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Lowest cost feed not necessarily the best option for drought-stricken dairy farmers

As Waikato and South Auckland dairy farmers battle drought conditions, GrainCorp Feeds is urging them to plan well and weigh up the expected return from supplementary feed rather than just choosing the lowest cost option. “The price of feed will always play a part in farmers’ feed purchasing decisions. But with some areas experiencing drought conditions and a lack of locally grown supplement, combined with global supply uncertainty around imported feeds, the number of feed opt...

Lodge Real Estate issues first-home buyer FOMO caution

As property sales plummet by 32.5 percent and first home buyers move from a fear of missing out (FOMO) to a fear of paying too much, real estate agents are warning that a lull in the market is the best time to buy. Lodge Real Estate Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says Hamilton experienced one of its slowest months in April with only 192 properties changing hands and very few of them to first home buyers. The latest figures from REINZ also show sales have plummeted 32.5 percent annually and monthly...

Debunking four media myths

by Heather ClaycombThis month I thought I would share a few myths or misperceptions I hear a lot from organisations that are not used to working with media.  If you are thinking about doing more proactive media publicity in your business, these four myths will help you prepare for the road ahead. Why doesn’t the media ever ask us for a story? Newsflash: journalists are not sitting around wracking their brains about who they can do a ‘good news’ story about.  They will not simply ...

“If you go up the driveway of farmers and you don’t believe you can make their lives better, you may as well not be there.”

That’s the philosophy of CRV’s new Regional Sales Manager for the Upper North Island, Michelle Bratty. She likes farmers. Likes to see them do well and loves being part of a company that shares her zeal for helping people succeed. “I’m passionate about farmers because I’ve been one. Only for a short time, but I know how hard it is to keep that bottom line from sinking. It’s a constant battle to get the best out of your herd, so I’m thrilled to be in a company that helps farmers do ...

He Waka Eke Noa consultation - farmers rightly remain nervous, confused, and angry

As consultation by He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) has rounded up there are still a vast number of farmers who are nervous, confused, and angry about what the future for managing agricultural emissions in New Zealand might look like, and for good reason. The fast pace of law-making in New Zealand in recent years is unsettling. Not only for the rural community trying to get their heads around what it all means for them, but for a range of sectors, including participants in New Zealand’s Emissions Tradin...

Key appointment strengthens Perrin Ag’s presence in the Lower North Island

Experienced dairy industry professional Rob Brazendale has joined Perrin Ag as the firm looks to strengthen its support of farmers and growers in the Lower North Island. With over 30 years in the agricultural sector, Rob knows how to navigate farmers through the regulatory maze. As Perrin Ag’s newest senior consultant based in Palmerston North, he is in a unique position to help farmers more than ever. “I’ve been in agriculture a long time and my work has been varied: farm advisory work,...

Micro market segment performance shows strength remains in Hamilton housing market

Many segments of the residential property market are still performing strongly in Hamilton.  Despite overall sales volumes for March being approximately 25% less than March 2021, one Hamilton real estate agent is reminding people that residential property is not a commodity market. Lodge Real Estate Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says people need to remember the housing market is comprised of diverse segments and many are still performing very well. “When you listen to commentators talking ...

Three new partners appointed to Tompkins Wake legal team in Auckland and Hamilton

Leading law firm Tompkins Wake is pleased to announce the appointment of three new partners: Daniel Erickson, Wayne Hofer and Karina McLuskie. Daniel joins the Auckland office of Tompkins Wake from the firm he helped establish, Douglas Erickson. For Daniel the switch to Tompkins Wake was the right career move at the right time. “In my own firm, I was having to deal with admin and the daily tasks of running a business. What I wanted was freedom to take my skills and practice to the next level. ...

Planning for reconnection

By Heather ClaycombA simple way I sometimes define the field of public relations to those who aren’t quite sure what I do with my time, is that it involves intentional communications and actions to build reputation and relationships. Over the past two years, the pandemic has given many organisations an opportunity to really ‘show their spots’ in these two areas.  Those who have deliberately focused on upping their game in the communications space have maintained and even enhanced thei...

Dairy farmers encouraged to maintain first calvers’ body condition to minimise wastage

Dairy farmers are being encouraged to maintain the body condition of their rising three-year-olds as first-time calvers to help secure their longevity in the herd and maximise profitability. GrainCorp Feeds hosted PGG Wrightson Technical Expert in Ruminant Nutrition Laura Pattie this month on a farmer webinar. She says prioritising rising three-year-olds for a second season is crucial to minimising wastage in terms of empty cows and lost milk production. This begins at calving time and throughou...

Rising fuel prices drive commuters to cost-saving e-bike alternatives

With fuel prices across the country continuing to hit new highs, commuters are looking towards alternative transport methods like e-bikes to keep their monthly bills down, amidst other economic factors such as rising inflation. Whilst the Government announced last week they are cutting 25c a litre off the petrol excise duty and road user charges for three months, the provisional forecast from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment shows prices tracking on an upward trajectory. This,...

New business manager brings winning combo to the team

Mike Matthews’ energy, commercial experience and rapport with people are a winning combination for driving change and building on the value Perrin Ag delivers its clients. Mike (31) is the firm’s new Business Manager. He joined Perrin Ag after nearly a decade working in supply chain and logistics roles with dairy giant Fonterra and GPS positioning system company, Trimble Navigation. Combine that experience with a Bachelor of Management Studies in PR and supply chain management and he’s wel...

New graduate advisor impresses with self-drive, intentionality and hands-on farming experience

Laura McQuillan-Reese’s self-drive, intentionality and hands-on farming experience rivals most her age. As Perrin Ag’s newest graduate advisor, she is poised to make her mark on New Zealand’s agricultural sector.   Perrin Ag launched its Empower Graduate Advisor Development Programme in September last year, inviting applications from graduates from Massey, Lincoln and Waikato universities. Laura was the obvious choice. Laura (23) grew up on a sheep farm in the small town of Hawar...

Increasing number of Kiwis illegally using train tracks in dangerous photography shoots

TrackSAFE is blowing the whistle this March on an increasing number of Kiwis who are using train tracks as a backdrop for photography, from members of the public, to clothing labels and even musicians. TrackSAFE NZ Foundation Manager Megan Drayton says photography for creative campaigns on train tracks and at level crossings is a growing issue in New Zealand and TrackSAFE is being contacted frequently about people using railway tracks as a backdrop for their photography. “Almost every week we ...

New Zealand’s false housing market faces a reset as borders open

New Zealand is experiencing an artificially suppressed housing market.  As borders reopen, house prices, alongside demand, could reignite as those locked out through MIQ restrictions return looking for somewhere to live, says a Hamilton real estate agent. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says New Zealand has been operating in a false market with our borders closed and people hunkered down in a semi-lockdown state as Omicron numbers continue to rise.  He believes ...

Review of Omicron isolation periods may save New Zealand businesses

The shortening of Omicron isolation periods may give some relief to businesses say insolvency experts, but many are still facing permanent closure if they can’t open their doors due to staff isolating. Tompkins Wake insolvency specialist Wayne Hofer says even before Omicron entered New Zealand there was a severe labour shortage economy wide, compounded by New Zealand’s border closures. “Some businesses had already seen their bottom line reduce drastically. If they have no staff, they canno...

Dairy farmers look to quality supplements to combat summer pasture protein deficits

A deficit in pasture protein levels this summer, combined with a good payout, has seen dairy farmer demand for quality, cost-effective protein-rich supplements soar, according to GrainCorp Feeds General Manager Daniel Calcinai. “Protein levels in pasture typically decline during summer months, so supplementing a cow’s diet with a quality protein source can provide significant animal health and economic benefits in terms of lifting milk production and maintaining body condition,” he says. �...

Our top 4 tips for running TikTok ads

TikTok is the fastest growing social media platform in the world. In September 2021, the company announced that it had 1 billion global monthly active users and claims that marketers can reach 824.5 million users aged 18 and above on the platform – even though the app is not available in China and banned in India two of the most populous countries in the world. TikTok used to be the playground of anyone under 20, but the demographic is changing. While Gen Z is 60% of the users, there are growi...

CRV brings world leading sexed genetics technology to New Zealand to help dairy farmers breed better cows faster

CRV has collaborated with Genus IntelliGen® Technologies to bring proven innovative sexed semen technology to New Zealand, giving dairy farmers access to high quality sexed semen to accelerate the genetic gains of their herd. CRV today officially opened its new sexed semen processing facility at its Bellevue production and logistics facility in the Waikato. It is equipped with IntelliGen® Technology, the only commercial laser-ablation¹ semen sexing technology available in key global markets. ...

Students and young professionals shut out of shared flatting because of rental shortage

Students and young professionals are having to consider living alone as many reassess their accommodation because of a lack of suitable three- and four-bedroom rental properties for flatting. Hamilton’s largest property management company, Lodge City Rentals, had just 25 empty homes on their books available for rent in January, and with growing rental housing demand in the city, it was becoming almost impossible to secure a three- or four-bedroom home to flat in. Lodge City Rentals General Man...

Waikato business owners dedicating their profits to passion

Waikato couple Heather and Rod Claycomb are seeing lives changed across the world thanks to their unique family charity that supports social entrepreneurs to start new businesses for the benefit of people in need. The couple are both entrepreneurs themselves who own two successful Hamilton-based businesses, award-winning PR company HMC and dairy biotech company Quantec. They founded All Good Ventures three years ago out of a shared passion to see people from all corners of the globe freed from ...

Omega Capital says inconsistent Government legislation is ‘tying developers’ hands’ – worse housing crisis looms

Government moves to free up housing supply is doing little to help developers who are feeling a credit squeeze leaving them unable to get finance to buy land and build more houses, say mortgage brokers. The General Manager of Waikato based Omega Capital, a commercial broker specialising in sourcing property finance, Noni Martin says Omega is experiencing four times the number of finance enquiries than they usually receive this time last year. “It’s no secret there is a real credit squeeze at...

Number of homes for sale doubles in Hamilton but rental properties are scarce

The number of homes for sale in Hamilton has nearly doubled compared to the same time last year but the number of rental properties available in the city is at an extreme low says real estate agency Lodge. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says the number of residential properties currently for sale in Hamilton sat at 780 at the end of January, which was a vast improvement on the 410 available on the market at the same time last year. Lodge City Rentals, Hamilton’s larges...

Are your staff communication channels ready for 2022?

By Heather Claycomb  Two years ago, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, organisations were forced by necessity to smarten up their internal communications.    For many in the corporate sector, improved staff communications and relationships was one of the upsides of the pandemic.  For many, staying connected during remote working and building regular wellbeing check-ins into the work-week has reaped benefits in terms of staff loyalty and enhanced team dynamics.  ...

KCE and local pest management group trap unprecedented number of pests at Lake Kuratau

A new trapline near Lake Kuratau set up by King Country Energy (KCE) and the Omori Kuratau Pest Management Group (OKPMG) has captured an unprecedented number of pests in just three months. The new trapline is intended to capture possums, stoats, rats and mice that both compete with native wildlife for food and habitat and prey on them. It runs through a forestry block around the southern part of Lake Kuratau, above the Kuratau Power Station owned by KCE. “Usually a new trapline takes about a m...