Country-Wide NZ

South Island Livestock Manager for PGG Wrightson, Shane Gerken shares his views on where prices for the sheep industry currently are. New episode out now! Listen online, or via your favourite podcast platform. https://hubs.la/Q033SDbn0

Creating a good health and safety culture, where team members feel safe and valued, starts with good role-modelling from the top down. A positive environment can also have spinoffs for staff engagement and retention. In our Summer issue we hear from Lynda Balfour, of Summit Safety. Lynda works with farming businesses to create and implement health and safety systems that are practical and user-friendly. She says health and safety is everywhere, no matter what industry you work in, and there’s no excuse for not having made a start. Read online (Link in comments)

Kiwi tapping on the door of your home in Wellington city? It’s no longer a fantasy. In the decade since Predator Free 2050 was launched, great biodiversity gains have been made in NZ. But complete elimination will take a collaborative effort, and likely species-specific toxins that must be deemed acceptable by the public. Professor of Wildlife Management at Lincoln, James Ross has dedicated over 20 years of research into the sustained control of mammalian pests introduced into this country. Read online (Link in comments)

New Zealand agriculture’s past is marked by several major breakthroughs that delivered substantial gains in productivity behind the farm gate. Tony Leggett explores where the sector’s next productivity boost will come from and finds success will require a leap of faith for many. Read online below.

Some positive and encouraging news over the last two years has been that farm employers across the sheep and beef, dairy, and arable sectors continue to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff. This is particularly pleasing, despite the sheep and beef sectors facing significant challenges. No matter how the state of the economy and market presents, those that do well do so because they have an effective, long-term plan or strategy to ensure ongoing success for their business. Full article online (Link in comments)

New Zealand farmers face significant challenges reconciling environmental regulations with economic realities. Kerry Worsnop’s 2023 Nuffield report The mountain we need to climb – designing agricultural policy for a future in farming addresses those in leadership, agricultural policy makers and others with an interest in how we deliver better outcomes for those on the land and for the land itself.

When used in combination with ultrasound scanning, CT scanning can almost double the rate of genetic progress in intramuscular fat compared to using ultrasound alone. Words Photos Dr. Neville Jopson Read the full article (Link in comments)

Having farmed at Castle Ridge for more than 30 years, Paul and Kerry Harmer have learned to farm to the conditions — whether it’s climatic, economic or regulations.

Farm employers across the sheep and beef and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff. But in a competitive market, employers are warned they cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to staff. Catch the full special report on people in our latest issue of Country-Wide. - Link in comments

Melior’s focus is on high-performing, fast-growing deer backed by top-tier genetics. With 2500 breeding hinds and cutting-edge breeding techniques, Tom and Samantha Macfarlane are shaping the future of venison farming. It’s all about performance under pressure. Read the full article online.