2010 Reports

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

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 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

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

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

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