Q: Why is liquid foliar fertiliser especially important as we head into colder months?

As soil temperatures drop, pasture growth slows. At around 5 to 6 degrees, grass can stop growing. The primary reason is reduced microbial activity. In warmer conditions, soil microbes convert nutrients into plant-available forms. In the cold, this slows significantly. Foliar fertiliser works differently. It delivers nutrients directly into the plant through the leaf, bypassing the soil. When applied, nutrients can enter the plant and roots within an hour, keeping growth systems active when soils are not.

Q: How does foliar feeding work?

Foliar fertiliser is applied to the leaf and absorbed directly into plant tissue. This allows rapid uptake and immediate use and growth. Farmers understand this. Herbicides such as Roundup are applied as foliar sprays to kill weeds quickly, the same principle applies here. Just as it’s possible to get herbicide into a plant rapidly using foliar to kill and eradicate plants quickly, you can just as effectively deliver nutrition for plant growth. Foliar is a more efficient pathway, especially in challenging conditions.

Q: What have trials shown about its effectiveness?

Trials in New Zealand, including Canterbury, show clear increases in pasture growth when foliar fertiliser is used in cooler conditions. International research supports this finding. Studies show yield increases of 15 to 19 percent under stress conditions, particularly when soil performance is limited. This has been demonstrated in the field with farmers seeing a response within days and maximised within 3 to 4 weeks. In addition, foliar application is more uniform and provides nutrition to plants evenly.

Q: How does New Zealand's foliar fertiliser use compare internationally?

Overseas, foliar fertiliser is no longer niche. It is standard practice across many farming systems, from broadacre crops like wheat and maize to intensive production. In high-performing systems, multiple foliar applications are used through the season to maximise results. In comparison, New Zealand systems still rely heavily on soil-applied fertiliser, often around 70 kilograms of urea (36 kg N) per hectare in a single application, with less focus on foliar strategies.

Q: Why is foliar more widely adopted overseas?

The main driver is nutrient use efficiency (NUE). Overseas farmers focus on maximising return from every unit of nutrient. Foliar fertiliser allows faster response to plant demand, quicker correction of deficiencies, and better performance when soil conditions are limiting. In many cases, farmers use half to a quarter of the usual fertiliser and still achieve the same response.

Q: Is foliar fertiliser a replacement for traditional fertiliser?

No. The most effective systems use both. Soil fertiliser builds soil foundation, while foliar fertiliser fine-tunes performance by filling in the gaps. It is about using the right tool at the right time.

Q: What is the key takeaway for farmers?

As soils cool and biology slows, relying on soil fertiliser alone limits potential. Foliar fertiliser provides a direct line into the plant when other conditions are not favourable. Consequently, for growth maintenance and improved efficiency, foliar feeding can be a game-changer.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466 077 | rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

Phillip Quay

MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

An escalation in global fertiliser prices due to the Iran war will force New Zealand farmers to rethink traditional input-heavy systems, according to one of New Zealand’s leading soil scientists, Dr Gordon Rajendram of Hamilton (pictured)

“The solution is a combination of using less fertiliser and also using better science to apply only what is truly needed,” Dr Rajendram said today.

A crucial starting point is soil and pasture testing. Dr Rajendram consistently emphasises that without accurate data, fertiliser programmes become guesswork.

“Comprehensive testing identifies nutrient deficiencies, soil pH, and retention capacity, allowing farmers to apply inputs precisely rather than broadly,” he says.

“This avoids over-application, which not only wastes money but can also lead to nutrient losses through leaching. In fact, testing is considered one of the most cost-effective steps in nutrient management, often representing a very small proportion of overall fertiliser spend while delivering significant savings,” Dr Rajendram said.

Beyond testing, there is growing evidence that many farms are applying more nutrients than required, particularly phosphate.

Dr Rajendram notes that some New Zealand soils can retain phosphate for several years, meaning annual applications are not always necessary. Shifting away from routine fertiliser programmes to a needs-based approach can significantly cut costs without impacting production.

“Nitrogen use is another area where efficiency gains can be substantial” he says.

“Rather than relying heavily on granular applications, more farmers are adopting targeted methods such as foliar spraying. This approach delivers nutrients directly to the plant, improving uptake and reducing the total amount required. Trials have shown that significantly lower nitrogen rates can achieve comparable pasture growth when applied in this way, highlighting a clear opportunity to reduce input costs.”

Soil condition itself also plays a major role. Maintaining optimal pH through liming improves nutrient availability and root development, meaning plants can access more of the nutrients already in the soil. Poor pH, on the other hand, limits growth and reduces fertiliser efficiency, effectively increasing the cost per unit of production.

While reducing synthetic inputs is important, Dr Rajendram also advocates for strengthening biological systems within the pasture. Clover remains a critical component, naturally fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and reducing reliance on purchased fertiliser. However, he stresses that clover should be part of a broader, balanced system that includes diverse pasture species and well-managed soils. Excessive nitrogen use can actually suppress clover’s ability to fix nitrogen, reinforcing the need for moderation and balance.

“Ultimately, the shift is about moving from a fertiliser-driven system to a soil-driven one,” Dr Rajendram said.

As Dr Rajendram states: “Farmers are increasingly recognising that they may not need as much fertiliser as once thought. By combining accurate testing, targeted application, improved soil management, and biological inputs like clover, farmers can reduce costs, maintain productivity, and build more resilient farming systems in the face of ongoing global price pressures.”

About Dr Gordon Rajendram:

With more than three decades of experience in soil fertility, Dr Rajendram’s approach centres on improving efficiency, reducing waste, and unlocking the natural potential already present in the soil.

For more information, please contact:

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466077

rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact Media PA

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

027 458 7724

Finance: The NZ dollar was slightly easier over the week which is good for the exporters but difficult for the importers and travellers especially when oil prices are high. Brent Crude has is fluctuation around $100 to $125/barrel & is currently $109.24.

Wool: The wool prices are firming. There is some optimism in the coarse wool market.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are steady. There is good grass cover across most of the country. The recent rain was needed allowing the flexibility to continue to finish the stock on the farms.

Dairy Prices. Dairy prices internationally are firm as demand for protein continues to strengthen. The dairy farmers remain optimistic that they will get +$10/kg for the 2025/26 season & are hopeful of a strong opening payout for next season.

The autumn fertiliser should be arranged and with increasing prices soil testing in sectors of the farm can save money. You can even take samples separating the back & the front of the paddocks. The cost of soil testing will pay for itself in fertiliser savings. It is important to get professional advice. The fertiliser reps are supported by professional science trained personnel.

Jim’s Weekly Rant:

My rant of the 21st March touched on the effect the Iranian War will have on fertiliser costs and supply. The cost of basic foods will increase over the next 12-months as shortages become common and the cost of production increases, the increases will be well beyond what we have experienced to date!!. Even the basics of milk and bread will not escape the increases. The Fertilizer Institute has independently estimated that exporters exposed directly or indirectly to the conflict in the Middle East account for nearly 49 percent of global urea exports, nearly 30 percent of global ammonia exports, and nearly half of global sulfur trade needed to make Super Phosphate. The Straits of Hormuz are just an energy chokepoint, but one of the most concentrated nutrient chokepoints in the global food system. The USA is only +/-60% self-sufficient in Urea and they are entering the time when the spring crops are being sown. Australia is supposed to be planting its winter wheat now and it imports its Urea just as we do. NZ relies on the Australian wheat for baking and some grains for stock foods. A shortage of wheat will be a shortage of bread and all baking products and an increase in cost. The current reports from Australia are recording an increase in the planting of nitrogen fixing crops such as lupins, peas, lentils, lucerne, peanuts and even clover in areas where wheat and barley were normally grown the lesser area in wheat and the lack of fertiliser will push the prices up when harvested. The current price of Urea in NZ is $1,075/tonne (Balance 26/3/2026) while at the same time the cost of Urea is being quoted in Australia at +$A1,500/tonne. We should expect the price in NZ to increase when we move to the spring planting season or even need Urea to grow our winter grasses. Sulphur is 11% of Super Phosphate and it will also be in short supply, but while the phosphate portion may be secure there will be a significant increase in the cost of most fertilizers that include Sulphur, and most do. We need to look at what a shortage of Urea might have on the Maize crops planted in October/November 2026 providing feed for the 2027/28 season – lower yields will lead to a reduction in milk production and that will follow reduced milk production from the Northern Hemisphere countries that are currently planting their spring crops to feed livestock over the winter of 2026 and into their 2027/28 season. The shortage now will have effects for the next 2 production seasons. Will a shortage of food reduce the production and will the lesser production then command higher prices to compensate the drop in production? The circular argument of supply verses costs of production and sustainable product prices will go on for ever and only time will answer it. My comments here are to encourage you all to think about the effect a lack of Urea and Sulphur might have on our economy and on our ability to earn over the next 2-season whether it is crop and grain production, milk, meat or fibre. It is also a call to encourage you all to think again about the dumbest of political policies – NET ZERO and encourage the government to look at again making our country self-sustainable in energy and fertilizers. The Urea plant was closed by Jacinda and her henchmen (ladies), companies have been blocked from mining the phosphate reserves on the Chatham Rise and we know there is plenty of oil around and on NZ. And added to the pain of lesser crop yields and animal performance the cost of diesel has increased exponentially right on our harvest time. Planting crops, harvesting crops and transporting livestock all have to be paid for and that also adds to the cost of production and if yields are reduced that will compound the increases in costs. The immediate future looks bleak for the country especially the wage and salary earners and the politicians who will be blamed for the increasing food costs!!!
 

New Zealand Soil Scientist

Global conflict is once again exposing just how vulnerable New Zealand farming systems are to international supply chains. Rising fuel prices, disrupted shipping routes, and instability in key fertiliser-producing regions are driving up the cost of transport and nitrogen fertilisers such as urea. These are costs farmers cannot control, yet they directly impact farm profitability.

We have been here before. The difference now is that we have better knowledge and proven systems that show we do not need to rely so heavily on imported nitrogen.

A Canterbury case study I was involved in clearly demonstrated this. A large-scale dairy operation reduced nitrogen inputs from 290–300 kg N/ha/year down to under 190 kg N/ha/year, while also cutting phosphate use from 45 kg/ha to 15 kg/ha annually. At the same time, pasture production still reached up to 19 tonnes of dry matter per hectare and milk production wasn’t compromised.

The key was not applying more fertiliser, but improving soil pH and soil biology, nutrient balance, and clover performance.

Clover is central to this discussion. It is not just another pasture species, it is a natural nitrogen factory. Research has shown white clover can fix anywhere from 20 kg to as much as 400 kg N/ha/year in grazed systems, but under ideal conditions, 250-350 kg consistently is possible and even higher. That nitrogen is effectively free, produced in the paddock, and available to drive pasture growth without the cost of urea.

At the same time, clover is one of the highest-quality feeds available. With protein levels of around 34 percent compared to approximately 19 percent in ryegrass, it delivers significantly more nutritional value to livestock. Higher energy, higher protein, and better mineral content, including calcium, all contribute to improved animal performance.

“One of the first things I look at is what the pasture looks like and how much white clover is in it.”

This translates directly into production. Research consistently shows higher liveweight gain and increased milk yield from cows grazing clover-rich pastures due to higher intake and better feed efficiency. Simply put, more clover means more milk.

However, excessive nitrogen fertiliser works against this system. Once nitrogen applications exceed around 200 kg N/ha/year, clover fixation declines sharply, and at very high rates it can stop altogether. Farmers then become locked into a cycle of dependency on purchased fertiliser, exactly the risk we are seeing play out today with global price volatility.

As I often say, “The more nitrogen you grow biologically through clover, the less you need to buy, and the more resilient your farming system becomes.”

The message is clear. In a world of rising costs and uncertainty, clover offers a proven pathway to reduce input costs, improve pasture quality, and lift milk production. It fixes the nitrogen problem naturally, efficiently, and economically.

Global events may be out of our control, but how we manage our soils and pastures is not.

“Any fool can grow rye glass but it takes a real farmer to grow clover.” – Emeritus Professor Walker

For more information, contact:
Dr Gordon Rajendram
� 021 466077
✉️ rajendram@xtra.co.nz
� www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Media Enquiries:
Media PA – Phillip
� 027 458 7724
✉️ phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Finance: The NZ dollar was slightly easy at the end of the week with a significant easing against the Australian dollar.  Brent Crude has lifted in response to the war and is currently $102.90, up from 84.50/barrel last week & $US71.06/barrel 2 weeks ago – pre war.

Wool:  The wool prices are firming.  There is some renewed optimism in the coarse wool market.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are mostly steady to easier  There is good grass cover across most of the country, but a dry March could change the need to off-load stock.

Dairy Prices.  Remain strong with the farmers being optimistic & expecting another $10 payout.  The Fonterra interim payout was increased $0.30 in March and most suppliers had forgotten to factor in the $7.75 payment to November 2025.  It was $0.30 for the December & January milk plus $0.05 for the June to November milk.

Jim’s Weekly Rant:

Have you ever been phoned to participate in a political survey then waited for the results in the following days?  If you have, you are probably like me and wonder how they made the assumptions from the questions asked.  It was a few years ago that I was part of a survey and questions were couched in such a way that the results could be interpreted in several ways to tell the country where we are heading.  The simple fact is that we all have only 9 months to decide who we want to govern us and we all need to start getting our thoughts sorted.  The latest poll slammed the right and gave the extreme left (the Greens) some massive support.  The slamming of the right culminated in TV 1’s Mikie Sherman hounding Chris Luxon through the airport about his poor showing and possible resignation.  The reality was, could you believe the support the Greens have, because I can’t?  It is time to start telling your friends and neighbours what sort of country you want.  I have talked with a number of politicians in the coalition and they all tell me that Luxon is a very good manager of the caucus and seem to accept that he is not a presidential type politician like Key & Ardern were (or tried to be). I want to live in a country that can pay its way in the world, controls its spending and shows compassion to its citizens.   I want to see the national debt reducing and our resilience against political shocks from around the world minimized.  I am hopeful that the racial tensions will disappear and there will be one understanding of the treaty of Waitangi and that immigration is better managed to grow the economy.  I want Net Zero dumped and the truth told about the changing climate so we can exit the Patis Agreement.  These dreams might require the country to access its own oil source, and there is plenty out there and to have an oil refinery that works.  To increase the natural gas supply from our own bores to generate electricity and make Urea fertilizer for the agricultural sector and Ad-Blue for the transport industry; to mine the massive phosphate reserves off the Chatham Islands; to increase the power generation capacity from geothermal bores and the use of our high-quality coal. I also wonder why all the iron sands are exported to Japan, when New Zealand could use them to produce more high-quality steel locally.  With a greater level of self-sufficiency in oil the bitumen quality will improve and roads will be better.  This all sounds like Muldoon’s “Think-Big” plans over again.  I want to see Agriculture get its value recognized and the countries income from tourism put in perspective.  Much of the tourism relies on the weakness of our dollar and all tourism activities are bundled while the various agricultural activities are separated into Dairy, Meat, Horticulture etc. Wouldn’t it be great if this small nation with an abundance of resources had a dollar that again was equal to the US dollar and not languishing around the 55 to 65 cents mark and our milk and meat prices remain where they are now. I challenge you all to put on paper what you want and try and work out what political party or parties will achieve your wishes, I can assure you the management of the economy by Chloe and Napkins will not get me anywhere near what I would like!!    

Contact AgSafe NZ Ltd - Phone 027-2872886.  We can prepare your Work Safe manual and hazard management plan at a very competitive price.  We can arrange drug tests and farm maps for your property. 

Part 3

In the previous article, I discussed the role of humates, biochar, plant roots and foliar strategies in slowing nitrogen movement through the soil. Building on that foundation, it is useful to look more closely at the research behind carbon-driven nitrogen retention and why these tools are gaining increasing attention within New Zealand farming systems.

Biochar has been investigated across a range of agronomic settings for its capacity to alter nitrogen dynamics. Its porous structure and surface charge characteristics increase sorption capacity, improve microbial habitat, and moderate nutrient movement through the soil profile. Controlled trials have demonstrated measurable impacts on nitrate mobility. For example, research published in Agronomy reported that incorporating biochar at approximately 10% by volume prevented detectable nitrogen leaching under experimental conditions, highlighting its capacity to physically and chemically retain nitrogen in the root zone rather than allowing downward migration.

Further work examining “bioactive carbon” amendments has reinforced this functional outcome. Studies evaluating nitrogen fertiliser efficiency and ecological sustainability observed improvements in nitrogen use efficiency alongside reductions in environmental losses. These findings align with the broader international literature and complement observations made in New Zealand soil science research, where carbon additions influence microbial immobilisation pathways and nitrogen cycling behaviour.

Humates, particularly in solid form, have also shown significant promise as a food source for microbes. Their complex organic structure supports cation exchange capacity, microbial activity, and nutrient buffering. Reported trial data indicate reductions of up to 60% in nitrate leaching when solid humate materials were integrated into fertiliser strategies. Such results are consistent with the theoretical framework long outlined by soil scientists, including Hedley and colleagues, where organic matter fractions regulate nutrient retention through chemical binding and biological mediation.

It is important to emphasise that these tools are not substitutes for sound nutrient management planning. They function best when integrated with appropriate fertiliser timing, application rates, and soil monitoring.

A brief note should also be made regarding pure sucrose. While not a retention agent in the structural sense, carbon supplementation through simple sugars can stimulate microbial uptake of available nitrogen, temporarily immobilising nitrate within microbial biomass. This mechanism has been explored within nitrogen cycling research and can contribute to reduced short-term losses when used strategically.

Taken together, the emerging research evidence indicates that carbon-based amendments can play a meaningful role in addressing nitrogen leakage pathways. For farmers facing increasing environmental accountability and regulatory pressure, these tools deserve consideration not as silver bullets, but as practical components within a broader nutrient stewardship strategy.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466 077 | rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

Phillip Quay

MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Finance: The NZ dollar was steady over the week with a slight easing against the Australian dollar. Brent Crude remains above $70/barrel and is currently $US71.06/barrel.
Wool: The wool prices are firming. There is some renewed optimism in the coarse wool market & it is almost worthwhile shearing the sheep!!
Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are mostly steady to easier but there are expectations that beef schedules will lift. The summer grass growth has allowed farmers to retain stock on the farmers – cull cows are being milked on.
Dairy Prices. Dairy prices remain strong the 2025 results have been promoted in the media with the dairy industry returning $27billion into the economy and that excludes the beef industry that comes out from the dairy industries surplus calves..
The 3-months’ notice to sharemilkers and contract milkers to end the current contracts is up today!! Notices of repair or tasks to complete the contracts also need to be given with the 3-months’ notice. It is also a useful time to check with employees as their intentions for the 2026/27 season. Some of the good staff are already taken!!
Jim’s Weekly Rant:
even at my age there are new experiences. At the end of November, a former neighbour died and then this week a close friend/client died and the experiences are worth some comment as an encouragement to get things in order in plenty of time and make sure someone knows what to do. The November death saw the former neighbour in-and-out of hospital a few times before he died. I had visited him and he seemed OK. I got a call from the police in late November to see if I knew “N” as they had me on some contact form they had that related to “N”. There had been no next-of-kin recorded at the hospital. They put me in contact with a church group where “N” had been attending church and then we jointly started the task of finding if he had any family, I did know of a niece somewhere in Hamilton. A few questions later and a contact to the niece that I knew opened up an interesting few days. He had one son and a granddaughter in her early 30’s that he was starting to get to know. He had two other adult children that had become his via the Maori-family adoption system – nothing formal, but the family knew who they were. There was no will, no instructions and no money. The church group stepped in and arranged the funeral and paid for everything to hopefully be reimbursed. Work & Income have a grant of up to $3,000 for people with minimal assets to pay funeral expenses. The son and granddaughter then appointed me and another from the church to be the executors of the estate. The Public Trust only take-over if there is no will and the estate is over $40,000 and this one was well shy of the $40,000. It has been an interesting journey working with banks, electricity companies and others. Westpac has been excellent and now everything is complete and we will advise the son and granddaughter of the assets and the use of the funds. It was an interesting lesson and a steep learning curve, but it can be done. He even had a joint account still open with his wife who died nearly 20-years ago just to add to the problems. We had to find a death certificate for her to close that account as well, and again Westpac was very helpful. The second death was this week and the funeral is today. “A” had every sorted with his lawyer, but not signed off until a week before he died. I sold his 2-units for him at the end of January and soon after the sale he went into palliative care and deteriorated over the next three weeks. I had many visits and liaised with the family arranging for his personal items to go to storage and the two units to be vacated. On the Tuesday the previous week I met the lawyer to get all the documents signed for Power of Attorney, the unit sales and the Wills. He had to learn to use his left hand to sign documents and convince the lawyer his memory was perfect as he had refused the lawyers assistants the week before. All was going well to settle the properties on 27th February, but because he died before settlement even though the documents were signed the settlement cannot be completed. The Lawyer now has to apply for an urgent issuing of probate. Powers of Attorney expire on death and everything goes into limbo. Bank accounts are frozen and while his cousin & I managed to access some funds to bring his son home from Australia and arrange the Tangi we now have no access to funds until after Probate is granted. The lessons learnt are perhaps simple, but are often difficult to deal with and are best done before the person has died or is terminally ill. It is hard asking a dying person if they want to be cremated or buried, or where their Will is and even who their family are. So please have these conversations with the family, have your Wills prepared with clear instructions and if the family is fractured ensure there is accessible documentation as to whom should be contacted. If the person is a sole operator it would be useful to $10,000 cash in a safe box that a responsible person knows about, as access to bank accounts will be blocked for a time and a funeral and cremation can easily cost in excess of $10,000 and that doesn’t include the “wake” that often starts with an afternoon tea, and then there are sundry expenses. Everyone finds death difficult to talk about, but not talking about the needs and wants can put unnecessary pressure on family and friends in those days immediately before and after the death.
 

In the previous article, I focused on management changes that can help reduce nitrate leaching. Alongside those strategies, soil and plant-based tools also play a critical role. Much of my work has centred on understanding how carbon, microbes and plant roots interact to keep nitrogen in the system for longer, rather than allowing it to be lost through leaching.

One option I often work with is the use of solid humates. Humates act primarily as a carbon source for soil microbes. When microbes have adequate carbon, they become more active and are able to temporarily hold nitrogen within their biomass. This slows down the conversion of nitrogen into nitrate and reduces the speed at which it moves through the soil profile. The key point is that nitrogen is still available to plants, but it is released more gradually.

Biochar works in a different but complementary way. Rather than acting mainly as a food source, biochar provides physical structure in the soil. It creates protected spaces where microbes can live and function more effectively, particularly under stress. At the same time, both biochar and humates have the ability to hold onto nutrients, including nitrogen, helping to keep them in the root zone instead of allowing them to leach. Used together, they support a more stable soil system where nitrogen is retained for longer periods.

Plant roots are another important part of the picture. Typical ryegrass roots extend to around 20 to 30 centimetres. There is a lot of nutrients lost during leaching, and in dollar terms, this could be as much as half or more of what you apply in a year as fertiliser. Deeper-rooting species can intercept nutrients that move further down the soil profile, capturing nitrogen before it is lost below the root zone. Encouraging deeper and more diverse root systems adds another layer of protection against nitrate leaching.

Foliar application is also a useful tool in this toolbox. By supplying nutrients directly to the plant through the leaf, foliar feeding can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce the reliance on soil-applied nitrogen. When plants are better balanced nutritionally, they use nitrogen more effectively, which means less excess nitrogen remains in the soil to be leached.

In Canterbury, I will soon be measuring the effectiveness of these systems more precisely using lysimeters to better understand where the nitrogen is going and how effectively it is being retained.

The key takeaway is that reducing nitrate leaching requires a toolbox, not a single solution. By combining management changes with carbon inputs, plant strategies and targeted foliar nutrition, farmers can significantly reduce losses while maintaining productive and economically viable systems.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466 077 | rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

Phillip Quay

MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Finance: The NZ dollar remained steady over the week with a slight easing against the Australian dollar & firming against the US dollar. Brent Crude moved up a little and is currently at $US67.33/barrel.

Wool: The wool prices are firming. Contracts are being offered for coarse wools. They are removing the Keratin for pharmaceutical use which is underpinning the lift in prices.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are steady with some upward movement expected in beef schedules. The expected grass growth following the recent rain will allow farmers to keep stock on the farm a little longer if necessary.

Dairy Prices. The ANZ bank has come out this week and predicted the final for the current season to be $9.50 following 3 strong g/DT auctions. The auction last week was a confidence statement for most farmers.

We are hearing of some poor in-calf rates as pregnancy testing gets underway. You can always consider winter milking a small herd provided you meet minimum milk quotas. If you are considering winter milking it is important to check the feed availability and the staff. Cows being milked through the winter have a higher demand for feed and some old-fashioned hay is important.

Jim’s Weekly Rant:

The RMA was introduced to Parliament in December 1989 and it was too be an Act to empower development, but in the end, it smothered it and made development difficult. The Act grew over the years with the Courts being able to determine the next level of compliance and it has long been felt that the changes ultimately undermined the RMA’s original intent, the creeping small changes appeared to be relatively innocuous but the accumulation of the changes became the undoing of the Act. We saw a shift from allowing the non‑notification of consents where effects were considered to be “minor” to requiring them to be “less than minor” with some subtle word changes and activities that should have been waved through then triggered full public notification creating bureaucratic bottlenecks, increased costs, and lengthy delays, while discouraging the public from undertaking any projects at all! Other problems were structural and were buried in the enabling framework were “affected person” provisions that not only empowered activists to endlessly delay projects, but along with special Maori consultation rights and privileges, created an opportunity for extortion. The greasing of iwi palms and the filling of their pockets became commonplace. It was one of the issues that continued to evolve. The original Bill did specify Treaty ‘principles’ had to be taken into account, and it did recognize Maori relationships with ancestral land, but there were to be no special consultation rights but after representation and submissions by the Maori organizations, Parliament’s Planning and Development Select Committee amended the Bill to introduce mandatory consultation and this significantly elevated the role of iwi authorities from discretionary participants in the planning process, to special groups entitled to preferential engagement. Over the years, iwi involvement was expanded to become more intrusive. Risk-averse councils, afraid of being accused of breaching Treaty principles, began consulting iwi on virtually every development proposal - a minor subdivision, a farm shed, or even a deck extension could all necessitate “cultural input” – not required by the Act but by risk-averse council staff. The RMA grew into a noose that hung over the development and growth of the economy. It had to change and the coalition has attempted to change it. Submissions on the changes closed yesterday at 4.30 pm. The biggest change is separating the Act into two parts being firstly a Planning Bill and secondly a Natural Environment Bill Groundswell has produced some useful commentary on the proposed changes and one in particular is that the “noisy politics” around the changes are about urban housing but most of the unworkable regulations are within the rural environment and there are still too many areas that lack clarity as to the practical workings and there is perhaps still too much of the old RMA in a slightly tweaked form. Some of the changes include: legislating the concept of property rights in planning law and bringing in a compensation scheme for landowners - it is a good idea. The rules are often made by gun-shy bureaucrats in scared councils, and we wonder if presumption will be any use in practice. The national policy statements on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB) are central government rules made by Ministers under the RMA and are perhaps just a tweaked Labour water management policy. The Land Grab classifications, including Significant Natural Areas (SNAs), Sites and Areas of Significance to Maori (SASMs), Outstanding Natural Landscapes and Features (ONLs and ONFs) allow the councils to use the former Section 6 of the RMA to impose restrictions on landowners’ use of their own land. In simple terms there remains misguided and unworkable land use regulations that will continue to squeeze farming and other economic activity often without a clear environmental benefit. The RMA and its replacements will also decide the future of farming and the viability of the rural communities in New Zealand. The best environmental work in New Zealand today is taking place at the local community level. The catchments, local land care, water care groups, and a host of other groups where farmers and their communities are coming together to proactively manage and improve their own local environment. These local groups are having the greatest impact on environmental outcomes and the local groups should be given more power and opportunity to manage the local environment. The proposed Bill is not a rewriting of an Act, but a tweaking of something that was failing.

Finance: The NZ dollar remained steady over the week with a slight easing against the US dollar. It is now just under 60 cents against the US dollar.  Brent Crude moved up a little and is currently at $US67.26/barrel.

Wool:  The wool prices are firming with prices up +2%.  Contracts are being offered for coarse wools.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are steady with some upward movement expected in beef schedules.  The expected grass growth following the recent rain will allow farmers to keep stock on the farm a little longer if necessary.  

Dairy Prices.  The g/DT lifted 6.7% at this week’s auction.  The lift will put confidence back into the dairy industry.  Butter lifted 8.8%, SMP was up 10.6% and WMP lifted 5.3% to $US3614/tn. A good volume of product was sold – 24,000 tn’s.

I think it is the first time that NIWA drought index shows no drought areas across NZ at the end of January.  I checked the Hamilton rainfall records and the January rainfall was 141 mm and the year to date is 149 mm (7/2/2026).  The 10-year average year to date is 161 mm. The difference this year has been the number of rain days through January which has minimised the likelihood of a drought.

Quote: “The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”

Need Help. If at any time you just want to talk & need someone to talk to, just call - Male Support Services (Waikato) 0800-677-289,  or Rural Support Trust 0800-787-245.  Crisis TXT – HELP (4357).  A shared problem can be a problem solved!!

Jim’s Weekly Rant:

Waitangi Day has come and gone again with the usual nonsense at Waitangi and at a few other places around the country as the separatists try and disrupt the countries celebrations.  Waitangi Day comes a week after the Auckland Anniversary weekend and 2-weeks after the Wellington Anniversary weekend. It is now 2-months until Easter where there are another 3 statutory days off.  We are all well aware of the number of statutory holidays on offer in NZ and the dairy industry can do little about it as the cows have to be milked. Dry-stock farmers have a little more lee-way and the crop farmers often have extra costs imposed when the harvest has to be done on the stat-days.  Days off and annual holidays can make it very costly for a farmer to comply 100% with rules.  I receive many queries from farmers regarding the excessive final pays some employers are being required to pay when staff leave a job and stat-days have not been taken and the extra payments have not been made and then added to the annual holidays not taken.  It all mounts up.  Many farmers are now using professional Payroll Companies to manage the complexities of the staff entitlements and while it is recommended it is important to keep a close watch on the accruing time-off and receive regular reports.  It is usually psychologically easier to give staff time-off than to pay them out at the end of the season while also paying for the new replacement employee at the same time.  If you have staff I would encourage you to check the holiday entitlements now so the time-off can be rostered in before the end of the season.  Carrying holiday entitlements forward into the next employment period compounds the problems.  Holidays and time away from work and the place of employment (the farm) are important to get refreshed and refocused so make sure it happens.  Remember that 4-weeks annual holiday is 20 days away from work as the standard week has 5 working-days and 2 weekend days off work.

The second part of the holidays frustration is the number of statutory days on offer and the requirement to pay time & half for the time worked plus another day off in lieu.  There are 5-days centred around the Christian calendar and with the growing range of ethnicities and religions in NZ there should be some flexibility allowed for people of other faiths to negotiate changes to allow them to celebrate their festival days.  Easter and Christmas are not part of the Muslem or Hindi festivals and the Jews celebrate Hanukkah in early December. New Zealand also allows for 11 regions to celebrate their anniversary days ensuring part of the country is closed for business on these days giving a total of 23 days in the years when either all or part of the country is closed for business. It is time there was some rationalization and perhaps there could be a single day across the country when the regional anniversaries are celebrated or better still just do away with them.  Easter Monday, Kings birthday, Matariki and Labour Day are unnecessary holidays but I do subscribe to a couple of well positioned breaks through the year: say 3-months after Easter and 3-months prior to Christmas for a long weekend in mid-winter and early spring.  To achieve equality for all perhaps there are 4 designated religious days negotiated to suit the different faiths with Easter and Christmas being the default for the non-believers, 2 national days and 2 other days just for fun and of course New Years Day, a total of 9 statutory holidays.  Being election year, it could be a good time to seek a change as rumour has it, NZ has either the highest or close to the highest number of public holidays of any developed country – an unenviable title to hold while we all talk about improving productivity!!. 

Finance: The NZ dollar firmed over the week.  The Aussie differential has widened again making it tough for those holidaying in Aussie.  Brent Crude moved up a little and is currently at $US64.13/barrel.

Wool:  The wool prices are firming with strong demand from China.  There is growing optimism in the sector

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are steady to firmer with some upward movement in most classes of stock.  The expected grass growth following the recent rain will allow farmers to keep stock on the farm a little longer if necessary.  

Dairy Prices.  The g/DT lifted 1.5% which was good news for the dairy industry.  Butter was up 2.1%, SMP up 2.2% and WMP lifted 1% to $US3449/tonne.  A reasonable volume of +27,000 tonnes was sold.

The maize crops have enjoyed the summer rain and are looking very good as I move around the central North Island.  Many of the crops are starting to tassel.  It is time to check with the contractors regarding the likely harvest dates and their availability.  Ensure the bunkers/stack areas are ready for the new season harvest.

Jim’s Weekly Rant:

The weather events of the last week have been extreme creating damage and mayhem across much of the North Island.  Our thoughts and prayers to those who lost family and loved ones in the tragic landslides at Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay and in the flooded river at Warkworth.  The Waikato Regional Council recorded near record water flows in the Ohinemuri river at Paeroa peaking at 862.7 cubic metres per second with a normal flow rate of 10.3 m3/sec.  The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Golden Valey between Waihi and the coast at over 350mm in the 24-hour period.  Tauranga recorded it’s heaviest ever 24-hr rainfall being 274mm.  It was an extreme event and like other extreme weather events they are difficult to predict how and where they have the most impact.  While Tauranga had its highest ever rainfall on the same day at Te Kaha around the coast from Opotiki had less than 100mm.  Matamata and the Te Poi district had some extreme easterly winds while areas further inland were spared; there were trees down and buildings damaged.  I would also encourage you all to call in at the Karangahake Pub in the Karangahake gorge next time you are passing through and check the flood lines and the dates and I think you will be surprised with some of the past Ohinemuri river levels.  If we look at the world data we find that the hurricanes have not increased since the 1980, the number of tornadoes worldwide have reduced since the 1950’s and the wildfires burnt around 5 million acres in 1900 and is now down to 3.5 million acres in 2024, but with instant media access around the world there appears to be more disaster events, and few can remember back 100-years.  I think every farmer in NZ with sloping land is aware that slipping and slumping are always possible with the variable depth of the underlying soil structure and saturation points above are difficult, if not, impossible to calculate the likelihood of a slip or a serious slump.  Those with sloping or even hilly farm areas are always surprised when a new slip lets-go on the land that may have appeared stable for the previous 100 years or more – they are unpredictable.  Again, we have seen the forestry slash on the beaches north of Gisborne and the damage it creates (the result of a Green Pary policy).  New Zealand is unique being an island nation being on the volcanic ring-of-fire and located within weather systems that drag cyclones down from the tropics and blasts up from the Antarctic.  We have young soils that will move as slips and slumps as saturation levels change.  The government cannot legislate against nature and no health and safety policy will ever be able to predict an Act-of-God and have policies to cover these periodic events.  Are we going to require the geo-technical engineers to tag properties on slopes to advise of a risk of slipping if the rainfall exceeds a certain level that it has never reached before on a particular degree of slope?  The slips at the Mount and Welcome Bay were never able to be predicted and the weather forecasters were only able to predict a sever rain event with general estimates as again the rainfall across the region varied considerably.  The forecasters have been criticized in the past for being over-zealous in their predictions of a potential disaster and for underestimating the extent of an event at the other end of the spectrum. – it is a thankless task.  It is also good to remember that our most fertile river plains are the result of numerous floods and land slips.  I am hopeful that there will be no knee-jerk reactions and that while disaster events cannot be eliminated we all try and better understand the land we live in.  And just a side note, these events have nothing to do with the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere so when you hear the TV presenters or the Labour and Greens suggesting it is because of “climate change” you will understand why the rest of the TV news has a “left-wing” bias.

By Dr Gordon Rajendram

In this first article, I want to focus on one of the most pressing issues affecting both productivity and the environment: nitrate leaching. This problem has been developing for decades, yet many of the underlying mechanisms are still not well understood by the wider farming community. Before we can consider ways to reduce losses, we need to understand what is happening in the soil.

The starting point is soil chemistry. Soil particles carry a natural negative charge. Positively charged ions such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium are attracted to the soil surface and remain in the root zone where plants can access them.

Because nitrate is also negatively charged and like charges repel, nitrate is not held by the soil in the same way, leading to leaching if not used by the plants. Once nitrogen in the soil is converted into nitrate, it can move through the soil profile whenever water is present, and once past the root zone, it’s pretty well gone. Rainfall and irrigation drive this movement downward, eventually carrying nitrate into groundwater or surface water.

This process is particularly problematic in pastoral systems because of the way nitrogen is deposited in urine patches. When livestock urinate, the concentration of nitrogen in that small area is far higher than plants can use. Because the volume of urine creates a significant water load, the nitrate begins its downward movement almost immediately.

The scale of loss varies with soil type, rainfall, stocking rate and management. This is not a question of poor farming practice. It is simply the reality of how nitrogen behaves in our soils. Nitrate that is lost from the root zone cannot contribute to pasture growth; it represents a wasted nutrient, lost productivity and increased input costs. At the same time, nitrate accumulation in waterways poses well-known environmental risks.

There are practical ways to reduce these losses, but we need a clear grounding in the science before exploring them. In my next article, I will discuss some solutions, so farmers can start to learn about what will work best on their land.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466 077 | rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

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027 458 7724

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