Early Bird I Friday August 2nd 2024

Farmers back bill to limit council control over emissions, farmers embrace quad bike safety programme, and major land use change for renowned Hawke’s Bay station. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Farmers back bill to limit council control over emissions Federated Farmers are supporting a new bill that would prevent regional councils from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. The organisation's RMA reform spokesperson, Mark Hooper, calls it a smart move for climate change policy. The member's bill, introduced by ACT Party MP Mark Cameron, aims to reinstate legislation that was in place from 2004 to 2020. Hooper argues this would eliminate unnecessary duplication and confusion in emissions regulation. Hooper points out that New Zealand already has national policies and targets for greenhouse gas emissions. He warns that allowing councils to create different rules for their regions could send mixed messages and create challenges for farmers. The bill comes as some councils, like Greater Wellington Regional Council, propose ambitious local emission reduction targets. These targets sometimes diverge from central government goals, potentially affecting resource consent applications for farms, roads, and housing. Federated Farmers argue that a centralised approach to emissions regulation is more efficient. They say that the Emissions Trading Scheme already covers carbon dioxide emissions, while agricultural emissions are handled separately due to their significant economic impact. Hooper expresses concern that strict local targets could lead to major land use changes, such as converting farmland to forestry. He criticises councils for not conducting economic modelling to understand these potential impacts. The farmers' organisation believes the bill deserves cross-party support, arguing it would reinstate sensible policy that was backed by multiple governments over 16 years. Federated Farmers draw parallels between this issue and their stance on genetically modified organisms, advocating for centralised decision-making in both cases. They argue that while councils have a role in climate change adaptation, setting emission reduction rules requires a broader perspective best managed by central government. June milk production drops New Zealand milk production decreased 2.2% on milksolids for June compared to the same period last year as farmers dry off calving herds, following unfavourable weather conditions in May and milk price forecast announcements. Fonterra’s latest Global Update reveals the total milk collected for June was 14.5 million kg. Collections for June represent less than 1% of the full season forecast. New Zealand milk production for the 12 months to June was down 0.8% on the previous comparable period. Milk production in the United States was down 1% in June. The production decrease was mainly driven by the ongoing outbreak of avian influenza, resulting in smaller herd sizes and decreased milk yield per cow. This was partially offset by lower feed costs, allowing farmers to feed their cattle increased rations. Elsewhere, milk production in Australia increased 3.5% in May compared to the same period last year. European Union production lifted 0.7% for May, driven by ongoing growth in France and Poland.  European raw milk prices have slightly increased to reflect tight supplies in Western Europe. EU milk production for the 12 months to May was up 0.1% on the previous comparable period. New Zealand dairy exports decreased 6%, or 17,820 tonnes in June compared to the same period the year prior. The decrease was due to reduced demand of whole milk powder and fluid milk products to key markets including China and Algeria.  Exports for the 12 months to June were up 0.7%, on the previous comparable period. This was mainly due to rising demand for SMP and cheese from southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia. AgResearch trims staff amid funding challenges New Zealand's leading agricultural research institute AgResearch, has made over 20 staff redundant as it grapples with rising costs and funding cuts. The move aims to address decades of annual deficits. Chief Executive Sue Bidrose reports that while government funding has remained steady since 2002, recent reductions in contestable funds have forced a close examination of costs and assets. The redundancies affect various departments, including science support and infrastructure management. The institute has engaged an external contractor to review its farm holdings, seeking to mitigate financial risk while maintaining research capabilities. Bidrose emphasises there are no current plans to sell any farms, though some surplus properties in Lincoln are being sold. AgResearch owns several research farms across New Zealand, totaling over 2,000 hectares. These facilities support vital research in areas such as methane reduction, water quality, and livestock management. The organisation aims to return to profitability by 2026, forecasting a modest profit after years of losses. This financial turnaround will allow reinvestment in scientific research. Despite these challenges, AgResearch remains focused on key research priorities. These include developing sustainable agriculture solutions for a changing climate, supporting intergenerational Māori farming landscapes, and transitioning to more resilient agrifood systems. Bidrose reaffirms AgResearch's commitment to providing valuable advice and innovative solutions to New Zealand's agricultural sector, emphasising the importance of balancing environmental and financial sustainability. Farmers embrace quad bike safety programme A new initiative to improve quad bike safety on New Zealand farms has seen overwhelming support. The "Safer Rides" programme, offering discounts on crush protection devices for quad bikes, reached its initial target within 38 hours of launch. 110 farm businesses nationwide have signed up for the pilot scheme, which provides up to 75 percent off the cost of crush protection devices, or CPDs. The programme is part of the "Farm Without Harm" strategy, backed by several agricultural organisations. Applicants cited various reasons for participating, including personal experiences with quad bike accidents and the challenging terrain of their farms. The programme aims to address the high number of quad bike-related fatalities in New Zealand. From 2019 to 2023, 22 fatalities occurred, with most involving rollovers on steep terrain. Last year was particularly deadly for ATV-related accidents. CPDs create a survival space under an overturned quad bike, potentially saving lives in rollover incidents.  Due to high demand, approximately 100 more farmers are on a waitlist. Organisers are exploring options to extend funding for these additional applicants. This initiative represents a collaborative effort across the agricultural sector to enhance farm safety and prevent tragic accidents involving quad bikes. Major land use change for renowned Hawke’s Bay station In rural Hawke's Bay, a well-known agricultural estate has changed hands, marking a big transition in land use. Waikareao Station, located near Waipukurau, has been acquired by Ingka Investments, the organisation behind IKEA, for over thirteen million dollars. This transaction comes in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, which inflicted considerable damage on the property. The new owners intend to maintain current wooded areas and introduce rotational forestry to land previously dedicated to animal husbandry. The estate, which extends across more than a thousand hectares, has a rich history in livestock cultivation. It has long been recognized for its excellence in nurturing and developing various animal types. Approval for this international acquisition came from the Overseas Investment Office. The deal includes ongoing management of existing forested zones, which cover forty-five hectares. Conservation efforts are also part of the estate's legacy. A decade ago, ten hectares of indigenous vegetation were granted protective status through collaboration with a national conservation trust. However, uncertainty remains regarding the inclusion of these conserved areas and the original homestead in the current agreement. Attempts to clarify these details with the real estate agent involved were inconclusive. Jim Galloway, who leads Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers, says that the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle has led some landowners to make difficult choices. According to Galloway, the storm's impact has been profound. Repairing the damage requires immense resources and effort for some, especially those nearing retirement, and transitioning to forestry may seem a viable alternative. Galloway also highlighted a recent decline in agricultural land conversions to forestry. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that such changes often cause concern among local farming communities. This development underscores the ongoing challenges and changes facing New Zealand's agricultural sector, as it adapts to environmental and economic realities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.