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2015 is the UN designated International Year of Soils, and soil management will be a key feature of a series of one day workshops for farmers and horticulturists interested in finding ways of increasing sustainability on their farms. The free events, kick-off in Ashburton and Timaru next week, then move north to Palmerston North and Pukekohe in early June. They are being run by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and the Future Farming Centre (FFC), and are aimed at all growers of arable and horticultural crops. FAR CEO Nick Pyke says it is clear that agriculture is entering a period of major change and that the workshops will help growers identify practical ways of introducing sustainable techniques and technologies onto conventionally farmed properties. “The 20th century focus on yield and productivity gains remains, but we must now find ways of achieving those gains, and feeding the growing world, without compromising environmental factors such as biodiversity, fresh water and soil.” Charles Merfield of the Future Farming Centre, who will deliver the workshops, agrees that for a number of reasons, sustainable farming practices are now moving into mainstream agricultural production. “Some of the tools that have been the mainstay of 20th century farming, such as pesticides and mineral fertilisers are facing growing challenges from the development of resistance and restrictions on use. The on-going focus and development of legislation around water and nutrient use is also impacting on all farmers. Farming harder is not going to address this situation, what is required is smarter farming that will sustain farming livelihoods as well as the environment and food production. These workshops will provide information on sustainable soil, pest and disease, and weed management, and introduce some practical solutions.” There is no charge for attendance at these workshops, however, registration is required in […]

The hunt is on again for New Zealand’s top dairy, sheep and beef agricultural consultants and emerging rural professional with nominations for the Farmax Consultant of the Year Awards now officially open. This year’s award winners will be announced at the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management’s (NZIPIM) annual conference in on 3 August in Ashburton. The awards comprise three major categories: the Dairy NZ Dairy Consultant of the Year, the Beef + Lamb NZ Sheep and Beef Consultant of the Year, and the NZIPIM Emerging Rural Professional of the Year. Farmax general manager Gavin McEwen said the Farmax awards, now in their third year, recognise the expertise and value agricultural consultants and rural professionals provide to the New Zealand pastoral farming industry.  “Agricultural consultants and rural professionals not only promote excellence in pastoral farming in New Zealand, but through their advice and skills contribute directly to many new Zealand farmer’s bottom-line.” The $20,000 award prize pool for the top three categories includes a paid overseas study trip, funds for professional development and funds to take paid hours off work to complete a project or initiative that will be of benefit to the pastoral farming industry. Last year’s winners were Wairarapa consultant Chris Lewis, Canterbury consultant Wayne Allan and Hawke’s Bay’s Abron consultant Hannah Best. Allan, who has his own consulting company, won the Sheep and Beef Consultant of the Year and is part way through his project that looks at understanding seasonal returns from sheep and deer, and feeding on those margins to increase overall profitability. He says winning the Farmax award has been great for his profile and that he plans to attend the International Farm Management Association Congress in Quebec, Canada in July. 2014 Dairy Consultant of the Year Chris Lewis has completed his research, having […]

Weak global dairy prices have prompted analysts to pull back their expectations for Fonterra Cooperative Group’s payout to farmers for next season. Average prices dropped 3.5 percent in the GlobalDairyTrade auction overnight. New Zealand’s key product, whole milk powder, slipped an average 1.8 percent, extending its cumulative decline over the past five auctions to 27 percent. Auckland based Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, last week cut its forecast payout for the current 2014/15 season to $4.50 per kilogram of milk solids, from a previous forecast of $4.70/kgMS and last year’s record $8.40/kgMS, citing an oversupply in international markets and volatile commodity prices. Fonterra is expected to pay farmers between $5.50/kgMS and $5.75/kgMS for the upcoming 2015/16 season, according to a BusinessDesk survey of five analysts, two of whom reduced their forecasts following last night’s GDT auction. The forecasts have come back from a month ago when Fonterra was expected to pay between $5.75/kgMS and $6.20/kgMS for the upcoming season. The cooperative is expected to publish its forecast for next season following its May 27 board meeting. Global dairy prices have slumped amid higher production and weaker demand. Fears that drought conditions in New Zealand could crimp milk supply proved unfounded, with Fonterra now expecting production this season to lift 1.5 percent from last season, from a previous forecast that it could fall 3.3 percent. Meanwhile, demand is weak, particularly in China, the world’s biggest importer of dairy products, with New Zealand whole milk powder exports to China in March less than half what they were a year ago. The challenge for dairy prices at present is supply has proved to be relatively strong while demand has proved slow to recover,” ASB Bank rural economist Nathan Penny said in a note. “Dairy prices are low and staying there a while longer. […]

By Stephanie Melbourne New phone scanning technologies could add a new angle to Country of Origin labelling, which traditionally in New Zealand has been a voluntary practice for the food industry to use as a marketing tool, even though it is required in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia. A recent labelling issue in Australia regarding frozen berries imported from China has further fuelled the ongoing debate surrounding Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) highlighting its relevancy and the value of knowing exactly where the food we eat comes from. The Australian CoOL standard which commenced in 2006 requires mandatory country of origin labelling on all packaged foods, fish, pork and fresh whole or cut fruit and vegetables. They also have guidelines for the use of the terms “Product of Australia” and “Made in Australia”. Since then, there has been a raft of public reviews, and legislative and regulatory attempts to clarify the laws relating to CoOL in Australia. Last month a brand of frozen mixed berries imported from Chile and China was recalled by the Food Standards Authority of Australia and New Zealand after links were found to a Hepatitis A outbreak in Australia. In this case, the packaging contained the words “Packaged in Australia” in large print and “Made from local and imported ingredients”, although the large majority of the berries were imported. This has prompted calls from the Australian government to take yet another look at its CoOL requirements under the Food Standards Codes. Typically, product labels contain statements like “made in” and “product of”. But what does “Made in [country] from mostly local ingredients” mean? Does more than 50% of the product need to be from the specified country of origin? It is these statements which generate the most confusion amongst shoppers. Here in New Zealand […]

Finalists in the 2015 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards have been announced today. The awards are now in their fourth year and Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive, Dr Scott Champion said they were a great way of recognising and celebrating excellence in the industry. “It’s right that we acknowledge the top performers and showcase our industry, which is a significant contributor to the New Zealand economy.” Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farmer Council national chair, Martin Coup, who also chairs the awards judging panel, said the New Zealand sheep industry could take heart from the high quality and quantity of this year’s nominations. “The judging panel was particularly impressed by the calibre of nominees in the new Emerging Talent category.” The Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards winners will be announced at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill on Wednesday 1 July 2015. INDUSTRY AWARDS FINALISTS Blackdale Stud Sheep Industry Supplier of the Year Alister & Jeanette Maxwell, Rakaia, supplying ANZCO Stuart Ellingham, Horizon Farming Limited, Waipukurau, supplying Progressive Meats James & Jane Hunter, Waipukurau, supplying Lean Meats Wilson & Gaylene Ronald, Otautau, supplying Alliance Group Focus Genetics Sheep Industry Science Award Dave Leathwick, AgResearch Grasslands John McEwan, AgResearch Invermay Sin Phua, AgResearch Invermay Shannon Clarke, AgResearch Invermay Primary ITO Sheep Industry Trainer of the Year Terry Walters, formerly Smedley Station, Waipawa Tangihau Station (Dean McHardy), Gisborne Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training Trust (Geoff Hornblow), Te Karaka, Gisborne Farmlands Individual or business making a significant contribution to the New Zealand sheep industry Robin Campbell, Winton Errol Holgate, East Taieri, Dunedin Derek & Chris Daniell, Masterton Holmes Warren, Featherston Allflex New Zealand Sheep Industry Innovation Award Aaron Meikle, Oamaru John Reeves & Keith Abbott, Waikato Matt & Lynley Wyeth, Masterton Ballance Agri-Nutrients Sheep Industry […]