Early Bird I Friday Agusut 23rd 2024

Synlait in talks with Open Country Dairy for potential North Island supply, Earthworm DNA test revolutionises soil assessment for Kiwi farmers, and prestigious Māori farming competition opens for entries. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Synlait in talks with Open Country Dairy for potential North Island supply Synlait Milk is reportedly close to finalising an agreement with Open Country Dairy regarding its North Island milk supply. This development comes as part of Synlait's ongoing strategic review of its North Island assets, including the Pōkeno site. The deal, expected to be announced within the next few days, would see Open Country acquiring Synlait's North Island farmer suppliers, primarily located in the Waikato region. Open Country may begin collecting milk from these suppliers as early as next month. However, it's important to note that the agreement does not include the Pōkeno processing facility. This potential transaction follows Synlait's recent announcement of a significant recapitalization plan. The company aims to raise $217.8 million through share placements to its two largest shareholders, Bright Dairy and The a2 Milk Company. If approved, Bright Dairy will increase its stake to a controlling position by contributing $185 million at an issue price of 60 cents per share. The a2 Milk Company will maintain its 19.8% stake by contributing $32.8 million at 43 cents per share. Synlait's North Island supply was expected to be around 10 million kilograms of milk solids. The company had 59 farmer suppliers in the North Island during the most recent season, down from 65 in the previous year. The strategic review of Synlait's North Island assets is nearing its final stages, with the company expected to make a further announcement before its full-year results in September. The review has considered various options for the North Island assets, including focusing solely on advanced nutrition, divestment, or mothballing the plant. This potential deal with Open Country Dairy represents a significant shift in Synlait's operations and could have substantial implications for the dairy industry landscape. Earthworm DNA test revolutionises soil assessment for Kiwi farmers A Hamilton-based laboratory has introduced a game-changing tool for farmers to assess soil health. Hill Labs, in collaboration with AgResearch, has developed the country's first test to detect earthworm eDNA levels in soil. This innovative method measures environmental DNA - the genetic traces left behind as earthworms move through the soil. It offers a more efficient alternative to traditional, labour-intensive earthworm counting techniques. Earthworms are crucial indicators of soil health, playing a vital role in aeration and nutrient mixing. In high-quality New Zealand pastures, earthworm populations typically exceed 400 per square metre, while arable land should host at least 250 per square metre. The new eDNA test complements existing field assessments, providing farmers with a more comprehensive view of their soil's biological health. It eliminates the need for time-consuming manual earthworm counts and species identification. This development marks the beginning of potential wider applications in agricultural technology. Hill Labs is committed to exploring how this eDNA technology can benefit various crops and farming methods across New Zealand. For Kiwi farmers, this test represents a significant advancement in soil management tools. It offers a convenient and accurate way to monitor soil health, supporting more informed decision-making in farm management. As New Zealand's agricultural sector continues to focus on sustainability, innovations like this earthworm eDNA test play a crucial role. They enable farmers to better understand and maintain the health of their most valuable resource - the soil beneath their feet. Rural communities at risk as pine plantations threaten traditional farming A new white paper is sounding the alarm on the future of New Zealand's sheep and beef farms. The report, titled "Why Pines?", suggests that without policy changes, many of these farms could transition to pine forestry. This paper draws from four recent research programs funded by Our Land and Water. While using different methods, all studies indicated a likely increase in pine plantations on current sheep and beef farmland. Dr. Jenny Webster-Brown, co-author and director of Our Land and Water, stresses that while concerning, these findings are not set in stone. She emphasises the need for policy adjustments to avoid unintended consequences. The research highlights how current economic signals and policies could drive land use changes that may not align with broader community interests. It calls on government officials to reassess their approach to land use management. For sheep and beef farmers, the paper underscores the urgency of finding ways to increase the value of their products to compete with forestry. It also urges climate change policymakers to consider promoting native forests as an alternative to pine plantations. Lead author Dr. Bill Kaye-Blake points out that large-scale shifts to pine forestry could threaten rural communities. Concerns include weakened intergenerational land connections and potential declines in local populations and services. The research aims to inform the rural sector about the scale of change needed to meet environmental goals, particularly around water quality. It also sheds light on the challenges such transitions might bring. This white paper serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, farmers, and rural communities alike. It underscores the need for a balanced approach to land use that considers economic, environmental, and social factors. As New Zealand grapples with these complex issues, the findings from "Why Pines?" offer valuable insights for shaping future policies. The goal is to ensure a sustainable and thriving rural sector that benefits all New Zealanders. Prestigious Māori farming competition opens for entries The quest to find New Zealand's leading Māori-owned sheep and beef farm is now underway. Entries have opened for the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition, a prestigious event celebrating excellence in Māori agriculture. This contest, which rotates between dairy, sheep and beef, and horticulture, traces its roots back to 1933. It was established by Lord Bledisloe and Sir Apirana Ngata to encourage Māori participation in farming and horticulture. Nukuhia Hadfield, chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy management committee, highlights the competition's enduring relevance. She emphasizes its role in fostering growth and development among Māori in the primary sector.  Hadfield, a former winner herself, encourages rural experts to promote the competition. She notes the significant benefits for all entrants, including valuable feedback from experienced judges. The contest showcases the strength of Māori farming, which contributes over 15% to New Zealand's sheep and beef sector earnings. It's open to individual Māori farmers, trusts, and other entities across the country. Key dates for the 2025 competition include initial judging early in the year, finalist announcements at Parliament in late February, and field days at finalist farms in March and April. The winner will be revealed at an awards dinner on June 6 in Palmerston North. This competition not only recognizes agricultural excellence but also highlights the important economic and cultural contributions of Māori farming to New Zealand. It serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, celebrating success, and inspiring the next generation of Māori farmers. As the search begins, the farming community eagerly anticipates discovering who will emerge as the top Māori sheep and beef operation in Aotearoa for 2025. EPA issues red alert on herbicide Chlorthal-Dimethyl The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a red alert regarding the herbicide chlorthal-dimethyl, strongly advising people to stop using products containing this chemical due to significant concerns about its effects on unborn children. The three products are Dacthal, Deramot Xtra, and Chlor-Back 75WG.  Chlorthal-dimethyl, also known as dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, DCPA, dacthal, or chlorthal-methyl, is commonly used to control grasses and weeds, particularly in onion crops, forest nurseries, and ornamental plants in New Zealand. The EPA recommends that users consider alternative products and, if usage is unavoidable, take all necessary precautions to prevent exposure to pregnant individuals or those who may be pregnant. This alert follows an emergency order issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) on August 7, halting all use or sale of chlorthal-dimethyl products - a measure not taken in 40 years. The US EPA found risks of thyroid hormone changes in unborn children of pregnant bystanders and women who apply the herbicide or enter treated fields afterward. These changes can lead to low birth weight and irreversible, lifelong impacts such as impaired brain development and motor skills. In response to this new information, the EPA has established a working group to assess the herbicide's usage in New Zealand and to take swift action to ensure continued protection of public health and safety. The agency is currently consulting directly with potentially affected parties to understand the extent of chlorthal-dimethyl use in the country and to discuss proposed additional rules for its use. Michelle Sands, General Manager Strategy and Policy at HortNZ, confirmed that the industry is engaging with the EPA as it reviews the situation based on additional overseas information. HortNZ supports this review and will continue to work with regulators. Sands noted that chlorthal-dimethyl is an old product infrequently used in New Zealand, with its use continuing to decline. She emphasised that New Zealand's growers prefer to use newer, lighter chemistry and welcomed the Ministry of Regulation's review to identify opportunities for growers to access new products in a timely manner. The EPA will provide updates as this work progresses. The consultation period with affected parties runs until August 30. This information will inform decisions on managing chlorthal-dimethyl use, including potential reassessment of the substance or temporary restrictions under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO Act). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.