Dylan George Manthey, 30, was sentenced in the Palmerston North District Court today on three charges of ill-treatment of sheep under the Animal Welfare Act, following a prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

He pleaded guilty to all charges. The end sentence also took into account two driving offences he had been charged with by Police.

How the Investigation Began

The case stems from a nationwide investigation MPI launched in December 2024, after animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) provided the ministry with 560 hours of video footage showing sheep being abused by shearers.

MPI Director of Investigations and Compliance Support Gary Orr says today's sentencing is the first outcome of that investigation.

"We spent thousands of hours studying video footage of shearing operations and Mr Manthey was identified in footage deliberately abusing lambs on three occasions. This is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations."

What the Footage Showed

Footage captured at shearing sheds in South Canterbury showed Manthey lift a lamb to shoulder height and throw the animal headfirst onto the hard wooden shearing platform.

On the same day, he was also captured grabbing another lamb by both front legs, swinging the animal and throwing it over a pen wall more than a metre high.

"A veterinarian who viewed the video footage says the abuse would have caused unnecessary pain and distress to these lambs," Orr says.

On a separate day, at different shearing sheds, Manthey was captured on video grabbing a lamb by its back and neck and throwing it forcefully at the wooden doors of a pen — an act Orr says would have caused similar pain and distress.

MPI Response

Orr says the majority of shearers do not resort to abusing animals, even when the work is physically demanding.

"We know the vast majority of shearers don't resort to abusing an animal when the work is challenging. When we find evidence of deliberate abuse, we take action."

Three other shearers identified through the investigation remain before the court, facing charges under the Animal Welfare Act.

Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

MPI says animal welfare is everyone's responsibility and is encouraging members of the public who are aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone, 0800 008 333.

Over the past 12 months, the organisation delivered 1,277,241 mince and milk meals through a nationwide network of foodbanks, pushing the total number of meals distributed since its 2020 launch past 4.2 million.

The milestone lands at a critical moment. Recent figures show one in three New Zealand households experienced food insecurity in the past year, and 68% of those households say they only began struggling to afford enough food within the last 12 months.

A Shifting Face of Need

Zellara Holden, general manager of Meet the Need, says the charity is seeing a marked shift in who is turning up to foodbanks for help.

"These aren't just the families people might traditionally expect to need food support," Holden says. "They're working families, rural households and people who have never had to ask for help before."

Holden says the cost of living is the driving force behind this change.

"The cost of living continues to put enormous pressure, on household budgets, and nutritious protein is often one of the first things families stop buying. That's why the work we do has never been more important."

Connecting Farmers with Families

Meet the Need was founded with the aim to connect New Zealand food producers directly with families experiencing hardship.

The charity works alongside farmers, processors, transport companies, foodbanks, businesses and donors to get beef mince and milk to those who need it most.

Key results from the 2025/26 year

• 1,277,241 mince and milk meals delivered
• 148 foodbanks supported nationwide, up from 135 the previous year
• Over 4.2 million meals delivered since the charity launched in 2020

Demand Still Outpacing Supply

Despite the record year, Meet the Need says growth in impact hasn't kept pace with growth in need.

Foodbanks across the country report more first-time users, longer waitlists, and rising demand specifically for protein.

"The reality is that while we've increased our impact, the need has grown even faster," Holden says.

"Every meal delivered is only possible because of the generosity of New Zealand farmers, our corporate and community partners, volunteers and individual donors," she says. "This report is a celebration of what we've achieved together, but it's also a reminder that our work is far from over."

'The Challenge Isn't Supply, It's Connection'

Meet the Need chair Nick Fisher says the solution lies in collaboration across the agricultural sector.

"New Zealand grows enough food to feed everyone," Fisher says. "The challenge isn't supply, it's connection."

"Meet the Need exists to bridge that gap, ensuring quality New Zealand protein reaches families who otherwise couldn't afford it."

How to Help

Meet the Need is calling on more farmers, businesses and everyday New Zealanders to get involved - whether by donating livestock, milk or cash, or by partnering with the charity directly.

"Our mission is simple," Holden says. "Together, we can ensure more Kiwi families have access to nutritious protein during some of the hardest times in their lives."

"With demand continuing to grow, we need more people alongside us to make that happen," she concludes.

It has announced Southland dealer principal Heath Kendall as a 50% JV partner in Power Farming Southland.

It marks a new chapter for PF Southland and reflects the company’s long-standing philosophy of combining strong local leadership and ownership with the scale, expertise and support of the wider Power Farming Group.

Heath joins a growing group of JV partners across the Power Farming network, creating a model where local owners are directly invested in the customers, teams and communities they serve.

The company says since he joined, Heath has built a strong reputation for his commitment to customers, leadership and development of high-performing teams across the Southland region.

Under his leadership, it says the Invercargill and Gore operations have continued to build strong relationships with farmers, contractors and rural businesses throughout the region, backed by leading agricultural machinery brands and strong local parts and service support.

Power Farming chief executive Tom Ruddenklau said Heath’s appointment reflects the company’s belief that investing in great people is fundamental to building strong, sustainable businesses.

“One of the things that makes Power Farming unique is our commitment to creating genuine pathways to business ownership for outstanding leaders,” Ruddenklau said.

“Heath has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, strong commercial capability and an unwavering commitment to his customers, his team and the Southland community.

“Having local owners who are deeply invested in the success of their region creates stronger businesses, better outcomes for our customers and long-term stability.”

The latest 4.0 version is said to make work significantly easier, provide efficient management and extensive logistics support, and contribute to consistently high feed quality, displaying locations of fields and clamps, organising process sequences, alongside tracking and guiding machines, all in real time with a clear and intuitive user interface.

Delivered in real time, the subscription-free system utilises Pottinger Connect telemetry units installed on each machine, in ISOBUS or non-ISOBUS equipped tractors, to turn mowers, rakes, balers and loader wagons into smart machines that communicate with the Harvest Assist App.

Machine data is continuously made available in real time to everyone in the harvesting group, giving all group participants insight into key harvest data such as transport and working times, the process status of each field, and the amount of crop that has been harvested.

Regardless of the business, everyone can see what each machine is doing at any given moment, in addition, the nutrient requirement of each field can be calculated by comparing the annual forage growth.

Drilling down even deeper, the app displays the location, position and status of each swath in an intuitive map that is always up-to-date. High density points in the swath are also clearly marked, so the driver can adjust forward speed to avoid blockages.

When used with a baler, the bale map provides the exact location of every bale, alongside the key metrics of weight and moisture content. This is said to be useful for deciding the sequence in which the bales are collected and stored. For contractors, the app displays the exact baling time per bale, loading time per load, as well as performance data such as output per hectare, plus the working time and transport time of other machines such as mowers and rakes.

www.originag.co.nz

The Czech manufacturer has a history dating back 80 years, with its first tractors built in 1946, driven by a philosophy of robust, simple to operate and practical tractors, with attractive pricing, leading to familiar models such as Crystal, Proxima and Forterra.

They also lay claim to being one of the first tractor manufacturers to fit what we know as safety frames.

Róbert Harman, CEO of Zetor Tractors comments in a recent press release, “Manufacturing small and medium-sized tractors up to 130hp in Europe no longer makes economic sense under the current conditions”.

He says, due to high energy prices, labour costs and, above all, material costs, they are no longer as competitive as they need to be, so must change the way they operate.

“Zetor cannot subsidise production in Europe. We must manufacture where we can generate profits and invest in further development.”

Brno will continue to serve as the company’s headquarters, continuing to develop its engineering, sales and service operations, including the sales, assembly and logistics of spare parts for tractors previously sold to customers. R&D will also remain in Brno and continue to design, develop and expand its range in response to demand for new models

The company says it will continue to offer tractors for the European market, currently developing two tractor ranges that will be manufactured by Zetor India under a joint venture with VST, the first to be launched in Europe in 2027. Zetor is also seeking a manufacturing partner in China and preparing its own production plant in Asia to ensure greater independence in manufacturing.

The company notes that it will continue to retain key components from proven suppliers, including front axles from Carraro, Carraro and ZF transmissions, Mita hydraulics, Fritzmeier cabs, and Deutz and Cummins engines, specifically for the European market.

Many of these key components are already being manufactured in Asia with lower material costs, so relocating the entire tractor production closer to these key suppliers will enable the company to remain competitive in European markets, achieve greater profitability and generate resources for the further development of the brand.

“Our goal is to export approximately 5000 tractors from both India and China within the next five years,” says Harman.

Here in New Zealand, Zetor tractors were assembled and distributed by Motor Holdings at their Takanini facility, with the first 1000 sold over seven years and a further 1000 units over the next three years. Distribution moved to CB Norwood in 1987 and to Hamilton-based Doug McFarlane in 1982.

www.zetor.com 

While traditional GPS guidance systems ensure machinery stays straight in the paddock, follow up after any job is completed leaves operators and their customers reliant on separate applications or systems to monitor the whole operation.

To bridge this gap, Tabula (formerly Trac- Map) has released its new agricultural contractor service offering designed to support endto- end operations.

The platform is focused on connecting field operations seamlessly to the back office, so moving beyond GPS guidance to integrate entire operations, from the office to the cab and the team on foot, into one unified system.

This single source of data is said to remove the friction of administrative double-handling and app-switching, giving contractors the operational clarity needed to drive efficiency, protect their teams, and secure their profitability.

Tabula’s latest release introduces new innovations that map directly to a contractor’s daily schedule, including an operational checklist for every job to ensure safety, risk assessment, and asset checks directly to the Field Support App, while capturing operator responses on the go.

Tabula Navigate, said to be an industry first, gets operators from job to job by providing routes including custom hazard data, automatically re-routing where necessary to keep teams moving. A new Field Support App extends the tools beyond the cab and allows workers on foot to keep in touch with job progress and the wider team, greatly increasing connectivity, while Task Management enables users to track tasks beyond the vehicle via Tabula Online or the Field Support App.

Other new features include Tabula Messaging that allows workers to communicate, share images and updates directly referencing the work, keeping teams aligned without switching apps.

Meanwhile, Timesheets connect fields to offices, with employees logging work hours and breaks in the Field Support App, allowing managers to review, approve and export for payroll. In addition, Field Data Capture keeps records up to date, creating data collection points for fuel tanks, materials and locations for live management of inventories without logbooks, in one place.

By capturing data endto- end as it happens in the field, the system is said to ensure reporting of accurate job and timesheet records to flow seamlessly into trusted partner ecosystems like Xero.

Visit www.tabula.live/ag-contracting-new-tools-landing 

The second quarter has been one of building momentum over each month, likely driven by the increased confidence in all sectors, with substantial price gains across the board.

June tractor deliveries of 274 units saw an 18.6% increase ahead of last year's 231 tractors, with distributors reporting a consistency of orders and deliveries in new tractors and machinery, with some leads resulting in discussions over an extended timescale.

The second quarter result was reported as solid across both Islands, with the North Island 7.5% ahead and the South Island a strong 16.6% ahead of last year.

Interestingly, in the North Island, tractor sales were dominated by the 100-150hp and 150-200hp categories, each up by 33.8% and 60% over 2025, while in the South Island, the 40-100hp category climbed by 250% and 100-150hp sector rose by 35.9% ahead of last year.

A rolling 12-month report sees total deliveries sitting at 3222 vs 2928 units over the same period in 2025.

TAMA represents New Zealand's commercial tractor and machinery industry, reporting retail delivery statistics from around 97% of the tractor market and 80% of the machinery sector, supplied by data from its members.

Visit www.tama.org.nz 

Featuring a 6.7 litre, six-cylinder FPT engine with Dynamic Power, the 8.240, 8.270 and 8.290 models offer rated outputs of 240, 270 and 290hp, boosting to maximums of 264, 291 and 313hp with Dynamic Power and torque ratings of 1132, 1215 and 1283Nm respectively.

Scheduled oil changes are extended from 600 to 750 hours, filter replacement is also extended from 150 to 300 operating hours and a new five year or 5000- hour component warranty covers key items.

A new frontal design, with an optional backlit Claas logo between the headlights, takes its lead from the Axion 9 CMATIC, with the option of a backlit Claas logo, while the new, fully suspended cabin - again from the Axion 9 - is said to have reduced noise levels to a maximum of 67dB(A).

Looking at the CVT, the system is said to rely on existing hardware, while the electronic drivetrain management system has been redeveloped. Like the larger Axion 9 series, operators can use a drive controller to switch between driving directions, alongside choosing between pedal, joystick and PTO modes without any changes in engine or vehicle speed.

Meanwhile, the Auto Load Anticipation function, awarded a silver medal at Agritechnica 2025, continuously and proactively optimises engine speed and gear shifting based on a selflearning algorithm and multiple efficiency maps for the engine, transmission, hydraulics and auxiliary units.

The system detects potential load spikes in advance, such as when lowering an implement into the ground, in advance, proactively increasing engine speed or adjusting gear shifts before the spike occurs.

Claas has released details of the new, three model, Axion 8 CMATIC range.

Cabin size is around three cubic metres, with the seat swivelling system offering up to 50 degrees of movement, while operational monitoring uses three high-resolution digital cameras, with the ability to zoom in and out or pan the camera, with a swipe of the finger.

A camera between the front headlights ensures greater safety when exiting blind access roads or entering junctions, along with making it easier also makes it easier to attach front implements or front weight blocks.

New premium seats with massage function, seat ventilation and seat heater are available as options, alongside the new 360-degree lighting concept that provides up to 22 LEDs, offering a maximum of 56,000 lumens. Maximum rear lift capacity is rated at 9.7 tonnes (8.240) or 10.2 tonnes (8.270 and 8.290).

www.claasharvestcentre.com 

I'm often asked what my next is going to be. My response is that people are probably bored with reading "obvious" stuff. Mind you, if farmers are questioned about these topics, it turns out that some don't always have a good understanding.

So, for those who might be unaware, I'm now going to discuss the intricacies of livestock breeding where certain aspects are described as "phenomena".

One that is commonly known about concerns hybrid vigour, which involves the "effect" of crossbreeding animals, resulting in offspring that outperform the parent breeds.

Another enigma concerns a sire's prepotency. Meaning his capacity to transmit superior genetic traits. This is a quick quick way of improving the entire flock or herd. But not all sires are prepotent, so it is necessary to progeny test the offspring from his first mating, to be sure they have inherited his good dominant points.

An alternate method of influencing breeding outcome involves “close” breeding (linebreeding), which can cause genetic characteristics to be firmly “fixed” (homogeny) and become ingrained.

The thing to understand is that linebreeding describes the process of breeding among animals that are related. Whereas “inbreeding” is a more extreme version – to the point of close relatives such as father to daughter or brother to sister. Nature will allow only so much of that before birth deformities, health problems and a reduction in fertility sets in.

Whilst linebreeding can produce remarkable results as far as inherited ancestral genetics go, you need to be aware that this applies to good and bad – so it’s important that standards are set.

Something else intriguing as regards farming cattle is “compensatory growth”. This is the ability to gain weight faster than usual in the spring, to make up for lack of weight gain over winter. Even to the extent of catching up with animals which were well fed all winter.

But that doesn’t mean you can get away with starving cattle. They always require an adequate maintenance diet. The thing is, if cattle are not unsettled by a feeding out routine, and not run in big mobs, they survive quite well by nibbling on short grass all day.

Anyway, we used to buy steers in the autumn, to winter before finishing in the spring. And to get them through, we had 15,000 bales of hay stored in barns – which meant spending all spring making hay, then all winter feeding it out. And on top of that, we’d grow crops of chowmollier. As well as having big stacks of silage.

But with all that work and expense, I soon twigged that it would make more sense to carry less over winter, with no supplementary feeding – and rely on compensatory growth in the spring.

And then money saved in expenses would go towards buying extra cattle in early spring. Cattle in hard condition off hill country. In other words, I’d let some other fool struggle through the winter with them.

So those, along with the ones I’d carried through, would be lightly set-stocked among the ewes as soon as they’d dropped their lambs. Then after weaning, the cattle would have the good flat paddocks to themselves, in order for compensatory weight gain to do its thing.

Note: this will only work satisfactorily using quality bred cattle with potential to perform.

Kerry Butler farms in Waipawa, Central Hawke’s Bay

Held last month, the Farm2Future educational camp, funded by Rabobank and run by Lincoln University, brought togethr Year 12 students from 20 schools nationwide.

During the programme, participants visited a range of agribusinesses throughout Canterbury, including Rakaia Island Dairy Farm, Oakley's Premium Fresh Vegetables, PGG Wrightson, Original Foods, Zentera Wool Company, and Foodstuffs.

Students also attended a presentation by Sudeley Angus and Sheep Stud, heard from a panel of young agribusiness professionals about their roles and career pathways, and toured Lincoln University to gain further insight into agricultural education.

Rabobank Upper South Island client council chair and Oakley's founder Robin Oakley said Farm2Future was originally developed by Rabobank and Lincoln University in response to a need to raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities available within New Zealand's food and fibre sector among secondary school students.

B+LNZ has been monitoring whole-farm sales for afforestation for several years.

Kate Acland, B+LNZ chair, says the latest figures bring the total area of whole sheep and beef farms sold for forestry since 1 January 2017 to almost 330,000 hectares - equivalent to 3,300 square kilometres, or roughly six times the size of urban Auckland.

Another 30,000 Hectares Gone to Trees

New analysis by Orme & Associates found an additional 30,000 hectares of whole sheep and beef farms have been confirmed as sold for forestry since B+LNZ's previous research was released last year.

Revised confirmed sales for 2024 added 11,482 hectares, bringing the revised 2024 total to 41,966 hectares.

A further 15,743 hectares were sold in 2025, a figure expected to rise as additional sales are confirmed through the Overseas Investment Office.

"While we are pleased that total sales have slowed from the height of conversions to forestry in 2021 and 2022, when almost 64,000 hectares were sold each year, we remain concerned that too much is still going to occur," Acland says.

On Track to Lose a Million Hectares by 2050

According to the report, 27,000 hectares of sheep and beef land could still be converted to forestry each year under the restrictions introduced on whole farms entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Before 2018, when it was signalled that the cap on the carbon price would be lifted, average annual conversion was 7,000 hectares or less.

"27,000 hectares a year, combined with how much has already happened, would see New Zealand lose a million hectares of productive pastoral land by 2050, which is unsustainable for our sector, our rural communities and the country," Acland says.

She says restrictions introduced in 2025 are welcome but did not go far enough.

"We are concerned they do not go far enough and we will be keeping a close eye on ongoing levels of afforestation."

"Not Anti-Forestry" - But Right Tree, Right Place

Acland says B+LNZ is not opposed to forestry and supports the integration of trees within farms.

"Forestry presents an important and well-established diversification opportunity for farmers," she says. "Farmers know their land and can plant the right trees in the right places, without affecting overall levels of production."

Jobs Every Year vs a Payday Once a Generation

The research builds on earlier analysis by BERL, which found that sheep and beef farms generate employment and export revenue continuously each year, while forestry mainly generates employment and export revenue at harvest - typically 25 to 30 years after planting.

In 2025, New Zealand's red meat sector generated $17.5 billion, or 4% of GDP, and supported 120,580 jobs, equivalent to 5% total employment in New Zealand.

B+LNZ says converting productive farms to forestry makes it harder for rural communities to retain people and skills, which in turn reduces local spending, school rolls, rural services and future food-producing capacity.

The organisation estimates more than two million stock units have been lost to afforestation since 2017.

The conversation about our economy often focuses on increasing productivity, along with food and fibre export growth, to compete in increasingly demanding global markets. Yet to achieve that growth, we must also ensure the roads, rail lines, ports and freight connections that underpin our economy are able to keep up.

Food and fibre exports are forecast to earn close to $60 billion this year. Those earnings don't happen by accident. They depend on products moving efficiently from farms and orchards to processors, ports and on to international markets.

Transport infrastructure is a core economic enabler and the foundation upon which productivity, export performance and economic competitiveness are built. As a country, we have an opportunity to keep strengthening that foundation through long-term planning, targeted investment and close partnership between government, industry and communities.

At Ballance, we rely heavily on an integrated network of ports and internal transport options to distribute nutrients throughout the country. Fertiliser may be manufactured, imported, processed, stored and moved through multiple locations before it reaches a farm.

When a rail line closes, roads are damaged or port capacity is constrained, the effects have an immediate effect on our supply chain. The consequences aren't always visible to consumers, but farmers feel them quickly.

Farmers don't need reminding that a missed fertiliser application impacts pasture growth and delayed nutrient delivery affects crop establishment.

Disruptions create uncertainty at exactly the time farmers are trying to make the best decisions for their businesses.

The same applies when it comes time to move food and fibre products out of New Zealand.

Around 99% of our international trade by volume moves through ports, and we are more dependent on maritime freight than almost any developed economy.

That reliance creates an opportunity to take a more coordinated, long-term view of port capacity, investment priorities and freight planning.

Constraints make it harder to efficiently use shipping capacity across multiple ports, reducing the resilience and flexibility of the wider freight network. A network approach that utilises both large and regional ports is likely to serve New Zealand better.

Rail presents similar opportunities. This is not simply about competition between modes; New Zealand's supply chain works best when they operate together.

Road transport will always remain essential, particularly for first and last mile freight movements. But rail can provide capacity, efficiency and resilience for moving large freight volumes over longer distances. Every tonne moved efficiently by rail helps strengthen the overall freight system and removes strain on our roading network.

For many years, infrastructure planning has had to respond to immediate pressures as well as longer-term needs. The opportunity now is to build on the work already underway and ensure decisions are increasingly strategic, evidence-based and focused on the future freight network New Zealand will need.

We welcome the Government's response and bipartisan support for the National Infrastructure Plan, particularly a commitment to action on improving long-term planning, asset management and investment decision-making.

For agriculture, this focus is important. Having reliable roads, rail, ports and freight connections help ensure inputs can reach farms efficiently and means New Zealand's food and fibre exports can continue to reach global markets with confidence. Stronger transport connections would improve productivity, strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce costs and support economic growth. Most importantly, it would help ensure New Zealand can continue to compete in global markets.

The food and fibre sector continues to make a significant contribution to the New Zealand economy. Farmers, growers and exporters are working hard to deliver for the country while adapting to changing market conditions, cost pressures and regulatory expectations.

There is a clear opportunity to support that contribution by ensuring the transport infrastructure the sector relies on is resilient, efficient and fit for the future. If we are serious about growing exports, lifting productivity and creating prosperity for future generations, infrastructure needs to remain a shared national priority.

David Healy is Ballance Agri-Nutrients general manager operations, sourcing and supply

For the first time in the competition's history, two of this year's winners are already Halter customers, after the company invited existing farmers to apply alongside new customers for the first time.

Halter says the two customer winners were recognised for the results they've achieved and the way they've put the technology to work on-farm.

A Nationwide Field

The six winners span the length of New Zealand, from hill country beef operations in the Waikato, Rangitikei and Southland, to dairy farms in Taranaki, Southland and North Canterbury.

Halter says the decision to grow this year's field to six winners, after opening applications to existing customers for the first time, was a way to give back to the farmers who have been on the journey with the business so far - recognising them alongside new customers rather than choosing between the two.

The company says the expanded list reflects a business that wants to celebrate not just farmers coming on board, but the ones already achieving standout results and shaping where Halter goes next.

The 2026 Winners

Nick & Kath Riley — Waikato (Beef, existing Halter customer)

Everyday hill country farmers with succession on the horizon, Nick and Kath have been Halter customers for just over a year.

Since coming on board, they've lifted pasture utilisation, improved live weight gain and sheep production, and are tracking a 4:1 return on their Halter investment.

Their One Year Free win will help fund a water infrastructure project shaped directly by the insights they've gathered through Halter.

Adam McManaway — North Canterbury/Kaikoura (Dairy, existing Halter customer)

Adam had been a Halter customer for just three months when recent Kaikoura flooding hit his farm, washing out boundary fences and blanketing much of his pasture in sediment.

With significant feed to bring in this year to get back near his usual pasture performance, Adam plans to use Halter to closely track pasture recovery and make fast, informed decisions about where and how he grazes his herd as the farm rebuilds.

Marty & Sophie Keegan — Taranaki (Dairy)

Marty runs the day-to-day of the farm solo, sharemilking on Sophie's family farm in Taranaki while Sophie works full time off-farm.

A trained mechanical engineer and 2025 Dairy Manager of the Year, he brings a numbers-driven approach to every part of the operation, from calving to cashflow.

The couple are working toward farm ownership and are already heavily invested in the future of dairying in North Taranaki.

Katie & Grayson Cooper — Rangitikei (Beef)

Katie and Grayson recently completed succession on the family farm, taking over with their young family in tow.

Farming tough hill country, they're focused on lifting production without adding extra labour, and see untapped potential in the property.

Their plans include growing their cattle stocking rate and shifting further into cattle, guided by data at each step.

Bernadette & Alistair Hunt — Southland (Beef)

Farming in Southland since the early 2000s, Bernadette and Alistair have built a reputation as "renovators of the land," turning a rundown farm into a thriving, profitable operation.

Having recently purchased a second block, they're set to grow their herd to 400 head, with a clear strategy for what they want Halter to help them achieve.

Hayden Smith & Isla Pringle — Southland (Dairy)

At just 26, Hayden and Isla recently bought their first farm after four years sharemilking on the property, reaching farm ownership well ahead of schedule.

Named Share Farmers of the Year for their region in 2025, the pair are data-driven, focused on pasture utilisation on a farm where 30 percent of the land regularly floods, and active advocates for young farmers entering the industry.

Why The Expanded Field Matters

Halter says this year's expanded list reflects the breadth of farmers it works alongside, from those just starting their Halter journey to long-standing customers achieving standout results. 

Farms affected by extreme weather, families navigating succession, and young farmers stepping into ownership all feature among this year's winners — underlining, according to Halter, the range of challenges New Zealand farmers are tackling and the role technology can play in helping them through it.

Instead, New Zealand received only a modest tremor: a letter from Climate Change Minister Simon Watts to regional and district councils. It politely draws attention to the issue and "expects" councils to review their climate assumptions. This low-key response falls short of what is needed.

The background matters. In 2014 the IPCC developed four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs): RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5. In its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6, 2021), it updated these into Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The key scenarios include SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5.

The low-numbered pathway assumes strong global action and attaining net zero. The high-numbered one projects explosive emissions growth, including burning more coal than known reserves. The world's actual trajectory sits closer to the lower-to-intermediate range - nowhere near the extremes of the 8.5 pathways.

Crucially, the 8.5 scenarios were never intended as likely futures or "business as usual". They were designed as high-end stress tests. Yet they have repeatedly been treated as the default in modelling. This shows up across New Zealand: in Kapiti Coast planning, where thousands of properties face exaggerated sea-level rise risks; in projections of the sea lapping at Parliament's steps by 2100; and in agricultural policy. The New Zealand Agricultural Greenhous Gas Research Centre and programmes like AgriZero rely on RCP8.5 assumptions to justify major methane reduction targets and spending.

This pattern repeats in councils and government agencies nationwide. When extreme scenarios drive policy, the result is often over-regulation, inflated infrastructure costs, and misallocated resources.

Contrast this with Minister Erica Stanford's decisive action on an MBIE project plagued by cost overruns and zero results. She pulled the plug. Minister Watts and the government should show similar resolve. Rather than layering on new spending - such as the $51 million Early Adoption Accelerator for methane vaccines and boluses - they should direct a full reset: redraw all climate policies and planning using realistic, evidence-based scenarios grounded in measurable data and current trajectories.

New Zealand has faced severe weather events in recent years. Yet the IPCC itself notes limited evidence for detecting and attributing a clear human influence on many of these specific events in our region. Despite this, public discourse often defaults to alarm, amplified by models built on discredited high-end assumptions. It is no wonder many Kiwis believe cattle burps and V8 engines are the primary culprits.

A country grappling with economic pressures cannot afford billions on policies anchored in implausible scenarios that deliver no measurable global benefit. The responsible path forward is clear: prioritise robust adaptation to the climate variability we have always faced, informed by the best available science and probable futures - not worst-case fantasies. This approach has sustained humanity for millennia and remains far more cost-effective than chasing symbolic reductions with negligible real-world impact.

New Zealand's policies must reflect reality, not outdated modelling. The data demands it. Our economy and communities deserve no less.

Neil Henderson is a sheep and beef farmer in Gisborne and a founding member of Methane Science Accord.

Apparently, cement is so vital it must be manufactured here. Relying on foreigners is far too risky. Bingo: Fletcher Challenge wins lotto without even buying a ticket. But just down the road, the refinery shutters are up with the for-sale sign on the front lawn.

Relying on imported fuel is not risky. So, we don't need a refinery.

We can do without local fuel, but we must have local concrete. Even if that was true, which it obviously isn't (unless you believe that one and one make eleven), the money should be a loan.

Over the years, successive governments have bailed out Air New Zealand to the tune of $1.3 billion, but they swapped cash for equity. So, now we taxpayers own most of a high-risk airline that goes broker on a regular basis and is a major contributor to catastrophic climate change. Lucky us. Owning a cement factory is slightly smarter than owning an airline, but why are we giving a free lunch to a company that has a track record as impressive as a three-legged racehorse?

Investing in the wool industry would be smart, producing useful climate-friendly goods that replace harmful plastics and employ thousands. But no, like NZ Steel, Fletcher Challenge get free carbon credits to the tune of millions of dollars a year and a $60 million gift as well.

In Taranaki they're planning a $1 billion gas import terminal. The gas is coming from foreigners no different from the ones we don't trust to supply us with cement. We're paying the bill, so we're owed an explanation. Gas and petrol are sourced from unstable tyrannical regimes who go to war with one another on a regular basis. Cement can be purchased from peaceful democracies.

So, shouldn't we import cement and manufacture our own energy?

Even the Green Party agrees.

The Greens have long believed one and one makes seventeen, but they do suggest the billion dollars would be better spent making energy onshore out of on water wind and sunshine.

But then who's talking fair play level playing fields and logic in an election year? Ninety per cent of voters live in the cities, so we country folk are electorally irrelevant, ignored and marginalised accordingly.

The reason the Government is giving money to cement rather than, for example, rescuing the besieged fruit and vegetable growers of Hawke's Bay, is politics and the coming election.

Northland is NZ First territory and National need NZ First to form the next government, assuming they get enough support to be in the running.

Keeping the north happy and safe for the coalition is important, while Hawke's Bay is allocated grumpy agriculturists and no subsidies. Once again, a clear demonstration of politicians prioritising short-term power grabs over the long-term health of the nation.

The question is, will it ever change or will we go sliding down the tables of wellbeing, wealth and happiness as we have done for the last few decades? Current performances from Chris, Chris, Winston, Dave and Chloe say 'don't hold your breath'.

Perhaps there is some reason behind these dodgy deals. There are two sides to every argument.

Years after the event, our community still argues over whether our local policeman was smart or silly when he raided the Pub during the days of six o'clock closing.

Two of the locals dived out the back window and hid in the chook house. Mr Plod tapped on the chook house door with his baton.

"Anyone in there?" he asked.

"Only us chooks," came the reply. "Very good," said the Constable, and he went home.

I'm on his side. My view is that he wouldn't have handed over sixpence as a gift to Cement Co shareholders.

He may not have been good at identifying poultry, but he knew very well that one and one don't make three.

Tim Gilbertson is a community leader in Hawke's Bay.

Said media mavens have reacted grumpily to the politically savvy move by National to rule out working with their favoured horse.

Your old mate reckons if they fall short in the election, they can take their ill-conceived land value tax as "really bad" and saying it could cost some farmers five times more than Labour's proposed methane tax.

TOP seem oblivious to the fact that imposing another tax on farmers would only put more pressure on family farms and make food production more expensive.

Most politicians are untrustworthy bastards, but some are downright dangerous.

Imagine being a British pig farmer.

You are rightly held to some of the strictest welfare and environment standards in the world. Then you walk into a supermarket full of imported pork, reared to standards that you'd be arrested for, at a price that undercuts you by 35%.

That has already happened here.

In the UK, it's not just pigs. It's everything they produce.

As one astute Pommy prognosticator says, "It's a massive hypocritical accountancy trick that outsources environmental and ethical impacts abroad while punishing farmers and claiming moral victory at home".

Couldn't happen here? It already has.

The MAGA movement, via the Trump administration, has become an unexpected champion, making greener members of the 'regen' movement twitchy as hell.

When regen arrived, the ag science community raised their collective bushy eyebrows at the lack of scientific data behind what was being pushed as the 'new way' forward for farming.

The biggest fans of regen were from the same school of thought that demanded we "follow the science" on climate change policy yet backed a movement with little to no hard data because it had greenish "vibe'.

With MAGA now in their corner, will the credibility of regen be enhanced or degraded? And do MAGA caps come in green as well as red?

"A levy is still a cost of production," he says.

The Hound reckons Chapman is on the money here: scrutiny of the levy spend isn't what it used to be, especially with one rural publisher now in bed with DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb NZ and the Feds.

Chapman notes, we cannot move New Zealand closer to markets, create the scale of larger countries or match developing-country wage rates.

We can, however, influence the cost of our levy-funded industry organisations.

"That requires scrutiny of governance, overhead, duplicated services, separate offices, research, conferences and promotion," he says.

That's what the Government is promising the horticulture sector.

This policy review is timely for a scheme that has delivered enduring benefits for growers, workers and Pacific communities for almost two decades. Practical changes are needed to keep it fit for the future.

For many Pacific Islanders, the RSE scheme has allowed them to build homes and raise the standard of living for them and their extended families.

The RSE scheme cap is set at 20,750 places, with roughly 17,000 workers arriving annually to work for about 207 approved employers, drawing workers mainly from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu.

The RSE scheme fills genuine seasonal gaps when enough local workers are not available, helping growers harvest crops on time while continuing to recruit, train and employ New Zealanders.

Key changes include a graduated accreditation system that recognises employers with a strong track record and gives more flexibility for workeers to move between RSE employers in appropriate circumstances, with additional safeguard for workers.

The changes will also introduce clearer rules on the genuine costs employers can recover from workers (such as transport, insurance and accommodation), giving workers and employers greater certainty about what costs can be recovered and how.

It also reduces unnecessary compliance for trusted employers. A graduated accreditation model, clearer expectations and a more transparent cap process will give growers greater certainty to plan, invest and grow.

Horticulture is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing and most valuable sectors, making a dependable seasonal workforce increasingly important.

The Ministry for Primary Industries' latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report, released in June, forecasts that horticulture export revenue will rise 7% to $9.5 billion in the year ending 30 June 2026, and to more than $9.7 billion in the year ending 30 June 2027.

A more effective RSE scheme will play its part in helping the sector achieve greater success.

A little over six months ago, the company launched a partnership with PR Claims, a specialist provider that manages fuel excise duty refund claims, and says its customers have now recovered more than $500,000 in fuel refunds through their system.

Refunds Going Unclaimed Due To Complexity

Farm Focus CEO Marie-Claire Andrews said that for many farmers, refunds of excise duty on petrol used for on-farm off-road use went unclaimed simply because the process felt too complex to pursue.

And at the current rate of 78 cents a litre, it stacks up. Farmers used a lot of petrol-powered vehicles across their paddocks, she said.

"Even just in some of the smaller machinery, if you think about it, if you haven't claimed for everything you've done in terms of maintenance, chainsaws, all sorts of things, for a couple of years, there's thousands of litres probably, so it's worth getting the money back."

Canterbury Farmer Recovers $12,000 In One Year

The Masterton-based company provides financial management software for farmers and rural businesses and has customers throughout New Zealand and in Australia.

It says one of their clients, Canterbury dairy, beef and cropping farmer Mike Smith, recovered around $12,000 from a single year's petrol use through the PR Claims partnership.

"It's all set up digitally and it's easy to use. For farmers, we don't want something to be a hassle," said Smith.

"I don't have time to struggle with things, otherwise I just won't do it. We ended up with around $12,000 back, just from one year's worth of fuel. We all pay a lot of tax in the farming industry, especially in dairy, so it's nice to get something back."

Reducing the Administrative Burden

Andrews said the partnership reduced the administrative burden on busy farming businesses.

She said PR Claims managed the claim process end to end, and refund statements could be imported directly into Farm Focus, keeping records tidy without extra paperwork.

She said the half-million dollar milestone reflected how much eligible money goes unclaimed each year.

"Farmers are under constant pressure to manage costs, and this partnership is helping put real money back into rural businesses. The fact that customers have already recovered more than half a million dollars in refunds shows the scale of the opportunity."

Why the Claims Process Gets Overlooked

PR Claims head of partnerships, Kevin Breen, believed that about 80% of farmers - or "more than would admit to it" - were not bothering to claim refunds of excise duty because it was a bureaucratic process.

"Nine times out of ten, the reason why people haven't claimed their excise duty refund is because they put it in the too hard basket."

He explained that while most other taxes are administered by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the fuel excise duty is administered by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

"Not all, but most accountants don't normally deal with it because it's dealing with a different entity other than the IRD."

Integration and Pricing Through the Partnership

Breen said PR Claims also partners with other organisations, but went "one step further" with Farm Focus.

"If the clients give us access, then we can integrate and automate some systems which makes the process even smoother.

"Our normal rate is 15% and but because we partnered with Farm Focus, their customers get an additional two and a half percent off that rate, which makes us by far the cheapest company in New Zealand."

Upton says New Zealand has good environmental information but the problem is that the system used to collect, manage and share it lacks coordination, leadership and long-term stewardship.

Report Points to Reform Opportunity

A report released last week by Upton noted that New Zealand is undertaking major reforms across resource management, science, water services, local government and environmental reporting.

This presents a rare opportunity to place environmental information at the centre of environmental management.

The report - Unlocking New Zealand's Environmental Information - finds that while vast amounts of environmental data are collected across government, councils, research organisations, iwi, industry and community groups, much of it remains difficult to find, access and use.

The report argues that high-quality environmental information is fundamental to good decision-making, effective environmental management, public accountability and investment decisions.

"Whether we're managing water, planning infrastructure, responding to climate risks or protecting biodiversity, good decisions depend on good information," says Upton.

"The problem is not that we lack environmental information - the problem is that the system used to collect, manage and share it lacks coordination, leadership and long-term stewardship."

Fragmentation and Inconsistent Standards Identified

The report identifies fundamental weaknesses in New Zealand's current environmental information system, including fragmentation, duplication, data gaps, inconsistent standards, and barriers to accessing and reusing information.

Rapid advances in technologies, such as remote sensing, automated sensors, environmental DNA (eDNA) and artificial intelligence as well as digital infrastructure and communications technologies, present a significant opportunity to improve how environment information is collected and used.

"Innovative technologies can help us better understand what is happening in our environment, often more quickly, comprehensively and cost-effectively than before.

"But technology alone will not solve the problem. To realise these benefits, we need stronger leadership, common data standards and a system designed to make information accessible and useful."

Budget 2026 Investment A "Positive First Step"

The report notes that recent investments in environmental data and digital infrastructure through Budget 2026 are a positive first step but says broader system-wide reform is required.

"If we can afford to fast-track ports, mines and motorways, we can afford to fast-track the upgrading of our environmental management system.

"Better information will not make difficult decisions for us. But without it, we are making those decisions in the dark."

The message coming back to members is blunt: not one party currently has a specific policy for growing organics in New Zealand.

Manifesto Presented Ahead of November Election

The delegation saw OANZ representatives present the Organic Election Manifesto and its five organic priorities directly to MPs and officials ahead of the November election.

The visit follows months of sector engagement building toward a clear ask of the next government: back organics with real investment and policy, not just goodwill.

OANZ board member Scott Lawson says the sector is pointing to an opportunity as opposed to asking for a handout.

"We're not asking for a favour, we're pointing to an opportunity this government is currently leaving on the table," Lawson says.

"Organic is growing at three times the rate of conventional primary exports, because consumers globally are demanding clean, ethical food," he says.

"This government wants to double exports, and organics is one of the clearest paths to get there. But growth like that doesn't happen without policy and investment behind it."

OANZ says the case for backing organics is a "genuine win-win", pointing to measurable gains in soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and climate resilience, alongside a fast-growing export category it says is aligned with where global demand is heading.

Seven Questions Put To Every Party

During the delegation, OANZ put seven direct questions to every party it met, covering:

• The continuation of a dedicated Associate Organic Minister
• The rollout of the National Organic Standard
• Investment in the sector's growth architecture
• Global market access and equivalency
• Protection of GE-free and organic certification status
• Support for organic transition and domestic procurement
• Whether the party has any policy for growing organics

Scorecard to Guide Voters

OANZ says responses to those questions will be published in an Organic Political Scorecard, using a colour-coded system to show voters where each party stands.

The organisation says the scorecard will be a key resource for New Zealand's organic sector, advocates and consumers as they weigh up their choice at the ballot box this November.

Brendan Hoare, OANZ advisor, says parties and ministers were left in no doubt about the sector's intent.

"Political parties and Ministers have been briefed that the organic sector is organised and means business," Hoare says.

"We are expecting the 2026 election will be an instrumental platform for change.

Food Security a Recurring Theme

Lawson says domestic food supply and security came up repeatedly in discussions with political parties.

"A common theme across all political parties we met with was the requirement for domestic food supply and security," he says.

"It's clear it's an election topic of the utmost importance, and one that requires commitment and development as part of the organic growth strategy."

OANZ is calling on all parties to use the time before the election to develop a clear, funded position on organics, and says it will continue pushing until they do.

A bull has taken up residence outside the business in a town where streets are dotted with cows made from fibreglass.

Morrinsville Auto Super Shoppe owner Allan Clark is celebrating thirty years of business in Morrinsville.

His son Jacob, who now works in the business, constructed the bull from sheet metal, cutting the shapes, then bending and welding to create the form.

After 200 names, the unnamed sculpture, which Rural News has named 'Incredibull', has a stance not unlike the bronze Bull of Wall Street.

Finishing with metallic bronze paint shows a multitude of colours in different light, giving life and attitude to the Bull of Super Shoppe Morrinsville for another thirty years.

The bull proudly joins a collection of life-size cow sculptures throughout the town showcasing the dairy history and heritage of Morrinsville.

Next time you're in Morrinsville, don't miss the Incredibull display!

He says NZ cannot just rely on international freight delivering canned food from other countries to us and says the importance of our vegetable sector cannot be overestimated.

His comments come as concerns grow about highly productive land going into housing and vegetable processing plants facing closure, as well as trees replacing sheep on our hill country.

Pressure on Productive Land

Malley told Rural News that it's costly to produce food in NZ and there is an ongoing need to increase crop yields by introducing new and better plant varieties to counter this.

Also, New Zealand needs to look at the distribution of value along the food chain to make sure growers remain financially sustainable.

Water and Māori Land Access in Northland

He says there are also other issues in Northland where his orchard is based.

"One of the issues is making sure we have enough water, and the other one is releasing some of the Māori land so that it can be more productive.

"To do that there needs to be an appropriate investment structure, because that land is currently not in a high production and to change that will require capital investment and require the development of new infrastructure," he says.

With Māori land, says Dermott, there is a need to understand that they will not sell their whenua and new economic structures need to be created so that new capital can be injected without that being linked to debt on their land.

Rural News is aware that this has already happened in Māoridom with iwi joining forces, especially in the kiwifruit sector, to create larger and profitable entitites.

In terms of blueberries, Malley says his company already has a high tech packhouse which is quite capable of handling all the expansion. He says they also see the potential for growing kiwiberries.

Accessing New Varieties

Malley says if NZ is to increase its horticultural exports it must have the same access to new plant varieties as our competitors.

He says he fully accepts the need for a quality biosecurity regime and the need to manage risk and not bring anything into NZ that would destroy the hort sector.

He says this is also linked to an expectation of our customers that we are moving to a softer approach to deal with managing diseases. In the past, much greater use has been made of 'hard' chemicals.

Malley says this means that if we bring in overseas material, we need to be sure that it will fit within our system of managing diseases and pests.

"We need to look at perhaps shifting our focus as a country to getting a guarantee those pests are better managed offshore, rather than just presuming that they are. That means we need to insist that those people overseas show us that they have done the right thing, in terms of what we do, like monitoring our crops every week," he says.

For a career where she has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor, Ewers picked up the New Zealand Apples & Pears (NZAPI) Outstanding Contribution Award in Queenstown last month.

Ewers was one of the 260 people at the NZAPI dinner, unaware that she was picking up the prestigious award.

"Humbled and Overwhelmed"

Horticulture consultant Andrew Kinninmonth, who was sitting next to Ewers, had the task of introducing the awardee.

"It was very unsuspecting and it wasn't until Andrew repeated something I just told him 10 minutes ago and the colour rose," she told Rural News.

"I'm humbled and overwhelmed: I give out awards, but I'm not great in accepting awards."

From Customs Ambitions to a Compliance Career

Ewers had always eyed the job of a customs officer. After working in orchards and packhouses in the South Island, she got a break.

With too many packhouses, MAF decided to handover fruit inspection to the Apple and Pear Marketing Board.

Ewers was offered to join the board's inspection team.

"They presented me with a four-car garage sitting on stilts with a hole cut in each end, and I walked inside and there was nothing there.

"And, they said this is your inspection depot: you set it up and run it, and that's how it started.

"So, my customs offer plan didn't originate, but my compliance did and I still do compliance today."

A Career Built on Mentoring

Ewers is the compliance and logistics manager at Hoddy's Fruit Company in Nelson.

She also helps New Zealand Apples and Pears and exporters especially around training young staff.

NZAPI board chair Andrew Gibbs said Ewers' contribution to the industry extended far beyond her formal roles.

"Mel is one of those rare people whose influence can be felt right across our industry. For decades she has quietly supported growers, businesses and industry initiatives, sharing her knowledge freely and helping others achieve high standards.

"She has never sought recognition or the spotlight, but her integrity, leadership and willingness to help others have earned her enormous respect and multiple nominations for this award. The New Zealand apple and pear industry is stronger because of Mel's contribution, and we are delighted to recognise her contribution."

He says that throughout her career, Ewers has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor, generously sharing her knowledge without hesitation and helping others in the sector navigate increasingly complex industry requirements.

Colleagues describe her as practical, authentic, and deeply committed to helping others succeed.

This follows a shipping mix-up that saw the team's bespoke tractors and ploughs end up in Wellington two weeks ago, instead of landing in Europe.

Mark Dillon, Southland, and Malcolm Taylor, Waikato, have made the difficult decision to leave the equipment at home and rely on borrowed equipment.

Careful Planning Undone by Delays

In the last issue of Rural News we reported on the frustrations of the NZ Ploughing team in trying to ship their bespoke tractors and ploughs to the World Ploughing event to be held in Osijek, Croatia in early September.

Dillon and Taylor are scheduled to represent NZ in the conventional and reversible classes respectively and, being old hands at the game, knew that getting their equipment to Croatia early would allow time for cleaning, inspection and local practice, before heading into the actual event.

Their forward planning, preparation and loading in early May meant an original arrival date of their container in Europe of July 18. Delayed departure had pushed this arrival date to July 24.

On 16 June, inquiries to shipping specialists Oceanbridge advised that the container was still in Wellington, who surprisingly stated that expected delivery was still around July 25.

On July 5, Dillon's wife Sonia used an app to track progress, to find that the boat was off the coast of Tasmania, then sought an updated ETA, to be told that the boat was actually en route back to Wellington, with a revised arrival in Europe of around August 24 - just 12 days before the event commenced.

Alternative Options Fell Short

Earlier in July, there was a heated discussion with Oceanbridge, who suggested reloading the container onto an alternative boat that should be able to get to Western Europe earlier, but added the complication of getting the container and its contents to Croatia by road.

Unfortunately, further discussions suggested that the revised solution would mean an expected arrival of 28th August, with any weather-related or political delays meaning the risk of the date pushing out further.

This has resulted in the duo making the difficult decision to leave the equipment at home and rely on borrowed equipment.

"There Was Never Any Suggesting Of Not Going"

Sonia Dillon says there were just too many variables to ensure that the container would arrive on time.

"The boys decided to head up to Croatia and take up the offer of loan tractors and ploughs from friends and acquaintances from the World Ploughing community.

"It won't be the same as using their own gear, but I'm sure they will give it their best try. There was never any suggesting of not going, as we have already committed a lot of money to travel and accommodation costs, so we'll enjoy the event for what it is."

Refund Hopes, But No Explanation Yet

Meanwhile, Oceanbridge has suggested that they are hopeful of getting a refund from the global shipping company MSC. 

Sonia Dillon remains sceptical about the suggestion, noting at this stage there has been no apology or explanation about how the massive faux pas occurred.

Rural News suggests that Oceanbridge and MSC should get their heads together and commit to getting the duo's container to the 2027 World Ploughing Event to be held in Kenya - on time and at no cost!

The announcement marks a sharp turnaround from the $2 million loss recorded in FY25, as improving farmgate returns drove a rebound in fertiliser demand.

Revenue for the co-operative rose 20% year-on-year to $917.2 million, while total fertiliser sales volumes climbed 8% to more than 1 million tonnes, up from 962,000 tonnes the previous year.

Sheep and Beef Recovery Lifts Demand

The result follows several years of subdued fertiliser demand across the sector.

Ravensdown says improving agricultural returns, particularly for sheep and beef farmers, supported a recovery in nutrient applications and overall sales through the financial year.

Garry Diack, chief executive of Ravensdown, says the co-operative delivered numerous targeted projects designed to drive performance during the financial year. These included investment in the manufacturing commitment, freight optimisation, improved data decision support, and automation supported by AI.

"This result reflects the discipline we've applied across the business to become a more efficient, resilient co-operative," Diack says.

"By improving our operations, we've strengthened our financial performance while continuing to invest in the products, services and expertise our shareholders rely on," he says.

The co-operative's balance sheet remains strong, with an equity ration of 79.1% which is broadly in line with 80.3% in FY25.

Board Approves $15/Tonne Rebate

Ravensdown chair Bruce Wills says the Board weighed global supply volatility against a commitment to returning efficiency gains to shareholders, approving a rebate of $15/tonne on qualifying tonnes.

“This returns value directly to the farmers and growers who own and use the co-operative and who supported the business through the volatility of supply certainty in a high demand year," Wills says.

He says the Board's focus throughout the financial year has been to provide secure access to Ravensdown products at competitive prices.

He says they're pleased to be returning additional value to shareholders through the rebate.

"Fully paid shareholders will receive their rebate as a cash payment, recognising the investment they've made in the co-operative, while partly paid shareholders will this year receive their full rebate in the form of shares, helping them build their ownership in the co-operative," Wills says.

“We encourage shareholders to be fully shared up to access the full value of membership in the co-operative."

Geopolitical Volatility Shaping Global Supply

Diack says the FY26 financial performance demonstrates the value of the co-operative to deliver on its purpose in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

"International fertiliser markets remain heavily influenced by geopolitical events. Conflict in the Middle East, the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader supply chain disruptions continue to create volatility in both product availability and pricing."

He says the co-operative's long-standing relationships with global suppliers and it's joint venture partnership with Ravensdown Shipping Services are valuable strategic assets that have proven their worth to the business and shareholders over the last year.

"Our supplier partnerships have been built over decades. They are founded on trust, reliability and mutual commitment, and they provide Ravensdown access to product through different market cycles," Diack says.

"These relationships, combined with our domestic superphosphate manufacturing capability and national inventory management system designed to handle volatility, mean we're able to provide loyal customers with certainty in an increasingly uncertain world."

Investment in Smarter, Lower-Emissions Farming

Ravensdown continued to invest in tools aimed at helping farmers lift productivity while reducing environmental impact, part of what it describes as a shift toward a "fertliser plus impact-based" relationship with customers.

The next generation of its HawkEye technology, HawkEye Pro, uses AI to generate more detailed nutrient insights and farm-specific fertiliser plans. It's now available to dairy and sheep and beef farmers, with crop and forage functionality due before the end of 2026.

Through subsidiary Agnition, Ravensdown continued to scale EcoPond, its methane-reducing technology which is now operating on more than 200 New Zealand farms in partnership with Fonterra and Synlait.

Diack says global food company Nestlé worked with both dairy processors to reduce emissions intensity across their supply chains.

"The support of our partners has been invaluable in taking EcoPond from an innovative prototype to a proven methane reduction technology that is being deployed on farms today," he says.

Outlook

Diack says global uncertainty is expected to persist, but the co-operative is well-positioned as it heads into the 2027 financial year.

"We know farming businesses continue to face changing market conditions and ongoing cost pressures," he says.

"Our focus remains on being a trusted partner for shareholders by securing reliable supply at competitive pricing, providing expert advice, and delivering value through every part of the co-operative."

FY26 At A Glance

• Total revenue before rebate: $917.2 million ($763.9 million)
• Net profit before tax and rebate: $50.1 million (-$2.0 million)
• Net profit after tax and rebate: $30.0 million (-$5.4 million)
• Operating cashflow: $38.1 million ($103.2 million)
• Equity ratio: 79.1% (80.3%)
• Rebate: $15 per tonne on qualifying tonnes

He was attending the mega Bharat Textile Expo in New Delhi, which has 3500 stands and attracts more than a million visitors over four days, supporting a NZ delegation to promote our quality coarse wool.

India is the second largest importer of our wool - last year it took 17,000 tonnes worth more than $79 million. China is the largest importer of our wool wool. 

Patterson says, since the Wool Board disbanded many years ago, little engagement there's been with India has been mainly broker-driven and transactional. He says when a NZ wool delegation attended the Bharat Textile Expo last year, they were pleasantly surprised.

"It turns out NZ wool is held in very high regard and there is a real interest in what we are doing in terms of our accreditation systems and the ethical way that we farm our sheep. This is because India manufactures wool carpets for the very high-end markets in the USA and Europe and want the highest quality wool for their products," he says.

A feature of their manufacturing process is that it is primarily hand-knotted by some 30,000 specialist craftspeople. This, he says, is in contrast to China where the manufacturing process is highly industrialised and mechanised.

He says the positive thing for NZ is that Prime Minister Modi is personally leading and promoting a programme that would see the country tripling the size of its textile industry by the end of the decade. This is called the five F strategy - farm, fibre, factory, fashion, and foreign exchange.

"That's the driver and I am absolutely confident that there are real opportunities for our farmers to sell more very high-quality wool to India," he says.

Patterson says a few months ago a delegation from all the major wool manufacturers in India came down to NZ and were blown away by our farming systems, and the way we handle wool in the shed and scour the product.

"A lot of these companies are family-owned, multigenerational businesses and they have got a real affinity with fibre in the same way our multigenerational farmers do. There is a sort of combined respect for the fibre and a meeting of minds in many ways and they are keen to partner with us more," he says.

Patterson says another visit to NZ by Indian wool manufacturers is planned to take place soon.

High-Level Meetings

Patterson says during his visit, which was just after Prime Minister Modi visit to our country, NZ was in the spotlight in India.

He says there is no doubt that this helped get access to some of that country's top politicians and businesspeople. This included having a special bilateral roundtable session, co-chaired by him and his Indian counterpart, Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita.

Patterson says he also had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, carpet manufacturer Obeetee, the International Wool Textile Organisation, the Wool Research Association, and others, to discuss ways that we can work better together.

"One of the highlights was to see the NZ woolen carpet in their Parliament debating chamber and to meet the Speaker of Parliament, Om Birla, the third highest ranked politician who gave the backstory of the significance of this carpet," he says.

Asparagopsis Technologies Limited (ASTEC) is supplying research-grade asparagopsis armata for animal methane mitigation studies, ensuring continued access to one of the world's largest land-based cultivation facilities dedicated to this emerging field of research.

Following CH4 Global's decision to focus on its Australian operations, former leaders from the business partnered with Ocean Beach Aquaculture Park to retain the specialised infrastructure and cultivation expertise developed in Bluff.

The new company will supply high-quality asparagopsis biomass to research institutions undertaking controlled and commercial-scale methane reduction trials internationally.

ASTEC executive director Nigel Little says the company supplies asparagopsis biomass to Australia, USA, Japan and Europe - especially Scandinavia, Netherlands and Ireland for research.

"These are the countries where a number of universities and research institutes have already been studying asparagopsis and where we believe there is demand for larger scale follow-on trials," Little told Rural News.

Asaparagopsis-based feed additives are being offered for sale in Australia and Europe today where they are already approved for sale as a natural feed supplement.

CH4 Global is the leading commercial supplier with their Methane Tamer product, which is formulated with 100% asparagopsis.

However, in New Zealand, all methane inhibitors regardless of type - from natural plants being used as herbal medicines like asparagopsis - through to synthetic chemicals, like novel ingredients, have been arbitrarily classified as Vet Medicines under the NZ legislation.

Little says only one product (using a synthetic chemical) has been submitted for approval to date, and no products have yet been approved.

He believes asparagopsis would be an excellent solution as a natural, safe and affordable inhibitor for high value dairy applications in New Zealand, such as organics, A2 and infant formula. It could be easily added - less than 50 grams per milking - to existing feed supplements given while milking.

“But a lot more investment will be required to prove the exact benefits of asparagopsis in NZ’s farming systems and to collect the data necessary to make a Vet Medicine application, and there doesn’t seem to be any interest in the research sector in NZ to do this work.”

Interest in asparagopsis continues to grow as research demonstrates its potential to significantly reduce enteric methane emissions in ruminants.

However, access to consistent, research-grade material has remained a constraint for many institutions, with much of the global supply directed into proprietary commercial programmes. ASTEC has been established to address this gap by providing researchers with reliable access to high-quality cultivated biomass for independent trials across diverse production systems, cattle breeds and feeding regimes.

The Ocean Beach Aquaculture Park is among the world’s largest land-based asparagopsis cultivation facilities, with existing production capacity of approximately 20,000 daily doses per month and significant scope for future expansion as international research demand grows. The facility leverages naturally cold Southern Ocean water and purpose-built bioreactor infrastructure, drawing on cultivation expertise developed over several years.

FutureFeed holds and licenses global IP for the use of asparagopsis seaweed as a livestock feed ingredient, shown to lower ruminant methane emissions by 80% or more.

FutureFeed chief executive Alex Baker says methane from cattle and sheep dominates New Zealand’s carbon footprint.

“The rising sustainability expectations and competition in global export markets mean this has to change. Accelerating seaweed supply is critical to bring about change, and we are excited to see Asparagopsis Technologies’ actions towards that goal.”

The scheme allows orchardists and growers to bring workers from the Pacific Islands to work on their properties for a limited period each year.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced this at the HortNZ conference last week, saying that over the 20 years the scheme has been running, it has become more complicated and burdensome than it needs to be.

She says the changes that will be implemented over the next two years will provide greater clarity and flexibility to both employers and workers. It will also strengthen protection for workers.

"This move is in response to sector which for a long time has been calling for change," she says.

All told, 17,000 RSE workers come to NZ each year working for more than 200 recognised employers.

In essence, the revamped RSE scheme will reward employers with good track records and put the heat on those who haven't lived up to the spirit of the scheme.

"Bad actors will face consequences," she says.

Stanford says the one-size-fits-all approach when employers are applying to recruit workers is no longer appropriate and, in this regard, established employers with a strong track record will be given special consideration and pathways.

Other key changes include introducing a fixed list of exactly what costs employers can pass on to workers - an area where there has been a lack of clarity, confusion, and angst in the past. The intention is that workers should be aware of this before they arrive in NZ.

There will also be a provision that allows workers the flexibility to do other tasks on a property outside the normal planting, maintaining, harvesting and packing of produce. Under this provision they may be able to, say, drive a forklift. Workers may also be able to work for another accredited RSE employer if work runs out on their property and is available elsewhere.

Stanford says accommodation standards are a major concern and remain a priority for both industry and Pacific partners.

"We need to get this right," she says.

Stanford says consultation on options for change is currently underway with Pacific partners and employers, and she expects to take decisions by the end of September.

"We are also supporting industry-led initiatives that promote best-practice pastoral care. Providing access to the internet will also be added to the prescribed standards, ensuring workers can stay connected with their families back home. There will also be new provisions for sick leave," she says.

Stanford says the changes recognise the important role the RSE scheme plays in assisting the NZ hort sector. The changes will be phased in over the next two years.

Orchardists Grateful For The Changes

HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says her organisation is hugely grateful for the changes.

She says the decision to modernise the RSE scheme is a positive and practical step that will benefit growers, workers and Pacific communities.

"From our perspective the changes are sensible and will enable the scheme to operate more effectively and efficiently," she told Rural News.

"Little things like aligning sick leave right through to enabling RSE workers to also do some of those other tasks that sometime arise on the orchard like driving the forklift are important," she says.

Scott says the changes will reduce unnecessary compliance for trusted employers.

A graduated accreditation model, clearer expectations and a more transparent cap process will give growers greater certainty to plan, invest and grow. She says the changes will also put worker wellbeing at the centre of the scheme's future.

"HortNZ has consistently called for settings that are fair, future-proofed and sustainable for employers and workers. This reform reflects that approach," she says.

Colin Bond, the CEO of NZKGI, which represents kiwifruit growers, says his organisation is pleased with the announcement.

He says anything that simplifies something that has become a complex scheme will be well received by the industry and getting clarity around what costs can be passed onto workers and moves to improve accommodation for RSE workers is good news and beneficial to all parties.

"This is a fantastic scheme that's been running for twenty years. But over time we have been adding more things to it to make the scheme better, however, we seem to have inadvertently made it more complex," he says.

Bond says NZKGI appreciates the hard work that MBIE staff, the Pacific people and many others have put into creating the new reforms.

He says it is important that through the implementation stage everyone works together to achieve the desired outcomes.

New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET) general manager Sarah Harris says the campaign was inspired by conversations with previous entrants, which revealed a number of common myths about the awards.

"We know there are exceptional farmers and growers across New Zealand who would make fantastic entrants, but misconceptions about the awards often stop them from putting their names forward," says Harris.

"Attracting a strong field of entrants is essential. The integrity and reputation of the awards relies on recognising high-performing businesses that are willing to share their journey and inspire others."

One of the most common myths is that entrants must be Ballance Agri-Nutrients customers.

"While Ballance is our principal sponsor, the awards are owned and delivered by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, an independent charitable trust supported by a wide range of industry partners. You certainly don't need to be a Ballance customer to enter," Harris says.

Another common excuse Harris said her regional committees hear is 'I'm not ready'.

"The reality is that very few people ever feel ready. The awards aren't about perfection - they're about the journey and peoples' willingness to keep improving."

The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill, also known as the HSNO Act, has fallen victim to a huge raft of other legislation that the Government wants passed ahead of the bill in the current parliamentary term.

The amendments to the HSNO Act are seen as a major priority by the primary sector, frustrated by red tape, long timeframes, complexity of the process, costs and overall uncertainty about when products are finally approved by the regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The changes to the bill came out of a review by the new Ministry of Regulation which made sixteen recommendations to streamline the approval process. It's been before the Primary Production Select committee that has been hearing submissions on it.

One of the proposals in the amended bill would allow for a product that has been approved by a credible overseas regulator to be used in NZ until it gets final approval from the EPA.

The Minister for the Environment, Nicola Grigg, told Rural News that the Government has reached out to end users in the primary sector and is aware of their frustration about the present act and the blockages that it is causing. She says the new EPA board and chief executive are much more commercially driven and connected with farmers and growers.

Grigg says the intent of the changes is to give NZ farmers and growers easier access to products that are available overseas to control pests and invasive species, and for crop protection.

"We still must be risk averse in the sense that you can't unleash any old thing out into the environment. We must be acutely aware of our markets and end users and our own environmental limitations. But also, we also must be at the vanguard of innovation and being able to try and test and keep on innovating," she says.

The progress of the HSNO Bill was front and center of topics discussed at the recent Animal and Plant Health (APHANZ) conference in Wellington. Here, representatives from MPI, the EPA and the former MFE gave presentations and answered questions about the HSNO Bill as well as changes to the RMA and ACVM bills; the latter two are likely to be passed by Parliament this year.

The CEO of APHANZ, Dr Liz Shackleton, says a big concern for her members was the timeframes within the HSNO Act.

She says when you are in business, time is money and uncertainty costs.

She says while they would like to get the HSNO Bill through Parliament, she recognises the huge legislative backlog.

Shackleton says her members want to see new and novel products get approved faster.

A leading Gisborne businessman, Richard Burke, who once headed up a large vegetable growing operation in Tairawhiti, had to deal with the difficulties of getting product to market because of countless road closures. He says today the roads around Tairawhiti are in fact worse than they were fifty years ago.

Burke says the present settings for funding roads are based around use - in other words, the number of vehicles using them - rather than the opportunities they offer and particular needs of the primary sector.

"The consequence of the present settings is that regions like Tairawhiti, Northland, the West Coast and Taranaki miss out on the big funding because they don't have the high vehicle use," Burke told Rural News.

"The present settings don't make sense to me because high export earners such as the primary sector and tourism miss out," he says.

Burke says, aside of the settings the other problem with infrastructure is having a long-term plan and taking this out of the political arena. He says under the present system, infrastructure bounces around due to political influence - the Cook Strait ferries issue being case in point.

"If we had, say, a 100-year plan, that would make a huge difference. In that scenario, the politicians would still control the purse strings, but there would be... a long-term plan," he says.

According to Burke, "commercial settings" should be applied to infrastructure - roads, water, etc. He says knee-jerk reactions are common with what infrastructure is needed and how to deal with adverse weather events.

For example, he says that the pine trees in Tairawhiti are not necessarily in themselves the issue and legislating against them may not be the answer. Rather, better settings or rules could manage the problem and ensure that the environment is not damaged.

"We need to accurately measure potential environmental impacts and not second guess what these may be, because in some cases we overdo stuff in areas and underdo it others," he says.

Burke says in Gisborne there is talk about the need for better water infrastructure. He says this in itself won't attract investment to the region. He maintains that roading is still the big issue and roads need to be able to cope with bigger trucks. He points to what Northland has done to improve its roads and the benefits that have flowed from this.

"Look at Northland and you see how much quicker they will recover from an event than what we will do down here. Most of that is because the infrastructure that they have built up gives them the ability to bounce back.

"We keep asking for more money, but there is a question about whether we are spending it in ways that resolve the problems in the long term."

Finally, Burke says there is a big focus on increasing production to drive export returns, but there is a need to invest in both the market and in the infrastructure to match this.

Kate Acland, chair of the NZMB, says Guy-Meakin is a senior trade policy and advocacy professional with experience across the public and private sectors.

"Esther has held senior roles spanning international trade negotiations, industry advocacy, strategic communications and government relations," Acland says.

“Her deep trade policy expertise and strong understanding of the red meat sector will be valuable to the Board as it continues its important work on behalf of New Zealand’s farmers and exporters.”

Guy-Meakin has had a career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), leading goods negotiations in the RCEP and India-New Zealand free trade agreements, serving as legal adviser to the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiating team, and representing New Zealand as a diplomat in New Delhi, India.

She has also held senior roles at Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association, leading trade advocacy and market access strategy for the red meat sector.

Guy-Meakin will start her new role on 3rd August.

She replaces Nick Beeby, who has been appointed chief executive of the Meat Industry Association.

Rob Hewett, chair of AgriZeroNZ's board, says he welcomes Macfarlane, adding that he brings a combination of governance expertise, commercial acumen and hands-on farming experience.

“Andy’s experience across a range of farming systems and value chains, combined with his commercial pragmatism and ability to connect market signals with on-farm decision-making will be of immense benefit to AgriZeroNZ and the work we are doing for farmers across New Zealand," Hewett says.

Launched in 2002, Combi Clamp has earned a strong reputation across NZ and Australia for producing reliable manual sheep handling equipment to help farmers work more efficiently, while improving animal welfare. The addition of the brand will expand Te Pari’s sheep handling offering and complement its existing range of Racewell Sheep solutions.

The product will be rebranded as the Te Pari Combi Clamp and integrated into an established sales and support network, so customers continue to have access to the trusted handler they know, backed by global reach and customer support.

Jeremy Blampied, global sales manager at Te Pari, says Combi Clamp is a respected brand with a loyal customer base and a proven product that has helped sheep farmers for many years.

“Bringing Combi Clamp into the Te Pari family strengthens our sheep handling range and allows us to offer farmers an even broader selection of solutions to suit their operation. It’s a natural fit with our vision of delivering safe, efficient and seamless livestock handling systems to farmers around the world.”

Wayne Coffey from Combi-Clamp said he and wife Lynley are especially happy that it’s staying with a New Zealand company that “will take Combi-Clamp forward and help even more farmers around the world”.

 Te Pari says the Combi Clamp will form an important part of the company’s future sheep handling offering.

www.tepari.com 

The Toyota RAV4 is already well known and seen on many rural driveways, being New Zealand’s most popular vehicle. Kiwi drivers will now have a practical, no-compromise choice of electrification with the addition of the first-ever Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).

 Said to blend electric driving for everyday use with the flexibility and confidence of Toyota’s proven hybrid technology, the company suggests you can plug it in and do most of your weekly driving on electric power, but when you need to go on a long journey it still works like a highly efficient hybrid.

 The RAV4 PHEV front wheel drive has an NEDC-tested driving range of 154km and the all-wheel drive variants have an NEDC tested driving range of 144km – enough for many drivers to complete their weekday commuting on battery power alone. Its larger battery can be charged at home, typically at a cost of around $9 per charge.

  Built on Toyota’s sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system, the RAV4 PHEV pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors. This delivers a total system output of 201kW in the GXL front-wheel drive grade, while the all-wheel drive XSE and GR SPORT grades produce 227kW, making them among the most powerful vehicles in their class.

 Drivers can also tailor the vehicle’s behaviour through three drive modes. Auto mode selects the most efficient combination of petrol and electric power for everyday driving, HEV mode prioritises hybrid operation to preserve battery charge, and EV mode enables fully electric driving for shorter urban trips.

 All-wheel drive variants offer 1500kg braked towing capacity, while the front-wheel drive GXL offers 800kg braked towing. All RAV4 PHEV grade are also equipped with a 1500W/220V AC inverter, allowing the vehicle to power small appliances directly on a worksite or out on the farm.

  Offered in GXL, XSE and GR SPORT grades, the GXL front-wheel drive grade offers 201kW of output, three driving modes, an 11kW onboard charger and 50kW fast charging capability, along with practical interior features such as heated front seats and a durable fabric interior.

The XSE all-wheel drive grade builds on the GXL spec with 227kW and Toyota’s E-Four all-wheel drive system, providing improved traction, additional drive modes for trail and snow, along with downhill assist control, further enhance its versatility. Inside, the XSE introduces premium features such as a larger 12.9-inch multimedia display, panoramic view monitor, synthetic leather and a moonroof.

 The top of the range, the GR Sport features all-wheel drive, the same 227kW output and a series of engineering enhancements inspired by Gazoo Racing. These include retuned suspension, performance dampers, a wider track and upgraded steering calibration to deliver sharper handling. Unique exterior and interior elements include lightweight 20” alloy wheels, GR styling details and a performance-oriented cabin.

  Toyota Safety Sense is standard across all RAV4 PHEV grades, providing a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies. This includes an enhanced pre-collision system with improved detection capability, driver monitor camera, proactive driving assist, front cross-traffic alert and lane trace assist. Additional features such as blind spot monitoring with safe exit assist, parking support brake, tyre pressure monitoring and smart key entry contribute to a safer and more convenient driving experience.

 The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid arrives in Toyota New Zealand from June 2026.

Visit www.toyota.co.nz 

Design and engineered around getting feed to animals where they can eat it, and where wheels don’t run over it, the result is cleaner feed lines, resulting in less wastage and better utilisation of each bale.

Said to offer the widest wheel track, that in turn helps lower the machine’s centre of gravity, offering improved stability, meaning TX 235 users can travel safely, even when delivering and feeding increasingly heavier bales in difficult terrain.

A wider side discharge system places feed further away from the machine and the wheel track, while an improved heavy-duty bale loading system can be configured with up to five bale spears, resulting in better bale retention, easier handling of fine chopped bales and the ability to lift bales of up to 1.5 tonnes.

A unique chassis design, with a fully welded construction, sees the main rails being the lowest point of the machine, acting as a skid plate if the machine bottoms out in poor ground conditions. In turn this ensures the drive components, particularly the floor chains, are kept away from the ground, so reducing wear, improving durability and ensuring day to day reliability.

Focused design details see the use of zinc-plated chains rated to 12,000 pounds each, Bisalloy drive sprockets for extended working life and double-sealed, heavy-duty, four-bolt bearing assemblies with trash shields.

A fully enclosed, extruded polyethylene floor assembly helps eliminate waste, while also being corrosion-free for a longer working life. In operation, its use reduces ‘bale drag’ by up to 30% compared to steel, meaning sticky or very wet bales are fed more easily. Square-section feeder bars are said to be up to five times stronger than typical angle iron assemblies, while the option of blank bars or bars with more aggressive teeth are available and can simply be bolted on in a matter of minutes.

A single-post drawbar set low to the frame allows easier access to either side of the machine, while a 60mm square section axle equipped with 6-stud hubs offers strength and adjustability for varying terrain or bale weights. Tipping the scales at 1165kg, the machine requires two, double-acting valves for operation, while options include narrow tyre equipment, mudguards and side roller bars. The TX235 is backed by a comprehensive five-year warranty.

www.hustlerequipment.com 

Having ticked over 50,000 examples over the last 30 years, a production run of just 300 limited edition series of tractors feature an engraved ‘50,000’ door sill, embroidered floor mats with an anniversary logo, super-comfort seats trimmed in titanium leather, and an anniversary badge on the chromed bonnet.

The anniversary model reflects on some of the past models, with four colour options, including the trademark black of the 2005 model, alongside steel blue, black/red, and nature green.

Described as a ‘tractor of firsts’, the 900 Series was the first to feature the electronically controlled fuel injection system and the first to feature Fendt’s Vario Terminal. The 2003 model was the first Fendt to feature the new Tractor Management System (TMS), which electronically linked the engine and transmission and automatically adjusted the revs to match the power requirement.

In 2005 the 936 Vario launched with a Deutz 360hp engine, independent wheel suspension, a new cab, and a class-leading 60 kph top speed. The fourth generation followed in 2010 taking power to 390hp, from a 7.8-litre Deutz engine, alongside the VarioGrip system, to adjust tyre pressures from the cab.

By 2013, the fifth generation 900 series was fitted with a new Deutz engine, incorporating steel pistons and twin, unequal size turbochargers and a new intercooler. For many, the new reversible fan was a game changer because it helped the engine breathe more easily in dusty environments, which significantly reduced downtime.

The current sixth generation, on which the special edition is based, was released in 2019, incorporating the single-mode VarioDrive system from the larger 1000 series, with the range-topping 942 delivering 415 hp provided by a 9.0-liter MAN engine.

We've watched the highly pathogenic H5 strain spread across Europe, Asia, the Americas and, more recently, Australia. With so many migratory birds travelling to and through New Zealand, experts have been warning since 2022 that it was only a matter of time before this strain reached our shores. On 15 July the virus was confirmed in a brown skua north of Wellington City, followed by a kāhu in Wairarapa.

The good news is that, so far, there have been no cases detected in poultry. That gives us a window to prepare, to understand what we need to do, and to work together to reduce the risk of an outbreak.

But how we deal with this depends on all of us doing our part and following advice. 

If you're out and about:

• Keep your distance from sick or dead birds.
• Wash your hands and clean your footwear and equipment after spending time outdoors.
• Report groups of three or more sick or dead wild birds, marine mammals or other wildlife by calling the Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

These actions will make a difference.

I know this is an anxious time for many farmers. There are hundreds of poultry farms and egg production sites across the country. These businesses work incredibly hard every day to put affordable, high-quality food on our tables. And because we don't import fresh chicken or eggs under our biosecurity rules, protecting our domestic poultry industry is incredibly important.

We do need to take this seriously, but there is no reason to panic. As of 24 July, there is no evidence the virus has spread into poultry. Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat, and the risk to human health remains very low.

Biosecurity New Zealand is working hard to monitor the situation. They are checking coastal areas and responding quickly to high-value reports of sick or dead wildlife. The Department of Conservation is also vaccinating around 300 breeding birds from five of our most endangered species - kākāpō, takahē, kakī, tūturuatu (shore plover) and kākāriki karaka - as part of efforts to reduce the risk to some of our most vulnerable native species.

The Poultry Industry Association New Zealand has also developed a dedicated website to support poultry owners, farmers, and industry with practical guidance on avian influenza preparedness and response. It has prevention plan templates, preparation resources, and detailed response guidance, including information on locating contractors and support services across New Zealand for biosecurity and welfare support. You can find this at: https://birdflu.pianz.org.nz/

 Strong biosecurity cannot be taken for granted. It relies on all of us playing our part, alongside continued government investment in surveillance, preparedness, research, and science. Together, that will give us the best chance to protect our native wildlife, support our farmers, and safeguard our food security into the future.

StockScore, developed by Central Otago veterinarian, farmer and agri-entrepreneur Becks Smith, is designed specifically for use in the yards. Built for one-handed use and capable of working offline, the app allows farmers to record body condition scores as they work, removing the reliance on notebooks, memory or paper records that are often lost once the job is done.

“Body condition scoring has been part of good livestock management for decades, but the weakest link has often been capturing the information in a way that’s still useful weeks or months later,” says Smith.

StockScore was officially launched at the New Zealand Veterinary Association Conference in Auckland, where Smith presented the platform to sheep, beef and deer veterinarians.

“Farmers already understand the value of body condition scoring. StockScore isn’t trying to change the way they score animals - it’s simply making it easier to capture that information in the moment, keep it all in one place and use it to support better management decisions over time,” she says.

“Our goal isn’t simply to digitise body condition scoring. It’s to help make one of the livestock industry’s most valuable management tools easier to adopt, easier to record and more useful over time.”

The designer says the app supports sheep, beef cattle and deer, allowing producers to manage body condition records across all livestock enterprises from a single platform. It provides instant mob summaries, body condition score distributions and trend analysis, giving farmers a clearer picture of how mobs are tracking over time.

The app also provides direct access to industry-recognised body condition scoring guidance, supporting more consistent scoring across farms and making it easier for users to refresh their knowledge whenever required.

Smith says StockScore has also been designed to strengthen collaboration between farmers and their trusted advisors. In addition to farmer subscriptions, the platform already includes an advisor tier that enables veterinarians, consultants and other rural professionals to view body condition score data with their clients’ permission. Future development will focus on deeper integration with existing farm management software and other rural technologies, ensuring body condition data becomes an increasingly valuable part of everyday farm decision-making.
www.stockscore.co.nz 

What are the main clostridial diseases in New Zealand?

The clostridial diseases that are most likely to affect stock under New Zealand farming conditions include tetanus (often contracted at tailing), pulpy kidney (enterotoxaemia), black disease (triggered by migrating liver fluke), blackleg (caused by bruising) and malignant oedema (resulting from fighting).

Sometimes, especially in lambs grazing specialty finishing crops, Sudden Death Syndrome can cause death. Even more rarely, a number of other clostridial bacteria can also cause disease and death and these are covered with a 10-in-1 vaccine. Prior to the use of multivalent vaccines, clostridial death was common and often killed large numbers of stock. The recent trial highlights that clostridia are still around, still cause disease and can be controlled with vaccination.

How are clostridial diseases spread on farms?

Clostridial bacteria naturally exist in the environment and multiply in low-oxygen conditions, such as those caused by bruising. They are ingested with soil or plant matter and often lie dormant in muscle or the gut, awaiting suitable conditions.

How often should you vaccinate for clostridial diseases?

Ewes and cows require annual boosters to protect them and to bolster maternal antibodies which are passed to their lambs and calves respectively, through colostrum.

Young animals need a primer followed by a booster 4-6 weeks later. If they are to graze crops, ensure a booster is given within 3 months of going onto the crop. Rams should also be vaccinated, at least 8 weeks prior to their risk period, which is tupping (because of bruising due to fighting).

What are the early signs of clostridial diseases?

Typically, no early signs are evident, just sudden death. However, with tetanus, lambs may be found lying in a stiff sawhorse position and spasm when touched.

What are the benefits of vaccinating pregnant ewes?

Annual vaccination protects ewes during lambing. She isn’t giving birth in a clean hygienic environment, so the vaccine boosts her immunity to protect her during this stressful time.

It also provides short-term protection via colostrum for their lambs.

Are there on-farm practices that can help reduce the incidence of clostridial disease?

Prevention is key, including minimising bruising during yarding and handling.

Maintaining hygiene with clean, sharp needles and clean docking equipment reduces infection risk, and the gradual introduction of lambs to crops helps prevent digestive imbalances.

Vaccination with clostridial antigens (5in1 vaccine) stimulates the immune system against these diseases.

How do you create a vaccination plan with an unknown flock history?

Assume the flock is unvaccinated and administer two vaccinations 4-6 weeks apart, followed by annual boosters as usual.

Is vaccination costly?

Compared to stock losses, a vaccination program for clostridial disease is far less expensive.

A recent field trial with Ultravac 5-in-1 in New Zealand showed that vaccination of lambs at docking and pre-weaning prevented 23% of the total lamb deaths and returned a gross income more than 3 times the vaccine cost.

For farm specific clostridial disease programs or to learn more about the importance of robust animal health programmes, vaccination timing and the potential harmful consequences for stock when vaccination isn’t given, get in touch with your local vet.
• Article provided by Zoetis

And Ewers’ contribution was recognised last night with the New Zealand Apples & Pears Incorporated (NZAPI) Outstanding Contribution Award at dinner in Queenstown.

Around 260 people, who attended the function, heard that Ewers has quietly made an extraordinary contribution to the sector, supporting growers, packhouses, exporters, and industry organisations through her expertise in compliance, logistics, quality assurance, market access, training, and biosecurity.

Throughout her career, she has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor, generously sharing her knowledge without hesitation and helping others in the sector navigate increasingly complex industry requirements.

Colleagues describe her as practical, authentic, and deeply committed to helping others succeed.

NZAPI board chair Andrew Gibbs said Ewer’s contribution to the industry extended far beyond her formal roles.

“Mel is one of those rare people whose influence can be felt right across our industry. For decades she has quietly supported growers, businesses and industry initiatives, sharing her knowledge freely and helping others achieve high standards.

“She has never sought recognition or the spotlight, but her integrity, leadership and willingness to help others have earned her enormous respect and multiple nominations for this award. The New Zealand apple and pear industry is stronger because of Mel’s contribution, and we are delighted to recognise her contribution.”

Ewers began her career with ENZA, supporting growers in the Nelson region, before spending more than 20 years as compliance and logistics manager at Hoddys Fruit Co. Alongside her day-to-day responsibilities, she has assisted packhouses throughout New Zealand to implement best-practice compliance systems and has played an important role in training new phytosanitary inspectors entering the industry.

The Outstanding Contribution Award recognises individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on New Zealand’s apple and pear industry.

Exports so far this season sit at 17.3 million tray carton equivalents, up 2 million on last year and 2.5 million on pre-cyclone levels.

Addressing NZ Apple and Pear Conference in Queenstown today, Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay noted that Royal Gala variety was in hot demand at 93% shipped.

He told 300 growers and stakeholders that their growth story speaks for itself.

Exports have risen from $347 million in 2012 to $1.1 billion by November last year. This year's Situation and Outlook forecasts apple and pear exports up 6% to $1.3 billion, within a record $64.3 billion for the primary sector.

“And the June year end is only part way through your season. There is more to come,” says McClay.

He praised the sector for doing this on slightly less land than they had in 2022.

Production is up 40,000 tonnes since then and forecast to be up 70,000 tonnes this year.

The sector has cut agrichemical use by 90% over a decade.

“That is exactly the kind of productivity growth New Zealand needs,” he says.

To help the apple sector and other agricultural exporters, the Government is pursuing new opportunities.

McClay says the global trade environment is uncertain and getting harder.

“My response as Trade Minister is simple. We open more doors, not fewer.

“That is why we have secured high-value agreements with India, the UAE and the GCC.

“We also brought the EU FTA into force many months early, so exporters could benefit from preferential access sooner. And we are not stopping there.”

Under National’s Next Billion Customers policy, they will begin negotiations with seven new markets: in South America, around India, in Africa, and in non-EU Europe. Discussions with Switzerland are already underway.

McClay noted that the India FTA is a once-in-a-generation deal with a market of 1.4 billion people.

“It eliminates or reduces tariffs on 95% of our exports. For apples, tariffs halve from 50% to 25% for 32,500 tonnes in year one, rising to 45,000 tonnes from year six.

“For pears, tariffs halve over ten years with no quota.”

He revealed that the India Apple Action Plan sits behind the deal, growing India's apple sector while securing NZ’s access.

Growers, exporters, researchers, government representatives and industry partners alike have gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities that are shaping the sector’s future.

The first day of the two-day conference yesterday featured a packed programme of speakers and panel discussions covering topics including research and development, innovation, biosecurity, and what’s likely in the future for New Zealand’s apple and pear growers.

NZAPI’s annual general meeting was also held on day one of the conference, with the organisation announcing the re-election of two directors – Adrienne Sharp, T&G Global, and Cameron Taylor, Taylor Corp – and the election of new director Ross Wilson, Sunpeach Orchard.

Chair Andrew Gibbs also thanked outgoing director and former chair Lesley Wilson for her leadership and service after seven years on the board. 

NZAPI chief executive Danielle Adsett said the strong attendance and engagement demonstrated the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration.

“It’s been fantastic to see so many people from across the industry come together to share ideas, challenge thinking and focus on the future of New Zealand apples and pears. The calibre of discussion today reflects the sophistication of our sector and the determination of growers and industry leaders to continue building a world-class industry.”

Conference delegates heard from a range of national and international speakers, with discussions highlighting both the opportunities and challenges facing growers in an increasingly complex operating environment.

Luca Lovatti, R&D Manager at Melinda Consortium, shared fascinating insights and tales of unique problem solving from Italy’s north, while Ministry for Primary Industries’ chief insights officer Jarred Mair gave growers a snapshot of the future of the AI.

Adsett said one of the greatest strengths of the conference was the opportunity for people to connect and learn from one another.

“Our industry succeeds when we share knowledge, challenge assumptions and work together. The conference provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen those connections and ensure we’re collectively focused on a strong future for New Zealand growers.”

Keep What Works Working is an industry-wide campaign led by the A Lighter Touch programme. It aims to raise awareness of resistance management and encourage growers to discuss their plans with crop protection advisers before spray programmes are finalised. The resistance management can have a significant impact on how long valuable agrichemical tools remain effective.

Growers are already experiencing the impact of resistance through the loss of valuable crop protection products. In recent years, however, the increasing pace at which resistance is developing has heightened concerns that the problem will only worsen, underscoring the need for the industry to act collectively.

Resistance occurs when pests, diseases or weeds become less sensitive to pesticides, reducing the effectiveness of products that once provided reliable control. Over time, repeated use of products with the same mode of action can increase the likelihood of resistance developing, leaving growers with fewer options to manage production risks.

A Lighter Touch Programme director Livia Esterhazy says resistance management should be viewed as an investment in the future resilience of farming and growing businesses.

"Growers rely on a relatively limited number of crop protection tools to manage pests, diseases and weeds. Once resistance develops those tools become progressively less effective and, in some cases, can eventually fail altogether," Esterhazy says.

"The good news is there are actions growers can take that can make a difference. By having a conversation with their adviser before the season starts, they can take practical steps that help protect the tools they depend on today, while preserving options for the future.”

The campaign spans the horticulture, viticulture and arable sectors, although its message is equally relevant to pastoral farming systems where agrichemicals are also used. It has been developed in consultation with industry to address the ever-growing threat of developing resistance.

The economic case for action is also becoming increasingly clear. Analysis undertaken by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) found that reduced resistance management could impose significant costs on New Zealand’s production systems over time.

Scenario modelling over a 10-year horizon estimated potential losses ranging from $74 million under moderate impact scenarios through to more than $1.26 billion in severe scenarios where resistance problems become widespread.

The new digital assistance in the MyBallance app helps users quickly access key information about their nutrient recommendations, product and pricing information and place fertiliser orders directly from their phone.

Ballance Assistant was developed using AI technology alongside direct input from farmers.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients digital transformation lead Danusia Bathgate says farmers have made it clear they don't want to be in their office or on their computer working with complex technology and are seeking to have admin sorted quickly so they can get on with their day.

"We know that around 20% of our customers are using highly sophisticated digital tools in their farming businesses," she says.

"They're often large-scale operations managing significant volumes of data. For the vast majority, the biggest opportunity with tech is to make the benefits easy to access which in turn means the admin work gets done more quickly."

Farmers talk or type into the assistant to undertake tasks that would traditionally require navigating multiple pages on a website or contacting customer support.

Bathgate says the starting point for the assistant was understanding the most sought-after information farmers were seeking and then getting their input to design a tool that was simple, practical and built around how farmers work.

"When a farmer thinks of ordering nutrients, we want them to have a number of options to get that job done, without needing to wait for business hours, or needing to remember to do the job later on," she says.

"The process has been developed to mimic the simplicity of asking Siri a question but applied to the fertiliser ordering journey instead."

The tool was developed over 12 months with input from more than 50 farmers representing different farm sizes, regions and production systems.

Bathgate says following successful trials, the pilot has expanded to more than 200 farmers and growers across New Zealand, with the technology officially launched at this year's National Fieldays at Mystery Creek.

"Feedback from farmers and growers has been overwhelmingly positive, enabling them to work through ordering fertiliser in a step-by-step way at a time that suits them, and helps them feel confident they've done the right thing," she says.

Ballance Assistant is free of charge to Ballance shareholders and customers through the MyBallance app and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

One day he might be in a boardroom, making calls on the agri strategy for New Zealand’s largest bank across the lower half of the South Island.

The next, he’s back on the family farm in Darfield, putting up a break fence while reflecting on the same pressures his customers are facing.

Reed is ANZ’s provincial southern head of business and agri, overseeing the bank’s business and farm lending across the lower South Island, while also carrying responsibility for helping to shape ANZ’s agri strategy and direction.

His family has been farming in Darfield for more than 125 years.

Today, the operation is in the middle of converting from a dairy‑support & arable operation to dairy, a process that brings opportunity, cost, risk and no shortage of uncertainty.

Having ownership in the farm means every decision affects him personally.

Growing up in the 1980s and early 1990s, Reed saw first-hand how brutal things could become when the economy turned against farmers.

“When the bank manager used to ring, it felt like an anxious time for the family, and I could see that from quite a young age,” Reed said.

Those memories stuck, shaping how Reed approaches banking today.

“There’s nothing like a few sleepless nights of your own when you’re under pressure, be it financial, land use change, or succession, to put into perspective what some customers might be feeling,” he says.

After finishing school, Reed studied Finance and Economics at Lincoln University before spending time working and playing rugby overseas.

He knew he was good with numbers but had no clear plan for where that would take him.

“I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do,” he says. “I had no idea I’d end up in banking.”

In hindsight, banking proved a natural fit, especially once he stepped into ownership of the family farming business.

Living and breathing farming alongside his banking career, Reed believes, has fundamentally changed how he does his job.

“It’s made me a better banker,” he says.

“I put myself in the customer’s shoes and think, if I was in this situation, how would I want to be treated or spoken to?”

For Reed, farming is deeply intertwined with family, and identity.

“You’re dealing with people. You’re dealing with homes. You are often dealing with a huge amount of history - things that can be deeply emotional,” he says.

“At times there’s a perception that banks are only there in the good times, and yes, it’s easy to be supportive when commodity prices are strong.

“But the farming sector feels volatility more acutely than most. You can see milk, beef or sheep prices drop by 20 or 30 per cent within a year. You also can have a huge degree of variability in feed or crop yields based on what weather is served up in a season.

“What customers really want is a banker who understands what they’re going through - someone who can be there for them through a tough period, take a longer-term view, and help them come out the other side.”

That understanding, Reed believes, is what separates good banking from average banking.

"Without really understanding the customers and the industry well, it can be hard to see past the numbers on a page," he says.

With farm costs top of mind for many businesses, he says some of the most rewarding work since he joined the bank in 2024 has involved finding solutions for farmers wanting to make their operations more resilient.

"When prices are good, the best operators use that window to strengthen their balance sheets, diversify, and invest in things that add value long term," he says.

"They think about succession, 10 or 20 years out, and focus on the things they can control rather than the things they can't."

Change Is The Only Constant

Looking ahead, Reed says change remains the only constant for New Zealand farmers, but he's confident the sector is well placed to adapt.

"I think we've got some of the most progressive farming mindsets in the world," he says.

"New Zealand farmers are very good at adapting and adopting new technology."

He points to growing interest in on-farm renewable energy, particularly solar, as one way farmers can build resilience against rising costs and supply shocks.

Succession, too, remains front of mind for many farming families.

Back on the farm, Reed tries not to lose sight of that long-term perspective.

"I had an old colleague who, whenever I asked how he was, would always say, 'well, it's another day above ground isn't it?'," he says. 

"At first I laughed, but over time I realised there was a lot of wisdom in that.

"Even when things are hard, it's about remembering what's important, and appreciating the opportunity we've been given."

For a banker who's also a farmer, it's a mindset that carries weight on both sides of the fence.

New Zealand’s agribusiness sector has long been defined by its ability to adapt. Droughts, floods, biosecurity events and global market cycles have made resilience a core part of how the sector operates.

That resilience is not accidental. It is the product of decades of structural change and a culture of adaptation. What has emerged is a sector that is market-driven, diversified and deeply integrated into the global economy.

But what is changing now is not the existence of shocks. It is their nature, and the speed at which they are felt.

Recent disruption affecting global energy and fertiliser markets is a clear example. Events in one part of the world are quickly influencing input costs, supply chains and planning decisions for New Zealand agribusiness. For exporters and producers alike, this creates a more uncertain operating environment, with cost pressures and market dynamics shifting at pace.

Fertiliser and fuel are among the most visible pressure points. When global supply chains tighten, costs can rise quickly. For farmers operating in globally priced commodity markets, those increases are often absorbed rather than passed on.

But the picture is not all negative. Agriculture continues to operate in an environment where headwinds are offset by tailwinds, including relatively supportive commodity prices at times and ongoing global demand for high-quality food and fibre. The sector is constantly balancing these competing forces.

The next phase of risk is different again – it is no longer about market or price shocks in isolation, but about risks interacting. Supply chain disruption, energy volatility, climate events and geopolitical uncertainty are increasingly interconnected, amplifying each other rather than occurring separately.

This is where the conversation is shifting. For many agribusinesses, the focus is now on understanding how risks combine and how they can be managed more holistically. That starts with identifying and quantifying exposure, and then determining which risks can be transferred, which can be mitigated, and where new approaches are needed to build resilience.

Risk management is therefore becoming more forward-looking and more embedded in strategic decision-making.

What is also clear is that resilience is not about eliminating volatility – it’s about being able to operate effectively within it.

Across the sector, there is little sense of surprise when shocks occur. Instead, there is recognition that disruption is now a permanent feature of the operating environment.

The question is no longer whether volatility will occur, but how quickly organisations can interpret it, adapt to it and recover from it.

New Zealand agribusiness has evolved under pressure before. The challenge now is ensuring that evolution continues at the pace of a world where global shocks are increasingly immediate, interconnected and complex.

Stephen Price is national practice leader – food, agribusiness & beverage, New Zealand, Aon