The seat is currently held by Maureen Pugh, who defeated former Agriculture Minister and current Labour Party regional development, trade, and defence spokesperson Damien O’Connor in the 2023 election.

Pugh is set to retire from Parliament at this year's election.

Milne is a fifth generation farmer from the West Coast and was vice president of the World Farmers Organisation and a director for Predator Free 2050.

In 2015, Milne was named Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year. That same year, she also won the New Zealand Women of Influence Rural Award.

She says she is “honoured” to be selected as a candidate.

“That hard work starts now to re-elect a National Government that is fixing the basics and building the future,” she says.

“In an uncertain world, responsible economic management matters now more than ever,” Milne says.

She says National has saved taxpayers $43 billion to date by cutting down on “wasteful spending”.

“As a lifelong advocate for farmers, I can see firsthand how National backs our primary sector,” Milne says.

“The National-led Government has reduced red tape to get farmers back to farming, signed new trade deals which has helped increase trade by $17 billion, and introduced investment boost to encourage businesses to invest, expand, and hire more Kiwis.”

“As a fifth- generation coaster, I know that our region can be more productive, with more jobs and higher wages. That is why I will be campaigning hard to re-elect a National Government and to earn the right to be West Coast-Tasman’s next National MP. ”

Jamie Saker, who previously held livestock management and agribusiness roles within the co-operative, will rejoin Alliance as its new head of livestock.

Saker has over 30 years’ experience in the red meat and agribusiness industry, spanning livestock procurement, processing, international sales and trading.

Niall Browne, Alliance Group chief executive, says Saker has a deep understanding of the Alliance business and the red meat sector.

“His breadth and depth of knowledge about farming, processing and our global markets will be a significant boost to the team,” Browne says.

“Jamie is also a familiar face to many of our people and farmers, and we are looking forward to welcoming him back into the business.”

Meanwhile, Rob Stowell has been appointed the company’s new chief financial officer.

Stowell joins Alliance after close to two decades at Synlait.

During his time with Synlait, Stowell held various finance, commercial, strategy, and transformation leadership positions as well as several executive roles, including chief financial officer, chief commercial officer, and most recently, chief supply chain & technology officer.

“Rob is a seasoned executive with considerable financial, supply chain and technology experience as well as expertise in primary processing and manufacturing,” Browne says. “We’re excited about Rob joining Alliance.”

David William Newcombe, age 50, was sentenced in the Marton District Court after pleading guilty to eight charges under the Animal Welfare Act following prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Shane Keohane, MPI district manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance central says Newcombe’s actions were “serious offending”.

“Mr Newcombe failed to live up to his responsibilities to provide enough quality feed and timely veterinarian care for his cattle and sheep and as a result, animals suffered and died,” Keohane says.

When animal welfare inspectors visited the property, they found evidence that 86 contract grazing wagyu cattle had died from underfeeding and being affected by parasites.

The remaining 60 wagyu cattle were also in poor body weight condition and underfed. Once these animals were provided access to proper feed, they quickly regained weight.

There was also evidence that a further 40 sheep had died or been euthanised because their fleeces had not been shorn for between 18 months and two years, leaving them recumbent.

A thousand other sheep were underfed and in very light body weight condition and many were suffering from worm burdens. At least 15 sheep were euthanised to prevent further suffering.

Newcombe was directed under the Animal Welfare Act to make urgent changes, including selling surplus lambs and destocking excess cattle within seven days.

However, when an animal welfare inspector and veterinarian checked back, they found he had not sold all the lambs and had not destocked any cattle.

“Most farmers do the right thing by their animals, but Mr Newcombe clearly did not,” says Keohane.

“This was compounded by the fact that under his grazing contract, he had access to free veterinarian but did not appear to use them,” he adds.

MPI strongly encourages any member of the public aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 008 333.

The agreement was announced just before Christmas 2025 and was largely celebrated by the primary sector.

However, the coalition Government has appeared split on the deal, with NZ First leader Winston Peters claiming the deal is "neither free nor fair".

Meat Industry Association (MIA) chair, Nathan Guy says the FTA will bring New Zealand's red meat sector one step closer to unlocking new opportunities from a market with considerable long-term potential.

He says the sector is calling on the Government to sign the FTA now to keep building momentum.

"Globally our exporters are facing rising protectionism, uncertainty and volatility," Guy says.

"Access to different markets is key to help us weather market dynamics as it provides the sector with options and creates resilience supporting farm-gate returns and the national economy," he says.

"That is why MIA and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) have both signed the BusinessNZ-led letter."

Kate Acland, B+LNZ chair, says in these uncertain times New Zealand needs to do everything it can seize market access opportunities, particularly in markets with great prospects in the future such as India.

"It has taken nearly 20 years to conclude this negotiation, and we would like to see it passed by the respective Parliaments," Acland says. "As with some of our other FTAs, it will be possible to negotiate improvements in the future."

"This year, India surpassed China as the most populous country in the world. It is projected to become the world's third-largest economy within five years, and its middle class is growing," she says.

"In addition to unlocking a promising market that has been constrained due to the 30% tariff currently on New Zealand sheepmeat, an FTA will also deliver important additional options for our exporters, spread risk and provide greater stability."

The company has signed an open letter from BusinessNZ to parliamentarians.

John McWhirter, chief executive of Wools of New Zealand, says a deal would open up significant opportunities for the country's wool sector.

"India is home to some of the world’s leading premium handmade carpet and rug manufacturers so this FTA will provide a major boost to farmers and New Zealand’s wool industry," McWhirter says.

“Wools of New Zealand is already working closely with these producers to sell finished wool products into the New Zealand market. We are also partnering with Indian manufacturers supplying finished wool products to major European brand retailers."

McWhirter says an FTA with India would strengthen those relationships and improve the company's ability to do business within that market.

“Lower barriers and greater certainty will help make wool products more cost-effective and competitive, particularly as we work to displace plastic-based alternatives.

“Premium Indian mills are increasingly seeking high-quality, certified New Zealand wool sourced directly from farmers.

“An FTA will pave the way for India to play a greater role as a key manufacturing and value-adding partner for New Zealand wool.

“It will help lift grower returns, boost international demand for natural fibres and help position wool as a credible, sustainable alternative to synthetic products.”

Red Strong Wind Warnings are in place for both Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, with gusts of up to 130km/hr posing risks to life, infrastructure, transport, and power supply.

Orange warnings and watches also extend across much of the North Island.

According to Metservice, at 11:30am Sunday, the centre of Cyclone Vaianu was situated due east of Coromandel Peninsular, tracking southwards towards the Bay of Plenty.

While the centre is still offshore, the strong winds, heavy rain and large swells associated with this system are being felt far from the centre.

Overnight, gusts of over 130km/h were recorded at Mokohinau and Channel Island and 24-hour rainfall totals in Whangārei reached over 100mm.

As Cyclone Vaianu continues to move closer to New Zealand winds are set to increase, especially for regions like the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel where gusts of 130km/h are possible.

A Red Strong Wind Warning remains active in these areas until Sunday evening. Winds of these strengths bring the threat to life from flying items and falling trees.

Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, and significant disruption to transport and power supply.

Strong Wind Warnings and Watches cover the rest of the North Island. Auckland will notice strengthening southwesterlies this afternoon as Cyclone Vaianu moves to the southeast.

Wrapping around Vaianu, bands of rain will bring some larger totals to parts of the North Island and top of the South Island. A patchwork of Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches are in place, with the heaviest rain forecast over the higher ground from the Coromandel to the east coast.

The combination of strong onshore winds, rising rivers, large swells and low pressure increase the risk of coastal inundation especially for the Bay of Plenty and round to Hawke’s Bay. Be extra cautious around the coast, especially around high tide.

Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to cross the North Island today and move between the South Island and the Chatham Islands during Monday. A Strong Wind Watch is in place for the Chatham Islands from 9pm Sunday to 9am Monday.

Julian Snowball, group controller for the Waikato CDEM Group, says now is not the time for people to become complacent.

"There were around 800 power outages across the Waikato overnight," Snowball says. "Power companies are restoring services where it is safe to do so."

He says mandatory evacuations have been coordinated across multiple homes, with residents being cared for by friends and families.

"Civil Defence Centres are available across the region, to receive displaced people, if required.

“We haven’t seen the worst of Cyclone Vaianu yet, so we continue to ask people to hunker down for now. Stay off the roads if possible, and there is still time to get better prepared.”

Snowball says if people's properties have previously experienced flooding during storms, and they are worried about their safety, they may like to self-evacuate to friends and family before the main weather system arrives.

“If that’s not an option, contact your local council for updates on the nearest Civil Defence Centres.”

Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency New Zealand says it has responded to a small number of calls for assistance as a result of the storm.

Brendan Nally, director of operations, says that as at 5am, 12 April 2026, crews responded to twelve incidents linked to Cyclone Vaianu. However, none of them were life threatening.

Most of the incidents are related to the winds, with fallen trees impacting properties and roofs lifting.

Additionally, Fire and Emergency assisted Civil Defence and New Zealand Police with precautionary evacuations from coastal areas in Northland and the Bay of Plenty yesterday.

Enhanced rescue teams are pre-positioned in Whangarei, Auckland, Rotorua, Tairawhiti, and Coromandel to support local fire brigades.

Fire and Emergency’s National Coordination Centre is activated, along with its Region Coordination Centres in Auckland and Tauranga.

The storm is anticipated to bring severe and potentially life-threatening and damaging weather across the North Island from late Saturday.

Councillor Emma Pike, joint committee chair of the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group, says that use of a Group-wide State of Emergency is rare for the area and reflects both the scale and possible impacts of the incoming event.

“This is a serious weather system expected to affect the entire Waikato CDEM Group Area, to varying degrees. Declaring a State of Emergency now allows us to act early, be as agile as possible, and proactively reduce the risk to our communities," Pike says.

“The declaration will enable a coordinated regional response and ensure resources can be deployed quickly to where they are needed most.”

Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to bring:

• Damaging winds, with gusts up to 120-140 km/hr, particularly in exposed and eastern areas
• Heavy rainfall leading to river and surface flooding
• Heavy wind and rainfall leading to a heightened risk of landslides
• Dangerous coastal conditions

The most significant impacts are expected from late Sunday morning through to mid-afternoon, with conditions beginning to deteriorate from approximately 10pm on Saturday onwards.

Emergency Operations Centres are activating across the region, and Civil Defence Centres are being prepared in all areas of the region.

"If you are worried about your safety, particularly if you live in an area that has been impacted by flooding or land-slips - please do not wait. Contact your local council now to discuss alternative accommodation options," Waikato CDEM group controller, Julian Snowball says.

Residents are urged to take action now while conditions remain safe. What you should do now:

• Secure loose outdoor items
• Clear drains and gutters
• Charge devices and prepare for power outages
• Check on neighbours, especially those who may need support
• If you feel that you're in an unsafe situation or would like to self-evacuate, get in touch with your local Council as soon as possible for guidance.

Plan to stay home on Sunday:

• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Expect road closures and delays
• Prepare for the instance that emergency services may not be able to reach you quickly.

Be aware of flooding risks:

• Rivers may rise quickly due to saturated ground
• Never drive through floodwater
• Be ready to move if instructed.

Coastal areas:

• Stay well away from beaches and shorelines
• Large waves and storm surge are dangerous.

Residents are strongly encouraged to follow information from Waikato Civil Defence and their local councils and to be prepared for possible Emergency Mobile Alerts.

“We are asking people to take this seriously, prepare today, and look after themselves and their neighbours. Acting now will make a real difference,” Pike concludes.

John Deere production and precision ag marketing manager, Royce Bell, says the changes can influence success at harvest time, including getting crops off as quickly as possible.

Harvest Settings Automation offers faster starts by automatically setting concave clearance, fan speed, rotor speed, sieve clearance, and chaffer clearance, based on the combine model, crop type and geolocation. After the operator sets limits for grain loss, MOG and broken grains, the system automatically adjusts the aforementioned settings to stay within the selected limits.

Currently available for wheat, barley, canola, corn, soybeans and rice, for MY 2027, the system has been expanded to deal with oats, lentils, peas, rye, triticale, and sunflower crops.

First offered for MY 2025, Predictive Ground Speed Automation (PGSA) controls the combine’s ground speed based on crop height and biomass measurements taken pre-harvest from satellite scans and on-the-go measurements made by cab-mounted cameras.

In operation, cab-mounted cameras add real-time detection of conditions such as downed crops or dense weed patches, ensuring speed regulation through these areas for optimal performance. For MY 2027, PGSA features Green Crop Detection, using enhanced data processing power and a specific algorithm, to accurately detect green crops within an otherwise-mature stand.

Other MY27 features include Tru-Thresh concaves with remote concave and separator grate adjustment, alongside new half-length concaves allowing modular installation and improved durability, for new MY 2027 X9 combines, which will also feature factory pre-cut openings in the clean grain elevator, allowing easier retro fitment of the HarvestLab systems.

All MY 2027 X9 and S7 combines will be available with a new power folding ladder option, while a new 35ft (10.7m) unloading auger on the X9 creates an additional 1.22m (4ft) of clearance between the header and unloading auger, allowing the use of wider headers or controlled traffic farming unloading-on-the-go on a 12 metre system. The new 550-bushel grain tank on the X9 allows for longer time between unloads and more capacity when opening larger paddocks, while also including heavy-duty final drives.

In addition to MY 2027 combine updates, there are changes to front-end equipment, including a new 27-row folding corn head (CF27) on 50.8cm (20in.) spacing. Corn head automation will be an optional feature on 2027 heads which will automatically control deck plate spacing and back-shaft speed, resulting results in more productivity, efficiency, and grain loss reduction.

John Deere is also launching Precision Upgrade Combine Automation Packages, allowing customers with a MY25 or newer S7 or X9 customers that have the Select Technology Package from the factory, to upgrade to Premium or Ultimate Technology Packages.

Recent trials, using the well-known independent and standardised DLG PowerMix tests, said to be the benchmark for tractor fuel efficiency, compared the MF 8S Xtra Dyna E-Power and Dyna-VT models with their main market segment competitors, highlighted the performance of the Massey Ferguson engines and powertrains.

Comparing performance in a series of working environments designed to replicate farm operations, PowerMix includes 14 transport and field applications at varying speeds and operational loads, alongside looking at tasks using PTO and hydraulically-driven implements.

The Massey Ferguson 8S.265 Xtra Dyna E-Power “achieved exceptional results for fieldwork”, beating its six competitors in the 209kW +/-20kW (330 maximum horsepower) category, taking first place overall with fuel savings of 4-22g/kWh. The MF 8S.265 Xtra Dyna-VT also scored highly, achieving second place in the CVT transmission category ahead of several key competitors.

Massey Ferguson’s marketing team notes that by using less energy (g/kWh) than other brands and models in the same market segment, across varied applications. the MF 8S Xtra series tractors could help users achieve fuel savings up to 3.74 l/hr, or 18,727L over 5000 operating hours. Alternatively, this translates into working more hectares while using the same amount of fuel, reducing owners’ costs of operation.

With a continuously variable transmission designed for optimum precision and flexibility, the MF 8S Xtra Dyna-VT also impressed averaged 247g/kWh specific fuel consumption across the range of field tasks. The latest MF 8S Xtra series offers six models from 205hp to 305hp and is powered by AGCO Power 6 cylinder, 7.4L engines, delivering strong power, torque and performance at low engine speeds, helping to reduce operating costs. The alternative choice of transmissions allows customers to select the most suitable drivetrain for their situation.

The Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) event in Christchurch on May 18 brings together stud breeders, scientists, and industry professionals from across the country.

This year, the FORUM runs alongside B+LNZ’s Out the Gate farmer event and awards dinner. B+LNZ says attendees can look forward to a full day of updates, discussion and interactive sessions focused on sheep genetics and the New Zealand Genetic Evaluation. The forum will also give delegates a first look at a new genetics tool rolling out via nProve later this year.

The forum opens with presentations from B+LNZ chief executive Alan Thomson and head of genetics Jason Archer, who will outline B+LNZ’s strategic priorities for 2026/27 and how sheep genetics fits within that broader direction.

Autumn on the farm usually means a busy time in the cattle yards.

Cows and calves are mustered, and the weaning process gets underway. As this is often the first yarding since calf marking, it's a good chance to not only weigh calves, but assess cow condition, cull non-performers and map out a plan for the winter. For any calves staying on farm, whether future mums or future steaks, a weaning drench is recommended in nearly all situations.

In most beef breeding-only systems, the overall worm challenge is fairly low. By the time beef calves are weaned at around five to six months of age, they have already passed through some of their most vulnerable months for worm infection. Well-grown calves with good weaning weights are better equipped to handle the transition away from mum and the milk-bar that she provided.

However, weaning can still be a tough time for calves, particularly for those weaned early or at lighter weaning weights.

Good nutrition is a calf’s best defence against worms. The quicker they grow, the less time they are vulnerable to a worm challenge, needing less drench overall. Starting weaners on high quality feed with low larval contamination is the key. Aim for post-grazing pasture covers of 1600kg DM/ha.

Remember calves in their first year are the main source of pasture contamination for other cattle.

Some will be wormier than others, depending on how well grown they are, how well mum was still milking, and the quality of pasture they’ve had up until weaning. For the warmer parts of the country, larval development on pasture continues for longer into winter and weaned calves can continue to be a source of pasture contamination for next spring. Avoid having weaned calves by themselves in a rotation if possible, as they’ll likely be creating a worm ‘hot spot’.

Using a drench product demonstrated to be effective on your farm is also very important if you want to avoid populating weaner grazing areas with drench resistant worms. Leaving worms behind after drenching is also not a smart move for promoting great liveweight gains in your weaners either.

So which drench should you use?

In terms of formulation, the best option for calves at weaning is an oral combination drench.

injection might seem easier, or just what you’ve always done, but they simply don’t stack up the same. Studies have shown they are not as effective as oral drenches when it comes to tackling drug-resistant Cooperia. This worm is common in calves in their first summer and autumn, so using an oral combination drench in their first year of life is the best option. An added bonus is that oral products tend to be cheaper as well.

Another time-bomb for calves is Ostertagia. This worm tends to become more of a threat as cattle approach their first winter. Historically, ‘Mectin drench products have been more effective against Ostertagia than the Benzimidazole and Levamisole products and it is recommended that combination treatments for calves should contain a ‘Mectin component from late autumn onwards.

Drenching the calves isn’t the end of the story. Assuming the product is doing its job without checking may result in calves not thriving - drench resistance is not just the realm of sheep farmers anymore!

Drench Check

Doing a drench check at weaning is worth the effort and can inform your drench choices for the rest of the winter. Ideally collect fresh poo samples for faecal egg counts (FECs) and worm species identification on the day you give your drench (so you know what was there to start with) and then repeat the samples 10-14 days after drenching. Ideally FECs will have dropped to zero after your treatment. Your vet can help you set this test up correctly.

When to drench next depends on the age and size of calves at weaning along with quality of feed available and the level of worm contamination where they are grazing. FEC monitoring may be appropriate in calves six months of age or younger, and/or weaned at light bodyweights. FECs don’t tell the whole story, knowing what worm species are affecting your calves can mean a targeted approach to drench treatments. Ostertagia is a low egg producer but can still pack a punch due to the burrowing of immature larvae as well adult worms into the abomasal wall, so an infection can fly under the radar until it is too late.

Use larval culture or the newer fast-turnaround GIN PCR to pinpoint what worm species are present. GIN PCR can give you a result within a few days, enabling timely drench decisions. Monitoring growth rates is also a valuable part of tracking how calves are going.

So, make sure your beef weaners are set up to win the war against worms. Provide good nutrition, try to wean them onto an area that’s likely to present a low cattle worm challenge, use an effective oral combination drench and do a quick check of the treatment to set your calves up for a strong start.

The team have mounted about 30 mostly-South Island adventures over the last 15 years or so. The core group are a collection of about a dozen 60-something-year-old doctors, a dentist, a pharmacist, a landscape designer, a farmer, together with a few other additions and extractions over the years.

Waiau Toa Clarence River has always been a source of fascination for retired doctor Andrew Findlay. Fuelled by that interest, he put together an expedition with a twist, taking on the length of the river in a single trip.

Andrew had rafted part of Waiau Toa with a group of families about three years ago, but this time it was a seven-dayer and the buildup was a bit different.

"I had a bike accident a couple of years ago, basically broke my back, and then I had a fleeting experience with paraplegia. So, I figured that was going to be it for a lot of things, but after the initial surgery things came back surprisingly quickly. I've still got a couple more operations to go but it's been about getting yourself back into your head, back to normal life again."

There were many intrepid moments for the team but their ultimate memory must surely have been a bottle of Waiau Toa Clarence, scooped from a bubbling source near Belvedere Peak, at the head of the catchment.

Supported by Ben Judge's crew at Clarence River Rafting, the team drove down from Blenheim to St Arnaud before setting out for the Clarence's interior.

First steps; a 50km mountain bike section along the Rainbow Station to Hanmer high country road to camp 1, which was situated just short of Lake Tennyson at Sedgemere Flat.

Day 2 was a morning bike followed by a six-hour tramp around the Lake to the Belvedere Peak base camp. Day 3, Eureka! the source was discovered after a long, hard 14-hour return tramp/climb to the peak and retracing back to Lake Tennyson.

The source of Waiau Toa Clarence is just below Belvedere, which has a unique, but little-known geographical feature. It has four watersheds which lead to three South Island coastlines: the Clarence flowing to the Pacific, two joining to form the source of the Wairau River which leads to Cook Strait and the East Sabine, which connects to the headwaters of the Buller and ultimately the Tasman Sea.

"The Māori history is that it was significant to them because they could get to three different coastlines with their waka, the Pacific, the Tasman Sea and then Cook Strait with their waka. They could paddle down there with any produce, food or whatever they could, or even just for transport - they could go across the country. When we went from Lake Tennyson up the valley, you realise that you can see this classical, U-shaped glacial valley. It's quite different to a flooded river valley, which is more a V shape. Suddenly it dawned on me that Lake Tennyson is actually the terminal lake right at the end of what was once a glacier."

The team has a few clues trying to find the source, namely topo maps and their knowledge of South Island high country.

"The topo maps trace out the course of the upper reaches of the river and where, in theory, it should start and eventually where it stops. In real terms however, to find the true and accurate source, you need to read the terrain to where the water actually pops out of the side of the hill. And in this case, it was out under snow."

They took ice axes but didn't really need them as in the middle of the summer, a lt of the snow has melted, "so we just sort of searched through the rocks and scree until eventually the water source disappeared underground".

The team still kept searching even higher up, to find the actual source - and Andrew says it all comes down to listening for water under the rocks.

"You put your ear down, dig down a bit and there it was. So now I've got a scoop of it in a bottle."

Completing the trip in one go from source to sea felt like a special achievement for the while team.

"We like to think that nobody's actually done the whole thing in one go before. Certainly, people have done separate sections and we know people have gone from Tennyson up to Belvedere Peak and back. bUT i DON'T BELIEVE they would have then biked, walked and rafted and then got all the way down to the ocean," says Andrew.

Making Connections

High country adventures connect you to people in a different kind of way, Andrew Findlay says.

"Because we've done quite a number of trips that involve high country stations, you're staying in huts, shearer's quarters and homesteads. A lot of the expeditions have been around the lower half of South Island. Everyone likes to pretend they're sort of the true southern man, don't they? In our jobs we associate with people from all walks of life, but we particularly enjoy meeting people from the agrarian sector. They're good, solid people and meeting them on our expeditions, allows us to form a connection in a different way."

Most of the ideas for these trips start at a dinner party over a couple of beers or wine "and then someone suggests things, and it snowballs from there".

The team have got their drill down pat. "We're ready for the next adventure," Andrew says.

While they have little control over pricing, FAR technology manager Chris Smith, says that making the most of a range of available tools to ensure that inputs are being used efficiently as possible will help address those worries. Many of these are already available in tractor cabs or farm offices.

"One of the most reliable places to start is with guidance and auto-steering technology, with manual steering inevitably meaning overlaps, often at 5 to 10% across a typical day's work. Auto-steer helps trim that down to between 1 to 3%. The small adjustment in accuracy can deliver a surprisingly large payoff, while straighter passes, besides looking tidier, also help reduce throttle variation, lower operator fatigue, and keep machinery working more efficiently," says Smith.

Smith says that those gains become even more pronounced when visibility drops, whether that's spraying at night, working with wide implements, or operating in the flat, hazy light that often blankets the Canterbury Plains. Typically, most users who move from a manual to an accurate guidance system can expect to burn between 5 and 12% less diesel over a typical season.

Chris notes such technology doesn't have to be expensive.

"Of course, not all GPS systems are equal, but choosing the ideal level of accuracy can prevent unnecessary spending. A range of offedrings include SouthPAN, which is free and works anywhere with a clear sky view, while delivering enough accuracy for mapping tasks and jobs that don't require precision."

Moving up a level, services like CentrePoint RTX offer near-RTK accuracy once they have converged, marking them ideal for spreading or spraying where consistent two-to-three-centimetre repeatability is valuable."

Smith explains that farmers wanting instant, high-accuracy performance for tasks like precision planting or strip-till will still find RTK difficult to beat; although they should realise that RTK will never pay for itself through fuel savings alone. Rather, its value comes from several factors including time savings, reduced overlap, less fatique, and the ability to manage inputs more precisely.

Product Placement Can Also Deliver Savings

Product placement is another area growers should be considering in terms of input efficiency, noting that even a basic guidance system can typically knock between 2 to 7% off chemical or fertiliser inputs.

When complemented by the addition of section control, it often delivers total savings of more than 10% once overlaps are removed on headlands and awkward field shapes.

The next real step change comes from variable rate application (VRA) that across typical New Zealand paddocks offers nitrogen savings of 5 to 20%, alongside phosphate and potash reductions by 10 to 25%. Results suggest that lime spreading is often the standout, with well-mapped paddocks showing reductions of 20 to 50% as over-supplied zones are corrected rather than blanket treated.

FAR technology manager Chris Smith says to make VRA genuinely effective, several data streams need to come together, such as soil sampling, canopy imagery, crop sensors, remote sensing, and yield maps to provide the guidance system with real intelligence.

"These layers feed into prescription software, where maps are turned into application zones and 'what-if' scenarios to estimate savings before any applications take place. Rate controllers, terminals, and ISOBUS systems then execute the plan, while as-applied maps and yield monitors show what happened post-event," says Smith.

"The cost of upgrading to VRA-capable equipment is typically around $20,000 over a standard machine, but payback can come surprisingly quickly."

In addition, users should also be considering optimum fertiliser rates, where those applying high rates to chase maximum yields, might be better off accepting lower yields, but increased margins.

Further points for consideration include choosing the right tractor or implement for a particular job. Many jobs simply don't require a large tractor, meaning that using less horsepower can cut fuel use by 20 to 40% on lighter tasks. The difference is easily demonstrated by comparing a 100hp tractor, burning 8 to 10 litres an hour, with a 200hp machine typically burning up to 20 litres per hour.

Tyre pressures are also an important consideration, reflected by correct inflation offering fuel savings of 5 to 10% in light duties or up to 20% in heavy draught applications. Constant monitoring means lower pressures in the paddock helps reduce wheel slip and improve traction, while higher road pressures for transport applications, helps reduce rolling resistance on the trek home.

"The key message is that small refinements, applied consistently, can deliver significant savings," says Smith. "All growers can implement some or all of the ideas suggested and, over time, move towards using them to their full potential."

Dr Steve Wakelin (Scion section of the new BioEconomy Science Institute) is not the first person to say this, but he made the importance clear by setting his Norman Taylor Lecture (the premier acknowledgement of research contribution awarded by the New Zealand Soil Science Society) in the context of New Zealand soil, pasture, feeding people – and the role of science in minimising food’s footprint.

Dr Wakelin is a soil biology expert with a PhD from Lincoln University. His research over the years has covered ecological genomics, molecular microbiology, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, soil-plant-microbe interactions and ecosystem function and stability.

In his lecture he was able to include different aspects from his work to make the case that we are still finding out about interactions between living organisms in the soil – and we should be doing more. He didn’t dwell on the difficulty of attracting funding for research, nor the reorganisations that are occurring in science with institutions merging last year, he simply made the case for improved understanding of where progress could be made.

White clover and nitrogen fixation by rhizobia was one of the examples used.

Rhizobia number somewhere between 1000 and 1,000,000 per gram of soil (a teaspoon being approximately 5g). These rhizobia have been calculated to save farmers $3.9 billion dollars a year in nitrogen (though fixation does have a cost in terms of the plant’s energy and dry matter production). Despite the value of the micro-organisms, most of the research on breeding in pasture has concentrated on breeding better plants.

Dr Wakelin suggested rhizobial research should also be funded, particularly as the current rhizobia came from Australia. His point was not that Australia as a source was a problem in itself, but that the introduced rhizobia are only partially effective with white clover. Attempts to introduce new rhizobia last century resulted in the conclusion that displacing the current, environmentally well-adapted, rhizobia was challenging. Improved understanding over the last 30 years could change the outcome for high performance pastures.

For the future, Dr Wakelin highlighted the role of science. “Science is literally the instruction manual for our world – and we need improved education in many areas to ensure that the population is at the forefront of understanding.”

Understanding builds trust and with trust progress is enabled.

New Zealand ranks among the top countries for trust in scientists, with strong public belief in their expertise and need for involvement in policy. This was reported at the beginning of last year from global research. Trust was reported to be strongest and highly rated in competence (qualifications) and benevolence (honesty), but public trust in the openness of scientists to opposing views was lower – 79% of New Zealanders believe scientists should communicate more.

The question then might be how this should occur? Could society cope with more newsletters, press articles, radio interviews, TV programmes, and blog posts on social media? Of importance, how would information be distinguished from the misinformation and disinformation that is rife?

Asking ‘what does the person stand to gain if I believe him (or her)?’ can help.

Dr Wakelin’s interest in soil science was stimulated through the field of plant pathology and soil-borne diseases.

“Soils,” said Dr Wakelin, “with the exception of carbon from the air and energy from sunlight, give plants all the essential minerals for growth. Understanding the processes regulating the occurrence and availability of these nutrients, and how plant roots acquire them, is not only fascinating, but crucial – the understanding literally underpins our bioeconomy. Soil is the most complex ecosystem and the most complex biomaterial known. It’s a fascinating ecosystem to work in.”

Dr Wakelin won’t be the last person to make the point about creating the smallest footprint possible for feeding the global population. Nor is he likely to be the last person urging an improved education system.

But he has linked the two: “Education is the foundation – as is the soil.”

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is a farmer-elected director of DairyNZ and Ravensdown. She is also a member of the Scientific Council of the World Farmers’ Organisation. jsrowarth@gmail.com

Latest data reflects strong global demand for beef and lamb and tightening supply, with average farm profit forecast to climb to $287,600 per farm in 2025–26 – nearly double last season’s result.

Real farm profit before tax (FPBT), accounting for inflation, is expected to sit about 80% above the decade average.

And when farmers do well, the rural economy does well.

Red meat farmers are expected to generate $8.5 billion on farm this year and spend $16 million every day on goods and services, largely in their local communities.

At a regional level, on the East Coast FPBT is forecast to double to an average $330,300 and in Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, it is set to rise 73% to $324,500.

As Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins notes, the extra revenue will flow straight into rural communities.

Farmers will spend on day-to-day running costs but also on catching up with delayed maintenance on things like extra fencing, weed control, pasture renewal or fertiliser.

That will keep the money circulating through support industries and rural communities.

And market fundamentals are sound with strong demand for beef into North America and for lamb into the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Demand and pricing in China remain softer, but overall, the global picture is far more positive than it has been in recent years.

Wool prices are also showing signs of meaningful recovery after several challenging years, although much of the lift is being driven by lower stocks globally.

Overall, farmers are riding a real high.

Strong returns across sheep, beef, and wool, along with a favourable climate, sensible policies, and decent interest rates; Dawkins describes this combination as rare.

While there’s still a degree of uncertainty with geopolitical risks on many red meat farmers’ minds, this is a time to celebrate the rebound in meat prices and profits.

Matai Pacific Iwi Collective (MPIC) are one of three finalists in this year's Ahuwhenua Trophy competition to determine the best Māori horticulture operation in the country. But just a few hours before the field day was scheduled to take place, MPIC cancelled it because of the severe weather warnings and the likelihood that conditions could deteriorate during the day.

A huge effort had gone into preparing for the day, with food on hand for an estimated 200 plus people, marquees were in place and a big screen had been erected at the beautiful Hei Marae for presentations by MPIC.

But the chair of the collective, Tiaki Hunia, says it was the right call to cancel the day. He says the reason was based on their values of kaitiakitanga, meaning caring for people, and they didn't want people to be travelling in the dangerous, stormy weather.

"We wanted to be sure that people who came to the event could get home safely, and given the orange weather warning and the experience we have had with weather events in the Bay of Plenty, it was a no-brainer to call off the event," he says.

Hunia says they will hold another field day for the public sometime in the future when the weather is settled.

The one bit of good news was that the judges for the competition spent the previous day with MPIC trustees and staff and not being able to hold the field day will not in any way disadvantage them. This has happened before.

While the actual field day did not go ahead, representatives of the other finalists - the Ngati Hine Forestry Trust from Northland and the Otama Marere Trust from nearby Paengaroa - had arrived for the event. It was decided that they and some of the staff from MPIC and a few special guests would be welcomed onto the marae with the Ahuwhenua Trophy and given a brief presentation and later kai. But while this went ahead, the rain just continued to pour down.

Hunia says the very downsized event was about thanking the marae and all those who had worked to make the day a success.

Some Good News

While weather forced Matai Pacific Iwi Collective (MPIC) to cancel their field day, some exciting news came their way a few days later: Two of their staff, Charles Russell and Tom Heeney, were naed the Bay of Plenty Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for building a large-scale kiwifruit operation grounded in cultural values, environmental stewardship and strong commercial performance.

Judges praised the strength of the collective's governance and clarity of direction, citing their clearly articulated objectives and strategy, embedded within tikanga, with strong reporting systems that demonstrate accountability and measurable progress.

“Decision making consistently balances environmental responsibility, cultural integrity and commercial performance, creating a resilient and future-focused enterprise,” said the judges.

Tom Heeney (left) and Charles Russell.

They noted environmental stewardship was visible across the orchards, with 13,000 native plants established in 2025 alone, alongside extensive wetland creation and riparian restoration. Also, that the orchards serve as research sites, hosting trials on native pollinators and supporting biodiversity outcomes.

“Clearly articulated objectives and strategy, embedded within tikanga, with strong reporting systems that demonstrate accountability and measurable progress. Decision making consistently balances environmental responsibility, cultural integrity and commercial performance, creating a resilient and future-focused enterprise,” said the judges.

They also noted that innovation was a key driver of the business an example of which included recycling 450km of growing string annually into plastic pallets, as well as the use of drone technology for pest plant management and ongoing investment in emissions reduction through native planting under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Judges also said that MPIC displayed thoughtful leadership, uplifting community and honouring the stewardship of both past and future kaitiaki of their land.

Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett says dairy conversion is "a logical move" for anyone who wants to get out.

"The ability is there to do that in certain locations. Or they'll bring more livestock into the system," he told Rural News.

"Those are the changes people are making these days."

His comments come as diesel prices have doubled because of the Iran war, with fertiliser prices tipped to follow suit, following a season where poor weather has played havoc with crop yield and quality.

Birkett said there was still some harvesting to be done in Canterbury and the quality was yet to be determined.

"We're just still waiting to see what the quality is like, but yes it has been a tough year and then these increasing costs have exacerbated that problem.

"What we're currently doing is trying to work our a mechanism in which we can pass on those costs, because at the moment, particularly in arable, we don't have the ability to pass on any cost.

"We sign a contract now and we have to stick with that price for the whole year. And that's pretty hard going. Whereas everyone else in the value chain is able to pass costs on.

"We're going to struggle to survive if we have to absorb these costs anymore."

Birkett said the Iran war had basically doubled diesel fuel costs, from around $1.50 a litre on-farm delivered, to around the three dollar mark, even for bulk deliveries.

"Some of the gear we're using now is pretty big. A combine harvester can be up to a thousand litres a day, and then we've still got all the auxiliary tractors and trailers to cart product away."

Arable farmers were also replanting for the autumn.

"About 70 percent of our crop will go in the next six weeks. It's a pretty busy time, particularly on an arable farm."

Birkett said it was important for farmers to start looking at how they are using fuel.

"There are some jobs that just need to be done, particularly around getting food and product in the ground so that it's growing."

But there were other jobs which could be delayed.

"It's important that everyone's thinking if the job they're doing today is really essential for that fuel use."

He said that those planting out may need to ask whether they need to do "that last pass across the paddock" to get it perfect.

"Because every time we turn the key, as soon as you put your hand on the key, it's costing you significant money these days."

Farmers were also starting to consider changing to crops that needed less care and attention in spring and were therefore cheaper to grow. While that might mean taking a hit on the final value of the crop, the reduced costs could still leave them in a better position.

Fert Prices

Fertiliser companies are trying to ake sure people don't panic buy, by making it clear that they've got supply for autumn application.

But Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett says spring fertiliser prices also looked to double from where they were.

"It sounds like they are locating different suppliers in the spring so they're hoping that the supply will be okay. But the unknown is the price, and we've already seen in Australia that the urea price is about A$1600."

Birkett said the feds had been talking with the Government about agriculture being an essential service, just as it was during Covid. While the Government was certainly listening, it was about global economics and influence.

"You know, the Government here in New Zealand is really along for the ride, to a degree."

Birkett said future thinking should be about how to build up domestic resilience.

"We've done a great job increasing exports but we've probably done it at the expense of our domestic economy, and when we have events like this, the domestic economy becomes more and more important.

"A little bit more focus on that domestic economy would put us in a stronger position when we have these types of events happening, which do seem to be happening more often," he said.

The Seed Certification Information System (SCIS) is a modern, secure, and fully digital platform.

It's the result of a six year, $7 million project, initiated and led by the New Zealand Seeds Authority (NZSA), with funding support of over $2 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures). Development of the SCIS has now been completed, and its functions and roles have been formally approved for use by MPI.

A project steering group, comprising representatives from NZSA, AsureQuality, and MPI, oversaw the development, with each organisation playing a critical role in New Zealand's seed certification ecosystem:

• MPI is the regulator of the OECD seed varietal certification scheme in New Zealand.
• AsureQuality delivers contracted seed certification services to the industry and is the country's sole Independent Verification Agency (IVA) for official seed certification schemes.
• NZSA provides governance and policy direction for certification schemes, representing seed growers, processors, and seed companies through its industry-based executive.

George Gerard, chair of the NZSA, says that "the new SCIS replaces the existing legacy system, which had become outdated, unsupported, and no longer met modern digital security expectations".

"It introduces a fully online, role-based digital environment, eliminating all manual paper-based processes previously used in seed certification administration," says Gerard.

A key innovation within SCIS is its use of geospatial technology to map certified seed crops, enhancing traceability, accuracy, and compliance. These features directly support MPI's objective of strengthening the OECD varietal assurance framework and improving the integrity of New Zealand's certification processes.

SCIS is currently in a pilot phase with select industry users, operating on crops from the 2026 harvest. The system will be used for the full administration of certified seed crops in the 2026/2027 cropping season.

The introduction of SCIS represents a new era in seed certification; one that its creators say enhances security, transparency, efficiency, and long-term sustainability for New Zealand's vital seed industry.

This took place during a recent visit by Ireland's Minister of State for Agriculture, Noel Grealish, who says this reaffirms the fact that the two countries have an awful lot in common - especially in relation to agriculture.

The deal signed by Grealish and NZ's agriculture minister Todd McClay involves extending and enhancing the present successful joint venture, which saw $34.5 million set aside to tackle agricultural greenhouse gas emissions without reducing production.

McClay says the new partnership arrangement will see scientists from both nations continue to develop vital research to support the development of tools to give farmers options to deal with GHG emissions. As part of the deal, MPI and the Irish Ministry of Agriculture will identify further projects to progress.

While in NZ, Noel Grealish visited several of the 11 projects underway and says they have helped accelerate understanding of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

"Agriculture is at the heart of the Irish and New Zealand economies, and we share the common goal of lowering emissions in pasture-based farming, while supporting farmers to produce more," he says.

Grealish says while in NZ, he and a senior Irish science official, Dr Karl Walsh, who was travelling with him, visited a number of farms, research institutes and Massey and Lincoln Universities. Dr Walsh also had talks with DairyNZ.

"When I go overseas, I keep getting asked 'what are you doing about climate change?' People point to the severe weather events they are now experiencing and blame this on climate change and want to see food producing countries reducing their greenhouse gas emissions," he says.

Noel Grealish says both countries have great science programmes and great scientists.

Special Day

Noel Grealish, from Galway in the west of Ireland, wanted to be in NZ for St Patrick's Day. Each year, Ireland sends its politicians to all parts of the world to help celebrate this special day with Irish people in individual countries.

"I think I got the jewel in the crown by being sent to NZ. Our two nations have so much in the common and the Irish diaspora is strong in NZ with one in every six people claiming Irish heritage. We have strong sporting links as well with Irishman Dave Gallagher being the first All Black captain," he says.

Butcher joins the EPA from Greater Wellington Regional Council, where she has been Group Manager of the Environment Group, her second tenure with Greater Wellington.

Previously, she was Deputy Director-General, Partnerships and Engagement, at the Department of Conservation.

Announcing the appointment, EPA Board Chair Barry O’Neil says Lian Butcher is an accomplished and experienced leader who brings a proven ability to lead complex organisations and work collaboratively with agencies and stakeholders to achieve results.

"Lian has led major programmes of change and has a strong track record in building high-performing organisational cultures in the public sector," he says.

"The EPA continues to evolve in its role as an environmental regulator.

"We are focused on innovation and strengthening our engagement with stakeholders. Lian is well placed, given her experience and leadership approach, to lead the organisation through this next phase," says O'Neil.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Ms Butcher holds a Master of Science in Fisheries and Shellfish Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of North Wales.

She began her career with the Environment Agency in Wales in 2001, working on the European Union’s Habitats Directive, before moving to New Zealand in 2010 to join the Ministry for the Environment.

Butcher will join the EPA in June to support a transition into the Chief Executive role, formally commencing on 1 July 2026.

She succeeds Dr Allan Freeth, who concludes nearly 11 years of service with the EPA in June.

O'Neil says the EPA Board acknowledges Dr Freeth’s significant contribution to public service in New Zealand and his leadership of the EPA over this time.

That's the response from Michael Franks, chief executive of one of the country's largest kiwifruit packhouse and orchard management companies, to the present Middle East crisis, which is driving up fuel prices and creating uncertainty.

He says the immediate issue for Seeka is the cost of diesel for their numerous transport operators who get bins of fruit from the orchards to the packhouses and export produce from the packhouses to the wharf.

Franks says they have applied a fuel adjustment factor (FAF) which means that every week Seeka adjusts the price it pays truckies according to the fluctuations of the price of diesel.

"If we didn't pay them for the extra cost of fuel for handling our fruit, they would not be able to carry on and would run out of money," he told Rural News.

"So, the more sensible and more mature way is to put the FAF in place; the first week it was 6% more and the second week it was 15%. We have a rate that we pay them per bin based on the distance they transport our fruit and, of course, the growers will have to pay, but at least we will get our fruit to market," he says.

Franks says grower returns will suffer nominally, but notes that fuel is only one component of the total transport cost. He says the ships are still sailing, bu there is uncertainty, and it is too early to say what effect the rising costs of fuel will have in markets.

"For example, what will it do to demand and consumer trends and will the people who supported us in the past continue to do so?" he says.

More Than Just Fuel

The issue that occurred during the Covid crisis was the problem of disruption and shortage of containers, but Michael Franks points out that not a lot of container ships go through the Straits of Hormuz.

He says the Middle East is mainly a point of destination, not a point of transit, and so he's not too nervous. But what concerns him is, if and when the war stops, and if and when the fuel starts moving again, how long it will take for the refineries to get back up and running. Franks says there could be some impact in July, August or September.

"As I understand it, this is not just as simple as you go somewhere else and get your crude around the world is quite different and not every refinery can take every type of crude. Our fortunes are what is happening in Korea and Singapore, in terms of where we get our fuel from," he says.

Finally, Franks says the issue goes beyond fuel with supplies of fertiliser coming from the western Sahara Desert. And he adds that the whole petrochemical issue includes the production of plastics used for packaging in the kiwifruit sector.

In a joint statement with Greenpeace, Fonterra accepts that labels on Anchor Butter with the two phrases '100% New Zealand' and 'Grass Fed' in combination with each other were likely to mislead some New Zealand consumers, particularly those unaware of the nature of the feeds that are provided to dairy cows.

Fonterra also accepted that the labelling was in breach of s9 of the Fair Trading ACT 1986.

The Anchor brand is part of the $4.2 billion sale to Lactalis. However, Fonterra will continue to own the Anchor brand in Greater China. The sale was completed last week. Fonterra farmer shareholders and unitholders will receive a $2/share dividend from the sale, amounting to $3.2b. The payment will be made on April 14.

The civil proceeding concerns claims by Greenpeace that a label on Anchor butter sold in New Zealand supermarkets between December 2023 and April 2025 was misleading and in breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 because the diet of cows whose milk was used to make the butter included non-grass feed including palm kernel expeller (PKE).

Fonterra has removed the label from its Anchor butter packaging and has undertaken not to use the label on its packaging in the future.

In a separate statement, Fonterra says that it stands by its Grass Fed claims.

However, it recognises that the combined use of the two phrases would have been likely to mislead some consumers and has accepted this in the settlement with Greenpeace, the details of which are confidential.

Fonterra says its cows are 96% grass fed and Fonterra's Grass and Pasture Fed Standard has been independently verified as meeting the requirements of the New Zealand Dairy Grass-Fed Administrative Standard. Grass is defined to include grass, grass silage, hay and forage crops (including legumes and brassicas).

An ambitious 15-year plan which includes another pavilion has been unveiled by NZ Fieldays Society chief executive Richard Lindroos.

The plan includes upgrades to water, energy, buildings and footprint (roading, parking and access) at the 114ha Mystery Creek property.

A major upgrade to the site's water infrastructure is underway. The $3.2m project, which is partly funded through a $1.35m government loan, includes replacing the existing reticulated water network and installing a 600,000-litre water tank.

Lindroos told journalists that a fit-for-purpose venue is needed to host the Southern Hemisphere's largest agribusiness show and other events.

"And I've been hell-bent, and I don't apologise for that, I'm making that message very clear - we need to improve our assets and what we offer people who hire Mystery Creek venue," he says.

Lindroos says his "four-pronged attack" is spread over 15 years because it must be managed. "Otherwise, we wouldn't host events, we'd be just a construction site."

Lindroos made the case for why they need central government support to get the upgrades done.

"We're a society that is a private venue," he says.

"There are only two private venues in New Zealand of scale, Spark Arena and Mystery Creek - the rest of them are funded by the ratepayer. We're not. So, we have been investing in our site as a society for 58 years, paying our way.

"We will continue to do that, but with some government assistance we can fast-track that and future-proof us, because we're very ambitious of where we want to head to."

On buildings, Lindroos points out that some of the buildings on site have "probably have served their purpose".

The Society recently demolished ("retired" is the word the Society uses) one of its oldest buildings and will use the space as a village green area at this year's National Fieldays.

Lindroos believes that to have a fit-for-purpose venue where multiple events can be held at the same time, they will need another pavilion, estimated to cost $45 million.

He says they would require government assistance to build a new pavilion.

On footprint, Lindroos says this will be improving entry and access ways into site, landscaping and car parking.

Lindroos believes upgrades would allow more large-scale events to come to NZ.

"Right now, they don't come because we don't have the facilities to offer them. There are not many venues that can host mega large-scale events.

"So, that's part of my plan with government, for them and us to identify these mega events and bring them here."

That’s according to Federated Farmers, which asked its members last week to “share any tangible examples of where you’re having issues accessing fuel”.

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the feedback has been fed directly to both the Beehive and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

“Our team have been in constant contact with the Government this week, making it clear farming is an essential industry, and reliable access to fuel must be treated as a priority.

“It’s important for them to understand the fuel needs of farmers and rural communities, but also the flow-on effects for other businesses like contractors and stock carriers,” he wrote in his weekly email to farmer members.

“We’ve also heard loud and clear from our members that you want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.”

Langford says they went straight to a couple of key suppliers this week – and their message is clear.

Ravensdown says farmers have no reason to worry about fertiliser availability.

The co-operative is well positioned to meet demand now and through autumn, with most of what’s needed already in the country or on the water.

On fuel, Fern Energy is urging farmers not to panic or stockpile.

There is enough fuel in New Zealand – the real issue is artificial demand spikes driven by fear, says Langford.

“When people rush to fill tanks and store extra fuel, it puts unnecessary strain on the supply chain in some regions.

“That’s what leads to delays and disruptions for farmers who genuinely need supply, when they need it.

“Fern Energy, Ravensdown and other suppliers are working their guts out to get supply to those who need it.

“The best thing farmers can do right now is stay calm and stick to normal purchasing patterns.

“That allows suppliers to prioritise deliveries to where fuel is actually needed most and keep everything flowing as it should.”

Langford says that it’s hard to predict what will happen to supply in the longer-term, as that’s very much dependent on what happens in the Middle East.

But the message right now is that we have enough in the country, and plenty on the way, he adds.

“I know these are challenging times – but we’ve been through them before and we’ll get through this one as well.”

Zespri has just released its March guidance on the range of prices that growers may get for the coming season and the top of the range price per tray for all classes is above Zespri's February forecast. For example, the top price for SunGold is $12.75, Green $10.75 and RubyRed $17.50. Organic prices are also up on February's forecast.

Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake says their initial guidance reflects positive demand for their fruit and the removal of US tariffs.

He says the guidance is based on assumptions about the cost of bunker fuel and freight taken from the latest information available, as well as the estimated impact from the conflict in the Middle East, allowing for the potential of wider supply chain disruption.

"Despite heightened geopolitical uncertainty from the ongoing tension in the Middle East, our shipping programme is tracking well, with fruit moving steadily into market, with fruit to Europe shipped via the Panama Canal.

"We have a strong pipeline of vessels arriving in New Zealand over the coming weeks and continue to work with our longstanding shipping partners on monitoring the expected impact of freight costs.”

Te Brake says the 2026/27 season has started well with the industry making good progress with harvest, supporting a fast start with another large crop of around 220 million trays to sell.

“The RubyRed harvest is close to finished, with almost all of this season’s five million trays now packed, and volumes are up from around three million trays on last year.”

Sales of this fruit have extended to include Australia, Vietnam and Canada for the first time, he says.

Te Brake says the March guidance is a preliminary forecast, with forecasts updated through the year when there is a firmer view of fruit and market performance, as well as on the scale and duration of the conflict in the Middle East.

Zespri's Big Red Night

Overseas Trade Minister Todd McClay and Zespri chair Andrew Flowerday were among more than 200 people who gathered at Parliament in last week to celebrate in style the success of the kiwifruit industry.

It was Zespri’s annual ‘thank you’ to all those who have contributed to its huge success in the past year and guests included the Prime Minister, politicians from all parties, diplomats, government officials and industry leaders. The event showcased the early Ruby Red variety which has just been harvested, and guest were given special packs to take home.

Flowerday told the audience that so far it’s been a very smooth harvest, but there are obvious concerns about the fuel crisis. This he stressed highlighted the importance of market diversification and he voiced his strong support for Parliament to ratify the NZ-India FTA.

“Unlocking the value in the Indian market is hugely important to Zespri,” he says.

McClay also emphasised the value of the NZ-India FTA and added that the kiwifruit industry delivered jobs and put money in the pockets of Kiwis from the Far North to the top of the South Island.

“Much of the kiwifruit that is produced comes from the heart of my electorate and I am incredibly proud of the growers who produce this high-quality food and the team behind them that are letting the world enjoy it,” he says.

New Zealand Winegrowers chair Fabian Yukich says Anishka Jelicich’s appointment comes at an important moment for New Zealand’s wine industry. After more than three decades of export growth, New Zealand continues to build its global reputation for distinctive, premium, and sustainable wines.

Yukich says the industry’s long-term prospects remain positive with growth across export markets, a strong indicator of consumer preference for New Zealand wine.

“However, the sector is navigating a period of heightened global uncertainty, with a range of serious pressures currently facing growers and winemakers.”

He says that against this backdrop, Jelicich’s appointment brings an opportunity for a refresh.

“Anishka was a stand-out candidate for us with her deep understanding of the New Zealand wine industry, combined with extensive global knowledge and experience.”

In a joint letter to four parties, National, Labour, ACT and New Zealand First, the groups are seeking clarification on rural, environmental, and agricultural issues.

The three groups – Groundswell NZ, NZ Farming and the Methane Science Accord – claim to represent 424,000 members and followers.

They are asking the four parties to clarify their positions on maintaining NZ’s current Paris Agreement and net zero commitments.

They say “very large” areas of previously productive, grazable farmland have been converted into carbon forestry.

“Current figures report over 300,000 hectares since 2017 have moved into permanent or long-term carbon farming.”

They also list the Freshwater Farm Plan proposal as a major concern for farmers and want to know if the parties support farm plans as government-prescribed legislation and that it be mandatory.

The proposed gene technology bill is also of concern to the groups.

“Our groups are not opposed to innovation or science. However, we believe any change of this magnitude must be approached cautiously, with full consideration of trade implications, farmer consent, and long-term impacts on New Zealand’s agricultural identity,” they say.

The three groups also claim that rural New Zealand is carrying “a disproportionate share of inflationary cost increases”.

“Escalating rates driven by expanding bureaucracy, sharply rising electricity prices linked to climate and renewable energy policy, and increasing compliance costs have combined to place severe pressure on farm businesses.”

They want to know what specific changes the parties will make to energy and climate policy to prevent Paris Agreement-driven renewable mandates from continuing to increase electricity costs for farmers and rural businesses.

A spokeswoman for the three groups, Helen Mandeno, told Rural News that all grassroots farmers in NZ would like to know the answers to the questions in the letter.

“We also tried to phrase the questions so that we can hopefully get direct answers.

“Politicians are notorious for not answering questions directly or answering them in a very wishy-washy way.”

Asked if the groups would be guiding their supporters on how to vote on the back of the responses from the four parties, Mandeno says their role isn’t to tell supporters how to vote.

“What we can do – and what matters – is ensure they have clear, honest answers from all parties. Grassroots farmers deserve transparency so they can make their own informed decisions.”

Mandeno says the three groups aren’t opposed to environmental stewardship and farmers are, and always have been, environmental managers. “However, they believe current policy settings are undermining productive land use, food security and rural communities.

“We would welcome clear, public positions from the parties on these matters and look forward to constructive engagement as the election approaches.”

According to Beef+Lamb New Zealand's Mid-Season Update report, average farm profit is forecast to climb to $287,600/farm in 2025-26.

Red meat farmers are expected to generate $8.5 billion on farm this year and spend $16 million every day on goods and services, largely in their local communities.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins says a return to profit this financial year will be a welcome relief after some tough seasons.

"The extra revenue will flow straight into rural communities," Dawkins told Rural News.

"This will be on things like extra fencing, weed control, pasture renewal or fertiliser. That keeps the money circulating through our support industries and rural communities."

For many farmers, deferred repairs and maintenance are top of the list, alongside paying down debt.

"We all know commodity prices go up and down, so building a more resilient business is key," adds Dawkins.

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says the report painted a positive picture for the sector with farmers cautiously optimistic.

"Farmgate numbers for 2025-26 have moved materially since our New Season Outlook in September, with stronger global red meat demand and tighter international supply underpinning livestock prices here at home.

"This is a welcome lift for New Zealand's sheep and beef farmers."

Dawkins agrees that farmers are riding a real high.

"Strong returns across sheep, beef, and wool, along with a favourable climate, sensible policies, and decent interest rates; this combination is rare, so there's a lot of optimism out there."

But B+LNZ warns there's still a high degree of uncertainty with geopolitical risks on many farmers' minds, including the US tariffs situation and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

"We are seeing volatility in key input costs because of the disruption to global supply chains," says Acland.

Dawkins says that while farmers are enjoying conditions right now, they are wary of fuel availability and rising costs.

"On top of that, softer schedule prices are forecast, so global uncertainties have taken some shine off."

However, market fundamentals are sound with strong demand for beef into North America and for lamb into the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Demand and pricing in China remain softer, but overall the global picture is far more positive than it has been in recent years, according to B+LNZ.

Nicola Grigg, who has held the Associate Agriculture Minister portfolio specialising in Horticulture since 2023, has been named Minister for the Environment.

Meanwhile, sheep and beef farmer and Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick has been named Minister for Land Information and Associate Minister of Agriculture.

Luxon says that having a strong ministerial team with real-world experience to deliver the Government's economic response is "crucial".

"Today’s reshuffle reflects that and brings in new talent," he says.

“Having successfully delivered significant reforms from outside Cabinet, Chris Penk will now join Cabinet, picking up the Defence, GCSB and NZSIS, and Space portfolios. Chris’ time in the NZDF leaves him well placed to lead the work our Government has done in raising the status and capability of our armed forces.

"Penny Simmonds also joins Cabinet with responsibility for Tertiary Education and Science, Innovation and Technology. Penny has successfully delivered reforms to the vocational education sector, also from outside Cabinet, and will bring her extensive governance experience to her new portfolios.

“The past few weeks have underlined how important energy security is and as such I will be elevating the Energy portfolio to senior minister Simeon Brown.

“Chris Bishop becomes Attorney-General and Paul Goldsmith takes responsibility for the Public Service and Digitising Government, and Pacific Peoples portfolios.

“Louise Upston will become Leader of the House and Simon Watts will be Minister for Auckland.

“Nicola Grigg becomes Minister for the Environment and Scott Simpson becomes Minister of Statistics and Deputy Leader of the House. 

“Joining as a Minister outside Cabinet, Cameron Brewer becomes Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Small Business and Manufacturing, and Associate Minister of Immigration. Mike Butterick becomes Minister for Land Information and Associate Minister of Agriculture."

Luxon says he acknowledges the public service of Judith Collins and Shane Reti who will depart Parliament at the upcoming election.

“Judith was first elected in 2002 and since then, has held numerous different ministerial portfolios and served as Leader of the Opposition. This term, she has delivered the Defence Capability Plan, advanced New Zealand’s space industry and modernised of our public service.

“In Shane’s 12 years in Parliament, he has served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition and has delivered key reforms as a minister, including improving the commerciality of our science sector to boost incomes and create jobs. He has also played a key role in projects that will benefit New Zealanders for generations, like the third medical school and expanded cancer screening.  

“I would also like to acknowledge the staff who have supported Judith and Shane throughout their time here.

“New Zealand is better for Judith and Shane deciding to enter public service and I am grateful to count them both as friends. On behalf of the Government and the National Party, I wish them all the best for their futures outside Parliament.”

These changes will come into effect on Tuesday 7 April.

Dane Ambler, executive director of Buy NZ Made, says the announcements are a stark reminder that local producers are operating in an increasingly difficult environment with rising costs, weakening demand, and growing international competition placing sustained strain on businesses and jobs.

"A recent Buy NZ Made survey reveals the depth of the challenge," Ambler says.

"Almost half of respondents (46%) report rising operational costs, while more than a third (39%) say slow demand is impacting their performance. Together, these pressures are creating a perfect storm for local manufacturers, many of whom are already operating on tight margins."

Ambler says that behind every announcement like those made by Watties and McCain are hundreds of families and communities impacted.

"These are not isolated events, they reflect broader structural challenges facing New Zealand manufacturing," he adds.

Ambler says the Government and consumers need to step up and support locally made products.

"We need stronger, more deliberate backing of New Zealand made goods and services. That includes government procurement policies that prioritise local suppliers, targeted support to ease compliance and cost pressures, and a clear strategy to strengthen domestic production."

While supporting local is critical, the current economic climate is also shaping consumer behaviour.

"We know Kiwis want to buy local, but the reality is that times are still tough. Cost of living pressures mean many households are pulling back on spending, which is flowing directly through to reduced demand for locally made goods."

Buy NZ Made is calling for a coordinated response that recognises both sides of the equation; supporting producers while acknowledging the financial constraints facing consumers.

"New Zealand manufacturing plays a vital role in our economy, from regional employment to supply chain resilience. If we don’t act now, we risk seeing more closures, more job losses, and a further erosion of our local capability."

"This is about backing ourselves as a country. Supporting NZ made means supporting jobs, communities, and our economic independence."

Built specifically for farming, Oxbury focuses on doing a few things well: fast decisions, straightforward products, and people who understand farming and seasonal cashflow.

The New Zealand business is a partnership between UK and New Zealand interests and is 50% locally owned.

Oxbury was founded in the UK about eight years ago by Nick Evans and James Farrar, who both have long experience in banking and agriculture.

“Their fundamental belief was that, while the agricultural sector was served by banks, there was not the specialisation farmers needed,” says Oxbury executive chairman, Symon Brewis‑Weston.

“They set out to build a lender that is 100% committed to farming and agriculture, with a deep understanding of the sector.”

Oxbury now provides a significant share of farm lending in the UK, with a multi‑billion‑dollar book of agricultural loans and retail deposits.

New Zealand appealed for the same reasons.

“In terms of total farm output, New Zealand is bigger than the UK,” Brewis‑Weston says.

“We saw the same opportunity here – to focus on working capital for farmers, do the basics, and do them exceptionally well.”

Oxbury quietly launched in New Zealand late last year and is now ready to “hit the go button”, with an initial focus on livestock finance.

“With livestock, it’s all about service and turnaround time – when people have grass, getting an approval quickly matters so they can capitalise on the opportunity,” Brewis‑Weston says. “It’s about speed, efficiency, and having people who understand farming cycles.”

“At the end of the day, it’s a partnership,” he says. “We’re independent, we speak ‘farmer’, and we understand the end‑to‑end supply chain – especially in livestock.”

Recent master’s research by Theané de Klerk analysed New Zealand’s national agricultural phosphorus (P) budget and found that overall, fertiliser use is closely aligned with the amount needed to maintain soil fertility.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient used in fertilisers to support pasture and crop growth, but excessive amounts can contribute to environmental challenges if not carefully managed.

During the 2021/2022 production season, about 143,000 tonnes of phosphorus fertiliser was applied to agricultural land nationwide. This compares with an estimated 157,000 tonnes required to maintain soil phosphorus levels, indicating a relatively balanced national picture.

“While my research only represents a single-season snapshot, the findings are encouraging for farmers, showing that the shift towards sustainable nutrient management has been worthwhile," de Klerk says.  "It reflects the effort farmers have put into managing nutrients carefully.”

While the overall amount of phosphorus being applied through fertiliser is broadly similar to the amount needed to maintain soil fertility, the research also found differences between farming sectors.

The dairy sector tended to apply slightly more phosphorus fertiliser than required, resulting in a small accumulation of soil phosphorus of around three kilograms per hectare per year.

In contrast, the sheep and beef sector generally applied less fertiliser than required, resulting in a small decline of about two kilograms per hectare per year, which over time could result in some production losses for this sector.

De Klerk says that continued attention to nutrient management will be important to maintain this balance.

“There’s still room for improvement. Applying too much fertiliser in some areas can lead to phosphorus accumulation, while applying too little in others can gradually reduce soil fertility.”

The research relied heavily on industry data from organisations including DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Limited data availability meant the analysis of the cropping and horticultural sectors was less detailed than that of pastoral farming.

De Klerk says she hopes the research will help inform future nutrient management decisions across the sector.

“Understanding how much phosphorus our soils actually need helps farmers apply fertiliser more efficiently, supporting both farm productivity and environmental sustainability.”

Now that her research is completed, de Klerk plans to pursue a career in sustainable nutrient management, working with farmers to improve the use of phosphorus and other key nutrients on farms.

De Klerk’s research was funded by the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand and was supervised by Associate Professor Lucy Burkitt, Dr James Hanly and Professor Peter Tozer of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, and Dr Katrina Macintosh of DairyNZ.

The pair were recognised for transforming their farm into a high-efficiency, technology-driven operation that delivers strong production alongside environmental and community outcomes.

Nine years after purchasing the property, the Watsons have developed the 123ha (112ha effective) grazing platform and 150ha runoff into a highly productive dairy and beef system.

Drawing on their backgrounds as veterinarians, they have applied deep expertise in animal health, genetics and welfare to build a herd that performs efficiently and consistently.

Judges praised the Watsons’ outstanding farming performance and use of innovation.

“Exceptional animal health and performance across both the dairy and beef herds,” they said.

They also highlighted the role of technology in driving results.

“Technology adoption, use and analysis is central to driving farm efficiency.”

A key feature of the system is the use of virtual fencing technology, which informs grazing rotation and pasture utilisation while reducing labour and supporting animal wellbeing. This has helped significantly lift pasture harvest and overall productivity.

The Watsons’ commitment to continuous improvement has seen pasture production increase from seven to eight tonne/ha to around 10.5tonne/ha, while also reducing nitrogen use and improving overall environmental performance.

“Adopting regenerative practices has significantly increased pasture grown and harvested,” the judges said.

Environmental stewardship is a central focus of the business. Investments in effluent management systems, wetland restoration and tidal habitat protection are helping improve water quality and biodiversity, including habitat for the endangered Bittern.

For the Watson family, the farm represents far more than a business. “Our farm has become a spiritual home for our family. It’s where our boys have grown up, developed skills and built a deep connection to the land.”

They say the journey has been one of constant learning and growth. “We love the journey of improvement - always looking at how we can do better and continue to develop both our business and our stewardship of the land.”

Strong community connections are also a defining feature, with the Watsons actively involved in local schools, conservation groups and industry initiatives, regularly hosting field days and sharing knowledge.

Poole, this year's recipient, grew up in a Taranaki dairy farming family. He says agriculture has been central to his life.

“Growing up on a dairy farm gave me a strong work ethic and a deep connection to the land,” he says. “Studying agribusiness is helping me understand how I can contribute to the industry in a meaningful way.”

The scholarship supports students who demonstrate leadership potential, commitment to the sector, and alignment with Pāmu values.

Poole says receiving the scholarship has given him confidence to keep pushing himself.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this support. It reinforces that putting time and energy into worthwhile opportunities really matters, and it’s motivating to see that effort recognised.”

Poole is particularly interested in the role large‑scale farming organisations can play in testing new ideas and adapting to change.

He is currently exploring the opportunity to complete a summer placement with Pāmu to gain hands‑on experience in a new part of the country.

“I’m proud of New Zealand agriculture and the reputation it has built globally. I’m looking forward to starting my career, learning from others, and contributing back to the sector that’s given me so much.”

The scholarship was established in 2024 alongside a memorial covenant in recognition of Dr Parker’s lifelong contribution to New Zealand agriculture.

The inaugural recipient, Oliver Cayley, completed his final year of a Bachelor of Agribusiness at Massey University in 2025 alongside a two-month placement on a Pāmu dairy unit near Taupō, over the summer, where he was part of the Endurance team.

Cayley has since started as two-year graduate programme with Fonterra in Christchurch.

Pāmu says it was privileged to support Cayley at an important stage of his journey.

“He jumped straight in, embraced every part of farm life, and lived our values every day. He was a great addition to the team and will be missed,” said Endurance Farm Manager Rebecca Voysey.

Pāmu Chief Executive Mark Leslie says the scholarship is about more than financial support.

“It’s about backing talented young people, giving them real‑world experience, and helping them build confidence and connections in the sector. William and Oliver both reflect the values Dr Parker stood for, and we’re proud to be part of their journeys.”

This is in response to severe weather already isolating communities, with 17 local roads closed, and conditions expected to worsen overnight.

The declaration provides additional powers that enable emergency services and council staff to respond quickly and effectively as the situation evolves.

Whangarei District Council has also declared a State of Emergency for its district.

In a statement today, Far North District Council says, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was stood up by the council at its headquarters in Kaikohe this morning.

The emergency declaration was announced jointly by EOC Controller, Alastair Wells and Kahika Mayor Moko Tepania.

Communities already isolated by road closures include Kaitāia and other parts of Te Hiku.

Far North residents are urged to not to travel and to avoid rivers, beaches and flood waters due to possible sewage and septic tank overflows. High tide is due around mid afternoon for much of the Far North. Local tidal times can be checked here - https://tides.niwa.co.nz/. If people are concerned about rapidly rising waters, they should act quickly and evacuate to higher ground.

A Red Heavy Rain Warning – the highest warning level – was issued by the MetService for areas of Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei, as well as an Orange Heavy Rain warning for the rest of Northland, and an Orange Strong Wind Warning for the region.

Emergency welfare is being provided by numerous marae and local schools. Check our news story here for updates and follow our Facebook page.

Declaring a State of Emergency strengthens the ability of emergency services and Civil Defence to respond. Residents are encouraged to report issues to our contact centre on 0800 920 029 but if your need for assistance is urgent please call 111.

The EOC is co-ordinating the response to unfolding emergencies while ensuring that usual council operations continue. Emergency services – police, fire and ambulance – are part of the EOC, along with Civil Defence Northland and council staff with Civil Defence training.

Council teams are on call 24/7 and responding to hazards as soon as it is safe to do so.

For a full list of local road closures go here and follow our Facebook page.

MetService is indicating the severe weather warnings are expected to be expire on Friday.

Ron Park, chief executive and founder of Canterbury-based health supplements company Kōrure, was named as winner of the competition, which challenges Kiwis to develop innovative and practical solutions to enhance export value and advance New Zealand’s red meat sector.

Park is exploring the development of a “Kiwi Tender” range of premium New Zealand red meat products processed to achieve a texture so tender it can be crushed with the tongue, without chewing, while retaining the shape, flavour, and nutritional density of whole muscle meat.

The core innovation is to adapt the successful Eatender model, developed in Taiwan, to New Zealand’s grass-fed red meat. This includes developing a New Zealand-specific tenderisation protocol where parameters would be developed and optimised for New Zealand grass-fed meat.

Park has been awarded $10,000 to develop a business case and progress his idea into a research project.

Nathan Guy, chair of the Meat Industry Association, says the competition - now in its second year - saw numerous "exceptional proposals".

“Ultimately, our panel of expert judges chose Ron’s proposal because of the opportunities for global interest in applying a uniquely Kiwi innovation to a process which already has a strong foothold in Asia in the hospital and aged care sector," Guy says.

Park says he is delighted to be selected as the winner.

“The grant will enable us to build the business case needed to attract investment and bring this product to market.

“Kiwi Tender offers a transformational opportunity for the New Zealand red meat industry, to create a new category of premium export products targeting older adults, the fastest-growing consumer demographic globally.

“By adapting the successful Eatender model to New Zealand's world-class grass-fed beef and lamb, we can create export-ready products that transform underutilised cuts into high-value senior nutrition solutions.

“Over 333 manufacturers and more than 1,000 products now carry Eatender certification with the global market for easy to eat protein sources estimated at NZ$500 billion.

“With support from leading meat processors and academic expertise, we’re really excited about the potential for this project.”

The Dragon’s Den final took place at the joint MIA-Bioeconomy Science Institute Meat Innovation Workshop in Palmerston North on 11-12 March. 

Wool Source, a Christchurch-based ingredients manufacturer turning wool into new applications, has developed a world-leading patented technology to convert strong wool into a colourant for use in screen printing inks.

Wool Source Pigments are ethically sourced, renewable and traceable pigments with 97- 98% biobased carbon content, which means the product's carbon is almost entirely derived from a renewable biological source. The pigments are mixed into liquids to form screen printing inks and offer an alternative to synthetic and fossil fuel-derived pigments.

Outdoor brand Kathmandu is applying the innovation in a recently released graphic t-shirt made of 100% merino and inspired by Canterbury’s braided river systems, a uniquely local landscape that ties the product back to its natural origins, printed with Wool Source Pigments.

Wool Source chief executive Tom Hooper says it is a significant step to partner with a New Zealand brand like Kathmandu as the company begins to take the technology to global markets.

“It showcases that you can incorporate our pigments into traditional commercial processes at scale and deliver a high-quality final product using more environmentally friendly materials,” Hooper says.

“Innovation should do more than reduce harm,” says Kathmandu head of product innovation and product sustainability Manu Rastogi.

“This is a real example of how innovation and sustainability can complement each other, and the industry as a whole, and now we’ve helped unlock new value for New Zealand strong wool,” he says.

The development work builds on years of scientific research through the “New Uses for Strong Wool” programme led by the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand and supported by scientists at Lincoln Agritech, wool growers, the wider wool supply chain, the Ministry of Business and Innovation and Employment and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.

The t-shirts are available online in New Zealand and Australia and are being rolled out across New Zealand stores now.

The company also announced it will enter the United Kingdom and Ireland later this year, along with key South American markets.

Halter raised $NZD377 million in Series E funding at a $3.43 billion valuation ($US2 billion). 

The round was led by Series A investor, US-based Founders Fund, with participation from cornerstone investors including Blackbird, DCVC, Bond, Bessemer, NewView, Ubiquity, Promus and Icehouse Ventures.

The capital will help the company support its New Zealand farmers, accelerate its commercial expansion across the United States, and fund the roll-out of a range of new products in coming months.

Investment will continue across product development, including animal health monitoring and pasture management, shaped by how customers are using the system in the field. The focus remains on supporting farmers building their operations with Halter.

To drive this expansion Halter is hiring a record 220-plus roles across New Zealand, Australia, and the US in coming weeks, with a focus on product and engineering and customer jobs based at the company’s Auckland HQ.

The capital raise is one of the largest-ever in agritech globally, and reflects accelerating demand for virtual fencing technology. Halter now serves more than 2000 farmers and ranchers across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, with one million of its solar-powered collars now sold.

Craig Piggott, chief executive and founder of Halter, says the company was started because of a belief that technology could fundamentally change what it means to run a farm and enable farmers to use innovation to build long-term futures on their land.

“Our farmers need tools that work, and the fact that they’re using Halter tells us our technology has earned their trust. This raise lets us bring it to far more of them - and faster," Piggot says.

He says farmers in the UK and Ireland have long been interested in Halter, adding that he is excited to be able to bring the technology to one of the world's most important agricultural markets.

"The UK and Ireland are very similar to New Zealand in terms of landscape and climate - we know we can have an impact there,’’ Piggott says.

Halter’s GPS-enabled collars use audio cues and gentle vibrations to contain and herd cattle within virtual boundaries, allowing farmers to move herds from a smartphone.

That’s the message from NZ Young Farmers Waikato Bay of Plenty convenor, Shanice Young, to contestants polishing up their skills ahead of this year’s regional finals event set to take place on Saturday, 28 March at the Te Teko Racecourse.

While contestants can expect to be put through their paces – as usual – event organisers are ensuring there will be plenty to keep contestants on their toes as they make their way through a series of tough challenges designed to test their practical skills, technical knowledge, and ability to work fast under pressure.

For 30‑year‑old Cam Clayton, this year is his last opportunity to reach the Grand Final and compete for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year title. A past regional finalist and former national tournament winner, he knows the format well, but with his 31st birthday approaching, he’ll age out of the competition after this season.

“I’m 30 this year, so it’s my last chance to compete, which does add a little more tension to the system.”

To get competition‑ready, Clayton has been drawing on the people around him, those who’ve competed or helped organise the competition in the past. He says their support and insight have been “invaluable”. One of those friends is Hugh Jackson, the 57th FMG Young Farmer of the Year. Their usual back‑and‑forth about day‑to‑day farm work has shifted into regular FaceTime quiz sessions to sharpen Clayton’s knowledge.

“We’ve always bounced ideas off each other when it comes to daily on‑farm tasks,” Clayton says. “But now we’re having regular FaceTime sessions where he’ll quiz me on things.”

Heading into the contest, Clayton’s strategy is simple: stay focused, keep moving, and enjoy the day.

“You’ve got to do your best and move on, instead of sitting there trying to complete each task to perfection. But more than anything, because it's my last shot, I want to enjoy it with the other seven guys on stage with me.”

Despite the added pressure, Clayton’s strong preparation, and his recent performance at the District Contest shows he can go all the way. Young agrees, he’s a front-runner.

“Cam slayed through the districts. He’s an all‑rounder and one to look out for.”

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a highlight in the rural calendar, boasting a strong track record of showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector – igniting contestants’ competitive streak and setting the bar for excellence in farming.

NZ Young Farmers CEO Cheyne Gillooly says the long-standing contest is well-loved in Waikato Bay of Plenty and around the country because it gives talented young farmers space to shine in the spotlight and connect with like-minded peers, which can be hard to do in the industry.

“With our AgriKidsNZ events for primary-aged competitors and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competitions running alongside the Regional Finals Young Farmers event, collectively the day is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it – with a healthy dose of competition of course,” says Gillooly.

This year, 15 primary schools (34 teams), and 13 high schools (34 teams) from Waikato Bay of Plenty have thrown their hat in the ring.

Young says competitors need strong regional skills, but also the ability to think beyond standard farm tasks.

“Know your local skills but be ready for more than farming knowledge, the unexpected could be your biggest challenge.”

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is proudly supported by FMG, Ravensdown, MPI, Milwaukee, Honda, Lincoln University, PTS, New Holland, Bushbuck and ACC.

The DX7004 uses a hybrid diesel-electric powertrain rated at 700hp, complemented by electric motors that raise maximum output to around 1200 hp and up to 4500 Nm of torque. The drivetrain integrates an electrified continuously variable transmission, designed to cope with extremely high traction loads with improved energy efficiency.

Said to be capable of covering around 480 hectares in 12 hours, beyond raw power the tractor incorporates a distributed electric drive system, digital chassis and intelligent control platform, allowing precise torque distribution and advanced automation capabilities. The machine is also equipped with Zoomlion’s EPilot smart-driving system and AOS operational platform, enabling centimetre-level autonomous guidance and coordinated implement control during high-speed field operations.

In other new tractor news, fellow Chinese manufacturer Lovol, is preparing to launch its M3004, a new 300hp tractor said to be positioned aggressively on price in the highpower segment. Following a series of demonstrations in Poland, it was reported that the company’s aspirations were to expand rapidly in the European market, driven by the possibility that offer the cheapest 300hp tractor in the sector.

Powered by a 9.5-litre six-cylinder diesel engine, its displacement appears to be larger than the norm for the power class, complemented by a tare weight of around 11 tonnes, with a 3185mm wheelbase. The format suggests that it would be ideal as a heavyduty platform intended for demanding tillage operations or large implement applications.

The significant drop was the result of a lower order book at the start of the year, although farmers’ willingness to invest improved throughout the year, albeit with significant differences between regions.

Normalised dealer inventories and positive weather conditions in Europe led to more confidence and increased demand for agricultural machinery in the second half of the year, with the dairy and livestock sectors buoyed by high milk and meat prices

In North America, the implementation of additional import tariffs manifested itself with rising purchase prices, leading to a difficult sales environment. Currently, with an aim to address the situation, Kuhn continues to work on optimising costs, alongside making production capacity adjustments.

During the year, order intake rose by 16% from NZ$2.09m in 2024, climbing to NZ$$2.42 in 2025. Encouraged by the increased order book, Kuhn Group expects an increase in sales for 2026, forecasting a higher operating profit margin than the NZ$162.3m in 2025, itself, 19% lower than the NZ$192.7m achieved in 2024.

www.kuhn.com

Like the other Fold-up models, the 12m is designed for three-point linkage mounting, featuring five sections that easily fold to a 3m transport width.

Rotowiper owner, Dougal Lamont says, “the 12m model on display is aimed at large scale farmers, here and in Australia, and is designed to be flexible across uneven ground, making it suitable for all types of terrains, including rolling country”.

The 12m unit tips the scales at two tonnes. It has three ‘balloontyred’ oscillating wheels, rearwards of the three centre sections, that take care of working height, complemented by individual wheels at the extremities of the outer wings.

Utilising the same herbicide application technology used throughout the wellknown Rotowiper range, the big unit features twin 200 litre chemical tanks, five distribution pumps, and a control box offering auto-function, timer and manual control options.

Each application roller uses a hydraulic motor, allowing the operator to apply chemical to each roller separately. The start-up procedure is designed to avoid overloading the 12v system with pumps starting in sequence, then the reverse during shutdown. Lamont suggests the 12m unit will retail at about $55,000.

http://www.rotowiper.com/

In 1980, he took over the management of the “GRIMME Landmaschinenfabrik” (GRIMME agricultural machinery factory) from his father, which at that time employed 300 people and manufactured 10 products.

In 1985, he married his wife Christine, who has been responsible for public relations at the company since 2003.

Franz founded the first foreign subsidiary in the USA in 1985, established Internorm, a specialist in plastics technology in 1987, followed by Ricon, a company for the production of webs and conveying equipment in 1995. 2003 saw the acquisition of US potato technology manufacturer SPUDNIK and the Danish vegetable technology specialist ASA-LIFT in 2013.

Still a family company, Franz and his wife Christine support their sons Christoph and Philipp, who are the fifth generation to run the group of companies.

Franz Grimme, comments “My wife and I are very proud that our sons Christoph and Philipp have taken on full responsibility for the companies and that we can both support them with advice and assistance. It is a very comforting feeling to know that everything is in good hands. I am also inspired by the large GRIMME team; we have achieved a considerable degree of progress together and still have a lot to accomplish.”

www.classharvestcentre.com 

Whyteline from Paeroa, on the North Island was named Case IH ANZ Dealer of the Year 2025 for dealers with one to two outlets. Having owned and operated the business since 1976, the thrill of claiming the title was is still sinking in, with Vaughn Carson, agricultural sales consultant, noting it was great recognition for his hardworking team.

“On behalf of Whyteline, we are a family‑focused business and we really appreciate this award. This year marks 50 years of being CNH dealers, which is something we’re incredibly proud of,” Vaughn said. “We’ve got a great team, who have been dedicated to the cause and our customers are very loyal, which we really appreciate, so this award is for them as well.”

Operating from seven locations in the South Island, Cochranes was named the CNH Capital Dealer of the Year for New Zealand.

For dealer principal Chris West, the excitement of the achievement was unmistakable. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind ride with CNH over the last three to four years, and it really all started with Capital,” Chris said.

The Dealer of the Year results are based on several different criteria, including finance and business management, performance in sales and marketing, parts and service, precision technology focus and total market share.

CNH New Zealand business manager, John Gilbert, congratulated the winners, praising the level of excellence they’d achieved and the outstanding service they’d delivered to their customers.

“Congratulations to Whyteline and Cochranes for their well-deserved recognition. Our New Zealand dealer network has had to weather some challenges over the past year, but they continue to rise above it and have remained focused on delivering exceptional service to our customers,” John said.

www.cnhindustrialcapital.co.nz 

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland says the Dairy Beef Opportunities programme will give farmers more confidence and more options.

"We're proud to stand alongside our sector partners in driving this next step for dairy beef.

"This is about creating real opportunities for farmers and ensuring the beef and dairy sectors continue to grow in a way that supports long-term sector success.

"The programme also reflects the strong level of collaboration across the sector, bringing together organisations from across the value chain to help dairy and beef farmers lift productivity and profitability."

The programme is a joint initiative between DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the Meat Industry Association, and members of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, with support from the Ministry for Primary Industries via the Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF). The Government is putting in $10m.

It is designed to unlock the value of non-replacement dairy calves - those not needed to replenish dairy herds or already entering dairy-beef systems - by developing innovative, New Zealand-focused approaches that suit the country's seasonal, pasture-based farming system.

The DBO programme focuses on three key areas:

• Improving efficiency through genetics and systems - enhancing calf breeding, rearing, and finishing to increase productivity, profitability, and farmer confidence.
• Smarter breeding and lactation strategies - increasing the proportion of calves entering the beef system while meeting dairy and beef production needs.
• Developing new pathways and value chains - creating innovative products and supply chain solutions for young dairy beef, helping processors manage livestock more efficiently and providing farmers with new revenue opportunities.

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says her organisation is committed to unlocking new opportunities for dairy beef across the country.

"And we're proud to help lead this new programme alongside the Government and our sector partners.

"This is a real opportunity to drive meaningful change for farmers and for our sector's future."

Simon Limmer, chair of the DBO Governance Group, said the programme reflects the commitment of the dairy and beef sectors to working together to deliver practical, on-farm change that benefits farmers, processors and rural communities.

“The DBO programme will strengthen integration between dairy and beef systems, enhance supply chain efficiency, and open new revenue streams for farmers, helping the pastoral sector continue to drive New Zealand’s economic and primary sector success.

“It will support New Zealand’s reputation for producing premium, sustainable, and ethically raised food, while creating tangible economic benefits for those working in the pastoral sector.”

One of the key risk factors for accelerating drench resistance on a farm is the continued use of ineffective products.

Here at Wormwise, we’ve been hammering the messages ‘you can’t tell by looking’ (whether your drench is effective) and to ‘check your drench performance’. But then what?

What’s next if the drench testing news is a story you didn’t want to hear?

If faecal egg counts (FECs) after your routine drench show that there are still eggs in the poo samples, worms are surviving your drench.

Nowadays, the most common reason for that result is resistant worms. However, it’s still important to rule out hiccups with dosage or administration. Occasionally problems with dose calculation, gear malfunctions or administration technique can lead to animals being under-dosed, or missed.

Things to double-check are:

• Was the weight of the animals known and were they dosed to the heaviest in the group, or their individual liveweights? Or was liveweight guessed?
• Was the drench gun delivering the volume it was supposed to? Calibrating guns is an important job and should be done before every drenching episode. A medical/veterinary syringe or laboratory grade cylinder should be used to check the volume, not a jug from the hardware store.
• Were the people doing the drenching taking time and care to do the job properly? Speed does not win the race in the war against worms. Bob Marley is better background music than Iron Maiden!

The pattern of FEC results can be a clue as to whether the eggs left behind are from resistant worms or from animals that have missed being drenched.

In the ‘resistance’ situation, few to many low-to-moderate FECs (depending on how bad the resistance is) are common.

In the ‘missed dose’ situation, mostly zero FECs with one or two moderate-to-high FECs can be more common. If you are using composite FECs, it is not always possible to know which of these scenarios might be
at play.

Another check that can help indicate whether eggs in the poo post-drenching are from resistant worms or a dosing mishap is worm species identification.

This is done at the laboratory (via larval culture or the new GIN PCR test). In sheep at least, the presence of a large range of worm types in the samples is more likely to indicate a drenching slip-up (e.g. animals being missed).

The presence of only one or two species is more likely to indicate resistance. Calves tend to have less of a species mix on board to begin with, but it’s still worth doing this check on them too.

Finally, repeating your drench performance check to a higher level of detail is a good idea. This involves dosing another group of animals and recording FECs and worm species identification both on the day of drenching (what was there at the start?) and then again 7–14 days later (what is being left behind?). Your vet can help you set this up correctly.

OK, so you’ve checked all these technical aspects, and it looks like you have resistant worms. Now what?

There are two main questions:

Is the situation bad enough that I need to get these animals back in now and dose them with something more effective?

What management strategies do I need now?

The answer to the immediate treatment question is ‘it depends’. It depends on how many eggs are left behind, and maybe what species the worms are. Lambs or calves on good feed, growing well and otherwise bright and healthy-looking, with just a smattering of eggs post-drench, may be left untreated until their next drench is due, for which a conversation is needed with your animal health advisor about a more appropriate choice. Remember, the longer you go on using an ineffective product, the more quickly you are building a future problem.

On the other hand, lambs or calves with moderate to high post-drench FECs, or on poor feed (why??) are likely to be better off treated immediately with a more effective product. This is both for their own health, and to cut in on the pasture contamination that they are creating with those resistant worm eggs.

Across New Zealand, we apply more than two million tonnes of nutrients each year, vital to enable our food and fibre exports. It's simply not a cost line farmers and growers can afford to get wrong.

One question we don't always ask is, is it landing in the best way to maximise return? When it comes to nutrients, that could be the difference between investing well and potentially leaving money sitting in the paddock. If the bout width is too wide for the product and spreader combination, you create stripes, where some areas are underfed and others overfed. The paddock might look green overall, but the performance underneath tells a different story.

Variation can lead to poor yield

Research shows that as spreading variability increases, yield losses climb rapidly. One of the most comprehensive multi-year studies published about this topic was in 1999 by the Grassland Association and it showed at a coefficient of variation (CV) of 30-40%, nitrogren applied to ryegrass seed crops resulted in significant production losses.

In pasture systems, these effects compound over time. With phosphate and sulphur, uneven spreading repeated year after year led to mounting economic losses by year three, particularly in dairy and sheep and beef systems. In other words, stripes might not hurt much in year one, but they'll soon add up.

Let's put that into farm terms

At a CV of 10-15%, losses are small. Push that out to 30-40% and the lost dry matter and the revenue attached to it grows sharply. For the Waikato dairy pastures featured in the study, uneven P and S applications at a 40% CV resulted in more than $110/ha in annual loss by year five, which would be a lot higher today if we account for inflation and milk prices.

That shows bout width, product quality and calibration need to all interact together to work, and if one of those elements are off, accuracy and profitability suffer.

Why bout width is the lever you control

A fertiliser granule placed into a spreader behaves like a projectile. If you’re using larger particle size or a higher bulk density, it throws further. If you’re using finer less dense particles, they won’t throw as far. Well granulated compounds typically achieve wider effective bout widths compared with dusty or blended products.

Think of it like using a golf club to hit a golf ball versus a ping pong ball. The club can have the same swing, but vastly different outcomes of where the ball lands because of the density of the ball.

A blend won’t behave the same as a compound, or a lime compared with a granulated fertiliser. Even changes in dustiness or granule hardness affect spread pattern.

Yet too often bout widths stay fixed out of habit.

Pasture responses to nitrogen are relatively linear, meaning some unevenness can self-compensate in total dry matter. You might see stripes, but total yield loss may appear modest in the short term.

However, phosphorus and sulphur are different. When soil fertility is marginal, underfed strips underperform year after year. Overfed strips can’t compensate fully because plants can only use so much at once. And the result? Cumulative losses.

Calibration an investment, not a cost

Spreader calibration costs are modest, often measured in cents per hectare, and correct calibration can even increase effective bout width, reduce paddock time and improve spreading efficiency.

We should also acknowledge the skill of spreaders who work with different products, landscapes and conditions every day, developing a practical understanding of how fertiliser behaves.

Warwick Catto, is science strategy manager Ballance Agri-Nutrients

She says the summit, to be held this year in Christchurch from May 20-22, will bring together leading thinkers, innovators, and doers to share practical insights on technology adoption, market trends, sustainability, and resilience.

With the theme of "trending into the future," the conference will be particularly relevnat to where we are today, said Hatton.

"It's a valuable opportunity to gain fresh ideas you can apply directly to your farm business, connect with people driving change across the industry, and understand how global shifts are shaping the future of New Zealand agriculture.

"E Tipu is designed to help farmers make better decisions, plan with confidence, and identify opportunities for long-term success."

Run annually by several different organisations since 2019, E Tipu was licensed to FoodHQ about 18 months ago and ran for the first time under the FoodHQ banner last year.

Hatton said FoodHQ changed it to be "more of a futures conversation", looking 10 to 15 years ahead into consumer demand and science trends.

"And therefore, from a farmer perspective, what might we be growing on farm? What diversified crop systems might be needed from a 'nature positive' perspective for sustainability credentials, et cetera."

Hatton said that of a number of farmers who attended last year's event in Palmerston North, some were uncomfortable that they had never before been part of the "future thinking" conversations that they were introduced to.

But others went away "absolutely inspired to implement some of the tools that we've given them into their business," she said.

Part of E Tipu's strength was that the whole value chain was represented - everybody from farm to plane.

Speaker Line-Up

With well over 30 speakers and more yet to be confirmed, E Tipu will hear from the likes of Fenton Innovation CEO Craig Fenton, an entrepreneur who has developed an AI tool tailored for decision-making in the food and fibre sectors; Californian futurist Jack Bobo who has raised concerns that not enough investment in going into the world's projected food needs by 2050; and Tim Deane, CEO of Norsewear on why he has invested in New Zealand.

Farming industry leaders slated to speak include Beef+Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland, Fonterra director Alison Watters, Horticulture NZ CEO Kate Scott, and a number of working farm business owners.

The event will be divided into four broad sessions - the evolving preferences of the modern consumer; what businesses need in the "engine room" to accelerate growth; how "visionary design" can get ahead of the trends; and a final session on how to face disruption rather than shy away from it.

"We really want to get people through E Tipu into this concept of thinking that the future is coming. We don't know what it will bring, but if we're not ready for it, it will be a surprise," says FoodHQ chief executive Dr Victoria Hatton.

"So if we can provide tools and techniques for people who adopt and employ, once they get back to their own business or their own situation, we feel that we've done a good job."

Examples from history of exactly that are so numerous, it would be a lottery to even choose which one to use!

Look no further than the political world, for starters. Wannabe leaders plot and back-stab existing leaders in their own party. They lie and scheme for weeks and months to see their own colleagues' demise.

Who need an opposition to think about and deal with when the real enemy is hiding behind your own closed doors?

Closer to home, I easily recall the internal coup against our late Prime Minister Jim Bolger toward the end of 1997. Bolger was a typical good rural bloke and family man, like many of our readers. But he was toppled from within his own party.

Now, the world of politics certainly is not alone when it comes to this internal assassination and bloodletting stuff!

Corporations and businesses, boards and clubs, indeed any organisation where people gather, are not immune. Yep, ladder climbers can be ruthless!

And families are not exempt here either. Sadly, many get torn apart from within.

The widely known law of synergy certainly adds support to this statement above. Two in harmony and unity can accomplish so much more than one.

One draft horse on its own can pull somewhere between 1000-2000 pounds deadweight. When you team two together, their pulling power doe not simply just double to 2000-4000 pounds. Not at all. If they are trained together, they can more than triple what the one on its own managed.

Imagine if they start plotting and working against each other, the chaos that would ensue! But they are too smart to do that. They leave that kind of stuff to us little humans.

The law of synergy is why the military when marching must break stride when crossing a bridge. Marching in unity has collapsed bridges, back in history.

Now, what I find sad is that this enemy within thing can apply to individuals also. To illustrate, I tell a rather cute story about four small boys I first read some time back. Adam wanted to be just like his good friend Bobby. After all, Bobby was just so cool. It was something about the way he walked and how he talked. Bobby, however, really longed to be just like Charlie. Something about Charlie's manner and accent really impressed Bobby. As it turns out Charlie wasn't happy with himself either. He looked up to another young fella named Danny. Danny was so super cool and always seemed to have such cool stuff. Well as the story goes, it turns out Danny had a hero too. His hero, you wonder? Surprise, surprise, it was none other than the first boy, Adam.

Even if this story is pretend, it still carries much truth. Not many people actually seem to be content with who they are.

Now, to one of my favourite quotes: "All men are born originals. Most die a copy."

All that originality that lays inside them when they arrived on the planet, gets pushed aside, so they can be a copy. Sad indeed!

Accept who you are. There are more than enough dramas, pressures, and other stress-causing stuff happening around us in our world we have to face.

When you settle the stress-causing stuff on the inside, then you will cope much better with the flak from the outside. And yes, I happen to know the one who can help like no other.

God bless.

To contact Colin Miller, email: thefarmerschaplain@gmail.com