Kellogg Programme Reports

This study set out to discuss staff turnover, the factors that drive turnover and the implications of varying levels of turnover on the productivity and profitability of a business. Of particular interest was the examination of staff turnover in the agricultural sector in New Zealand the current levels and the factors driving turnover. Current statistics … Read more

On-farm Certification programmes and the successful uptake of them by producers relies on some key elements especially if the programmes are to help mitigate the ‘licence to operate’ debate that is currently hampering intensive agricultural practice. Certification programmes operate in many different contexts – the size, depth and distribution of them through the supply chain … Read more

This report explores local government reform within Northland. A mayoral forum in 2009/2010 recognised issues of dysfunctionality and inefficiencies in the current system and began a process of targeting the formation of a single unitary authority within Northland. To date this process has failed to effect any significant structural or procedural change. In researching for … Read more

This resource focuses on ‘Soil Carbon Sequestration’. Is it possible to sequester carbon in soils? How? What are the upsides to doing so? Could the carbon sequestered in soils enter the Emissions Trading Scheme and be traded? Like soils are the foundation to our very being, this resource is the foundation to the knowledge required … Read more

The fortunes of farmers and agricultural aviation operators are inextricably linked. Poor returns for sheep and beef farmers have resulted in a reduced demand for fixed wing agricultural aviation (FWAA) services in Marlborough. As a result both of the locally based operations are struggling for profitability. This presents the real threat that farmers may soon … Read more

The common cry from many of today’s land managers is that the young New Zealanders who are seeking employment on New Zealand rural properties are ill-prepared for the rigors and day to day workload that is being asked of them. And it is not all physical work ethic and commonsense that they apparently lack. Lack … Read more

This report was motivated by the continued unrest and perceived dysfunctional nature of the New Zealand sheep meat industry relative to its ongoing viability and sustainability. Processing overcapacity, amalgamation, single desk, change to management structures, lack of R&D, rising on farm costs, are only a few of the widely debated topics that are seen as … Read more

Politically and publicly it has been decided that water quality and quantity are fundamentally important for the future of New Zealand. While this appears to be an appropriate goal that fits with our Clean Green and Pure NZ slogans it overlooks the challenge that it imposes on the primary production sector. Finding the balance between … Read more

This paper discusses the principles, outcomes and benefits of biological farming in New Zealand. New Zealand agriculture is at present extremely reliant on petrochemical based fertiliser and chemicals to produce commodities. Biological agriculture is about increasing efficiency, productivity and profitability by working with a natural system rather than against it. Agricultural produce in New Zealand … Read more

New Zealand Agriculture is renowned around the world for producing excellent products, systems, technologies and farmers. However, the sheep farming industry is nearing crisis stage with profitability reduced significantly over several years, due to low relative returns and rising costs of production, particularly land values. The result has been rising debt levels, a reduction in … Read more

Productivity and maximizing yields are issues that avocados growers in New Zealand are constantly facing and trying to improve. Avocado yields can be variable from year to year and the trees can fall into a cycle of biennial bearing. Growers do their best to avoid this situation and aim to produce consistent crops from year … Read more

Over the years farmers within the Bay of Plenty had little problems or restrictions in accessing water for running their business. However times have changed and the diversification of our business into both dairy and horticulture has increased our requirements for water. The opportunity to diversify our dairy farm to include horticulture has been mirrored … Read more

New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers continue to struggle. With the global economic crisis stumbling along the situation on most farms is unlikely to improve within the next 18-24 months. Farmers have slashed spending, livestock numbers are depleted, a drought, an earth-quake, a storm, and sheep and beef farmer confidence is very low. Change is … Read more

In the 30 years that I’ve been farming I have always enjoyed going to field days and taking advantage of the many extension opportunities that we as sheep and beef farmers have. I have been involved in our local farm discussion group, acting as its unofficial chairman for at least 10 years. I have also … Read more

The Industry triangle is made up of 3 key participants: Growers, Zespri, Suppliers. Each plays a crucial part in the integrity of the supply chain, though the supply chain is controlled mainly by suppliers and Zespri. The Suppliers role is to supply a product of quality and consistency that Zespri can take to the market … Read more

Pastoral Farmers in New Zealand are renowned for their expertise and ability to grow grass and to convert that to meat and milk more efficiently than anyone else. This may well be the case although how near that is to the economic optimum is what this project aims to find out. The perception is that … Read more

This report aims to identify the roading issues of SH 2 that place barriers on the future development of Te Puke. By identifying the problem areas, created by high traffic volumes and high heavy vehicle percentages, it will stimulate discussion and debate resulting in a more unified approach to achieving solutions. It recommends a more … Read more

The New Zealand sheep breeding industry in the next ten years is likely to be more focused on breeding for traits that meet market requirements rather than breeding for on farm production. This is being driven by meat companies starting to pay on the meat value of the carcass. With the assistance of breeding tools … Read more

Rural Women New Zealand has been in operation for over 80 years. Through the years and the name changes its main aim to support rural women, families and communities has stayed basically the same. As a relatively new member of RWNZ, there is a lot about the organisation that I do not know about or … Read more

Irrigation and water storage has long been touted as a potential for improvements in productivity in dryland East Coast areas. Reports date back to the 1880’s discussing the benefits water would bring to farmlands. Currently there is 750,000ha of land irrigated in New Zealand with approximately 400,000ha in Canterbury. The total irrigated area in New … Read more

The following report researches the feasibility and profitability of growing Hazelnuts on our property in Canterbury and outlines these findings in a business plan. MacDonald Boyd, A

Accident Compensation Corporation Statistics (ACC Statistics 2009) show that there are on average 30 sudden deaths on farms each year. These figures are only for accidents on farm. They do not include sudden deaths related to medical conditions.(See Appendix A) These statistics highlight the reason why we should all be prepared for the sudden death … Read more

The Fresh Produce industry is by nature competitive, and the demand for high quality consistent products requires technologies and methods to describe and manage the high degree of variability which is inherent in Horticultural crops. An opportunity exists to use Supply Chain Information to measure the quality and value of fruit, and a range of … Read more