Rain delivers short-term reprieve for drought-hit Northland, timber exports dodge US tariffs for now, and four decades of TB control pays off for Molesworth Station.

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Rain delivers short-term reprieve for drought-hit Northland

Heavy rainfall across Northland has been welcomed by farmers despite causing chaos for commuters, with nearly 250 millimetres falling on inland parts of the region in just over 30 hours last week. The substantial downpour brings much-needed moisture to drought-declared farmland but falls short of solving longer-term water shortage issues.

Federated Farmers Northland president Colin Hannah says that a gentle start to the rainfall meant a significant amount of moisture would have been absorbed into the dry ground. This timing proved crucial for farmers who were beginning to face difficult decisions about feed supplies, with some starting to cut into their winter feed reserves.

The downpour comes after drought was officially declared last month across Northland, as well as the Waikato, Horizons, Marlborough-Tasman, and Taranaki regions. While the rain has provided immediate relief, it represents only the beginning of recovery for the region's severely depleted groundwater supplies.

MetService forecasts that another weather system will bring rain and a moderate risk of thunderstorms to northern and western parts of the North Island on Sunday.

 

Timber exports dodge US tariffs for now

The New Zealand timber export industry has breathed a sigh of relief after being exempted from the United States' new tariff regime for now. The US market is considered a growth market for our forestry sector, with exports of radiata pine products worth $358 million last year, an increase of $128 million since 2019.

While more than half of New Zealand's timber and lumber exports are sent to China, the US has become our third largest market, accounting for 6% of all exported forestry behind China at 57% and Australia at 9%. Between 15 and 18 New Zealand mills export timber and lumber products to the US at any given time, focusing on lumber, clear pine boards, and primed products.

Wood Processors & Manufacturers Association chief executive Mark Ross says that while the exemption might only be temporary, it provides some relief to New Zealand's industry. 

Two American industry groups have been lobbying Washington against tariffs, arguing they would further weaken the supply chain as US builders grapple with the cost and availability of materials, with prices already up over 30% in recent months. Ross says it is an unusual situation where you have a local association lobbying their Government to bring in imports, which is working well for New Zealand exporters.

 

AgResearch study shows climate change altering phosphorus availability

Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are altering phosphorus availability for plant growth, potentially leading to costly and unnecessary fertiliser application by Kiwi farmers. New research published in the Global Change Biology journal has found that the Olsen Phosphorus test used across New Zealand may be underestimating the true accessibility of this crucial element for pasture growth.

The research drew on data from a long-running AgResearch experiment where carbon dioxide is artificially elevated on an area of grazed pasture. Lead author Zac Beechey-Gradwell says for decades, New Zealand farmers have relied on the Olsen Phosphorus test to determine phosphorus available in soils and guide decisions about fertiliser use. The data shows a substantial and sustained reduction in available phosphorus in the topsoil extracted by the Olsen Phosphorus measure under elevated carbon dioxide, prior to annual phosphorus fertiliser application. The effectiveness of phosphorus fertiliser in raising Olsen Phosphorus was also significantly reduced.

The latest research confirms that more of the fertiliser phosphorus applied under elevated carbon dioxide is rapidly converted into organic forms in the topsoil, in a process called biological immobilisation. This essentially makes it invisible to standard soil phosphorus tests. If a soil phosphorus test indicates phosphorus deficiency, farmers may respond by applying more fertiliser than is necessary, driving up costs without improving pasture performance.

More research is needed to see if similar trends are occurring in different soil types, and what the impact is on clovers and nitrogen fixation.

 

Four decades of TB control pays off for Molesworth Station

The country’s largest working farm has achieved bovine tuberculosis (TB) freedom in its cattle herd for the first time in 37 years, marking a significant milestone for both Molesworth Station and the national TB eradication programme. The achievement comes after four decades of determined effort by station operator Pāmu and OSPRI in tackling what had been the country's longest-running TB infection.

Molesworth Station has battled bovine TB infection in its livestock since the early 1960s and has held continuous infected status since 1972. The milestone has been achieved through large-scale possum control operations to remove infection from wildlife vectors, coupled with comprehensive livestock testing programmes gradually reducing infected animal numbers through on-farm skin and blood testing.

OSPRI chief executive Sam McIvor says while Molesworth's journey to complete TB freedom is still progressing, this achievement represents a significant step forward.

Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie credits the success to innovation and collaboration, with Molesworth Station hosting several significant research projects on TB reduction and elimination. Leslie particularly acknowledged farm manager Jim Ward, who has been on farm for over half the period of infection and has been a key driver of this outcome.

 

Research funding key to unlocking hazelnut sector potential

Hazelnut growers are calling for increased research funding to boost production as they currently supply just 10-15% of the 200 tonnes consumed domestically each year.

The Hazelnut Growers' Association of New Zealand, representing about 70 growers, processors and marketers, is seeking research partners to improve yields and displace imports. The industry faces competition from massive operations in Turkey and the United States, with domestic production being more artisan in nature. One mature hazelnut tree can produce between 1-7kg of nuts depending on variety, age and climate.

Stats NZ data shows the value of New Zealand nut exports, including walnuts and chestnuts, has remained steady at about $21 million in recent years, with approximately half going to Australia. Industry leaders believe targeted research could unlock significant growth potential for this environmentally-friendly crop.

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