by Proud Country Network
<p>Are you short on time to digest all of of New Zealand's rural news? Well we are about to change your life! <br><br>Hosted by award-winning newsreader, Richard Baddiley, Early Bird is the short rural news bulletin podcast curated just for you.</p> <p>Delivered at 5am from Monday-Friday covering the top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand so you have better chat beyond the weather. </p> <p>Have a press release you'd like shared on the show?</p> <p>Email <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p> <p> </p>
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April 17, 2025
<p><strong>Agriculture sector driving national economic recovery, sheep and beef sector wants assurance on farm plan practicality, and national shearing team gears up for Northern tour.</strong></p> <p>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!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Agriculture sector driving national economic recovery</strong></p> <p>Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has credited the agriculture sector with pulling the country out of recession during his visit to Taranaki yesterday. Speaking at a Taranaki Chamber of Commerce lunch, Luxon highlighted record dairy prices and positive forecasts across farming sectors as key economic drivers.</p> <p>The Prime Minister's comments follow this week's global dairy trade auction where prices reached their highest level in nearly three years, showing resilience despite international tariff concerns. Luxon emphasized agriculture's economic impact, generating approximately $10,000 for every New Zealander.</p> <p>The red meat sector is projecting a $1.2 billion boost in the coming year, while wool prices are performing at their best level in eight years after prolonged difficult seasons. The government recently announced plans to use woollen fibre products in new buildings and refurbishments, while Kainga Ora has opened its tendering process to wool carpet providers.</p> <p>Luxon pointed to Southland and Canterbury as regions experiencing particularly strong economic momentum as farmers become more profitable and reinvest in their local communities. The Prime Minister was unequivocal about agriculture's importance, stating it is the sector powering New Zealand's economic recovery.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Sheep and beef sector wants assurance on farm plan practicality</strong></p> <p>Beef + Lamb New Zealand has responded to the Government's revised freshwater farm plans announcement with cautious optimism while highlighting the need for further detail to address sheep and beef farmers' concerns.</p> <p>B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland welcomes positive aspects of the announcement, including the commitment to replace consents and other regulations with freshwater farm plans and the risk-based approach to auditing and certification. The recognition of existing industry assurance programmes to reduce duplication is another step in the right direction according to Acland.</p> <p>Despite these encouraging signals, significant questions remain about risk thresholds, which aspects of current regulations will be replaced, and how demanding the content requirements for freshwater farm plans will be. B+LNZ maintains that low-risk sheep and beef farming operations should be exempt from freshwater farm plan requirements altogether.</p> <p>Acland emphasizes that any new system must be practical, matched to actual environmental risk, and proportionate in terms of cost and effort. The organisation has consistently argued that farm plans can play an important role in addressing environmental issues, particularly in at-risk catchments for farms managing high-risk activities.</p> <p>B+LNZ will continue working closely with Ministers and officials in coming months to ensure farmers' interests are represented as the details are finalised, with regular updates promised as more information becomes available.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Hawke's Bay farmers seeing benefits from erosion control trees</strong></p> <p>Tree planting initiatives across Hawke's Bay hill country farms are delivering measurable benefits in erosion reduction, according to new data presented to the regional council's Environment & Integrated Catchments Committee this week.</p> <p>Analysis from 50 farms shows strategic planting of poplars and willows can reduce erosion by up to 70 percent on high-risk land, while closed canopy forest plantings can achieve up to 90 percent reduction. The findings confirm that years of erosion control investment by the council in partnership with local farmers is producing tangible results.</p> <p>Committee chairperson Sophie Siers says the science proves that targeted tree planting is effectively preventing slips and keeping sediment out of waterways. A study of 50 farm sites revealed tree-covered land experienced 1,895 fewer landslides – representing a 7 percent reduction in slips and 9 percent less sediment flowing into rivers.</p> <p>The findings are particularly significant given that more than 250,000 hectares of hill country in Hawke's Bay is considered high risk for erosion. Siers notes that planting trees creates more resilient landscapes that reduce sediment loss, which directly improves water quality and helps prevent downstream flooding caused by sediment build-up.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Second shear holds firm amid broader wool market pressures</strong></p> <p>North Island wool prices showed modest improvements at this week's auction despite global market volatility creating a cautious atmosphere. PGG Wrightson's Appraisal and Procurement Coordinator Annabel Busby reports second shear wool maintained strong demand with 50-100mm average style lengths jumping 10 percent. Crossbred fleece categories recorded gains across all quality levels, while lamb's wool stabilized following previous significant downturns.</p> <p>The North Island sale achieved a 75 percent clearance rate with coarse lamb's wool holding steady as exporters use it for blending with shears after filling seasonal orders. The next North Island auction is scheduled for May 1st.</p> <p>Meanwhile, South Island wool values deteriorated this week, with lamb's wool most severely affected. South Island Auction Manager Dave Burridge attributes the weakening market to rapid appreciation of the NZ dollar against the US dollar alongside ongoing global uncertainty challenging wool exporters. Despite the downturn, the South Island auction achieved a higher clearance rate at 79 percent.</p> <p>Burridge remains cautiously optimistic that early season and higher quality pre-lamb shorn wools might deliver more positive returns for growers in coming sales. The next South Island auction is set for May 8th.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>More than 60 jobs could go at Mount Maunganui fertiliser plant</strong></p> <p>Toa Henderson and Jack Fagan will don the black singlet and silver fern for New Zealand's six-match shearing test series across the UK and France this year. The Wools of New Zealand Shearing tour will see the team compete against Scotland, England, France, and Wales between June and July.</p> <p>Henderson earned his place after winning the New Zealand Shears Open championship in Te Kuiti on March 29, marking his first international appearance for New Zealand. Fagan secures his spot as third placegetter in the NZ Shears Circuit final, making this his third consecutive test series after competing in the UK last year and recent transtasman matches.</p> <p>They'll face Scotland at Lochearnhead on June 28, England at Harrogate's Great Yorkshire Show on July 9, and then cross to France for a test at Boussac on July 13 before returning for three matches against Wales at Cothi, Royal Welsh Show, and Corwen.</p> <p><br><br></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
April 16, 2025
<p><strong>Dairy prices climb despite Trump tariff concerns, the Government cuts back freshwater farm plan requirements, and more than 60 jobs could go at Mount Maunganui fertiliser plant.</strong></p> <p>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!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Dairy prices climb despite Trump tariff concerns</strong></p> <p>The latest Global Dairy Trade auction has delivered welcome news for dairy farmers with prices lifting 1.6% despite concerns over recently introduced US tariffs..</p> <p>Whole milk powder, which has the biggest impact on farmer payouts, rose by 2.8% anhydrous milk fat was up 2.1% and butter increased 1.5%.</p> <p>Particularly notable was the substantial 22% jump in lactose prices, while mozzarella saw a healthy 5.4% increase, skim milk powder dropped 2.3% and cheddar eased back 1.8%.</p> <p>The positive result provides some reassurance to dairy farmers who had expressed concern about potential market disruption following President Trump's recent introduction of tariffs. Industry analysts are now watching closely to see if this upward momentum continues at the next scheduled trading event.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Government cuts back freshwater farm plan requirements</strong></p> <p>The Government is moving to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable by cutting unnecessary red tape and taking a risk-based approach. Cabinet has agreed to reduce the number of farms requiring plans while still managing environmental impacts, with small blocks to be exempt from the requirements entirely.</p> <p>Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard says the Government is delivering on its Q1 Action Plan commitment to improve the system. Officials are currently working with industry groups, sector representatives and councils to finalise the improvements through updated regulations after the Government paused the rollout last year.</p> <p>The new system will recognise existing industry programmes that achieve equivalent environmental outcomes and in some cases act as an alternative to local council rules and consents, allowing landowners to meet requirements in ways that suit their individual farm systems.</p> <p>The changes reflect a shift from a precautionary to a more permissive, risk-based approach, ensuring landowners can use their property more freely while still protecting the environment. Hoggard describes farm plans as useful tools that must be practical and matched to actual environmental risk.</p> <p>The improvements are being progressed through the Government's RMA reform process with the changes expected to be in place by the end of the year as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and unlock productivity across the primary sector.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Farm children four times more likely to contract water bacteria</strong></p> <p>New research reveals rural New Zealanders on private water supplies face twice the risk of contracting campylobacteriosis compared to urban residents on treated water systems. The University of Otago study found over 53,500 Kiwis currently live in the highest-risk areas with inadequate water safety protection.</p> <p>Children under five in rural areas are four times more likely to contract the bacterial infection than their urban counterparts. Researchers identified Waikato, Taranaki, Canterbury and Southland as regions with greatest risk due to their combination of private water supplies and high-density dairy farming. Private supplies like wells, boreholes and rainwater tanks used by approximately 15 percent of New Zealanders lack the regulatory oversight and regular testing that public water systems receive.</p> <p>Lead researcher Dr Farnaz Pourzand is calling on the Government to extend drinking water protection to everyone by expanding national standards to include all private supplies. The research team suggests regional councils should incorporate these findings into environmental regulations and improve monitoring in high-risk areas.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Winegrowers report shows sustainability gains across sector</strong></p> <p>The wine industry is making significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint with wineries and vineyards implementing various sustainability initiatives according to a new report. The New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Report highlights climate change as the biggest long-term challenge facing the sector.</p> <p>New Zealand Winegrowers General Manager Sustainability Dr Edwin Massey says more members are now measuring their carbon emissions, enabling informed business decisions about future changes and investment. The report found 68 percent of wineries and 56 percent of vineyards are implementing specific initiatives to minimise their carbon footprint, with almost double the number now involved in certified carbon accounting programmes.</p> <p>The majority of carbon emissions come from wineries at 83 percent, with vineyards contributing only 17 percent. All surveyed wineries and most vineyard operators reported having initiatives in place to conserve or reduce water use, with about half of wineries recovering and recycling cleaning water.</p> <p>New industry guidelines offer members practical ways to mitigate viticulture's already low impact on freshwater, with a digital tool being piloted this month that will integrate with the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand programme when Freshwater Farm Plan regulations come into effect.</p> <p>Dr Massey believes the industry is on track to achieve its sustainability goals including Net Zero by 2050, with technology changes, enhanced education and market demand all driving continuous improvement toward a more sustainable future for New Zealand's 700 wineries and 700 grape growers.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>More than 60 jobs could go at Mount Maunganui fertiliser plant</strong></p> <p>Ballance Agri-Nutrients is proposing to stop manufacturing sulphuric acid and single super phosphate at its Mount Maunganui site, resulting in a loss of 62 jobs. The farmer-owned fertiliser co-operative informed staff of the proposal on Tuesday, with consultation expected to run for four to six weeks.</p> <p>Chief executive Kelvin Wickham says the co-op is experiencing changes in customer needs for nutrient delivery with clear overcapacity in superphosphate production. The Mount Maunganui plant requires significant capital investment and faces increasingly costly consent compliance issues that can't be justified against forecast demand.</p> <p>Ballance plans to source more products from its Awarua facility near Invercargill and increase imports while maintaining phosphate manufacturing at Awarua and urea production at its Kapuni facility in Taranaki. The Mount Maunganui site will continue housing the company's head office and operating as a nutrient storage and distribution centre due to its proximity to the Port of Tauranga.</p> <p>The proposal would see overall staffing at the Mount Maunganui site reduced from 92 to 30 roles. If approved, manufacturing would cease around the end of August following the consultation period closing in early June at the earliest.</p> <p><br><br><br></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
April 15, 2025
<p><strong>Farmers on track to meet 2030 methane targets, apple exports lead the charge in growing Vietnamese market, and new awards celebrate Kiwi native forest restoration efforts.</strong></p> <p>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!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Farmers on track to meet 2030 methane target</strong></p> <p>Latest figures show New Zealand farmers are successfully driving down methane emissions without the need for additional taxes or emissions trading schemes. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay confirmed the agriculture sector is on track to achieve a 10 percent reduction in biogenic methane by 2030.</p> <p>The newly released Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 1990-2023 reports a further 2 percent drop in agricultural emissions last year alone. McClay says these results validate the government's decision to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme and abandon the previous Labour government's He Waka Eke Noa proposal.</p> <p>New Zealand farmers remain among the world's most carbon-efficient food producers, however, McClay emphasizes that emissions cannot be reduced through converting productive farmland to forestry or by further cutting stock numbers.</p> <p>The government plans to introduce legislation this year restricting full farm-to-forest conversions while supporting methane reduction through a $400 million investment in science and innovation. </p> <p>McClay acknowledged farmers for their hard work and commitment to innovation, noting the latest emissions reduction was achieved without implementing Labour's proposed taxes or putting a price on methane.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>McClay voices concerns over US tariffs in letter to Trump administration</strong></p> <p>Todd McClay who is also Minister of Trade has written to his American counterparts expressing concern about the harm President Trump's tariffs will do to New Zealand and Pacific Island nations. While his officials have been in discussions with the United States Trade Representative, McClay has not yet spoken directly with anyone in the Trump administration.</p> <p>In his letter, McClay outlined strong reservations about the tariffs and their potential damage not only to traders on both sides but also to Pacific Island economies. </p> <p>McClay welcomed the 90-day pause on additional tariffs for countries like China, which faced a potential increase to 145 percent. He believes an agreement between the US and China would benefit global trade by providing much-needed certainty, noting that if these two largest economies slow down, all countries including New Zealand would feel the impact.</p> <p>The Government has maintained a measured approach since the tariffs were announced, with McClay emphasizing they quickly decided against retaliation.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Apple exports lead the charge in growing Vietnamese market</strong></p> <p>Meanwhile trade officials are actively pursuing market access for a wider range of fruit and vegetables into Vietnam following recent success with squash and strawberries gaining entry to the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market.</p> <p>The Ministry for Primary Industries confirms Vietnamese officials are currently considering a request for new access for New Zealand pears, with avocados and summer fruit next on the priority list. MPI's divisional manager for bilateral relations and trade, Steve Ainsworth, says their efforts involve both maintaining current trade flows and opening up new opportunities. No requests for access have been declined by Vietnam to date.</p> <p>The focus on Vietnam comes as New Zealand apple exports to the country reached $126 million last year, making it the second-largest market after China. Kiwifruit exports totaled $30 million and cherries $10 million, with industry leaders seeing significant growth potential across horticultural sectors. Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable imports reached $3.13 billion in 2019, presenting substantial opportunities for New Zealand producers.</p> <p>The recent comprehensive strategic partnership signed between the two countries targets bilateral trade growth to $3 billion by 2026.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>New awards celebrate Kiwi native forest restoration efforts</strong></p> <p>Nominations have opened for the inaugural Growing Native Forests Champions Awards, designed to recognise individuals and groups leading native forest restoration throughout New Zealand. The awards will celebrate farmers, landowners, iwi and community groups who are actively enhancing biodiversity and improving land resilience through native planting.</p> <p>Native trees are critical to New Zealand's ecosystems, particularly in wildlife protection, water quality improvement, soil stabilisation, and carbon storage. These new awards acknowledge the significant environmental contribution made by those committed to native forest restoration and expansion.</p> <p>Five distinct categories have been established including a Trees on Farms award for farmers incorporating native forests on their properties, a Lifestyle Block Owner category for smaller landholders under 20 hectares, and a dedicated Forestry Company award for businesses in the sector. Additional categories include a Mana Whenua award for iwi-led initiatives and a Catchment/Community Group category recognising local collaborative efforts.</p> <p>The nomination period runs through to May 9th, with winners to be announced during the National Fieldays event in June.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Rural dog owners gain clarity on tethering rules</strong></p> <p>Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard has announced new regulations on dog tethering are being developed with practical considerations for rural and farming situations. The rules target prolonged tethering while ensuring farm working dogs and rural practices are accommodated through sensible exemptions.</p> <p>Hoggard directed officials to work with the SPCA to develop regulations that are actually enforceable after rejecting initial proposals that failed to account for rural realities. </p> <p>The new rules specifically include exemptions for temporary tethering during farm dog training and when tradespeople visit properties. Inspectors will focus on cases showing clear welfare concerns such as heavily worn surfaces, waste accumulation, or dogs displaying signs of distress.</p> <p>For farmers, the regulations provide clearer guidance while recognizing legitimate needs to temporarily secure working dogs. Special protections will cover vulnerable dogs including pregnant animals, nursing mothers, and puppies under six months, though with practical exemptions for rural settings.</p> <p>The regulations will be introduced following an education period to ensure all owners, including those in remote areas, understand their obligations and have time to adapt their practices where necessary.</p> <p><br><br></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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