With Mike Manning, Ravensdown General Manager - Innovation and Strategy.

With 2022 now in the rearview mirror, we look forward with optimism to the new year that is 2023. However, it remains clear that New Zealand farmers will continue to feel under a great deal of pressure.

There has been a lot to contend with. Rising costs, inflationary pressures, compounding regulatory obligations and increasing demands for sustainably produced food are just a few. You would be forgiven for feeling a little weary.

But the time feels right to take a pause, catch your breath, and focus on the things we can control. Looking across the country, and agribusiness more generally, it is heartening to see so many pockets of ingenuity and forward thinking. While there is no denying we will continue to face change and upheaval across the sector – how we embrace and adapt to challenges will pave the way forward.

In times of change, we look to our thought leaders to provide context around progressive options for the sector. First up is Dr John Caradus, CEO of Grasslanz Technology Ltd, who challenges our concerns over genetically modified crops and asks New Zealanders to reconsider their attitude towards them. For a solution that has been labelled a game changer, John’s view is that the time is ripe for the debate around risk versus reward in driving efficient production. Professor Hamish Gow of Lincoln University discusses some of the global ‘flips’ he sees coming our way, and how our ability to adapt to these changes will set New Zealand up as a progressive and trusted global partner. At the farm gate level, New Zealand Agri Brokers Director Andrew Laming touches on the future of competitive lending, as the rise of environmental and social licences to operate becoming increasingly factored into bank decisions.

On the farming front, we talk to North and South Island generational farmers about adaptation and progression in their respective businesses. 2022 Arable Farmer of the Year David Birkett has his finger on the pulse when it comes to understanding soil as his key soil asset. David has undertaken 25 years of sustained residue management on his Leeston property, all while developing a big picture understanding of both nitrogen (N) and phosphate availability in his soils. We travel to the Hawke’s Bay to visit the multi-faceted Skovland farm at Ashley Clinton, where Howard and Megan Pederson are adapting their farming system to better deal with climatic pressures. Sustainability is front of mind for the couple. They have worked hard to improve their own property through fencing, planting, retirement and better stock and soil management, but are also heavily involved in their local Tukipo Catchment community as well as running their own spreading business.

On the science and innovation side of the business, we detail research into a naturally occurring soil microbe that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the loss of N to waterways. This research is being undertaken at Lincoln University and is part of Ravensdown’s Sustainable Food and Fibres Future (SFFF) seven-year programme, N-Vision NZ. We also look at how the hyperspectral scanning imagery developed by Ravensdown and Massey University during the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is helping farmers identify on-farm biomass for both manuka honey production and carbon neutrality. A look into digital technology uptake on farms gives some context around barriers and incentives to adopt while Lincoln University has improved work/life balance for its dairy farm staff by introducing a new ’10 milkings in 7 days’ regime.

As always, we strive to bring stories that bind the threads of agriculture, science, thought leadership and ingenuity. While there will be challenging times ahead, we still have many success stories to celebrate. If you are interested in any of the stories or insights in this publication or if you think Ravensdown can help you in any way, I know the team would welcome your call.