Episode 84 – Integrating Forestry
How can sheep and beef farmers see forestry as more than a binary choice between full plantation and traditional farming? New Zealand Institute of Forestry consultant Peter Handford explores how integrating trees can enhance overall farm management, improve profitability, and deliver environmental and animal welfare benefits.
In this episode, Sarah speaks with Peter about the practical and economic aspects of forestry on sheep and beef farms. They discuss modelling different forestry options, the opportunities for carbon and timber income, and how thoughtful planning can make trees a strategic part of a resilient, well-balanced farm system.
Keeping the Door Open to the EU
Silver Fern Farms, MIA and OSPRI have partnered with Prism Earth’s innovative technology to provide unprecedented insights into farmers’ natural capital that will both provide continued market access to the European Union as well as potential new revenue streams. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
A biodiversity blueprint
In the gullies of Clinton in South Otago, the Campbells have developed an innovative new approach to native planting and maintenance that’s more affordable, has a higher success rate and could be scalable nationally. Words & Photos Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
The Future of Forestry: Time to re-establish a native tree industry?
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is urging a “fundamental rethink” of New Zealand’s forestry policy and its role in emissions reduction in his latest report Alt F Reset which looks at the feasibility of large-scale native afforestation. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
TB-free milestone for Molesworth Station
A major milestone has been achieved after four decades of managing TB at Molesworth Station, marking one of New Zealand’s most determined and complex biosecurity challenges. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Photos Kara Tait.
A collective voice
The newly formed Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities aims to give a collective voice to catchment groups across the country, with a goal of providing security of funding for the future, and sharing the good news stories of farmer stewardship of the land. Words Rebecca Greaves.
Restoring Mana
The transformation of a once-neglected property on the coastal hills on Northland’s Whangaruru Harbour was recognised on the national stage when Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust was awarded the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Lifting Feed Efficiency
The Turnwald family in Waikato have invested in composting barns and a feedpad to lift feed efficiency by reducing feed waste and ultimately helping cows hold condition year-round. Words Sheryl Haitana.
Farming the Individual Cow, Not the Herd
A Taranaki farmer has embraced all of MSD Animal Health’s SenseHub Dairy Technologies to allow his high-producing cows to continue being milked beyond a typical dry-off date based on accurate, real-time information from wearables, sensors and drafting tools. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Photos Brad Hanson.
Dealing with shearing wounds
Nobody tries to cut a sheep, but when we do, what’s best practice? Vet Sara Sutherland says it’s not as simple as saying ‘slow down’ but highlights best practice for dealing with shearing wounds.
Wool Classers call for industry action on animal welfare
The wool industry continues to reckon with footage released by animal rights group PETA late last year that captured several New Zealand shearing sheds in serious breach of animal welfare standards – workers standing on sheep’s necks, dragging animals across floors, and stitching wounds without pain relief. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp
Leave Tariffs to the Farmers
Hank Volger started ranching in 1971 in Spring Valley at the tip of Nevada, south of Las Vegas, near the Arizona border with two cows and seven sheep. His business Needmore Sheep Co has over 7,000 merino ewes shorn mostly by Kiwi shearers.
From Butter to Beef: Rethinking Our Food System
Jo Hay farms near Herbert in North Otago on 260ha plus a lease of 410ha at Moeraki with husband Ross and children Charlie, Phoebe and Archie. She is also an elected director of North Otago Irrigation Company Ltd.
The Ageing Infrastructure – 50% of Farmers
George Moss is a Waikato dairy farmer at Tokoroa. He examines the issue of ageing infrastructure through the lens of an ageing population of farm owners who must devise a successful succession plan.
Keep the Sheep!
Steven Bolt is a farmer from Corrigin, in the Central Wheatbelt of Western Australia. He runs a mixed farming enterprise of merino sheep stud and cropping. He is the President of the Western Australian Stud Merino Breeders’ Association. In addition, he sits on the board of the Live Export Advisory Group.
A quarter of our annual rainfall in 36 hours
Brent Fisher is a third-generation farmer based outside of Christchurch at Motukarara (1,000-acre hill block rising to 350m) and Greenpark (1,275 acres 2m above sea level). He farms with his wife Anna and children and operates the Silverstream Charolais and Hereford stud.
Shed or Shear?
Kate Kellick’s Kellogg report calls for a shift towards shedding sheep as a solution to the pressing issues facing New Zealand’s sheep farming industry. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Diversification Pays the Bills
A UK YouTuber farmer with 14 different income streams shared his entrepreneurial recipe as a recent keynote speaker at the Foundation for Arable Research conference. Words Heather Chalmers.
Integrating Forestry Into Sheep & Beef Farming
How can sheep and beef farmers see forestry as more than a binary choice between farming and full conversion to pine plantations? New Zealand Institute of Forestry registered Forestry Consultant Peter Handford showcases the business case for sheep and beef operations to integrate forestry to support overall farm management and profitability. Words Peter Handford, Groundtruth.
Price Hedging Options Expand
As the demand for price hedging to manage volatility grows, Fonterra has expanded its Price Risk Management services to offer farmers greater flexibility in managing milk price volatility. Words Sheryl Haitana.
Investing Off Farm
The only constant in life is change. When it comes to investing off farm it is important for your asset allocation to balance risk and reward, income and growth, and short-term needs with long-term goals. Is your off-farm investment strategy current? Words Angus Marks, Andrew Austin and Harriet Jones, Wealth Management Advisors, JBWere
MORE
The Day of reckoning
No one can deny the numbers of a declining national lamb crop with the over-capacity of processing plants set to collide as the day of reckoning looms closer for New Zealand’s red meat sector. Words Tony Leggett.
The proven formula for meat quality
AgResearch scientists urge breeders to genotype, measure, and select for faster genetic progress through more accurate breeding values. Words GenomNZ.
Romani doubles down on robust genetics
The past few years has seen Ross and Ruth Richards work hard on diversifying from their proven Romani Coopworth genetics as they recognise shifts in their clients’ commercial needs. Words Richard Rennie.
Genetic tools under-utilised by sheep industry
Dr Jason Archer, Head of Genetics at Beef + Lamb New Zealand, believes the sheep industry is under-utilising the transformative power of genetic tools to speed up genetic progress. Words Sandra Taylor.
NZ Sheep Industry’s 30-Year Report Card
Since 1995, Beef + Lamb New Zealand has been recording the sheep industry’s genetic progress through its national genetic evaluation (the NZGE) and results over the last three decades highlight how impressive this progress has been. Words Sandra Taylor.
