is due to labour supply, crop loading and weather. Investigation is this space is ongoing.

2022 also marks the first year that Zespri’s new RubyRed kiwifruit was picked as a commercial variety, which was then followed by the gold and green varieties. The sweet, berry-tinged tasting red kiwifruit was picked for supermarket shelves in New Zealand and overseas markets.

Despite the uncertainty of seasonal labour supply at the beginning of the year, all growers had the opportunity to have their kiwifruit picked and packed. The success of the 2022 kiwifruit harvest hinged on the ability for industry’s supply chain to operate effectively with a restricted labour supply under the changing COVID-19 settings. The 24,000 seasonal workers required to pick and pack the crop were restricted due to COVID-19 infection rates as well as closed borders which limited the 6,500 backpackers traditionally utilised for harvest operations.

CEO of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. (NZKGI), Colin Bond says that experience of COVID-19 from the two previous seasons gave the kiwifruit industry the foresight to streamline processes across the supply chain to mitigate foreseeable risks. . . 

When the sheep at the front turns around! pic.twitter.com/AygspRH9GO

— 🐑 Alister Watson 🐑 (@alister_watson) June 28, 2022

New AgWorkNZ initiative aims to fill NZ’s extreme agri-worker shortages :

New worker placement initiative Ag Work NZ aims to fill New Zealand’s huge farm worker and tractor driver shortages for our thriving primary industry. Ag Work NZ is affiliated with rural driver training provider Ag Drive, and will bring experienced staff over from the UK, Ireland and Europe on holiday working visas, following the reopening of NZ’s borders.

Director Andre Syben says the launch of Ag Work NZ is perfectly timed to fill the extreme farm worker shortages in New Zealand, while capitalising on the re-opening of NZ borders after the Covid-19 pandemic closures.

“What we’re hearing from New Zealand farmers and agricultural contractors is that they’re desperate for staff,” says Syben.

Northern hemisphere workers will be recruited by Ag Works’ own UK-based team, who will interview and screen workers. Then, in conjunction with Ag Works NZ-based recruitment team, potential workers will be matched with NZ farm and agricultural employers for an online interview. . . 

 

Rural round-up

Pine plantations extend lifetime of methane in North Island atmosphere :

North Island pine forests are prolonging the life of methane in the local atmosphere by as much as three years, climate researcher Jim Salinger says.

Dr Salinger said new computer modelling showed New Zealand had underestimated the impact of methane in its greenhouse gas emissions and would need to set tougher targets for methane reduction.

The modelling showed compounds called monoterpenes emitted by pine plantations in the North Island were extending the life of methane in the New Zealand atmosphere from 12.5 years to 15 years.

Dr Salinger presented the research to Parliament’s Environment Select Committee today. . . 

The Covid glitch in our supply chains – Sharon Brettkelly:

Our farm-to-fork process is usually highly efficient. But the Delta variant has blown a hole in the security of our supply chains, sparking questions about what changes are needed.

Rod Slater was only eight years old when he became part of the meat supply chain in New Zealand.

From his father’s butcher shop in Mt Albert, Auckland, he would head out on his bike with the meat parcels in the front basket to deliver to customers.

The 75-year-old recently retired chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand remembers his first delivery to a rest home when he had to crash his bike to stop it, and the meat came tumbling out. . . 

Common sense prevails over grazing rules :

Just days into her new role as National’s Agriculture spokesperson, Barbara Kuriger is pleased to see common-sense is prevailing in Southland.

The Government’s proposed intensive winter grazing (IWG) rules for Southland, were due to come into effect in May, but were deferred in March for one year, after the farming sector deemed them ‘unworkable’.

Last Thursday, the Government announced it’s now going to adopt almost all the changes put forward by the Southland Winter Grazing Advisory Group — which is made up of ag sector representatives.

A consultation document was also released and is now open for feedback on the Ministry for the Environment website. Submissions close on October 7. . .

Set stocking almost done. pic.twitter.com/eBB1UpT0oa

— Ben Dooley 🧢 (@BenDooley8) August 31, 2021

What New Zealand farmers can teach the world – Jacqueline Rowarth:

Global food security is on a razor’s edge, but Kiwi farmers can show other countries what can be achieved whilst continuing to make more improvements down on the farm, writes Jacqueline Rowarth.

Recent food price increases in New Zealand are small in comparison with the rest of the world. The 2.8 per cent increase to the year ended July 2021 in New Zealand is nothing in comparison with the 31.0 per cent reported for the global Food Price Index by the FAO over the same time frame.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, food insecurity worldwide was on the rise.

The Economist’s Intelligence Unit (EIU) Index released at the beginning of the year stated that the pandemic threatens to erase “progress made in the fight to eliminate global hunger and malnutrition”. . . 

Hawkes Bay farmers watching gathering signs of a third big dry – Sally Murphy:

Conditions in Hawke’s Bay are being described as extremely dry as farmers prepare for another warm, dry spring.

For the past two years the region has been in drought over summer and it is looking like farmers could face a third.

Hawke’s Bay Federated Farmers president Jim Galloway said they’ve only had about 280mm of rain so far this year.

“Underfoot it’s very dry, a lot drier than normal and certainly for this time of year. Some areas had a little bit of rain yesterday but it’s only enough to wet the top. . . 

Sun setting on another day. #farmlife Photo credit to Shazza! But (my cow) 😁 pic.twitter.com/IqicPuJsWd

— Brian Leahy (@BrianLeahy11) August 31, 2021

Farms left with 70,000 surplus pigs amid labour crisis:

Labour shortages at abattoirs have resulted in a surplus of 70,000 pigs on farms across the country, the National Pig Association has warned.

The lack of available workers at processing plants is causing a significant surplus of pigs stuck on farms, the trade body said.

Most plant workers – the majority being eastern European – have gone back to their home countries following Covid-19 travel restrictions and Brexit uncertainty.

Meanwhile, pig producers are continuing to struggle with record costs and negative margins that have persisted since the start of the year. . .