Early Bird I Monday September 16th 2024

Farmers urge DOC to step up their pest control efforts, pleas for more support for rural mental health crisis, and 100 schools get ‘George the Farmer’ books to boost agri education. 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! Farmers urge DOC to step up their pest control efforts Farmers up and down the country are grappling with a growing pest problem, citing continuous reinvasion from neighbouring Department of Conservation (DOC) land. Federated Farmers is calling for intervention following a recent survey that revealed feral animal control is costing farmers at least $213 million annually. DOC manages about a third of the country's land area, operating on a budget similar to that of Christchurch City Council. However, this budget is set to decrease further, with DOC cutting 130 roles earlier this year to meet government-mandated spending reductions. Overall, DOC's funding is expected to drop 21 percent to $728 million by 2026/27. Many farmers across the country report significant challenges with pest control, particularly those whose properties border DOC reserves. These farmers often invest considerable time and money into pest management on their own land, including installing traps, bait stations, and even using night vision equipment for nocturnal pest control. Some farmers have taken conservation efforts into their own hands, covenanting portions of their land and replanting native species. However, they note that the constant influx of pests from nearby DOC land undermines these efforts. Wild deer, pigs, and possums are cited as particularly problematic, causing damage to native plants, forests, and waterways. While acknowledging that individual DOC rangers are hardworking, many farmers believe the department's focus on paperwork and consultation hampers effective pest control. Some have offered to assist with pest management on DOC land but report that their offers have been declined. DOC, for its part, acknowledges farmers' frustrations but emphasises the need for a collective effort to find solutions. The department states that its approach to feral animal control focuses on areas where pests pose threats to protected species or act as vectors for diseases like kauri dieback. Recent monitoring has found that hoofed animals now occupy 82% of sites on public conservation land, up from 64% in 2013, highlighting the growing scale of the problem. Pleas for more support for rural mental health crisis Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is sounding the alarm on the urgent need for increased mental health support in rural communities. This call to action comes in the wake of ACT MP Mark Cameron's moving address in Parliament, where he shared his family's recent loss to suicide. Sandra Matthews, RWNZ Board Chair, commends Cameron's courage in bringing attention to this critical issue. She emphasises the importance of open dialogue about mental health challenges in rural areas, noting that country communities are currently facing numerous hardships. The rural sector is grappling with a perfect storm of challenges. These include significant job losses due to the closure or downsizing of major local employers, ongoing recovery efforts from Cyclone Gabrielle and other extreme weather events, and persistent drought conditions in various regions. Additionally, farmers are struggling with low market prices while input and living costs continue to rise. RWNZ welcomes recent government initiatives, such as the rollout of mental health support for primary and intermediate students in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti. They also commend increased funding for drought-affected communities and Rural Support Trusts. However, Matthews stresses that more needs to be done. The organisation highlights the risk of volunteer burnout in rural communities, where locals often shoulder the burden of addressing multiple crises simultaneously. With Mental Health Awareness Week approaching, RWNZ is urging the government to significantly increase resources and access to rural mental health services, including counselling and medical assessments. Dairy farmers face higher TB levy as rates shift Next month will see changes in TB differential slaughter levy rates, with dairy and beef cattle affected differently. Ospri, the organisation managing the TBfree programme, has announced these adjustments as part of its annual review process. From next month, dairy animals will face an increased levy of $12.25 per head, up 75 cents from the current rate. In contrast, the levy for beef animals will decrease by 25 cents, dropping to $4.50 per head. Ospri explains that these adjustments are made to align with the latest industry farm gate values and slaughter volumes for dairy and beef stock. The organisation emphasises that these changes don't increase the overall annual funding of the TBfree programme but ensure consistent funding to support programme delivery. The TB differential slaughter levy is collected to fund the TBfree programme on behalf of the beef and dairy industries. Funding shares change annually based on shifts in the relative size and value of each industry. In light of these changes, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging farmers to keep their NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) accounts up to date. They stress the importance of recording the correct animal type to ensure farmers are paying the appropriate TB slaughter levy. South Canterbury airstrip restrictions could have nationwide implications A battle brewing in South Canterbury over rural airstrip regulations could have far-reaching consequences for farmers and recreational pilots across New Zealand. Aircraft owners in the Timaru and Mackenzie districts are contesting proposed district plan changes that would restrict operations at numerous rural airstrips, and there are concerns this trend could spread to other regions. The proposed changes include extending noise setback areas around rural airstrips to a 500-metre radius and limiting the number of flights. This could affect an area of about 500 hectares around each airstrip, potentially impacting land use and property rights for many rural landowners. Farmers and aviation enthusiasts argue these restrictions are disproportionate to the actual use of rural airstrips, which are often utilized only weekly or monthly. They point out that the proposed setbacks for these intermittently used airstrips are more extensive than those for some international airports. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of New Zealand (AOPA NZ) is at the forefront of this fight, highlighting the potential national implications. They warn that if these regulations are adopted in South Canterbury, other councils across the country might follow suit, leading to a domino effect of restrictions on rural aviation. Critics of the proposed changes argue that they create unnecessary regulation where no problem previously existed. In the Timaru District, for example, there has reportedly been only one fixed-wing aircraft noise complaint in the past decade. There are also concerns about the impact on emergency responses in isolated areas. Fewer rural airstrips could hinder rapid access for emergency services, potentially affecting rural communities nationwide. The situation raises questions about the balance between local council regulations and rural activities. Farmers are expressing frustration at having to spend time and money fighting issues they believe are created by councils and consultants rather than addressing existing problems. 100 schools get ‘George the Farmer’ books to boost agri education A hundred primary schools across New Zealand now have new resources to teach students about farming and food production, thanks to a recent competition by Rabobank. The agri lending specialist has donated sets of 'George the Farmer' books to schools nationwide, more than doubling last year's giveaway. Rabobank New Zealand Head of Client Councils Jeffrey Morrison highlights the initiative's aim to improve knowledge about farming and food production among young Kiwis. The huge volume of entries received demonstrates strong demand from schools for this type of agri-focused teaching resource. The competition, which ran in late July and early August, attracted entries from all over the country. Winning schools received six 'George the Farmer' books earlier this month. 'George the Farmer' is a fictional character created in 2014 by South Australian farmer Simone Kain. The series aims to connect children to the earth, food, and farm through engaging stories. With help from the New Zealand Agribusiness in Schools programme, the learning resources have been adapted for Kiwi students. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.