Dairy sector may pay the price for India trade breakthrough, genetic adoption rates soar among beef farmers, and Mataura farmer hit with massive $130k fine.

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Dairy sector may pay the price for India trade breakthrough

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon departed for India Saturday on a high-stakes mission to advance trade negotiations, but dairy farmers may need to brace for disappointing news as experts warn the sector might need to be excluded from any potential deal.

The four-day visit comes with Luxon's ambitious election promise to secure a free trade agreement within his first term appearing increasingly difficult to fulfill. Two Delhi-based trade experts have told media that while there's mild optimism about progress, it hinges on New Zealand abandoning hopes of including dairy.

India's protection of millions of small-scale dairy farmers continues to be the primary roadblock, with agriculture viewed as a livelihood issue rather than purely economic. Research firm founder Ajay Srivastava recommends New Zealand follow Australia's approach by pursuing an interim agreement focused on other sectors while sidelining dairy discussions. Such an early harvest arrangement could potentially be negotiated within months, as demonstrated by India's recent quick deals with Australia and the UAE.

The coalition government appears more receptive to this approach than previous administrations. This marks a significant departure from former Trade Minister Damien O'Connor's position that excluding dairy would be sub-optimal and unrealistic given the industry's importance to our economy. MFAT officials have previously described a deal without agriculture as impossible to consider.

Dairy Companies Association executive director Kimberley Crewther calls potential exclusion a lost opportunity, arguing New Zealand could complement Indian dairy supply through specialist ingredients without threatening local producers. She emphasizes that Australia's situation differs significantly as dairy represents just a small fraction of their exports, unlike New Zealand where it forms a quarter of export earnings. The industry maintains that sensitivities on both sides are best addressed at the negotiating table rather than through sector exclusion.

 

Dairy awards reveal multiple pathways to farming success

Beef and sheep farmers across New Zealand are increasingly adopting genetic tools to improve productivity and profitability according to new research from the Beef + Lamb New Zealand-funded Informing New Zealand Beef programme.

The annual survey reveals nearly all bull breeders are now using genetic technologies, with 99 percent applying tools like estimated breeding values, breeding indexes, artificial insemination and genomics. Commercial farmers are following suit, with 90 percent now purchasing bulls from breeders who utilize these genetic technologies.

INZB programme manager Dr Gemma Jenkins says the findings reflect a significant positive shift in adoption rates, with increased awareness of INZB initiatives driving overall improvements in industry practices. There has been a substantial increase in awareness of INZB tools according to survey respondents, with encouraging growth in genomics use by both breeders and commercial farmers, wider adoption of AI among breeders, and increased use of breeding indexes by commercial farmers.

Now in its fourth year, the survey highlights ongoing improvements in understanding of genetic tools. Almost half of commercial farmers and 62 percent of breeders are aware of INZB resources, including genetic tools for breeding decisions, workshops, and online materials. Most farmers also expressed strong interest in comparing bulls across breeds based on genetic information.

 

Central and Western farm leaders sweep environment awards

Farming excellence and environmental leadership have earned two farming operations Supreme Winner status at their respective regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The Cousins family of Hiamoe Farm in Feilding walked away with the Horizons regional supreme title, while Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson from Kiwi Heights in Te Puke claimed the Bay of Plenty supreme award. Both operations exemplify the balance between productive farming and environmental stewardship that the awards aim to celebrate.

At Hiamoe Farm, a century of family commitment has transformed the original 149ha sheep and cattle farm into a diversified 916ha operation spanning sheep breeding, bull finishing, and dairy grazing. John and Toos Cousins, who manage the farm with their three sons Edmund, Guido, and Julius, have implemented exceptional infrastructure including reticulated water to all 225 paddocks and sophisticated lane systems. Judges were particularly impressed by their strategic approach to sustainability, with three pockets of native bush protected by QEII covenants and an additional 80ha of pines, poplars and scrub registered to the Emissions Trade Scheme.

Meanwhile in Te Puke, Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson have strategically developed their 190.6ha property while preserving its natural ecology. The Atkinson family has owned the property for more than 50 years, with kiwifruit vines first planted in 2006. Their approach involves developing orchards on hilltops while keeping marginal land for native plantings or low-impact dry stock grazing. Using advanced technology, they precisely target water and fertiliser to reduce waste and environmental impact, and are trialling drones for spot-spraying weeds rather than blanket application.

Both operations collected multiple category awards in addition to their supreme titles. The Cousins family also took home awards for people management, livestock farming, agri-business management, biodiversity, and tree integration. At Kiwi Heights, Blair and Steve were recognised for soil management, agri-science, farming efficiency, risk management, agri-business management, and kiwifruit orchard excellence.

The Cousins family and the Dyer-Atkinson team will now join supreme winners from nine other regions in being considered for the prestigious Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trust's National Showcase in Wellington in June. The recipients will become 2025's National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

 

Plant tech firm wins top science honour for boosting Kiwi agriculture

In Waikato, former Fonterra graduates Fiona and Thomas Langford have claimed the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmer of the Year title at Thursday's awards ceremony at Claudelands Event Centre. The couple, both with Masters degrees in Dairy Science, operate a 262-hectare farm with 1090 cows as equity partners and contract milkers. Tom had never set foot on a farm before meeting Fiona, yet since 2017 has helped build an impressive dairy business focused on efficiency and sustainability. The couple won $13,294 in prizes and five merit awards.

Meanwhile in Northland, farm-raised Jesse and Sharon Bagley were named Share Farmers of the Year at Saturday's ceremony in Waitangi. Both began farming at just 15 years old and have worked their way up to become contract milkers and 50/50 equity partners on a 330-hectare Kaitaia property milking 1150 cows. They credit their farming knowledge and ability to keep costs down through DIY skills as key strengths.

The Dairy Manager categories saw Zac van Dorsten take Waikato's top spot and Courtney West claim Northland's title. West's story particularly stands out - holding a Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management, she switched to dairy farming in 2020 when COVID devastated the tourism industry.

These award winners demonstrate the industry's appeal across different backgrounds, with clear progression pathways attracting both experienced professionals seeking new challenges and young people passionate about building farming careers from the ground up.

 

Mataura farmer hit with massive $130k fine

A Mataura dairy farmer must pay $130,000 after effluent from his farm killed thousands of eels in a nearby waterway.

Bryson David Clark appeared in Gore District Court on Friday for discharging effluent into the Low Burn Stream. The February incident killed approximately 4000 fish, including at-risk New Zealand longfin eels.

Clark had disabled a malfunctioning alarm system monitoring his effluent pond. When a pump failed while he was away, effluent flowed undetected into the stream which feeds the Mataura River.

Te Ao Marama representative Stevie-Rae Blair described the scene as heartbreaking, noting the significant cultural impact on Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku as mana whenua.

Judge John Hassan also imposed an enforcement order requiring farm modifications including fencing and native planting estimated to cost $122,000. The judge acknowledged Clark's cooperation with authorities and previous clean record when determining the final penalty.

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