This episode features Grant McCallum, Deputy Chair, Environment Select Committee discussing the Committee's report on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, and what the proposed changes could mean for rural New Zealand.

 

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This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing the latest weather outlook and what farmers can expect over the coming days.

 

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This episode features Chris Dillon, Arable Industry Group Chair, Federated Farmers discussing the current challenges facing New Zealand's arable sector and the opportunities ahead despite rising costs.

 

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This episode features George White and Stephanie Downer, Founders, Clarity Distilling Company discussing their gold medal success at the International Wine and Spirit Competition and what the international recognition means for their business.

 

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• Federated Farmers claims win as Government drops council-iwi agreement transfers

• Inflation hits two-year high on fuel price surge

• Asian markets driving New Zealand avocado export growth

 

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Federated Farmers claims win as Government drops council-iwi agreement transfers

Federated Farmers is claiming a win after the Government agreed to stop existing and new Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from transferring into the new resource management system.

The move comes just a week after Federated Farmers raised the alarm about councils rushing to lock in iwi partnership agreements before the law changes — including Environment Canterbury, which gave elected councillors just one week to consider an agreement with Ngāi Tahu.

RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper says the Government has listened. Under the changes recommended by the Environment Committee, no existing or initiated agreements will carry over into the new planning system. Instead, councils will be able to enter more narrowly scoped iwi participation agreements with clear legislative guardrails.

Hooper says decision-making powers affecting communities must remain with democratically accountable elected representatives — and the new guardrails are an important step toward ensuring that.

 

Inflation hits two-year high on fuel price surge

New Zealand's annual inflation rate has risen to four-point-one percent in the year to June — its highest level in more than two years and above the Reserve Bank's one-to-three percent target band — driven largely by surging fuel prices.

Petrol rose twenty-seven-point-five percent annually and accounted for almost a quarter of the total inflation increase. Diesel jumped forty-seven-point-seven percent in the June quarter alone. Together, petrol and diesel accounted for nearly two thirds of the one-point-five percent quarterly rise.

Without fuel, annual inflation would have been two-point-nine percent — comfortably within the Reserve Bank's target.

Electricity was the next largest contributor, up twelve percent for the year, while council rates rose eight-point-eight percent.

Economists expect the Reserve Bank to begin raising the Official Cash Rate at its September meeting, with further increases likely in December.

 

Asian markets driving New Zealand avocado export growth

New Zealand's avocado sector is pivoting rapidly toward Asia as Australian demand softens, with exports to South Korea surging seventy percent and shipments to China, Hong Kong and India nearly doubling in the 2025/26 season.

Total export volumes reached three-point-four million trays, down around nine percent on the previous year due to wind damage and constrained market windows. Australia remains the largest single market at twenty-two percent, but five years ago it accounted for more than two thirds of all Kiwi avocado exports — highlighting just how far diversification has come.

The newly signed New Zealand-India trade deal is adding further optimism, with avocado tariffs set to be phased out over ten years. Exports to India are already growing strongly.

Globally, avocado production continues to expand, but the developing El Niño is expected to increase yield variability and market volatility rather than cause a broad supply squeeze.

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Feeder calf values have jumped significantly this season. Kelly Higgins, Regional Livestock Manager for Carrfields Livestock, says Friesian bull calves are going for $300 to $500 in the autumn just gone, and beef bull calves between $400 to $600 against $100 to $200 for Friesians a year ago.

"Traditionally the feeder calves have been viewed as a by-product of the dairy farming system, but they're certainly now a genuine income stream for the dairy farmers in what are typically leaner cash flow months," he says.

The spring market has opened with Friesian bulls at $200 to $300 on limited numbers and top Charolais calves reaching $560. 

"The autumn calves have sold exceptionally well up here in the Waikato – all the rearers have pretty much sold out."

He says there are several forces keeping prices firm. National beef herds have shrunk as land shifts into forestry, dairy beef is filling the gap, and a strong yearling market has some farmers rearing their own replacements again. 

"We're seeing record beef schedules at the moment, with demand for red meat and protein exceptionally high."

He says the Friesian bull is trading well from weaners to yearlings and 18-month cattle. 

"The Friesian bull has been a rollercoaster in the past, up and down, but it is absolutely back in vogue again now.”

He says farmers are being more strategic at mating. Beef straws from Charolais, Angus, Hereford and Speckle Park are going over lower-producing cows. 

"You would have seen in the past, the lion's share of those farmers would have used the Friesian genetics to capture that export market, but as we know, that export market is no longer."

He says the buyers span larger rearers, dry stock farmers and small block holders rearing for themselves. 

"We also use bidr at our auctions, and that has seen those calves travel through a much larger buying bench through the country.”

He says this means calves are moving weekly to Hawke's Bay, King Country, Wairarapa and Northland. Pressure to process fewer bobby calves is driving more use of beef straws, and an older farming demographic favouring dairy beef cattle for their quieter temperament.

"Quality, well-marked calves with age on them, and you should be on the money.

"I believe the dairy beef market is here to stay.”

This is brought to you in partnership with Carrfields Livestock. To learn more about buying, selling or managing livestock, or to connect with a local livestock specialist, visit carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

 

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This episode features Colin Aitchison, Director / Chief Pilot, Skyworks discussing how drone technology delivered vital supplies to a cut-off Marlborough community and the growing role drones are playing in rural New Zealand.

 

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This episode features Brendan Telfer, Sports broadcaster discussing Ryan Fox's latest success and review the FIFA Club World Cup final.

 

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This episode features Becks Smith, Central Otago veterinarian, farmer and agri-entrepreneur discussing the Stockscan App and how it is helping farmers improve livestock management.

 

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This episode features Tom Chisholm, Owner, AgDesign discussing why farmers should view wearable technology as a tool to support decision-making, rather than a complete farming system.

 

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