Category: Rural

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mitchel Hoare is pretty busy these days, with not only a 500-hectare farm to run and shares in a native plant nursery, but a new agricultural drone venture.

He and fellow farmer Andrew Blackmore set up King Country Ag Drones about six months ago.

They saw a gap in the market, bought some “state of the art equipment”, and “between the two of us, in our spare time, we’re giving this a crack”.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The big banks are responding to an ongoing drop in global dairy prices, with the ANZ the latest to trim its farmgate milk price.

ANZ has revised down its forecast to $9.65 per kilogram of milk solids for the 2025/26 season.

Against its previous forecast of $10.00/kgMS, the latest figure released on Friday represents a 3.5 percent downgrade in the expected payout.

This follows the lead of the BNZ which, on Thursday, revised its figure to $9.50/kgMS and the NZX, which lowered its forecast to $9.49 /kgMS.

ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly said dairy prices are coming under increasing downward pressure with surging global supply.

Since its high in May, the GDT Price Index has dropped 18 percent.

Global dairy prices, particularly butter, have dropped amid strong milk production in New Zealand and other major dairy exporting markets.

On top of that, whole milk powder prices have slumped nearly a quarter since May.

“Dairy prices peaked in May with the benchmark whole milk powder (WMP) prices well over USD4,470 a tonne, now whole milk powder is looking at USD3405,” Dilly said.

“The benchmark whole milk powder (WMP) price has dropped 23.8 percent over that time. But in our view, it’s butter that’s been driving the dairy market since early last year.

“Butter prices were really high last year and no one could make enough of it. Now everyone’s making too much of it.”

The production situation has improved this year in both the EU and the US. In both markets, the fat components of the milk are also rising strongly, which means more butter can be made from each litre of milk.

One mitigating factor for dairy farmers here is the weak New Zealand dollar.

All eyes in the rural sector will be on Fonterra’s quarterly update on December 4 when it also releases the first quarter FY2025 trading results.

The dairy co-operative is forecasting a midpoint of $10/kgMS but it too is likely to come under pressure to revise downward.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Warning: Readers may find these images distressing

Animal welfare activists, public submitters and the associate agriculture minister are still at odds around the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls at pig farms, amid the release of covert footage inside one.

The Ministry for Primary Industries was investigating what it called “minor animal welfare issues” at a South Taranaki pig farm, after activists released covert footage from inside the barn using farrowing crates.

MPI animal welfare inspectors visited the farm last week following a complaint it received from animal rights group SAFE relating to footage it received from ‘Grassroots Campaign’.

Videos showed large, lactating sows constrained in farrowing crates, unable to move beyond standing, one with a large open wound, some without water or dirty water only, and some biting the metal bars.

Piglets were able to access the sow for milk and lived separately in heated homes, but had no natural material like hay, and dead piglets were piled up in a rubbish bin.

SAFE chief executive Debra Ashton said farrowing crates were a cruel practice that should be banned, as previous governments had promised.

“That must be a horrible existence for those pigs in those conditions,” Ashton said.

“What we’ve really seen here is animal cruelty where pigs are confined in those crates that are so small, they can’t turn around, look after their piglets properly.

“These are conditions that are typical on a farm that is using farrowing crates, and that I think is our biggest concern that this is business as usual.”

Ashton said it received the footage externally from “brave people”, and conditions were kept behind closed doors without it.

“We’re not asking for anyone to enter a property to get footage. But out of frustration, we can see why people would do this.”

She said releasing the footage was not about victimising farmers.

“We are talking about a system that the government is allowing, we’re not trying to pick on individual farmers.”

Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard led legislative changes that sought to amend the minimum standards for pig farming that retained the use of both farrowing crates and mating stalls, but with slightly larger sizes and less time for pigs spent in them.

The select committee members reported back to Parliament on Tuesday that the changes could proceed without amendment.

Most public submissions opposed the legislative changes.

Hoggard said the new legislative changes aimed to maximise piglet survivability.

“I know a lot of people out there find the images reasonably confronting. However, that’s the whole goal of what it is we’re doing, is to actually minimize the time that sows spend in a farrowing crate down to just seven days.”

He said submissions on the changes were looked over for balance, but those affected by the changes like the pork industry must be considered.

“In terms of submissions, well, obviously the animal welfare organisations mobilised a whole bunch of people, and so yep, most of the submissions were opposed,” he said.

“But quite frankly, it’s not about the number of submissions for or against, because if that’s how we decided things in New Zealand, then we wouldn’t bother with a Parliament.

“At the end of the day, we have to make a call on what’s best for the country, and in terms of our pork industry.”

He said MPI investigated the farm, so it was an operational matter he could not specifically comment on.

The Taranaki farm in the videos was approached for comment.

MPI said the farm’s “minor welfare issues” were being addressed and inquiries and follow-up inspections were continuing.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The hunt for the cheapest fruit and vegetables by both supermarkets and shoppers is putting pressure on locally produced crops in New Zealand.

Over the past few months, well-known brand Wattie’s New Zealand of Hawke’s Bay made a series of cuts to local production, firstly of [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/573533/wattie-s-says-slicing-peach-production-in-hawke-s-bay-not-related-to-owner-s-split

canned peaches], then tomatoes, beetroot and corn.

A spokesperson for the brand, owned by American food giant Kraft Heinz, said it annually reviewed its crop intake to respond to market demand, increased competition from imported goods and rising input costs.

David Hadfield, chairman of grower group Process Vegetables (representing processors McCains, Wattie’s and Talley’s) said food quality and safety regulations on New Zealand farms were generally higher than in other countries.

But he said shoppers, supermarket buyers and others like rest home meal providers were instead buying based on price.

“I think the downswing at the moment is just a blip, really.”

He said when demand increased, which he was hopeful it would, so too would the area of crops grown locally.

“But as far as local fresh vegetables go, it seems to be a changing trend that there’s less and less going into shopping carts, that is a worrying trend.”

Hadfield said imported produce may be cheaper, but local growers needed to be viable to keep growing and support food security, in the face of high input and labour costs.

“I suspect it’s quite a lot cheaper than New Zealand-grown,” he said.

“In supermarkets, they’re looking to make money, so if they can buy something cheaper somewhere else, they will.

“Not to say that it’s as good as what they can buy locally, but the consumer doesn’t know that, so they push it through their home brands.”

Supermarkets importing for own brands

Supermarkets Foodstuffs and Woolworths imported fruit and vegetables for some of their canned homebrands, including Pams and Woolworths essentials.

Generally, they imported peaches from South Africa or China, beetroot from China, corn from Thailand and tomatoes from Italy.

Hadfield said production standards varied country by country, the use of labour in harvest times and safety measures on farm.

“You can understand why they do it, but quality wise, the New Zealand produce is probably better.”

A spokesperson for Foodstuffs said it sourced locally “wherever possible”, but international supplies helped keep prices affordable and supplies consistently available for shoppers.

“Wherever possible, we source from New Zealand producers, but in some categories, particularly canned fruit and vegetables, global sourcing allows us to maintain quality and price stability year-round,” it said.

“When local supply can’t meet the volumes we need, or when sourcing internationally helps us keep prices affordable without compromising quality, we’ll explore overseas options.”

A Woolworths spokesperson said it sourced canned fruit and vegetables from both the Northern and Southern hemisphere, following the seasonal harvests to ensure year-round supply.

“New Zealand has a limited number of manufacturers canning vegetable and fruit products, but we do stock branded options.”

It said its canned tomatoes were sourced from Italy for authenticity.

“We only source products that meet our quality and responsible sourcing requirements and we have established, long-standing and trusted relationships with our current global suppliers.”

Both supermarkets held their own responsible sourcing policies and rules for suppliers, who must also comply with rules and regulations from their own country.

Foodstuffs prohibited child labour, forced labour or modern slavery from suppliers, and also audited them by external firm Sedex.

These included suppliers identified as international “high-risk” sites – of which, 163 out of 165 had completed a recent “social audit”.

One of Woolworths New Zealand’s responsible sourcing rules was that suppliers must uphold worker rights.

“We take a risk-based approach to managing risk in our trade supply chain,” a spokesperson said.

“All trade suppliers, including those of vendor branded goods, are expected to have established arrangements and processes consistent with our commitment to upholding human rights, outlined in the Responsible Sourcing Policy.

“Sites in scope of our Responsible Sourcing Standards are subject to risk assessment, and their risk profile drives their due diligence requirements. These requirements may include self assessment questionnaires and third party Social compliance audits.”

Read more:

‘Exceptionally high’ amounts of risky imports into NZ

Social development and Christian not-for-profit organisation, Tearfund New Zealand warned that companies would not scrutinise their food import supply chains for modern slavery, until it was made into law.

Head of advocacy Claire Gray said globally, horticultural products were considered “risky goods” largely due to labour concerns and the industry’s reliance on migrant workers, however New Zealand employment standards were higher than in other countries.

She said there were historical reports of forced labour in some food exports from China, and organised crime connected to tomatoes from Italy.

“A few red flags on that list, for sure,” she said.

“The level of risky goods being imported into New Zealand is exceptionally high, and it’s getting worse because as other countries have this modern slavery reporting legislation.

“And so then a country like New Zealand runs the risk of becoming a dumping ground for all of those risky goods that can’t get into other markets where there are tighter regulations.”

Gray said other markets like the United Kingdom and the European Union had anti-slavery or forced labour legislation in force, while New Zealand did not.

The previous [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/494653/government-begins-drafting-modern-slavery-supply-chain-register-law

Labour Government] committed to introducing modern slavery legislation, but she said it never got over the line, though she remained hopeful it would.

“I think New Zealanders are being put in a really difficult position because at the moment, the responsibility to make an ethical choice, if you will, is falling completely on the shoulders of consumers because we don’t have a law requiring businesses to take action in this space.”

Gray said polling research showed it was not price that was the biggest inhibitor for New Zealand shoppers buying more ethically, but a lack of available information on how to.

Choices ‘limited’ for NZ ‘eaters’

Shoppers of canned or frozen fruit and vege were encouraged to learn where the product came from.

Angela Clifford of not-for-profit organisation, Eat New Zealand, said the situation with Wattie’s pulling back local production was the result of a consolidated horticulture industry, driven by profit.

“[Kraft Heinz’] purpose is to maximise profits for their shareholders, their purpose is not to support New Zealand food growers or eaters,” she said.

“So I think it’s an indictment on where our food system is up to.

“Our choices are being really significantly limited more and more now.”

Clifford said a short, local food supply chain would better support local farmers and empower “eaters”.

“There are a whole lot of other reasons that you might choose local food, like the food is being produced in a way that the workers who are producing the food are being looked after, better environmental credentials,” she said.

“Even if you’re after the best value, then I’d really encourage people to understand about how much their local food costs.”

She said people should do their homework when shopping around.

“And don’t believe the hype that food in supermarkets from elsewhere is necessarily the cheapest food.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Dairy prices have fallen again in the fortnightly global auction overnight.

The average price at the Global Dairy Trade auction fell 3 percent to US$3678 a tonne, the seventh consecutive fall.

It follows the 2.4 percent drop in the previous auction.

The GDT (Global Dairy Trade) Price Index was at its lowest level since August 2024.

The price of wholemilk powder, which strongly influences payouts for local farmers, fell 1.9 percent to US$3452 (NZ$6099) a tonne.

Butter prices fell more than 7.6 percent, while cheddar prices fell 2.7 percent, and skim milk powder fell 0.6 percent.

NZX head of dairy insights Cristina Alvarado said the auction reflected the ongoing imbalance between supply and demand globally.

“Milk availability is expected to remain solid in the near term, adding further pressure to prices if demand does not strengthen,” she said.

“Seasonally, buying interest often softens as markets approach the end of the calendar year and move into the Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Ramadan periods, with many buyers already having secured forward contracts.”

Last week the NZX lowered its 2025-26 season forecast from $9.80 to $9.68 a kilogram of milk solids.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A global trout-fishing movement for those undergoing treatment or living with cancer is providing relief for Kiwi men.

The Reel Recovery charity has recently wrapped up a retreat on the Tongariro River in the central North Island town of Tūrangi.

Fishing guides provided free one-on-one tuition in the art of fly casting over a weekend of fishing and camaraderie.

Tongariro River Motel owner Ross Baker has hosted the programme for the past five years, making a difference by forging a connection with nature.

“Paddy Walsh from Taranaki acted as the guide and took one fellow out who’d never cast a line in the river in his life,” Baker said. “By the end of the day, he’d caught six trout and was over the moon.”

Each course brings together about 10-12 men, fishing guides and volunteers. With all the gear provided, there’s no need to worry about buying waders, a rod or fishing licence.

It can be a slow burner for some taking part, but the clear blue water, birdsong and tranquility usually reels them in.

“Over the years, we’ve had others who have struggled, but quite a few have come back later, because they’ve just enjoyed the experience so much,” Baker said.

“They’ve realised, despite their health problems, it’s something that completely takes their mind away from their situation and it’s relief in that sense.”

The programme had its origins in the United States in the early 2000s. A group of avid Colorado fly-fishers noticed how fishing helped a friend cope with the emotional toll of cancer.

Reel Recovery facilitator Paul Klenner said, while the fishing was wonderful, it was vital for the men to acknowledge what they were going through.

He said the course was a safe place for men to heal, talk and listen, and there were benefits for family waiting at home.

“The wives and the children of these guys, when they go home, they have a new man,” Klenner said. “A different person comes back and that’s so important, because it affects community and everybody.”

The Casting for Recovery charity also helps women whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A Taranaki high school is training the next generation of primary industry workers.

Nearly half of the 800 students at Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth take part in the school’s primary industries programme.

As part of the programme, students even run a native plant nursery and are contracted to produce 10,000 plants a year for South Taranaki District Council.

The school operates its own 20-hectare beef farm where students apply classroom learning directly on the land – from stock work and fencing to sustainability projects.

The programme, led by Aimee Watkins, spans agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and sports turf, giving students pathways beyond traditional dairy.

Watkins said many students go straight into farm jobs or some kind of related studies at university.

“Agriculture is really, really big here. It’s a really important part of the whole school and it’s massively supported.

“We have our practical stream, they’ve got stock in the yards and they’re fencing, they’re spraying, all those sorts of things and then there’s the academic stream, so the agriscience, agribusiness kids as well.

“So they come through and do different things – whether it’s investigations or environment, sustainability, and it’s all teed up through their standards that they do.

“It’s a pretty full package being able to have the farm as well, so the kids are talking about it in class and then also doing it.

“It’s pretty special. It’s a pretty unique environment really for students.”

Gerard Kalin, a former student of the college, has been the farm manager since July.

Recently the farm had Halter’s virtual fencing technology and smart cow collars installed, so Kalin had been walking students through that.

“Just last week we put the collars on 25 15-month-olds, so we’re a week into it,” he said.

“Again, we’ve integrated all the boys to put the collars on and do all the work around it, erecting the tower that was dug by the students.

“Moving forward, it’s going to be a great concept, I think. If we can integrate that knowledge or system, the boys will be a good product when they leave here.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The takeover bid for honey exporter Comvita has failed after not enough shareholders approved of the offer.

The company’s board had vigorously pushed shareholders to vote in favour of a $56 million deal with Florenz, owned by Canterbury businessman Mark Stewart.

However, the bid failed to meet key thresholds needed for the scheme to pass.

To be approved, the scheme needed to be approved by at least 75 percent of votes cast by shareholders in each interest class, and by more than 50 percent of the total votes.

In the first interest class, which included Florenz Associates, 100 percent of votes were in favour.

In the second interest class, excluding Florenz Associates, 54.29 percent voted in favour and 45.71 percent against.

In total, 54.34 percent voted in favour, and 45.66 against.

Comvita’s board said it was working with lenders and advisers to work out next steps, and “all available options” would be considered.

“The board has been working with its advisers and banking partners to evaluate a range of funding options as part of its contingency planning,” chair Bridget Coates said.

She said the board wanted to assess options to recapitalise the company.

“This work is progressing with urgency and discipline to secure a solution that stabilises the business, positions it to grow again, and reduces ongoing risk to shareholders.

“Our duty is to act in the best interests of all shareholders and to ensure the path forward is fair, transparent and well-considered.”

The bid had attracted criticism from some, including Comvita’s co-founder Alan Bougen, who pushed to veto the scheme.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The cries of ‘bid’ keep coming from livestock agents, as the prices called out by the auctioneer continue to rise.

They carefully watch the crowd of farmers and onlookers for the subtle signs of someone wanting to buy, no matter the cost.

‘Sold’ comes the cry and with a clap of a clipboard, the deal is done and it’s onto the next pen of sheep for sale.

“Good ewes, good lambs, but boy, that’s big money,” Eric Linklater tells Country Life.

He’s given tours of the Feilding saleyards each Friday for more than 20 years, but he hasn’t seen prices like this in a long time.

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Located in the heart of the Manawatū town, the saleyards have a long history in the district.

They’re also the largest in the country, servicing farmers from all over – Linklater’s seen stock from Hokitika, cattle from D’Urville Island and the former farmer’s even bought sheep from Tokoroa.

“They cover a huge distance.”

It all started back in 1880, he explains, as the tour starts near the entrance to the yards.

“A pen of cattle were sold behind the Denbigh Hotel. Well, the Denbigh Hotel’s still here and still selling cattle.

“They were the second set of saleyards in Feilding and, by 1920 or so, there were 2829 sets of saleyards in the district. Of course, the drover and his dogs were the important method of transport between the yards.

“Nowadays, there are the trucks carrying over 1000 lambs and 400 ewes, we suddenly find that the yards have concentrated more on this area and all the minor yards in the smaller areas have gone.”

The yards have 350 sheep pens, 140 cattle pens and 45 deer pens, and more than 50,000 cattle and 450,000 sheep are sold here each year, through teams from PGG Wrightson and Carrfields.

Prime stock is sold at weekly sales on Mondays and store stock on Fridays, the day Country Life pays a visit.

Linklater says prices at the moment are “very strong”, with the yards turning over more than $2 million dollars each week.

“[PGG Wrightson], for example, used to shout their auctioneers every time they hit the three million mark at one sale, but they don’t do it now, because they hit it too often.”

Linklater started the tours 20 years ago to help foster connections between urban and rural New Zealand. These days. his clients are increasingly international.

Open to the public, the saleyards also attract plenty of local onlookers.

The tour kicks off at the sheep pens just after 11am. By now, most farmers have been through to have a look at what’s on offer.

It’s a social event as much as a business one, Linklater says, as he deftly weaves his way through the crowds of chatting farmers and visitors, wandering dogs and even a few runaway sheep.

“At this time of year, of course, you’re starting to see the tail-end of the sheep, because farmers are flat out lambing and most of the lambs have already been sold.

With so few lambs about, prices are higher – a classic tale of supply and demand, he says. The top lambs at today’s sale will fetch $226 a head.

“Broadly speaking, they’re paying something like $10 a kilo on the hooks and they’d be sort of 4550 kilo lambs, so you’re talking about $250 on the hooks.”

It’s a similar story in the cattle market where prices average about $1700 a head with a maximum price of $3590.

It makes for a tough time being a buyer like local Feilding farmer Alan McLeod who came to the yards looking for rising two-year-old steers and heifers to fatten and finish on his property.

“It’s frightening buying,” he tells Country Life.

“You just got to face the market. Yeah, everybody’s going to have grass. We’re quite dry, Manawatū is dry, and we’re right on the verge of the spring boost.”

The sales have also brought out-of-towners like Vic Caskey from Taranaki, also in the market for two-year-old steers and “something to grow”.

“There’s not much going on at Taranaki at the moment, so [we] have to go further afield.

“[It’s] very expensive, but if you get the right ones, the margins are still there, as long as you work out what you can sell them for, so you know your margins are safe or safe-ish is all you can do.”

Learn more:

• You can learn more about the tours here.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The ebbs and flows of farming are expected to be exacerbated by future climate change effects, including more volatile weather and strained water resources, a new study has found.

Research consultancy firm Kōmanawa Solutions ran 295 million weather simulations with past weather data on a catchment in North Canterbury to understand how climate change will impact farmers’ bottom lines in the next decade.

It combined climate data, pasture growth models, farm economic models and stream health models to identify where farmers’ resilience was likely to be “overwhelmed” by climate and global volatility.

The purpose of the five-year project – supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Fund – was to help farmers, regional councils, government and banks plan ahead for adaptation support.

The report found farm production and profitability were already affected by climate change, and the risk of financial instability was set to increase over time.

Water resource scientist and Kōmanawa founder Zeb Etheridge, who wrote the report, said water resources will be under greater pressure in a warming climate.

“As our climate continues to become more volatile, we expect the effects to become much more negative, with bad years becoming worse and more frequent,” Etheridge said.

The report found irrigated dairy farms were particularly at risk because water supplies were expected to become less reliable in areas with high usage pressures.

Etheridge said regulators should not look back to historical climate and river flow data to understand climate risks, but forward to understand the changing climate.

“That’s really what we’ve been trying to do with this work is give people an idea of how different things could be and give them the information to make more informed decisions.”

North Canterbury is home to a large irrigation scheme off the Waimakariri River, which is restricted during times of low river flows.

However, a new water storage facility proposal north of the Hurunui River by firm Amuri Irrigation is being considered by the Canterbury Regional Council.

Etheridge said North Canterbury farmers could reduce their stocking rates to better manage climate variability in the next decade.

“Our research says that in a lot of instances, dropping your stock numbers is probably going to make you a bit more resilient and improve your financial performance long term.

“Farmers might not make quite so much money in those good years, but they’ll be much more cushioned from the effects of those bad years.”

He said storing water will provide some resilience to farmers, but was not a silver bullet.

“Putting a water storage system on your farm like a pond to give you some more irrigation reliability, that can cushion you from the effects of climate change, but it can also increase your vulnerability to the broader volatility that we see in commodity prices, interest rates and so on. So you can increase your exposure on a financial side.

“It’s a big investment and I think people should be very wary about making those decisions from looking at past records of hydrology and climate and assuming that things are going to be the same, because they’re going to be different. The question is just how different.”

The research will be presented at the international Adaptation Futures conference in Ōtautahi/Christchurch from October 13-16.

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